Imperial Britain on the sea looks down, 50 For William still new wonders shall be shown: The powers that rescued, shall preserve the throne. Safe on his darling Britain's joyful sea, 61 Behold, the monarch ploughs his liquid way: 71 To be at once a hero, and a foe: 80 While on the ivory chair, in happy state, TO CLOE WEEPING. EE, whilst thou weep'st, fair Cloe, see The clouds have bent their bosom lower, 10 TO MR. HOWARD.* AN ODE. EAR Howard, from the soft assaults of Poets and painters never are secure; Can I untouch'd the fair ones' passions move? Or thou draw beauty, and not feel its power? 66 Hugh Howard, better known by these beautiful verses to him, than by his own works, was son of Ralph Howard, doctor of physic, and was born in Dublin, February 7, 1675. His father being driven from Ireland by the troubles that followed the Revolution, brought the lad to England, who discovering a disposition to the arts and Belles Lettres, was sent to travel in 1697; and, in his way to Italy, passed through Holland in the train of Thomas, Earl of Pembroke, one of the plenipotentiaries at the treaty of Ryswick. Mr. Howard proceeded as he had intended, and having visited France and Italy, returned home in October, 1700. "Some years he passed in Dublin: the greatest and latter part of his life he spent entirely in England, practising painting, at least with applause; but having ingratiated himself by his fame and knowledge of lands with men of the first rank, particularly the Duke of Devonshire and Lord Pembroke, and by a parsimonious management of his good fortune, and of what he received with his wife, he was enabled to quit the practical part of his profession for the last twenty years of his life; the former peer having obtained for him the posts of Keeper of the State Papers, and Paymaster of his Majesty's Palaces. In this pleasing situation he amused himself with forming a large collection of prints, books, and medals, which at his death' (March 27, 1737), he bequeathed to his only brother Robert Howard, Bishop of Elphin, who transported them to Ireland. He died in Pall-Mall, and was buried at Richmond. Walpole's Anecdotes, vol. iii. p. 156. To great Apelles when young Ammon brought And as the piece advanc'd, the passion grew. While Philip's son, while Venus' son was near, Nor could he hide his flame, nor durst reveal. The prince, renown'd in bounty as in arms, And gave the fair one to the friend's embrace. Thus the more beauteous Cloe sat to thee, But happy thou, from Cupid's arrow free, 10 20 And flames that pierced thy predecessor's heart Had thy poor breast receiv'd an equal pain; Had I been vested with the monarch's power; Thou must have sigh'd, unlucky youth, in vain ; Nor from my bounty hadst thou found a cure. "Mr. Howard's picture was drawn by Dahl, very like, and published in mezzotinto about a year before his death. Howard himself etched from a drawing of Carlo Marati, a head of Padra Resta, the collector, with his spectacles on, turning over a large book of drawings." * See Pliny's Natural History, B. 35, C. IC. Though to convince thee, that the friend did feel A kind concern for thy ill-fated care, 30 I would have sooth'd the flame I could not heal; Giv❜n thee the world, though I withheld the fair. B LOVE DISARMED. ENEATH a myrtle's verdant shade Cupid perch'd lightly on her breast, Still lay the god: the nymph surpris'd, Her bodice half-way she unlac'd; Flutt'ring the god, and weeping said, 10 20 |