SONNET ADDRESSED TO HENRY COWPER, Esa. On his emphatical and interesting Delivery of the Defence of WARREN HASTINGS, Esq. in the House of Lo.ds. COWPER, whose silver voice, tasked sometimes hard, Legends prolix delivers in the ears (Attentive when thou readest) of England's peers, Let verse at length yield thee thy just reward. Thou wast not heard with drowsy disregard, Expending late on all that length of plea Thy generous powers, but silence honoured thee Mute as e'er gazed on Orator or Bard. Thou art not voice alone, but hast beside Both heart and head, and could'st with music sweet Of Attic phrase and senatorial tone, Like thy renowned forefathers, far and wide Thy fame diffuse, praised, not for utterance meet Of others' speech, but magic of thy own. LINES ADDRESSED TO DR. DARWIN, AUTHOR OF this. Two Poets*, (poets, by report, Not oft so well agree) Sweet Harmonist of Flora's court! They best can judge a poet's worth, We therefore pleased extol thy song, Though various yet complete, Rich in embellishment as strong, And learned as 'tis sweet. * Alluding to the poem by Mr. Hayley, which accompanied No envy mingles with our praise, They would-they must at thine. But we, in mutual bondage knit And deem the bard, whoe'er he be, And howsoever known, Who would not twine a wreath for Thee, ON MRS. MONTAGU'S FEATHER-HANGINGS. THE Birds put off their every hue To dress a room for Montagu... The Peacock sends his heavenly dyes, His rainbows and his starry eyes; The Pheasant, plumes, which round infold The Cock, his arched tail's azure show; That glossy shine or vivid flame, But screened from every storm that blows, To the same patroness resort, Secure of favour at her court, Strong Genius, from whose forge of thought Forms rise, to quick perfection wrought, Which, though new-born, with vigour move, Wild roses over furrowed ground, Ambitious of a shelter there. There Genius, Learning, Fancy, Wit, |