fent age, as incompetent or corrupt judges. For my comfort, they are but Englishmen, and, as fuch, if they think ill of me to-day, they are inconftant enough to think well of me to-morrow. And after all, I have not much to thank my fortune that I was born amongst them. The good of both fexes are fo few, in England, that they ftand like exceptions against general rules and tho one of them has deferved a greater commendation than I could give her, they have taken care that I should not tire my pen with frequent exercife on the like fubjects'; that praises, like taxes, fhould be appropriated, and left almost as individual as the perfon. They fay, my talent is satire : if it be fo, 'tis a fruitful age, and there is an extraordinary crop to gather. But a fingle hand is infufficient for fuch a harveft: they have fown the dragons teeth themfelves, and 'tis but just they should reap each other in lampoons. You, my lord, who have the character of honor, tho 'tis not my happiness to know you, may stand afide, with the fmall remainders of the English nobility, truly fuch, and, unhurt yourselves, behold the mad combat. If I have pleased you, and fome few others, I have obtained my end. You fee I have disabled myself, like an elected speaker of the house: yet like him I have undertaken the charge, and find the burden fufficiently recompenfed by the honor. Be pleafed to accept of these my unworthy labors, this papermonument; and let her pious memory, which I am fure is facred to you, not only plead the pardon of my many faults, but gain me your protection, which is ambitiously fought by, A PANEGYRICAL POEM, Dedicated to the MEMORY of the Late COUNTESS of ABINGDON. A Swhen fome great and gracious monarch dies, Soft whispers, firft, and mournful murmurs rife Among the fad attendants; then the found Who, then, perhaps, were offering vows in vain, Till public as the lofs the news became. The nation felt it in th' extremeft parts, With eyes o'erflowing, and with bleeding hearts; But most the poor, whom daily she supply'd, Beginning to be fuch, but when she dy'd. For, while the liv'd, they flept in peace by night, Such multitudes fhe fed, the cloth'd, she nurft, all: No less than heaven; to heap huge treasures there. None could be needy, whom the saw, or knew; A future cordial for a fainting mind; Sure fhe had guefts fometimes to entertain, Yet was the not profufe; but fear'd to waste, And wifely manag'd, that the stock might last ; |