Presented to two Ladies ( Sisters of the Deceas'd ) accompanied with the Author's Proposals for printing this Work .

I.

Not a Patron to befriend,
Wou'd you Ladies, condescend,
But to take the least Regard
Of th' impartial scribbling Bard;
How my grateful Heart wou'd glow,
If such Honour you'd bestow!

II.

Deign to favour with your Care,
Proposals, or my Bill of Fare;
If you hint it to your Friends,
It may answer gen'rous Ends;
Trust me, Ladies, I'd not sue
To any but such Fair as You .

III.

Grief employs the present Time,
And in sympathetic Rhyme,
I lament your Sister's Fate,
The common Lot of Poor and Great:
Bear it then with equal Mind,
G OD is ever just and kind.

IV.

Your Lady-Mother will excuse
The Freedom of my honest Muse;
She cou'd not, for her Life, forbear,
To join a sympathetic Tear:
I hope it won't be deem'd Offence,
Which I would give on no Pretence.