Sonnet to Edmund Antrobus, Esq

Kind Host! who bordering on the vale of years, Keep'st in thy generous heart a youthful glow, Whose liberal elegance of soul endears The joy thy bounty glories to bestow; Accept a volume, in whose pages flow The mild effusions of a female mind! First of the letter'd fair that France can shew, Of sprightly wit with moral truth combin'd! In the faint copy may thy candour see Some slight resemblance of her style refin'd: Whate'er the merits of the book, in thee May all the blessings of its theme be join'd! Thine be that joy which friendship's bosom fills; And thine the peace of age, without its ills!