* As some fair female unadorned and plain, But when those charms are past, for charms are frail, When time advances, and when lovers fail, While scourged by famine from the smiling land, HENRY BAKER. 1774. From his poems, published in two volumes, 1725, and 1726. He was the confidential friend of Miller, from whose poetry there are extracts in this work. The Petition. GRANT me, you Gods! before I die, A happy mediocrity; I envy not the man that's great; His floors inlaid, his coach of state; To me an humble quiet's more Than all the statesman's dearly purchas'd store. Give me a mind not anxious to encrease, But able to enjoy my little stock in peace; Be it unruffled, calm, sedate, Not rais'd above, but equal to my fate. Good nature still in my behaviour shine, And be humanity for ever mine : May true religion, that unerring guide, Direct my flight To Heaven aright, But let me lay its empty forms aside. Health and sound reason give me still, To judge unbiass'd what is good or ill. Obedient let my passions be To all the rules of strict morality. Now, you Heav'nly Powers above! Benign, indulgent, full of love, If in all your boundless store A blessing so unprizeable there be, Crown whate'er you gave before With a true friend, full of sincerity: Be he the adviser of my rising thoughts, Able and willing to correct their faults. Grant me this, and wheresoe'er Underneath the frozen bear, Or in the sultry wilds of Africa, Place me wheresoe'er you please, Or some island dasht with seas, A serious Reflection on Human Life. How vain is man! how foolish all his ways! Its worthless joys, scarce tasted, haste away: And make out one continued scene of woe. Like blades of grass, poor mortals fall, and rise, Man's infant state is chiefly pass'd in tears; Manhood drives headlong with a loosen'd rein, By passion spur'd, nor reason can restrain; On man, if poor, a thousand ills attend, But, if the Gods have doom'd him rich, and great, Tho' on his brows a regal-circle blaze, |