Addison, Joseph, 1672-1719. Mr. Addison's fine ode to Dr. Thomas Burnet, on his sacred theory of the earth: Done into English by the author of a late tale call'd Coffee. Ad insignissimum virum, D. Thomam Burnettum. English. London: printed for T. Warner, 1727. [4],15,[1]p. ; 4⁰. (ESTC T143099; Foxon M288; OTA K111808.000)

    • Mr. ADDISON's FINE ODE TO Dr. Tho. Burnet, &c.

    • Mr. ADDISON's FINE ODE TO Dr. Thomas Burnet, On His SACRED THEORY of the EARTH. Done into English by the Author of a late TALE call'd COFFEE.

    Nec Verbum Verbo curabis reddere, Fidus
    Interpres. —
    HOR.

    LONDON: Printed for T. WARNER, at the Black-Boy in Pater-Noster-Row. M.DCC.XXVII.

    • [Page]

    TO THE KING and QUEEN's MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTIES.

    SIR and MADAM!

    THE noble System, of which Mr. Addison's incomparable Poem is an exact Miniature; was gra ciously received, when formerly addressed to a KING and a QUEEN, Your Royal Predecessors. Together with which Gentleman's most elegant Epitome, my faint[Page 2] Copy of it is submissively offered at the Feet of BOTH Your MAJESTIES; that ONE in a well-tasted Dead-language, the OTHER in an obliged and favoured Living-one, may take a summary View of the Place of Your SECOND Coronation; in happy Prelude to a THIRD, which Ye are farther to enjoy, in the ultimate and beatific Recep tacle of the JUST and GOOD. A pre sumptuous Wish, that these grand Revolu tions may, for your People's intermediate Advantage, commence Late, must first ask Pardon; and, on that Dependence, is sincere ly professed to be the constant and fervent Prayer, of almost the Privatest amongst

    Your MAJESTIES Most Unfeigned, most Humble, And most Obedient Subjects.

    • AD INSIGNISSIMUM VIRUM, D. THOMAM BURNETTUM, SACRAE THEORIAE-TELLURIS AUTOREM.

    NON usitatum Carminis alitem,
    BURNETTE! poscis; non humiles Modos:
    Vulgare Plectrum, languidaeque
    Respuis officium Camoenae.
    [Page 4]
    Tu mixta rerûm Semina, conscius,
    Molemque cernis dissociabilem;
    Terramque concretam, & latentem
    Oceanum Gremiô capaci!
    Dùm, Veritatem quaerere pertinax,
    Ignota pandis; Sollicitus parúm,
    Utcùnque stet commune Vulgi
    Arbitrium & popularis Error.
    Auditur ingens continuò Fragor,
    Illapsa Tellus lubrica deserit
    Fundamina, & Compage fractâ
    Suppositas gravis urget Undas.
    Impulsus erumpit medius Liquor,
    Terras Aquarum effusa Licentia
    Claudit vicissim; Has inter, Orbis
    Reliquiae fluitant prioris.
    [Page 5]
    Nunc &, reclusô Carcere, lucidam
    Balaena spectat Solis imaginem;
    Stellasque miratur natantes,
    Et tremulae simulacra Lunae.
    Quae Pompa vocûm non imitabilis!
    Qualis calescit Spiritus ingenî!
    Ut tollis Undas! Ut frementem
    Diluvii reprimis Tumultum!
    Quis tàm valenti Pectore ferreus,
    Ut non Tremiscens & timidô Pede
    Incedat; Orbis dum dolosi
    Detegis instabiles Ruinas?
    Quin haec cadentûm Fragmina montium
    Natura, Vultum sumere simplicem,
    Coget refingens; in priorem
    Mox iterùm reditura Formam.
    [Page 6]
    Nimbis rubentem sulphureis Jovem
    Cernas! Ut udis saevit atrox Hyems
    Incendiis, commune Mundo
    Et Populis meditata Bustum!
    Nudus liquentes plorat Athos Nives,
    Et mox liquescens Ipse adamantinum
    Fundit Cacumen; dùm per imas
    Saxa fluunt resoluta Valles.
    Jàmque alta Coeli Moenia corruunt:
    Et vestra tandèm Pagina (proh Nefas!)
    BURNETTE, Vestra augebit Ignes;
    Heu! sociô peritura Mundô.
    Mox aequa Tellus, mox subitus Viror
    Ubique rident: En teretem Globum!
    En laeta vernantis Favonî
    Flamina, perpetuosque Flores!
    [Page 7]
    O Pectus ingens! O Animum gravem,
    Mundi capacem! Si bonus Auguror;
    Te, nostra quô Tellus superbit!
    Accipiet renovata Civem.
  • TO That GREAT-THINKER, Dr. THOMAS BURNET, On His SACRED THEORY of the EARTH. / Joseph Addison; Anonymous (translator)
    • FINIS.