On a most beautiful and accomplished young Lady. London, 1748.
M eekness--good-humour--each transcendent grace,
I s seen conspicuous on thy joyous face;
S weet’s the carnation to the rambling bee,
S o art thou, CHARLOTTE! always sweet to me!
C an aught compare successfully with those
H igh beauties which thy countenance compose,
A ll doubly heighten’d by that gentle mind,
R enown’d on earth, and prais’d by ev’ry wind?
L ov’d object! no--then let it be thy care
O f fawning friends, at all times, to beware--
T o shun this world’s delusions and disguise,
T he knave’s soft speeches, and the flatt’rer’s lies,
E steeming virtue, and discarding vice!
G o where I may, howe’er remote the clime,
W here’er my feet may stray, thy charms sublime,
I llustrious maid! approv’d and prais’d by all,
L ike some enchantment shall my soul enthrall--
L ight ev’ry path--illuminate my mind--
I nspire my pen with sentiments refin’d--
A nd teach my tongue on this fond pray’r to dwell,
“M ay Heav’n preserve the maid it loves so well!”