Address to the Moon - By Robert Orme, written on the Terrace at Madras - 1757

Robert Orme - 1728-1801

Dr. Alexander Orme, father of Robert Orme went out to India in the honourable Company's service as physician and surgeon, and arrived at Bombay about the year 1706.

Robert Orme, the second son, was born on Christmas Day in 1728 at Anjengo in the Travancore country.

Orme was exceedingly fond of Music, of which he was an excellent judge; this led him to be a frequent attendant at the Opera; but he was more especially attached to the sublime compositions of the immortal Handel.

That he was a Poet also of some talent, the following poetry may attest.

Address to the Moon

Written on the Terrace at Madras, 1757.

STAY Silver Moon, nor hasten down the skies,

I seek the bow'r where lovely Chloe lies;

No midnight felon asks thy trembling ray

To guide his footsteps to the dangerous prey;

No murderer lurking for his hated foe,

Asks thy pale light to guide the vengeful blow;

The breast with love possess no furies move,

No violence arms the gentle hand of love;

I meditate no theft; the willing fair

Shall yield her beauties to my well fraught prayers:

Stay Silver Moon, nor hasten down the skies,

I seek the bow'r where lovely Chloe lies

Orme was married, but not even his closest friends knew of his family.  After his death EIC bequeathed his widow with an annuity.

Orme's Mogul Empire 1805

from my collection