ToC***P****,Esq;The title is "To Charles Pratt, Esq; now Lord Camden" in
1782.
FROMfriendship'scradleuptheverdantpathsOfyouth,life'sjollyspring;andnowsublim'dToitsfullmanhoodandmeridianstrength,Herlateststage,(forfriendshipeverhaleKnowsnotoldage,diseases,anddecay,Butburningkeepshersacredfire,'tilldeath'sColdhandextinguish)atthisspot,thispoint,HereP***,wesocialmeet,andgazeabout,AndlookbacktothescenesourpastimetrodInnature'smorning,whenthegamesomehoursHadslidingfeet,andlaugh'dthemselvesaway.Luxuriousseason!vitalprime!whereThamesFlowsbyEtona'swalls,andcheerfulseesHersonswideswarming;orwheresedgyCamBatheswithslowpacehisacademicgrove,Pierianwalks!—Oneverhopeagain,(Impossible!untenable!)tograspThosejoysagain;tofeelalikethepulseDancing,andfieryspiritsboilinghigh:OrseethepleasurethatwithcarelesswingSwepton,andflow'rygarlandstoss'daroundDisporting!Trytocallherback—aswellBidyesterdayreturn,arresttheflightOfTime;ormusingbyariver'sbrink,SaytothewavethathuddlesswiftlybyForever,fromthyfountainrollanew.Themerriment,thetale,andheartfeltlaughThatecho'droundthetable,idleguests,Mustrise,andseriousinmatestaketheirplace.Reflection'sdaughters,sadandworld-wornthoughtsDislodgingFancy'sempire—YetwhoknowsExactthebalanceofourlossandgain?WhoknowshowfararattlemayoutweighThemaceorscepter?ButasboysresignTheplay-thing,baubleoftheirinfancy,Sofaresitwithmatureryears:theysage,Imagination'sairyregionsquit,AndunderReason'sbannertakethefield,Withresolutionfacethecloudorstorm,Whilealltheirformerrainbowsdieaway.Sometothepalacewithregardfulstep,Andcourtlyblandishmentresort,andthereAdvanceobsequious;inthesunshinebaskOfprincelygrace,catchthecreatingeye,Parentofhonours:—inthesenatesomeHaranguethefull-bench'dauditory,andwieldTheirlist'ningpassion(suchthepow'r,theswayOfReason'seloquence!)—oratthebar,WhereCowper,Talbot,Somers,YorkebeforePleadedtheirwaytoglory'schairsupreme,Andworthyfill'dit.LetnotthesegreatnamesDamp,butincite:norMurray'spraiseobscureThyyoungermerit.Know,theselights,ereyetTonoon-daylustrekindled,hadtheirdawn.ProceedfamiliartothegateofFame,Northinkthetasksevere,theprizetoohighOftoilandhonour,forthyfather'sson.