China and the West

[Wolcott, John]. Odes to Kien Long the present emperor of China [ID D27194].
Er schreibt in der Einführung : To the Emperor of China.
Dear Kien Long, At length an opportunity presents itself for conversing with the second Potentate upon earth, George the Third being most undoubtedly the first, although he never made verses. Thy praises of Moukden, thy beautiful little Ode to Tea, &c. have afforded me infinite delight ; and to gain my plaudit, who am rather difficult to please, will, I assure thee, be a feather in thy imperial cap… Now to the point. – As Lord Macarntey, with his most splendid retinue, is about to open a trade with thee, in the various articles of tin, blankets, woolen in general, &c. &c. in favour of the two Kingdoms ; why might not a literary commerce take place between the Great Kien Long, and the no less celebrated Peter Pindar ? Thou art a man of rhymes – and so am I. Thou art a genius of uncommon versatility – so am I. Thou art an enthusiast to the Muses – so am I. Thou art a lover of novelty – so am I. Thou art an idolater of Royalty – so am I. With such a congeniality of mind, in my God's name, and thine, let us surprise the world with an interchange of our lucubrations, both for its improvement and delight. And so shew thee that I am not a literary swindler, unable to repay thee for goods I may receive from thy Imperial Majesty, I now transmit specimens of my talents, in Ode, Ballad, Elegy, Fable, and Epigram.
I am, dear Kien Long, Thy humble Servant and brother Poet, P. Pindar.