When you, with art, the animal dissect,
  And, with the microscopic aid, inspect
  [Transcriber’s note:  ‘microsopic’ in
  original]
  Where, from the heart, unnumbered rivers glide,
  And faithful back return their purple tide;
  How fine the mechanism, by thee display’d! 
  How wonderful is ev’ry creature made! 
  Vessels, too small for sight, the fluids strain,
  Concoct, digest, assimilate, sustain;
  In deep attention, and surprize, we gaze,
  And to life’s author, raptur’d, pour out praise.

    What beauties dost thou open to the sight,
  Untwisting all the golden threads of light! 
  Each parent colour tracing to its source,
  Distinct they live, obedient to thy force! 
  Nought from thy penetration is conceal’d,
  And light, himself, shines to thy soul reveal’d.

    So when the sacred writings you display,
  And on the mental eye shed purer day;
  In radiant colours truth array’d we see,
  Confess her charms, and guided up by thee;
  Soaring sublime, on contemplation’s wings,
  The fountain seek, whence truth eternal springs. 
  Fain would I wake the consecrated lyre,
  And sing the sentiments thou didst inspire! 
  But find my strength unequal to a theme,
  Which asks a Milton’s, or a Seraph’s flame! 
  If, thro’ weak words, one ray of reason shine,
  Thine was the thought, the errors only mine. 
  Yet may these numbers to thy soul impart
  The humble incense of a grateful heart. 
  Trifles, with God himself, acceptance find,
  If offer’d with sincerity of mind;
  Then, like the Deity, indulgence shew,
  Thou, most like him, of all his works below.

FOOTNOTES: 
[1] An extravagant compliment; for Mrs. Pilkington was far from being a
    beauty.

[2] Of which, she says, she received only 15 l.

* * * * *

Mr. THOMAS SOUTHERN.

This eminent poet was born in Dublin, on the year of the Restoration of Charles the IId. and received his early education at the university there.  In the 18th year of his age, he quitted Ireland, and as his intention was to pursue a lucrative profession, he entered himself in the Middle-Temple.  But the natural vivacity of his mind overcoming considerations of advantage, he quitted that state of life, and entered into the more agreeable service of the Muses[1].

The first dramatic performance of Mr. Southern, his Persian Prince, or Loyal Brother, was acted in the year 1682.  The story is taken from Thamas Prince of Persia, a Novel; and the scene is laid in Ispahan in Persia.  This play was introduced at a time when the Tory interest was triumphant in England, and the character of the Loyal brother was no doubt intended to compliment James Duke of York, who afterwards rewarded the poet for his service.  To this Tragedy Mr. Dryden wrote the Prologue and Epilogue, which furnished Mr. Southern with an opportunity of saying in his dedication, ’That the Laureat’s own pen secured me, maintaining the out-works, while I lay safe entrenched within his lines; and malice, ill-nature, and censure were forced to grin at a distance.’