[648] This wish is expressed in the following lines:—
"With her book, and her voice, and her lyre,
To wing all her moments at home,
And with scenes that new rapture inspire,
As oft as it suits her to roam;
She will have just the life she prefers,
With little to hope or to fear,
And ours would be pleasant as hers,
Might we view her enjoying it here."
See Verses addressed to Miss Stapleton, p. 343.
[649] We have succeeded in obtaining these verses, and think them worthy of insertion:
TO WILLIAM COWPER, ESQ.
ON READING HIS SONNET OF THE SIXTEENTH INSTANT ADDRESSED TO MR. WILBERFORCE.
Desert the cause of liberty!—the cause
Of human nature!—sacred flame that burn'd
So late, so bright within thee!—thence descend
The monster Slavery's unnatural friend!
'Twere vile aspersion! justly, while it draws
Thy virtuous indignation, greatly spurn'd.
As soon the foes of Afric might expect
The altar's blaze, forgetful of the law
Of its aspiring nature, should direct
To hell its point inverted; as to draw
Virtue like thine, and genius, grovelling base,
To sanction wrong, and dignify disgrace.
Welcome detection! grateful to the Cause,
As to its Patron, Cowper's just applause!
S. M'Clellan.
April 25, 1792.
[650] Warren Hastings, at that time under impeachment, as Governor-general of India.
[651] This friend was Mrs. Carter.