Lines to Her Royal Highness the Dutchess of York

Beyond all titles, dignity, and birth,Oh, lovely Princess! shines thy native worth!Thy noble Consort, whom the world admires,Enjoys each deed thy charity inspires;For Christian Virtue, with refulgent ray,Gleams, with benignant lustre, o'er thy way!—Had Heav'n assign'd thee far an humbler lot,Still had it sparkled in the lowly cot:But more it kindles from the mountain's height,And spreads with nobler pow'rs its radiant light!

How great was Duncan! when in conquest's hour,His conscious heart confess'd a higher Pow'r!Whose noble mind, his God alone cou'd fill,And ev'n by victory 'twas unconquer'd still!With glory crown'd, he call'd his valiant crew,To yield that homage from the Christian due!There shone the Hero, in his brightest form,—He own'd his refuge 'mid the raging storm;And shew'd his friends—his foes, who yet might live,A surer harbour than the world can give!

Whilst Pomp and Splendour mark thy joyous way,Accept, fair Princess! of an humble lay!To aid thy charms, and deck thy lovely form—Whilst Taste and Genius shall their task perform,And sparkling gems, the dazzled eye shall win—Bright as their lustre, be thy hopes within!—May princely Wirtemberg the treasure own,And prize the gem he won from England's Throne;(A throne where Virtue sits in regal state,Ennobling Pomp with honours truly great)Whilst courteous smiles adorn thy gentle brow,And bless the foreign clime which claims thee now.