Classic Poem

Form'd for each other's aid , these powers but meet,
As nature's self shows light , combin'd with heat:
Oh! born, to grace their union , let 'em share
Thy thoughts exertion , and reward thy care:
The willing arts bid all their praise be thine ;
For thee , tun'd discords into musick join ;
What others , lab'ring hopeless, hardly gain,
'Twas thine , at once , to start for, and obtain .
To instant growth, without gradation , drawn,
High noon leapt backward, to embrace the dawn ;
Time and experience sunk, to speed thy way,
And genius grasp'd creation , in a day!

N OR let malignant envy blast thy claim ,
Since wit , and virtue , triumph, in thy same.
Oh! let no rogue , of damn'd I AGO'S race,
To wile-try'd torture, rack that honest face:
Seem , what thou art , brave, faithful, amorous, gay;
The noblest passions please , the noblest way .
Heart humaniz'd, head clear, hands clean, soul great,
Sharp sense, mild manners, ease , adorning weight ,
Sun of our Stage , shine on: we feel thy light:
Thy warmth how fruitful! and thy beam , how bright!
Each guilt thou paint'st , by borrow'd art , is shown ,
But every goodness native, and thy own .