English poem
TO Mr. GRAY, ON HIS ODES
by David Garrick (1717–1779)
Repine not, GRAY, that our weak dazzled Eyes Thy daring heights and brightness shun, How few can track the Eagle to the skies, Or like Him, gaze upon the Sun!
The gentle Reader loves the gentle Muse, That little dares, and little means, Who humbly sips her Learning from Reviews, Or flutters in the Magazines.
No longer now from Learning's sacred Store Our Minds their health and vigor draw; HOMER, and PINDAR are rever'd no more, No more the Stagyrite is Law.
Tho' nurst by these, in vain thy Muse appears, To breath her ardors in our Souls; In vain to sightless Eyes, and deaden'd Ears The Light'ning gleams, and Thunder rolls!
Yet droop not, GRAY, nor quit thy Heav'n-born Art, Again thy wond'rous Powers reveal, Wake slumb'ring Virtue in the Briton's Heart. And rouse Us to reflect, and feel!
With antient Deeds our long-chill'd Bosoms fire, Those Deeds, which mark ELIZA's reign! Make Britons, Greeks again—Then strike the Lyre, And PINDAR shall not Sing in vain.
More by David Garrick
- The Sick Monkey, a Fable
- To Dr. Hill upon his Petition of the Letter I to Mr. Garrick
- To Mr. Derrick, upon his recalling his Orders against dancing Minuets in Sacks
- To Mr. GARRICK, from Mount Edgecombe
- To Mr. Hart, upon his Academy for Grown Gentlemen
- To the Author of the Farmer's Letters, which were written in Ireland in the Year of the Rebellion, by Henry…
- TOM FOOL to Mr. HOSKINS, his Counsellor and Friend
- Upon a certain Lord's giving some Thousand Pounds for a House