To Mrs. Jane Forster, On Her Birth--Day. August Fourth Th. Seventeen Twentyfour Poem by Henry Baker

I.
To Thee, Miranda! fair and young,
To Thee, bright Object of Desire!
Still the Muses form their Song,
Raise their Voice, and tune their Lyre.


II.
Venus rising from the Sea,
By her Train of Love surrounded,
While with joyful Harmony
Ev'ry Shore her Praise resounded,
Shone not half so bright as Thee.


III.
With envious Eyes, thy growing Charms,
Averse, beholds the blooming Maid,
Their Force she knows, and is afraid
To lose her Lover from her Arms.


IV.
Devout, before the Throne of Jove,
With lifted Hands and bended Knee,
The Youth whose Soul is fill'd with Love,
Ne'er thinks of Heav'n, but prays for Thee.


V.
Darling of thy Parent's Care!
Center of their Hope and Fear!
Smiling Wonder! living Treasure!
Best deserving, choicest Pleasure!
Much, and long, O may'st Thou be
A Bliss to Them, and They to Thee!


VI.
All that Angels find above,
All the Joys of Life and Love,
On Thee ever, ever flow!
Pining Sickness, drooping Fear,
Weeping Sorrow, wasting Care,
May'st Thou never, never know!