To Robert Battie, who gave the Author a lock of Miltons hair

[ZaunköniG]

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To  Robert Battie, M. D.
WHO GAVE THE AUTHOR A LOCK OF MILTON'S HAIR.

A IBERAL taste, and a wise gentleness,
Have ever been the true physician's dower,
As still is visible in the placid power
Of those old Grecian busts; and helps to bless

Cullen's dear memory, with his heart's address,
And flowing Garth; and him in Cowley's bower,
Harvey; and Milton's own exotic flower,
Young Deodati, plucked from his caress,

To add to these an ear for the sweet hold
Of music, and an eye, aye and a hand
For forms which the smooth Graces tend and follow,

Shews thee indeed true offspring of the bland
And vital god, whom she of happy mould,
The Larissæan beauty, bore Apollo.


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