1

PEA

SONNE T IX.

To the Memory of Mrs. M. PAICE.

EACE to thy afhes, to thy mem'ry fame,
Bright paragon of merit feminine,

In forming whom kind nature did infhrine
A mind angelic in a faultless frame;

Through every stage of changing life the fame,
How did thy bright example ceafelefs fhine,
And every grace with every virtue join
To raise the virgin's and the matron's name!

In thee, religion, cheerful and ferene,
Unfour'd by fuperftition, spleen, or pride,
Through all the focial offices of life

To fhed its genuine influence was seen ;
This thy chief ornament, thy fureft guide,

This form'd the daughter, parent, friend, and wife.

SONNET

To the Author of a Obfervations on the Converfion and Apoftlefhip of St. PAUL.

Lyttelton, great meed fhalt thou receive,

Great meed of fame, thou and thy learn'd compeer, Who 'gainst the fceptic's doubt, and fcorner's fneer, Affert those heav'n-born truths, which you believe.

In elder times thus heroes wont t'atchieve
Renown, they held the faith of JESUS dear,
And round their ivy-crown, or laurell'd fpear,
Blush'd not religion's olive branch to weave.

Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney fhone
(Illuftrious names) in great Elifa's days.
Nor doubt his promise firm, that such who own
In evil times, undaunted, though alone,

His glorious truth, fuch he will crown with praise,
And glad agnize before his Father's throne.

a George Lyttelton, Efq; afterwards Lord Lyttelton.

b Gilbert West, Esq; who just before had published “ Observations

on the Hiftory and Evidence of the Refurrection of Jefus Christ."

5

SONNET

6666666666

SONNET

On the Death of Mifs J. M.

XI.

'Oung, fair, and good! ah why should young and fair

You

And good be huddled in untimely grave?

Muft so sweet flow'r so brief a period have,

- Juft bloom and charm, then fade and difappear?

Yet our's the lofs, who ill, alas! can spare
The bright example, which thy virtues gave ;
The guerdon thine, whom gracious heav'n did fave
From longer trial in this vale of care.

Reft then, sweet faint, in peace and honour reft,
While our true tears bedew thy maiden hearse,
Light lie the earth upon thy lovely breast ;
And let a grateful heart with grief oppress'd

To thy dear mem'ry confecrate this verse,
Though all too mean for who deferves the best.

SONNET

XXXXXXX

XII.

SONNET

To D. WRAY, Esq.

VRAY, whofe dear friendship in the dawning years

WR

Of undefigning Childhood first began,

Through Youth's gay morn with even tenor ran,

My noon conducted, and my evening cheers,

Rightly doft thou, in whom combin'd appears
Whate'er for Public Life completes the Man,
With active Zeal ftrike out a larger plan,
No ufelefs friend to Senators and Peers:

Me moderate talents and a small eftate
Fit for Retirement's unambitious fhade,
Nor envy I who near approach the throne:
But joyful fee thee mingle with the Great,
See thy deferts with due diftinction paid,
And praise thy lot, contented with my.own..

SONNET

SONNET

XIII.

To the Right Hon. Mr. ONSLOW, with the foregoing

T

SONNETS.

HOU, who fucceffive in that honour'd feat

Prefid'ft, the feuds of jarring Chiefs to 'fwage,

To check the boift'rous force of party rage,

Raife modeft worth, and guide the high debate,

Sometimes retiring from the toils of State,

Thou turn'ft th' inftructive Greek or Roman page,
Or what our British Bards of later age,
In fcarce inferior numbers can relate:

Amid this feaft of Mind, when Fancy's Child,
Sweet SHAKSPEARE, raps the foul to virtuous deed,
When SPENSER, warbling tunes his Doric lays,
Or the first Man from Paradife exil'd

Great MILTON fings, can aught my ruftic reed

Prefume to found, that may deserve thy praise ?

a Arthur Onflow, Efq; Speaker of the House of Commons, after-
wards Lord Onflow.