WHEN virtue and dignity jointly combine,
Like the sun’s radiant beams, more effulgent they shine;
For when virtue is hid by Obscurity’s shroud ,
It resembles the sun, conceal’d by a cloud;
But when ’tis encircled with Royalty’s blaze ,
Conspicuous it shines , and, like Caroline’s rays,
Far beyond its own circular orbit extends,
And effulgently shines on its admiring friends!
May the virtues of BRUNSWICK’S descendant long shine,
And, transmitted, appear in Old England’s fair line;
May her joys and her pleasures each moment increase,
And her breast be the mansion of bliss and of peace!
May those honours which fate has decreed her to wear
Be never diminish’d by Royalty’s care;
May the coronet which her temples adorns
Ne’er prove to its wearer a garland of thorns!
May roses spring from it, so profuse and sweet,
That their leaves, falling down, may envelope her feet,
And occasion life’s steps to appear light as air,
By concealing beneath them the rough path of care.
If wishes , Great Princess, could like incense rise,
Then mine should ascend to the foot of the skies,
And implore the Blest Author of greatness and life
To shield you from care, and protect you from strife.
But as wishes, alas! are both futile and vain,
I have only to hope that no sorrow or pain
Will probe to the quick that too sensitive heart;
And if sorrow must aim , may the point of its dart
Be blunted, before it reaches a breast
Where virtue resides, and residing, feels blest.
May your days, honour’d Princess, prove tranquil and sweet,
Is the prayer of that being who lays at your feet
The offspring of fancy , the produce of thought;
Though some of the Tales are with simple facts fraught,
As their title will prove; and, permit me to say,
That applauded by Royalty , each humble lay
Will borrow some merit from that brilliant gleam
Which illumines the Work from Caroline’s beam!
Receive then an off’ring, submissively laid,
And draw forth oh, draw forth, the writer from shade!
Oh, smile on her efforts–applaud but her Muse ,
And the World will no longer their plaudits refuse;
But smiling or frowning , respectful I bend,
Still hoping to find in my Princess a friend!
Brook Green, Hammersmith.
(Mary Hopkins Pilkington)
More Poetry from Mary Hopkins Pilkington:
Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems based on Topics: Friendship, Mind, Vice & Virtue, War & Peace, Smiling, Thought & Thinking, Work & Career, Respect, Happiness, World, Honor- Helen And Sedley (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Selina (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Donald And Jessey (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Mental Sufferings; Or, The Duellist (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Quashey; An Authentic Tale: Founded On Matter Of Fact (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
- Poetic Lines, Addressed To Four Children (Mary Hopkins Pilkington Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: World Poems, Mind Poems, War & Peace Poems, Friendship Poems, Thought & Thinking Poems, Happiness Poems, Smiling Poems, Prayers Poems, Work & Career Poems, Honor Poems, Vice & Virtue PoemsBased on Keywords: jointly, brunswick, wearer, residing, submissively, hammersmith, effulgently
- Aechdeacon Barbour (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)
- The Old Sheperd's Recollections (Matilda Betham Poems)
- The Art Of Preserving Health. Book IV (John Armstrong Poems)
- Poem For The Two Hundred And Fiftieth Anniversary Of The Founding Of Harvard College (Oliver Wendell Holmes Poems)
- Among the Hills (John Greenleaf Whittier Poems)