TO THE HON. EDWARD HOWARD, ON 'THE BRITISH PRINCES.'

What mighty gale hath raised a flight so strong, So high above all vulgar eyes, so long? One single rapture scarce itself confines Within the limits of four thousand lines: And yet I hope to see this noble heat Continue till it makes the piece complete, That to the latter age it may descend, And to the end of time its beams extend. When poesy joins profit with delight, Her images should be most exquisite; 10 Since man to that perfection cannot rise, Of always virtuous, fortunate, and wise; Therefore the patterns man should imitate Above the life our masters should create. Herein if we consult with Greece and Rome, Greece (as in war) by Rome was overcome; Though mighty raptures we in Homer find, Yet, like himself, his characters were blind: Virgil's sublimèd eyes not only gazed, But his sublimèd thoughts to heaven were raised. 20 Who reads the honours which he paid the gods Would think he had beheld their bless'd abodes; And that his hero might accomplish'd be, From divine blood he draws his pedigree. From that great judge your judgment takes its law, And by the best original does draw Bonduca's honour, with those heroes Time 27 Had in oblivion wrapp'd, his saucy crime: To them and to your nation you are just, In raising up their glories from the dust; And to Old England you that right have done, To show no story nobler than her own.