Transcribed from the [1832] W. Upcroft edition ,
A
Panegyrical Poem
DEDICATED
TO THE HONORABLE
THE LADY ANN COKE,
OF
HOLKHAM HALL.
BY PHILO.
“So be it mine to touch the soundingstring,
The Friend, the Patriot, and the Man to sing,
And though unused to raise the tuneful song,
The mighty theme shall make my numbersstrong;
Bright truth shall guide me like thesolar rays,
Illume my darkness and direct my praise!
Inspire each thought and breathe in ev’ry line,
And grace my Eulogy with rays divine;
And, while I paint the scene, the fact recite,
Still burst upon me in a blaze of light.”Page 2.
NORWICH:
PRINTED BY W. UPCROFT, ST.CLEMENT’S.
Praise—when it is fairlyearned and justly due, is that meed which virtue delights tobestow upon merit; and, as it is highly gratifying to everyworthy mind to receive, so next to those who merit it, it is tonone more delightful than to those who are allied to, and loveand regard the object of the Eulogy. Most grateful thenmust it be to the feelings of a beloved wife, to hear and evenread of the honorable and praise-worthy actions of a kind andtender husband. It is indeed like the p. ivoil ofgladness to the heart, which, while it softens and lubricates,rejoices and refines: while it is read it delights—inspiresa desire to imitate—infuses a portion of the spirit itcelebrates into the bosom of rectitude—and cherishes thenoble incentive to “go and do likewise.” Underthis impression it is, that the Author has presumed to dedicateto your Ladyship, this humble tribute of his respect andesteem. If he must not be allowed to rank it with thebrighter effusions of imagination; yet, being founded in truth,it is intrinsically superior to the flights of fancy, and hetrusts when you consider the justness of the panegyric, and thesincerity which inspires it; you will look over the imperfectionof the Performance, in regard to the goodness of the intention;and readily pardon the writers defects of genius in justice tothe warmth of his feelings.
p. vShouldthis humble attempt tend to circulate more widely the Virtues itaspires to praise, or induce some more elevated Bard to
“Touchthe sounding strings,
And in more fervid pœans sing his fame.”
the Author will be highly gratified and rejoice in the happyeffects of his labours.
He begs most respectfully
to subscribe himself,
your Ladyship’s very obedient,
humble Servant,
PHILO.
The principal part of the following little Poem (if itdeserves so high a character) was composed ten or a dozen yearsago, and is extracted from a much longer Eulogy upon our GreatPatriot, his Holkham, and his Agriculture; but which, for reasonsnot necessary to mention