Classic Poem

XI

Behold Her now by Loves and Graces drest!
Like the Great Wife of Jove in Venus Cest ;
Now She may ask whate're the God can grant,
If ought of Pow'r, or Glory, She can want;
But Heav'n has superseded all Her care,
And giv'n till it has left no use for Pray'r.
No wish for Times swift Coursers to run back,
To catch one flying minute past;
The coming hours, new pleasures hast;
Fortune and Nature still agree to make
Each present minute gayer than the last:
This gives you Empire ! while Three Nations pay
Their willing homage to your Scepters sway.
That gives you Beauty ! which without the aid
Of feebler pow'r, Commands and is obey'd !
Bewitching youth do's over all appear,
So Flow'rs just blown, their noblest Luster shew,
When shining in their Morning dew;
All their fresh Fragrancies they wear.
Almighty Wit and Vertue ! Crowns the whole,
In ev'ry look and Feature of your Face,
We may the well-known Excellencies Trace
Of your Diviner Soul!
Though the soft Musick of your Words shou'd cease,
Your Charming Eyes wou'd Your great Thoughts confess!
Oh Blest are they that may at distance gaze,
And Inspirations from Your looks may take,
But how much more their happier Stars they Praise,
Who wait , and listen when you speak !
Mine for no scanted bliss so much I blame,
(Though they the humblest Portion destin'd me)
As when they stint my noblest Aim ,
And by a silent dull obscurity
Set me at distance , much too far
The Deity to view , or Divine Oracle to hear!
So when the Israelites all wond'ring stood,
With awful Rev'rence in the vale beneath,
They saw from far the Glory's of the God ;
But to approach the Sacred Mount was Death !
His Dictates by the Holy Prophet came,
'Twas He alone that did the pow'r receive,
To hear th' Almighty 's voice and live ;
It was enough for them below to view the Heav'nly flame.