Classic Poem

Young, and but forming distant hopes, to please ,
What have I done? — that call'd for smiles , like these;
'Tis your own worth — not mine — to night, is shown!
That truth my grateful heart delights to own .
Shall I say more — Oh! how might words surprize,
Could they but borrow power — from those bright Eyes !
I feel your presence, know your worth's high rate,
Yet still — tho' reason claims respect's full weight,
Tho' conscious rev'rence rash presumption awes ,
What dumb tongue pleads not , in a F ATHER 's cause?

Strong are the tides, he stems! — How good, how kind,
'Twould be! — to swell his sails, with pity's wind!
Shoal'd, on the flats of your neglect , we lie,
Half buoy'd — half grounded — you might float us — TRY .
Help us to shun cold coasts of dry despair ,
And take th' improving future to your care.
Then , shall new prospects RAISE our cherish'd aim ,
'Till our stage LIGHTENS , and our actors FLAME .
Nor let this pride provoke our rival's gall ,
The muses contests should be peaceful , all.
By emulation , not by envy , mov'd,
Slow time might teach us, all, to grow belov'd.
Teach comic shame , to pierce the mended mind,
And laugh away low tastes, that cramp mankind.
Might teach the stage's foes — plain truth reigns here,
And rich corruption loves a loftier sphere.
Teach passion's pangs — teach how distresses shake ,
How hearts, that feel , bid hearts, that listen , AKE .
How action paints the soul , upon the eye ,
And the wing'd muscles , into meanings fly.
Slow time can teach us this . — Slow time can do
Still more: — Slow time can add new friends — like you .
'Till, to reward our will's industrious pain ,
No more thin benches make our labours vain ;
But long-wish'd favour lifting modest claim,
You lend us ear , tho' you refuse us fame .