Boston May 10th. 1755
Dear Sr.,
I'm vastly obliged to you for your most Ingenuous Letter1 (in answer to my last) which was, I dare say it, without a fault and intirely Consistant with the Strictest rules of Grammer and Logick nor did it want Embelishing, for more Rhetorick would have Spoiled it: and I think it quite Impossible for the most penetrating Critic to find a single fault wth. it, the Subject being the Solution of the following riddle.
Before creating Nature will'd
That Atoms into form should Jarr,
By me the boundless space well fill'd
From me was built the first made star
For me a Saint will break his word
By the proud atheist I'm revered
At me the Coward draws his Sword
And by the Hero I am fear'd
Scorn'd by the meek and humble mind
Yet often by the Vain possest
Heard by the deaf seen by the blind
And to the Troubled Conscience rest
Than Wisdoms Sacred self I'm wiser
And yet by Every block-head known
I'm freely given by the miser
Kept by the prodigal alone
The K----2 God bless him as 'tis said
At me sometimes is in a passion
Yet even him I can perswade
To Act against his Inclination
As Vice deform'd as Vertue fair
The Courtiers loss, the Patriots gain
The poets curse the Coxcombs care
Read and you have it for your pains.
271
I shall conclude by ading the Solution.3 & Subscribing myself yr. Lovg. brother,
JOS. GREENLEAF