VERSES to the Author, In Imitation of HORACE's ODE on PINDAR

Who hopes to rival MILTON's Flame, With waxen Pinions fondly flies; His Fall will give the Sea a Name, While he attempts to reach the Skies.

MILTON is like a Flood, whose Tide, Swell'd with tempestous Deluge, roars, Which from some lofty Mountain's Side Resistless foams, and knows no Shores.

With sacred Lawrels justly crown'd, Whether in bold unfetter'd Strains His tow'ring Muse the common Bound, Superior to all Rhime, disdains.

Whether the Realms of endless Day He fill with Wars and rude Alarms, Or set in terrible Array Seraphic Legions clad in Arms.

Aloft with all their Forests thrown See Hills, from their Foundations raz'd! See Angels hurl'd with Vengeance down, When the MESSIAH's Standard blaz'd!

Or leads he to conubial Bow'rs The new-form'd Pair? The teeming Ground Smiles with a Wilderness of Flow'rs Diffusing Gales of Fragrance round.

Lo! ADAM with Majestic Mein For Empire and Command design'd! Consumate Beauty crowns his Queen, With Dignity and Sweetness join'd.

While he the charming Scene displays, Where Innocence and Pleasure reign'd, Delighted with his sacred Lays, We hear it lost, and feel it gain'd.

His Lays, inimitably fine, With Extasy each Passion move, When loud they trumpet War divine, Or softly warble human Love.

O STEPHEN, this Britannic Swan Surmounts the Clouds with noble Flight, While I at distance only can Admire him less'ning to the Sight.

As the poor Bee, with endless Toil, To suck the Thyme and blooming Rose, Skims over RICHMOND's fragrant Soil, Thus I with pleasing Pain compose.

You with a happy Genius blest, In bolder Strains shall NASSAU sing, When ANNA by the Graces drest, He to the Nuptial Dome shall bring.

ANNA enrich'd with various Charms By the indulgent Care of Heav'n, Than whom into his longing Arms No greater Treasure can be giv'n.

Not, tho' with Riches of the East At his Command the Ganges flow, Tho' with full Empire he possest Whate'er Ambition wish'd below.

Ye Nereids, with propitious Gales, The gilded Vessel kindly aid, Let CUPIDS fan the swelling Sails, And waft him to the Royal Maid.

When Thames, with floating Forests crown'd, LEANDER safe arriv'd proclaims, And of tumultuous Joy the Sound Shall bid AUGUSTA rise in Flames.

Loud Thunder bursting from her Tow'rs, Shall signalize the sacred Day; And transport to the Belgic Shores, For Blessings which they lent, convey.

Around while Hymenaeals ring, My Voice to highest Pitch I'll raise, Thrice happy, if I can but sing An humble Ode to NASSAU's Praise.

You, soaring in Heroic Verse, By native Strength of Wing upborn, His Godlike Virtues shall rehearse, And Beauties, which the Bride adorn.

He in your Lays shall finish'd rise, For Council, or th' embattled Field: Immortals the contested Prize To her superior Charms shall yield.

Then ravish'd with prophetick Views Succeeding Glories shall presage; And from the Genial Bed the Muse, Raise Princes to improve the Age:

Who, bravely prodigal of Blood, Shall prove, that to set free Mankind, And conquer for the Publick Good, The Race of NASSAU was design'd.

Thus Great ALCIDES (Poets feign) By Labours gain'd the Seats above; Countries preserv'd, and Monsters slain, Assert the Genuine Son of Jove.