PREFACE. T HE greatest Part of what I have Writ having already been Published, either fingly or elfe in fome of the Mifcellanies, it would be too late for me to make any Excufe for appearing in Print. But a Collection of Poems has lately appeared under my Name, tho' without my Knowledge, in which the Publifher has given me the Honour of fome Things that did not belong to me, and has Tranfcribed others fo imperfectly, that I hardly knew them to be mine. This has obliged me, in my own Defence, to look back upon fome of those lighter Studies, which I ought long fince to have quitted, and to Publish an indifferent Collection of Poems, for fear of being thought the Author of a worse. Thus I beg Pardon of the Publick for Reprinting fome Pieces, which as they came fingly from their first Impreffion, have, I fancy, lain long and quietly in Mr. Tonfon's Shop; and with others which were never before Printed, Printed, and might have lain as quietly, and perhaps more fafely, in a Corner of my own Study. The Reader as he turns them over, will, I hope, make Allowance for their having been writ at very diftant Times, and on very different Occafions, and take them as they happen to come, Publick Panegyrics, Amorous Odes, Serious Reflexions, or Idle Tales, the Product of his leifure Hours, who had commonly Bufivefs enough upon his Hands, and was only a Poet by Accident. I take this Occafion to thank my good Friend and School-fellow, Mr. Dibben, for his excellent Verfion of the Carmen Seculare, tho' my Gratitude may justly carry a little Envy with it; for I believe the most accurate Judges will find the Tranflation exceed the Original. I must like wife own my felf obliged to Mrs. Singer, who has given me leave to Print a Paftoral of her Writing; That Poem having produced the Verfes immediately following it. I wish the might be prevailed with to publish fome other Pieces of that kind, in which the Softnefs of her Sex, and the Fineness of her Genius, confpire to give her a very diftinguishing Character. THE THE N Exodus 3. 14. I am that I am. An p. 7 In To Dr. Sherlock, on his Practical Difcourfe con- ibid. cerning Death. Love and Friendship: A Paftoral. By Mrs. Eli- To the Author of the foregoing Paftoral. p. 49 To a Lady: She refusing to continue a Dispute with me, and leaving me in the Argument. An Seeing the Duke of Ormond's Picture, at Sir God- An Ode. Prefented to the King, on His Majefty's An |