| Citation |
NYGWPB.762.035
25 Feb 1762:22 (999)
The following elegant poem is the concluding copy in the
Oxford Collection of verses on the Royal Nuptials. By Mr.
Warton, Professor of Poetry.
TO THE Queen.
When first the Kingdom to thy virtues due
Rose from the billowy deep in distant view;
When Albion's isle, old Ocean's peerless pride,
Towr'd in imperial state above the tide;
. . . [40 lines]
While cunning bards, at ancient banquets, sung
Of paynim foes defied, and trophies hung.
Here Spenser tun'd his mystic minstrelsy,
And dress'd in fairy robes a Queen like Thee.
Here, boldly mark'd with every living hue
Nature's unbounded portrait Shakespeare drew:
But chief, the dreadful groupe of human woes
The daring artist's tragic pencil chose;
Explor'd the pangs that rend the royal breast,
Those wounds that lurk beneath the tissued vest!
Lo! this the land, whence Milton's muse of fire
High soar'd to steal from heav'n a seraph's lyre;
. . . [26 more lines.]
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