Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/234

 96 THE POEMS OF ANNE �It stands inferiour only to your own; 30 �And whilst Orinda's part you far transcend, �I proudly bear that of her glorious Friend, �Who though not equaling her lofty Witt, �Th' occasion was, of what so well she writt. �Might I the paralell yett more improve, �And gain as high a Station in your Love, �Then shou'd my Pen (directed by my heart) �Make gratefull Nature, speak the words of Art, �Since Friendship, like Devotion clears the mind, �Where every thought, is heighten' d and refin'd. 40 �Had Saul alone, upon Mount Gilboa fell, �David had sung, but had not sung so well; �Describ'd th' abandon' d Sheild, and broaken Bow, �But, to the love of Jonathan we owe �The Love, which that of Women did surpasse, �Of that sweet Elegy, the mournful! grace; �The Brother Jonathan, peirc'd deeper far �Then all the Spears of that destructive war. �Thus, may your vallu'd kindnesse, raise my sence, �Who can but treat you att your own expence, 50 �Nor must, untill I in that wish succeed, �E're hope to write, what's fitt for you to read, �Since upon you, itt does alone depend �To make a Poet, when you make a Friend �Of Madam &c. �A PKOLOGUE TO DON CAELOS �Acted by Yong Ladys, An : 1696 �'Twas long debated, wheither to a Play, So known as this, which we present to-day, A Prologue, for the Audience shou'd be writt, To add to all the rest, th' expence of Witt; When in this Kingdom, 'tis so hard to find, ��� �