TotheSame
Hannah More (1745-1833), author, philanthropist, and Yearsley's early patron.
;ONHERACCUSINGTHEAUTHOROFFLATTERY,ANDOFAscribingtotheCreaturethatPraisewhichisdueonlytotheCreator.Excuseme,Stella,sunkinhumblestate,WithmorethanneedfulaweIviewthegreat;Noglossydictione'ercanaidthethought,Firststamp'dinignorance,witherrorfraught.MyfriendsI'veprais'd—theystoodinheavenlyguiseWhenfirstIsawthem,andmymentaleyesShallinthatheavenlyraptureviewthemstill,Formine'sastubbornandasavagewill;Nocustoms,manners,orsoftartsIboast,Onmyroughsoulyournicestrulesarelost;Yetshallunpolish'dgratitudebemine,WhileStelladeignstonursethesparkdivine.Asavagepleads—lete'enhererrorsmove,Andyourforgivingspiritmeltinlove.O,cherishgentlePity'slambentflame,FromHeaven'sownbosomthesoftpleadercame!Thendeigntoblessasoul,who'llne'erdegradeYourgift,tho'sharpestmiseriesinvade!YouIacknowledge,nexttobounteousHeaven,Likehis,yourinfluencecheerswhere'er'tisgiven;Blestindispensing!gentleStella,hearMyonly,short,butpity-movingprayer,ThatthygreatsoulmaysparetherusticMuse,WhomScienceeverscorn'd,anderrorsstillabuse.