Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903/From the Muses at Parnassus
FROM THE MUSES, AT PARNASSUS
(a hill so call'd in Eastwell Park) to the Right Honble ye Ldy: Maidston on my Lord Winchilsea's Birth-day
Wonder not, Madam, that the Muses payTheir gratefull tribute, on this happy day;And in loud wishes, all their force employ,That many more, like this, you may enjoy;Since from your own Parnassus, they receivePleasure's, which theirs in Phocis, never gave;And own, whilst here they reach the height of blisse,Their forked hill, was but a type of this.See where they come, their brows with lawrel bound,And hear the neighbouring woods, repeat the sound, 10 Of silver harps, and voyces that proclameTo all the expecting world, his growing fame,Whom you, this day, presented to the earth,Whilst Heav'n look'd down, and smil'd, upon the birth.Hark! How they sing the Line from whence he springs,And trace his blood, until itt mix with Kings,That Suffolks soul, reviv'd in him is seen,And on his face, the beautys of his Queen.The air of youth, such as Adonis drest,When Cytherea lodg'd him on her brest; 20So yong, so gay, that when he haunts the groves,The crouded shades, are throng' d with wondring Loves,Who think him born, protector of their reign,And boast what Conquests now they shall obtain.They sing him Heir, to all your graces born,And full perfections by his Father worn.They sing him Heir, to all their shades and bow'rs,And plead a Title to him, great as yours,Call him their Son, their darling, their delight,And dresse his thoughts with all that's great, and bright; 30Their promis'd Isack, sent, when with dispair,They saw witt old, and hopelesse of an heir.In him, they doubt not, their lost fame to raise,Who has out-grown allready, all their praise,And is above what e're they can inspire,Leaving you, Madam, nothing to desire.
UPON MY LORD WINCHILSEA'S CONVERTING THE MOUNT IN HIS GARDEN TO A TERRAS,
And other Alterations, and Improvements, In His House, Park, and Gardens
If we those Gen'rous Sons deserv'dly PraiseWho o're their Predecessours Marble raise,And by Inscriptions, on their Deeds, and Name,