ON A DRAWING OF CADLANDS.
Oft as the Eye on this fair View
Shall gaze, on every part intent,
Shall Memory, to Affection true,
Her Object to the Mind present.
These Lights and Shades, with Skill combin’d,
Aid us to see the real Place;
And, pleased with her Employ, the Mind
That Scene of Joy delights to trace.
Daughter of Rutland, ’twas thy Hand
Gave us this lovely Place to see; 10
But who shall Grace and Skill command
To give as just a View of thee?
To paint thee fair is not enough,
With every pleasing Grace endued;
But he must give of Genius proof,
And shew thee gracious, kind and good.
I saw thee in thy Infant Days,
When every Charm a promise made,
That thou wouldst merit lasting Praise—
And lo! the Promise more than paid. 20
I saw thee in thy youthful Bloom
With much delight, but no Surprise;
It was another Rutland come
To cheer our hearts and charm our Eyes.
Fairest among the Fair was she;
And ardent is my Hope that thou
In thy maternal years [may’st] be
What she, her Sex’s Pride, is now.