Sonnet to the Earl of Hardwicke

HARDWICKE! whose bright applause a poet crown'd
Unknown to thee and to the Muse's quire,
Permit his hand with joyous pride to sound
A note of gratitude on Freedom's lyre;
And fear not Flattery's song from one plac'd higher
Than she has power to raise her menial crew;
From one who, proud of independent fire,
Scorns the base Noble, but reveres the true.
The liberal spirit feels thy generous praise
Fall from pure Honour's sphere, like genial dew;
Blest if its vital influence shall raise
A future flower more worthy of thy view!
Blest if in these re-polish'd lays thou find
Some light reflected from thy letter'd mind!