May each new Year some new Perfection give, <br />Till all the Mother in the Daughter live! <br />May'st Thou her Virtues to the World restore! <br />And be what Henrietta was before! <br />And when revolving Years mature thy Charms, <br />When Pride of Conquest thy fair Bosom warms, <br />May some great Youth, for ev'ry Grace renown'd, <br />With Taste and Science bless'd, by Virtue crown'd; <br />By Virtue guarded from Ambition's Wiles, <br />Superior both to Fortune's Frowns and Smiles; <br />Who wears the Honours of a glorious Name, <br />Yet to Distinction bears a nobler Claim; <br />Like a new Star, in native Lustre bright, <br />That boasts no Radiance from reflected Light: <br />Allow'd the rising Genius of his Age; <br />By ev'ry Excellence thy Heart engage; <br />Like Him who bless'd thy Mother's Nuptial State; <br />But O! may Heav'n give Thine a longer Date.<br /><br />Mary Barber<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-the-right-honourable-the-lady-elizabeth-boyle-on-her-birth-day/
