TO GENERAL WADE,
Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces in North
Britain.
Howe'er important in the high debate;
Where Britain's councils watch o'er Europe's fate;
From public cares, one easy moment spare,
And let a muse the kind indulgence share.
True, that in lonely groves she tuned the lay,
Far from the great, the giddy and the gay;
By power unawed, by venal views unswayed,
No foe she flattered, and no friend betrayed:
Yet shall her note each generous bosom move,
Where throbs a pang for virtue, fame, or love; 10
Since deep-felt passion strikes the tuneful strings,
And nature whispers what the poet sings.
Nought, nought, for this exalting suns avail,
The cloudless ether, or the spicy gale,
Where Britain's councils watch o'er Europe's fate;
From public cares, one easy moment spare,
And let a muse the kind indulgence share.
True, that in lonely groves she tuned the lay,
Far from the great, the giddy and the gay;
By power unawed, by venal views unswayed,
No foe she flattered, and no friend betrayed:
Yet shall her note each generous bosom move,
Where throbs a pang for virtue, fame, or love; 10
Since deep-felt passion strikes the tuneful strings,
And nature whispers what the poet sings.
Nought, nought, for this exalting suns avail,
The cloudless ether, or the spicy gale,
