(For 'tis a lesson dearly bought) Assurance here is never to be sought. The best and best belov'd of kings, And best deserving to be so,
When scarce he had escap'd the fatal blow Of faction and conspiracy,
Death did his promis'd hopes destroy: He toil'd, he gain'd, but liv'd not to enjoy. What mists of Providence are these Through which we cannot see!
So saints, by supernatural pow'r set free, Are left at last in martyrdom to die; Such is the end of oft-repeated miracles. Forgive me, Heav'n, that impious thought, 'Twas grief for Charles, to madness wrought, That question'd thy supreme decree! Thou didst his gracious reign prolong, Even in thy saints' and angels' wrong, His fellow-citizens of immortality;
For twelve long years of exile borne,
Twice twelve we number'd since his blest return:
So strictly wert thou just to pay,
Even to the driblet of a day,
Yet still we murmur, and complain
The quails and manna should no longer rain :
Those miracles 'twas needless to renew;
The chosen flock has now the Promis'd land in view.
A warlike prince ascends the regal state, A prince long exercis'd by Fate:
Long may he keep, though he obtains it late! Heroes in Heaven's peculiar mould are cast; They, and their poets, are not form'd in haste: Man was the first in God's design, and man was made the last.
False heroes, made by flattery so,
Heav'n can strike out, like sparkles, at a blow; But, ere a prince is to perfection brought, - He costs Omnipotence a second thought.
With hardening cold, and forming heat, The Cyclops did their strokes repeat, Before the' impenetrable shield was wrought. It looks as if the Maker would not own The noble work for his
Before 'twas tried and found a masterpiece.
View then a monarch ripen'd for a throne. Alcides thus his race began,
O'er infancy he swiftly ran;
The future god, at first, was more than man: Dangers and toils, and Juno's hate,
Even o'er his cradle lay in wait,
And there he grappled first with Fate:
In his young hands the hissing snakes he prest; So early was the deity confest:
Thus, by degrees, he rose to Jove's imperial seat; Thus difficulties prove a soul legitimately great. Like his, our hero's infancy was tried; Betimes the Furies did their snakes provide,
And to his infant arms oppose
His father's rebels, and his brother's foes; The more opprest, the higher still he rose : Those were the preludes of his fate, That form'd his manhood, to subdue The hydra of the many-headed hissing crew.
As after Numa's peaceful reign
The martial Ancus did the sceptre wield, Furbish'd the rusty sword again,
Resum'd the long-forgotten shield,
And led the Latins to the dusty field: So James the drowsy Genius wakes Of Britain, long entranc'd in charms, Restiff, and slumbering on its arms: [ready shakes. 'Tis rous'd, and with a new-strung nerve the spear al- No neighing of the warrior steeds, No drum, or louder trumpet, needs
To' inspire the coward, warm the cold;
His voice, his sole appearance, makes them bold. Gaul and Batavia dread the' impending blow; Too well the vigour of that arm they know; They lick the dust, and crouch beneath their fatal foe. Long may they fear this awful prince, And not provoke his lingering sword, Peace is their only sure defence, Their best security his word.
In all the changes of his doubtful state, His truth, like Heaven's, was kept inviolate : For him to promise is to make it fate.
His valour can triumph o'er land and main : With broken oaths his fame he will not stain, With conquest basely bought, and with inglorious gain.
For once, O Heaven, unfold thy adamantine Book; And let his wondering senate see,
If not thy firm immutable decree,
At least the second page of strong contingency, Such as consists with wills originally free:
Let them with glad amazement look
On what their happiness may be ;
Let them not still be obstinately blind, Still to divert the good thou hast design'd, Or with malignant penury
To starve the royal virtues of his mind.
Faith is a Christian's and a subject's test;
Oh give them to believe, and they are surely blest! They do; and, with a distant view, I see The' amended vows of English loyalty: And all beyond that object there appears The long retinue of a prosperous reign, A series of successful years,
In orderly array, a martial, manly train. Behold e'en to remoter shores
A conquering navy proudly spread; The British cannon formidably roars, While, starting from his oozy bed,
The' asserted Ocean rears his reverend head, To view and recognize his ancient Lord again, And, with a willing hand, restores
The fasces of the main.
OUR Vows are heard betimes, and Heav'n takes care To grant, before we can conclude, the pray'r; Preventing angels met it half the way, And sent us back to praise who came to pray. Just on the day, when the high-mounted sun Did farthest in its northern progress run, He bended forward, and ev'n stretch'd the sphere Beyond the limits of the lengthen'd year, To view a brighter sun in Britain born; That was the business of his longest morn; The glorious object seen, 'twas time to turn. Departing Spring could only stay to shed Her gloomy beauties on the genial bed, But left the manly Summer in her stead, With timely fruit the longing land to cheer, And to fulfil the promise of the year. Betwixt two seasons comes the' auspicious heir, This age to blossom, and the next to bear. Last solemn Sabbath saw the church attend, The Paraclete in fiery pomp descend; But when his wondrous octave roll'd again, He brought a royal infant in his train. So great a blessing to so good a King None but the' eternal Comforter could bring.
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