Note 441 — PART THE SECOND. (continued 10)
Reading edition
These verses, "On Mrs. Montagu's Feather Hangings," are characterised by elegant taste and a delicate turn of compliment. We insert an extract from them, as descriptive of her evening parties in Portman-square, the resort of cultivated wit and fashion, and so frequently alluded to in the interesting Memoirs of Mrs. More.
To the same patroness resort, Secure of favour at her court, Strong genius, from whose forge of thought Forms rise, to quick perfection wrought, Which, though new-born, with vigour move, Like Pallas, springing armed from Jove— Imagination, scattering round Wild roses over furrow'd ground, Which Labour of his frowns beguile, And teach Philosophy a smile— Wit, flashing on Religion's side, Whose fires, to sacred Truth applied, The gem, though luminous before, Obtrude on human notice more, Like sun-beams, on the golden height Of some tall temple playing bright— Well-tutored Learning, from his books Dismiss'd with grave, not haughty, looks, Their order, on his shelves exact, Not more harmonious or compact Than that, to which he keeps confined The various treasures of his mind— All these to Montagu's repair, Ambitious of a shelter there.