Proceedings ſo unbiaſs'd, clear, and free,                   
They charm the loſt Aſtrea down, to ſee                 
On Earth, ſuch Primitive Integrity.                           
But when on Life's Tribunal he is ſet,
Juſtice and Mercy are together met ;
With Looks and Language Awful, not Auſtere,         
So circumſpect in Dooming, ſo ſincere,                     
That ev'n the Sentenc'd think him not Severe.             

Could Verſe aſſume His Style, of Strength and Eaſe,
Compacted Senſe, with all the Charms to pleaſe,
My Muſe, that with the Accompliſht Judge began,
Might next proceed to Sing th' Accompliſht Man.

But who, in ſetter'd Numbers, canComptiſe
The Great, the Good, the juſt, the Learn'd and Wiſe?
The ſteddy Temper, condeſcending Mind,
Indulgent to Diſtreſs, to Merit kind;
Knowledge ſublime, ſharp Judgment, Piety,
From Pride, from Cenſure, and Moroſeneſs free.
Cautious in Promiſe, in Performance Sure ;
Swift of Diſpatch, yet in Diſpatch Secure.
Solemn as Night, and chearful as the Day.
O Golden Mean! O Worth without Allay !
Renown'd amongſt the noble generous Few
Who Vertue's moſt exalted Rules purſue,
As if for Nature's laſt Reſerve defign'd,
To prop thg Staking Credit of Mankind.,

When high in Publick Seated, to diſpenſe
Impartial Right, we wiſh him never Thence ;
Yet when withdrawn, his private Friends to bleſs,
With Tranſport fir'd we wou'd for ever preſs,           
Ingroſs the Bliſs, and his whole Time poſſeſs.           
Thus Patriarchs heretofore, at vacant Hours,
Treated their Viſitants in Sylvan Bow'rs;
Thus Socrates th' Eſteem of Athens gain'd,
Thus Plato's happy Gueſts were enterttain'd ;
Such Converſation may ev'n Gods invite,                 
Where Learning, Reaſon, Wit, their Force Unite,
Experience, Truth, Inſtruction, and Delight.           

This Eſſay, written ſome time ſince, tho ſhort of the Character of that Extra
ordinary Perform, may not be altogether unacceptable on this Mournful Occaſion.

                LONDON: Printed by R. Roberts, and Sold
                    by A. Baldwin in Warmick-lane, 1700.