Pastorals Epistles Odes (1748)/To Mr. Addison on Cato
To Mr. Addison on Cato.
THE mind to virtue is by verse subdu'd, And the true poet is a publick good: This Britain feels, while, by your lines inspir'd, Her free born sons to glorious thoughts are fir'd. 4In Rome had you espous'd the vanquish'd cause, Inflam'd her senate and upheld her laws, Your manly scenes had liberty restor'd, And giv'n the just success to Cato's sword, 8O'er Cæsar's arms your genius had prevail'd, And the muse triumph'd where the patriot fail'd.