Poem by Stephen Duck

The Answer

WHEN I, in feeble Verse, essay'd
 NASSAU and ANNA's Praise,
 A Lyric Muse flew o'er my Head,
 And dropp'd a Branch of Bays:

I would have fix'd it on my Brow;
 But PHOEBUS said, Forbear;
 'Tis Vanity to touch the Bough,
 And Sacrilege, to wear. 

Give it the Bard, who boldly dares
 Attempt the Roman Lyre;
 Who wisely checks, but not impairs
 The tow'ring PINDAR's Fire. 

Thus, Sir, to you, in PHOEBUS' Name,
 The Laurel Wreath I send;
 And, since the God denies me Fame,
 Am glad it crowns my Friend. 

1. To the Author of a Poem on the Duke of Lorrain's Arrival at the British Court
2. Gratitude
3. On the Marriage of His Serene Highness the Prince of Orange
4. Chloe's Conquest
5. The Absent Lover

Robert Service The Answer ("Bill has left his house of clay")

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