Not yet ordain’d, his leisure he employ’d In the light labours he so much enjoy’d; 60 His favourite notions and his daring views Were cherish’d still, and he adored the Muse. “A little time, and he should burst to light, And admiration of the world excite; And every friend, now cool and apt to blame His fond pursuit, would wonder at his fame.” When led by fancy, and from view retired, He call’d before him all his heart desired; “Fame shall be mine, then wealth shall I possess, And beauty next an ardent lover bless; 70 For me the maid shall leave her nobler state, Happy to raise and share her poet’s fate.” He saw each day his father’s frugal board With simple fare by cautious prudence stored; Where each indulgence was foreweigh’d with care, And the grand maxims were to save and spare. Yet in his walks, his closet, and his bed, All frugal cares and prudent counsels fled; And bounteous Fancy for his glowing mind Wrought various scenes, and all of glorious kind; 80 Slaves of the _ring_ and _lamp_! what need of you, When Fancy’s self such magic deeds can do? Though rapt in visions of no vulgar kind, To common subjects stoop’d our poet’s mind; And oft, when wearied with more ardent flight, He felt a spur satiric song to write; A rival burgess his bold muse attack’d, And whipp’d severely for a well-known fact; For, while he seem’d to all demure and shy, Our poet gazed at what was passing by; 90 And ev’n his father smiled when playful wit, From his young bard, some haughty object hit. From ancient times the borough where they dwelt Had mighty contest at elections felt. Sir Godfrey Ball, ’tis true, had held in pay Electors many for the trying day; But in such golden chains to bind them all Required too much for e’en Sir Godfrey Ball. A member died, and, to supply his place, Two heroes enter’d for th’ important race; 100 Sir Godfrey’s friend and Earl Fitzdonnel’s son, Lord Frederick Damer, both prepared to run; And partial numbers saw with vast delight Their good young lord oppose the proud old knight. Our poet’s father, at a first request, Gave the young lord his vote and interest, And, what he could, our poet; for he stung The foe by verse satiric, said and sung. Lord Frederick heard of all this youthful zeal, And felt as lords upon a canvass feel; 110 He read the satire, and he saw the use } That such cool insult, and such keen abuse, } Might on the wavering minds of voting men produce; } Then, too, his praises were in contrast seen, “A lord as noble as the knight was mean.” “I much rejoice,” he cried, “such worth to find; To this the world must be no longer blind;