MAY the 9th, 1779, MISS BOYLE's BIRTH DAY

Oh, shade of Hanb'ry, from thy seat bestow One transient aspect on this scene below: This youngest flow'ret of thy bow'r survey, Who meekly rears her head to welcome May, And looks the lily of the primros'd dale, Just breaking thro' its green o'ermantling veil.

Behold the Mother prompt (with skill refin'd) To watch the dawning of a Daughter's mind: With those clear rays which her bright noon adorn, She streaks and beautifies her pupil's morn: Foe to th' enamel'd rules of Stanhope's art, With Nature's sentiments she feeds the heart; Whose strong ascendant in due time display'd Shall as a buckler shield the tender maid, When call'd to enter on her fate's career, Thro' life's uncertain voyage she shall steer. Methinks I now behold that future day, When the light galley shall the fair convey: I see this artless Cleopatra glide, Hope at her helm, and Virtue at her side, Firm (as her Father to repel the foe) To meet when Heav'n ordains th' assailing woe. Ah! new adventurer on the sea of life, May'st thou ne'er meet the waves' insulting strife; Ne'er may thy bark amidst the whirlwind's roar Dash its young bosom on the bulging shore: May halcyon stillness brood along the deep, And treach'rous Syrens in some cavern sleep: Allur'd by smiling skies, may playful gales Toy round thy mast, and flutter in the sails. Enough—To merriment the hours devote, Each accent tune to laughing pleasure's note.

For thee the darling of these humble lays, Whose early merit wakes the voice of praise, From the bright date of this recorded day Thou shalt be styled the Little Queen of May.