To the RIGHT HONOURABLE J O H N LORD VISCOUNT TYRCONNEL, Baron CHARLEVILLE, and Lord BROWNLOWE, MY LORD, PART of this poem had the honour of your Lord fhip's perufal when in manufcript; and it was no fmail pride to me, when it met with approbation from fo diftinguishing a judge: fhould the rett find the like indulgence, I fhall have no occafion (whatever its fuccefs may be in the world) to repent the labour it has coft me-But my intention is not to purfue a difcourfe on my own performance; no, my Lord, it is to embrace this opportunity of throwing out fentiments that relate to your Lordihip's goodness, the generofity of which, give me leave to fay, I have greatly expe-rienced. I offer it not as a new remark, that dependance on the Great, in former times, generally terminated in B. 2... dif 1 disappointment; nay, even their bounty (if it could be called fuch) was, in its very nature, ungenerous. It was, perhaps, with held, through an indolent or wilful neglect, till thofe, who lingered in the want of it, grew almoft paft the fense of comfort. At length it came, too often, in a manner that half canceled the obligation, and, perchance, muft have been acquired too by fome previous act of guilt in the receiver, the confequence of which was remorfe and infamy. But that I live, my Lord, is a proof that dependance on your Lordship, and the prefent Ministry, is an affurance of fuccefs. I am perfuaded, distress, in many other inftances, affects your foul with a compaffion, that always fhews itself in a manner moft humane and active; that to forgive injuries, and confer benefits, is your delight; and that to deferve your friendship is to deferve the countenance of the best of men. To be admitted into the honour of your Lordship's converfation (permit me to speak but juftice) is to be elegantly introduced into the most instructive, as well as entertaining, parts of literature; it is to be furnished with the finest obfervations upon human nature, and to receive, from the moft unaffuming, sweet, and winning candour, the worthiest and most polite maximsfuch as are always enforced by the actions of your own life. I could alfo take notice of your many public fpirited fervices to your country in Parliament, and your conftant attachment to Liberty, and the Royal, Illuftrious Houfe of our Moft Gracious Sovereign; but, my Lord, believe me, your own deeds are are the nobleft and fittest orators to speak your praife, and will elevate it far beyond the power of a much abler writer than I am. I will therefore turn my view from your Lordship's virtues to the kind influence of them, which has been fo lately fhed upon me; and then, if my future morals and writings fhall gain any approbation from men of parts and probity, I must acknowledge all to be the product of your Lordship's goodness to me. I must, in fine, fay with Horace, Quod fpiro, & placeo, (fi placeo) tuum eft. I am, with the highest gratitude and veneration, MY LORD, Your Lordship's most dutiful and devoted fervant, RICHARD SAVAGE. |