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> [!SUMMARY]
> On 7 October 1777 at [[Brighthelmstone]], [Dr. Charles Burney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Burney) presented [[Hester Thrale née Salusbury|Hester]] Hester with a gold pen and these verses.
## Dr. Burney's verses
> [!QUOTE] Dr. Burney's verses 7 October 1777
> **1.**
>
> Such Implements though fine and splendid
Report says ne’er write well:
With common Fame that Truth is blended
Let this Example tell.
>
**2:**
If bounteous Thrale could thus transfer
Her Learning Sense and Wit;
Who would not wish a Gift from her,
Who—not to beg—submit?
>
**3:**
Paupers from [Grubstreet](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grub_Street) at her Gate
Would crowd both young and old;
Who day and Night would supplicate
For Thoughts—not Pens of Gold.
>
**4:**
But not alone the Gift of Tongues
The Muse’s Grace and Favour;
Enrich her Prose and to her Songs
Afford the Attick Flavour;
>
**5.**
The Virtues all around her wait
T’infuse their Influence mild;
And ev’ry Duty regulate
Of Parent, Wife and Child:
>
**6**
Within her Bosom Friendship glows
With unexampled Zeal;
While Piety its Balm bestows
Each mental Wound to heal:
>
**7.**
Such Judgement to direct each Storm,
Each Hurricane to weather;
A Mind so pure—a Heart so warm
How seldom found together!
### Samuel Johnson's observations
On reading Dr. Burney’s verses, [[Dr. Samuel Johnson|Samuel Johnson]] remarked…
> These days he are some of the few verses which have as much Truth as Wit, and as much Wit as Truth.
## Reply from Hester Thrale
> [!QUOTE] [[Hester Thrale née Salusbury|Hester Thrale]] in October 1777. [[Thraliana]] entry dated December 1777.
> To these compliments I returned the following Answer.
>
> **1.**
> When Wits with sportive Malice aim
> To speed the Shaft that flies;
> Tis Love of Praise that bears the blame
> And those that blame are wise.
>
**2.**
When female Levity and Youth
Run wild a Thousand ways;
Each Stander-by-with equal Truth
Arraigns the Love of Praise.
>
**3.**
But Praises when by Virtue given
To Virtue are assign’d;
They light like Harbingers from Heav’n
And fix the wavring Mind.
>
**4.**
Should smooth Prosperity betray
To Indolence and Ease;
Or Sorrow blind the well known Way
We once could find to please.
>
**5.**
’Tis then that recollected Fame
Decides our future Days;
And Virtue with an humbler Name
Becomes the Love of Praise.
## See also
![[hester-lynch-thrale-1741-1821🔎#^hester-lynch-thrale-infoblock]]
#history/person/SALUSBURY/hester-lynch-born-1741
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