r,
when dead, for those virtues they admired, when living. Mr. Dryden
more than once mentions her with honour, and Mr Cowley has written an
excellent Ode upon her death. As this Ode will better shew the high
opinion once entertained of Mrs. Philips, than any thing we can say,
after giving a specimen of her poetry, we shall conclude with this
performance of Cowley's, which breathes friendship in every line, and
speaks an honest mind: so true is the observation of Pope, upon the
supposition that Cowley's works are falling into oblivion,

Lost is his epic, nay, pindaric art,
But still I love the language of his heart.

Mrs. Philips's poetry has not harmony of versification, or amorous
tenderness to recommend it, but it has a force of thinking, which few
poets of the other sex can exceed, and if it is without graces, it has
yet a great deal of strength. As she has been celebrated for her
friendship, we shall present the reader with an Ode upon that subject,
addressed to her dearest Lucasia.

I.

Come my Lucasia, since we see
That miracles men's faith do move
By wonder, and by prodigy;
To the dull angry world lets prove
There's a religion in our love.

II.

For tho' we were designed t'agree,
That fate no liberty destroys,
But our election is as free
As angels, who with greedy choice
Are yet determined to their joys.

III.

Our hearts are doubled by the loss,
Here mixture is addition grown;
We both diffuse, and both engross:
And we whose minds are so much one,
Never, yet ever are alone.

IV.

We court our own captivity,
Than thrones more great and innocent:
'Twere banishment to be set free,
Since we wear fetters whose intent
Not bondage is, but ornament.

V.

Divided joys are tedious found,
And griefs united easier grow:
We are ourselves, but by rebound,
And all our titles shuffled so,
Both princes, and both subjects too.

VI.

Our hearts are mutual victims laid,
While they (such power in friendship lies)
Are altars, priests, and offerings made:
And each heart which thus kindly dies,
Grows deathless by the sacrifice.

On the DEATH of Mrs. PHILIPS.