TO Mr. GRAY, ON HIS ODES.
I.
REPINE not, GRAY, that our weak dazzled Eyes
Thy daring heights and brightness shun,
How few can track the Eagle to the skies,
Or like Him, gaze upon the Sun!
II.
The gentle Reader loves the gentle Muse,
That little dares, and little means,
Who humbly sips her Learning from
Reviews,
Or flutters in the
Magazines.
III.
No longer now from Learning's sacred Store
Our Minds their health and vigor draw;
HOMER, and PINDAR are rever'd no more,
No more the
Stagyrite is Law.
IV.
Tho' nurst by these, in vain thy Muse appears,
To breath her ardors in our Souls;
In vain to sightless Eyes, and deaden'd Ears
The Light'ning gleams, and Thunder rolls!
V.
Yet droop not, GRAY, nor quit thy Heav'n-born Art,
Again thy wond'rous Powers reveal,
Wake slumb'ring Virtue in the
Briton
's Heart.
And rouse Us to
reflect,
and
feel!
VI.
With antient Deeds our long-chill'd Bosoms fire,
Those Deeds, which mark ELIZA's reign!
Make
Britons, Greeks
again—Then strike the Lyre,
And PINDAR shall not Sing in vain.