May some choice Patron bless each gray goose quill!
May ev'ry  have his  still!
So, when a Statesman wants a Day's defence,
Or Envy holds a whole Week's war with Sense,
Or simple Pride for Flatt'ry makes demands;
May Dunce by Dunce be whistled off my hands!
Blest be the  for those they take away,
And those they leave me — For they left me GAY,
Left me to see neglected Genius bloom,
Neglected die! and tell it on his Tomb;
Of all thy blameless Life the sole Return
My Verse, and QUEENSB'RY weeping o'er thy Urn!
Give me on  Banks, in honest Ease,
To see what Friends, or read what Books I please;
There let me live my own, and die so too,
"To live and die is all I have to do!"
Above a Patron, tho' I condescend
Sometimes to call a Minister my Friend:
I was not born for Courts or great Affairs,
I pay my Debts, believe, and go to Pray'rs,
Can sleep without a Poem in my head,
Nor know, if  be alive or dead.