On a certain LADY at Court. WICOMM 01 I Know the thing that's most uncommon; Handsome and witty, yet a Friend. Not grave thro’ Pride, or gay thro' Folly, An equal mixture of good Humour, And sensible foft Melancholy. Yes, she has one, I must aver ; The Woman's deaf, and does not hear. On his Grotto at Twickenham, COM OSED OF Marbles, Sparrs, Gemms, Ores, and Minerals. THOU who shalt stop, where Thames' trans lucent wave Shines a broad Mirrour thro' the shadowy. Cave; Where ling’ring drops from min’ral Roofs distill, And pointed Crystals break the sparkling Rill, Unpolish'd Gemms no ray on Pride bestow, 5 And latent Metals innocently glow: ARIATIONS. After v. 6. in the MS. You see that Iand's wealth, where, only free, Earth to her entrails feels not Tyranny. i. e. Britain is the only place on the globe which feels not Tyrinny even to its very entrails. Alluding to the condemnation of Criminals to the Mines, one of the indi&tions of civil justice in moft Countries. The thought was exceeding natural and proper in this place, where the Poet was describing a Grotto incrusted and adorned with all sorts of Minerals collected, by the means of commerce, from the four quarters of the Globe. NOTES. On his Grotto.] The improving and finishing his Grott was the favourite amusement of his declining Years; and the beauty of his poetic genius, in the disposition and ornaments of this romantic recess, appears to as much advantage as in his best contrived Poems. UR ne WI Approach. Great Nature studiously behold! MONT's Soul. TATIONS. Ver. U. il here British fig/s from dying Wyndham ftoie.] In his MS. it was thus, To Wyadham's breas the patriot-passions stole, which made the whole allu 'e to a certain Anecdote of not much consequence to any but ihe parties concerned. NOTE s. VIR. 9. it gerian Grott] Alluding to Numa's proj ciing his fiftem of Poliics in this Grott, ashiii cd, as he gave out, by the Goddes ise is. To Mrs. M. B. on her Birth-Day. H be thou bleft with all that Heav'n can fend, u Long Health, long Youth, long Pleasure, and a Friend: Not with those Toys the female world admire, Riches that vex, and Vanities that tire. With added years if Life bring nothing new, 5 But like a Sieve let ev'ry blessing thro', Some joy still lost, as each vain year runs o'er, And all we gain, some fad Reflection more; Is that a Birth-day? 'tis alas ! too clear, 'Tis but the Fun’ral of the former year. 10 Let Joy or Ease, let Affluence or Content, And the gay Conscience of a life well spent, Calm ev'ry thought, inspirit ev'ry grace, Glow in thy heart, and smile upon thy face. Let day improve on day, and year on year, 15 Without a Pain, a Trouble, or a Fear; Till Death unfelt that tender frame destroy, In some soft Dream, or Extafy of joy, Peaceful sleep out the Sabbath of the Tomb, And wake to Raptures in a Life to come. trame ос1а es in come VARIATIONS. And oh fince Death must that fair frame destroy, |