WRITTEN IN THE FIRST PAGE OF A COPY OF COWPER'S POEMS PRESENTED TO MARY, VISCOUNTESS BARNARD, ON HER MARRIAGE. LADY! were Cowper's spirit here, And twine them with a bridal wreath. He would not of thy goodness tell, He would not on thy features dwell, For beauty's short-lived flower must fade. No, Lady! cease thy modest fears! More pleased his artless muse would feel, To consecrate the filial tears Which from thy trembling eyelids steal; WRITTEN IN THE FIRST PAGE OF A COPY OF COWPER'S POEMS FRESENIED TO MARY, VISCOUNTESS BARNARD, ON HER MARRIAGE. LADY! were Cowper's spirit here, A fervent wish, a vow sincere, And twine them with a bridal wreath. He would not of thy goodness tell, He would not on thy features dwell, No, Lady! cease thy modest fears! More pleased his artless muse would feel, To consecrate the filial tears Which from thy trembling eyelids steal; To cherish, on this joyful day, The glistening tribute of thy heart, For years of mild, paternal sway, For cares that made thee what thou art. Then would he pray that white-robed truth, Blest guardians of thy vernal youth, Might guide thee through life's varied scene. But Cowper lives in realms of light, Far other hands this offering bring. But, Lady, wilt thou kindly deign ('T is all the unpractised muse can give) Accept this rudely warbled strain, And let it, bound with Cowper's, live? These volumes too, I fondly ween, May for their author's sake be prized, When thine own hearth shall match the scene By Weston's bard immortalized. For sure thou lovest domestic joys, And days retired from vulgar noise, And converse bland that cheats the night. Such joys be thine-be his; and still, The glorious task your place demands. Lights of the world, let each dispense To shine through heaven's eternal year! THE BISHOP OF LIMERICK. |