The Poetical Works of the Right Hon. George Granville, Lord Lansdowne/83

by George Granville

TO MY FRIEND DR. GARTH,
IN HIS SICKNESS.

Machaon ſick! in ev’ry face we find
His danger is the danger of mankind,
Whoſe art protecting, Nature could expire
But by a deluge or the general fire.
More lives he ſaves than periſh in our wars,5
And faſter than a plague deſtroys repairs:
The bold carouſer and advent’rous dame
Nor fear the fever nor refuſe the flame:
Safe in his ſkill, from all reſtraint ſet free
But conſcious ſhame, remorſe, or piety.10
Sire of all arts!^[1] defend thy darling ſon;
O! ſave the man whoſe life ’s ſo much our own;
On whom, like Atlas, the whole world ’s reclin’d,
And by reſtoring Garth preſerve mankind.14

1. Apollo, god of Poetry and Phyſic.