POETRY. S53 



" A little time, and he should burst to light, 

 And admiration of the world excite ; 

 And every friend, now cool and apt to blame 

 His fond pursuit, would wonder at his fame." 

 "When led by fancy, and from view retir'd, 

 He call'd before him all his heart desir'd ; 

 " Fame shall be mine, then wealth shall I possess, 

 And beauty next an ardent lover bless ; 

 For me the maid shall leave her nobler state, 

 Happy to raise and share her poet's fate." 

 He saw each day his Father's frugal board. 

 With simple fare by cautious prudence stor'd ; 

 Where each indulgence was foreweigh'd with care. 

 And the grand maxims were to save and spare : 

 Yet in his walks, his closet, and his Led, 

 All frugal cares and prudent counsels fled ; 

 And bounteous Fancy, for his glowing mind. 

 Wrought various scenes, and all of glorious kind : 

 Slaves of the ring and lamp ! what need of you. 

 When Fancy's self such magic deeds can do ? 



Though rapt in visions of no vulgar kind. 

 To common subjects stoop'd our Poet's mind ; 

 And oft, when wearied with more ardent flight. 

 He felt a spur satiric song to write; 

 A rival burgess his bold Muse attack'd. 

 And whipp'd severely for a well-known fact ; 

 For while he seem'd to all demure and shy. 

 Our Poet gaz'd at what was passing by ; 

 And ev'n his father smil'd when playful wit, 

 From his young bard, some haughty object hit. 



From ancient times, the Borough where they dv?elt 

 Had mighty contest at elections felt : 

 Sir Godfrey Ball, 'tis true, had held in pay 

 Electors many for the trying day ; 

 But in such golden chains to bind them all, 

 Requir'd too much for e'en Sir Godfrey Ball. 

 A member died, and, to supply his place. 

 Two heroes enter'd for th' important race ; 

 Sir Godfrey's friend and Earl Fitzdonnel's son. 

 Lord Frederick Damer, both prepar'd to run ; 

 And partial numbers saw with vast delight 

 Their good young Lord oppose the proud old Knight. 



Our poet's Father, at a first request. 

 Gave the young Lord his vote and interest ; 



And 



