281 An hollow crystal pyramid he takes, In firmamental waters dipped above; Of it a broad extinguisher he makes, And hoods the flames that to their quarry strove. 282 The vanquished fires withdraw from every place 283 Our King this more than natural change beholds, To the All-good his lifted hands he folds, And thanks him low on his redeemed ground. 284 As, when sharp frosts had long constrained the earth, A kindly thaw unlocks it with mild rain, And first the tender blade peeps up to birth, And straight the green fields laugh with promised grain : 285 By such degrees the spreading gladness grew The father of the people opened wide His stores, and all the poor with plenty fed: Thus God's anointed God's own place supplied And filled the empty with his daily bread. 287 This royal bounty brought its own reward And in their minds so deep did print the sense, That, if their ruins sadly they regard, 'Tis but with fear the sight might drive him thence. 288 City's request But so may he live long that town to sway to the King not to leave them. Which by his auspice they will nobler make, And not their humble ruins now forsake. 289 They have not lost their loyalty by fire; Nor is their courage or their wealth so low, 290 Not with more constancy the Jews of old, Or with more vigour to rebuild it went. 291 The utmost malice of their stars is past, And two dire comets which have scourged the town In their own plague and fire have breathed their last, Or dimly in their sinking sockets frown. 292 Now frequent trines the happier lights among And high-raised Jove from his dark prison freed, Those weights took off that on his planet hung, Will gloriously the new-laid work succeed. 293 Methinks already from this chymic flame I see a city of more precious mould, 294 Already, labouring with a mighty fate, She shakes the rubbish from her mounting brow And seems to have renewed her charter's date Which Heaven will to the death of time allow. ! Mexico. 295 More great than human now and more August 8, 296 Before, she like some shepherdess did show Who sate to bathe her by a river's side, 297 Now like a maiden queen she will behold From her high turrets hourly suitors come; The silver Thames, her own domestic flood, 299 The wealthy Tagus and the wealthier Rhine 300 The venturous merchant who designed more far Charmed with the splendour of this northern star, 301 Our powerful navy shall no longer meet The wealth of France or Holland to invade; The beauty of this town without a fleet 8 Augusta, the old name of London. G 302 And while this famed emporium we prepare, The British ocean shall such triumphs boast, That those who now disdain our trade to share Shall rob like pirates on our wealthy coast. 303 Already we have conquered half the war, 304 Thus to the Eastern wealth through storms we go, But now, the Cape once doubled, fear no more; A constant trade-wind will securely blow And gently lay us on the spicy shore. |