Praise for Judith's Poetry


Including passages by:

"Euphelia," Massachusetts Magazine, October 1789

"Euphelia," Massachusetts Magazine, April 1790

"Gratiana," Boston Weekly Magazine, March 26, 1803

___________________________________________

To CONSTANTIA,

Writer of the beautiful "Invocation to Hope!" and the "Pastoral Elegy"--which enriched the Monthly Museums--July and September.

Accept fair Poetess whoe'er thou art

These free effusions of a "feeling heart"

Thy language elegant, thy sense refin'd,

Implies such gentle purity of mind,

That while we read thy sweetly polish'd lays,

Our bosoms breathe involuntary praise.

 

Thy Invocation we delighted view!

And sigh! That Hope! Ideal and untrue

So often paints the visionary joy!

Which real misery! Can soon destroy.

 

But sure thy Pastoral Elegy sublime!

Might soothe the sorrows of the gloomiest clime,

Might reconcile the friendless and forlorn

To bear the griefs which they in silence mourn,

When such affusive balm allays their woes!

As from thy lovely pen harmonious flows.

 

Continue then thy tender plaintive strains,

And with "the soul of musick" calm our pains!

Cheat thy own sorrows, with an art so pure,

Till virtue's precepts, brightest joys insure.

 

Th'entranc'd hours, of anxious thought beguile,

And teach the pensive moments how to smile,

To smile benignly on the woes that wait,

Molesting blessings in the adverse state;

Endue the spotless sheet with power to charm

And let the "magic" page thy griefs disarm.

 

EUPHELIA.
October 12, 1789

Massachusetts Magazine, October 1789

___________________________________________

 

On the "ELEGIACK LINES," and "The APPROACH of SPRING," in the Magazine for March, page 183.

 

No soil CONSTANTIA can require,

When e'er her lines are shone,

They like rich diamonds sparkle higher.

Plac'd by inferiour stone.

 

How dull my humble piece must read,

Impress'd on the same page,

Where verse harmonious indeed,

Will ev'ry eye engage.

 

Whatever signature you'll chuse,

To mark beneath each line,

Thy charming pen depicts the muse,

And all thy writings shine.

 

Unrival'd poetess, proceed,

To strew Parnassian flow'rs,

No female bard shall take the lead,

Or e'er transcend thy pow'rs.

EUPHELIA.
April 15th, 1790.

Massachusetts Magazine
April 1790

___________________________________________

 

A YOUNG Lady, of a refined taste and sensibility, observing in a late number of your useful and literary paper, Lines to "Expiring Amity," from the elegant pen of HONORA MARTESIA, was so much delighted with them, that she gave this Impromptu; of which, at my earest request, I have obtained a copy, and now send, to enrich your paper.

A FRIEND AND CORRESPONDENT.

 

TO HONORA MARTESIA

 

Altho' illustrious matchless worth

Demands far loftier lays,

A power restless draws me forth

MARTESIA, in thy praise.

 

Nor will thy just and candid mind,

Enriched by truth sincere,

Disdain with scornful ear unkind,

GRATIANA'S song to hear.

 

Rich as thy mind my lay should be,

E'en as thy merit great;

And as thy bright celebrity,

To live an endless date.

 

Great is that skill where'er the lyre,

Returns no vacant sound;

Each echo bids my soul aspire,

Yet sooths the heartfelt wound.

 

Could I but choose, a wreath to weave

Unblemished as thy name;

No! mine were worthless, thou shalt live

Through every age of fame.

GRATIANA

Boston Weekly Magazine
March 26, 1803
No. XXII, Vol. I, p. 89


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