LIBERTY.
PART V.
[]HERE interpoſing, as the GODDESS paus'd,—
"Oh bleſt BRITANNIA! in THY Preſence bleſt,
"THOU Guardian of Mankind! whence ſpring, alone,
"All human Grandeur, Happineſs and Fame:
"For Toil, by THEE protected, feels no Pain;
"The poor Man's Lot with Milk and Honey flows;
"And, gilded with Thy Rays, even Death looks gay.
"Let other Lands the potent Bleſſings boaſt
[6] "Of more exalting Suns. Let Aſia's Woods,
"Untended, yield the vegetable Fleece:
"And let the little Inſect-Artiſt form,
"On higher Life intent, it's ſilken Tomb.
"Let wondering Rocks, in radiant Birth, diſcloſe,
"The various-tinctur'd Children of the Sun.
"From the prone Beam let more delicious Fruits
"A Flavour drink, that in one piercing Taſte
"Bids each combine. Let Gallic Vineyards burſt
"With Floods of Joy, with mild balſamic Juice
"The Tuſcan Olive. Let Arabia breathe
"Her ſpicy Gales, her vital Gums diſtill.
"Turbid with Gold, let ſouthern Rivers flow;
"And orient Floods draw ſoft, o'er Pearls, their Maze.
"Let Afric vaunt her Treaſures; let Peru,
"Deep in her Bowels her own Ruin breed,
"The yellow Traitor that her Bliſs betray'd,—
"Unequall'd Bliſs!—and to unequall'd Rage !
"Yet nor the gorgeous Eaſt, nor golden South,
"Nor, in full Prime, that new-diſcover'd World,
"Where flames the falling Day, in Wealth and Praiſe,
"Shall with BRITANNIA vie, while, GODDESS, ſhe
[7] "Derives her Praiſe from THEE, her matchleſs Charms.
"Her hearty Fruits the Hand of Freedom own;
"And, warm with Culture, her thick-cluſtering Fields
"Prolific teem. Eternal Verdure crowns
"Her Meads; her Gardens ſmile eternal Spring.
"She gives the Hunter-Horſe, unquell'd by Toil,
"Ardent, to ruſh into the rapid Chace:
"She, whitening o'er her Downs, diffuſive, pours
"Unnumber'd Flocks: She weaves the fleecy Robe,
"That wraps the Nations: She, to luſty Droves,
"The richeſt Paſture ſpreads; and Her's deep-wave
"Autumnal Seas of pleaſing Plenty round.
"Theſe her Delights: And by no baneful Herb,
"No darting Tyger, no grim Lion's Glare,
"No fierce-deſcending Wolf, no Serpent roll'd
"In Spires immenſe progreſſive o'er the Land,
"Diſturb'd. Enlivening Theſe, add Cities, full
"Of Wealth, of Trade, of chearful toiling Crowds:
"Add thriving Towns: add Villages and Farms,
"Innumerous fow'd along the lively Vale,
"Where bold unrival'd Peaſants happy dwell:
"Add ancient Seats, with venerable Oaks
[8] "Emboſom'd high, while kindred Floods below
"Wind thro' the Mead; and Thoſe of modern Hand,
"More pompous, add, that ſplendid ſhine afar:
"Need I her limpid Lakes, her Rivers name,
"Where ſwarm the finny Race? Thee, chief, O Thames !
"On whoſe each Tide, glad with returning Sails,
"Flows in the mingled Harveſt of Mankind?
"And thee, thou Severn, whoſe prodigious Swell,
"And Waves, reſounding, imitate the Main?
"Why need I name her deep capacious Ports,
"That point around the World? And why her Seas?
"All Ocean is her own, and every Land
"To whom her ruling Thunder Ocean bears.
"She too the Mineral feeds: th' obedient Lead,
"The Warrior-Iron, nor the Peaceful leſs,
"Forming of Life art-civiliz'd the Bond;
"Not dreaming then of BRITAIN's brighter Fame.
"She rears to Freedom an undaunted Race:
"Compatriot zealous, hoſpitable, kind,
"Her's the warm CAMBRIAN: Her's the lofty SCOT,
"To Hardſhip tam'd, active in Arts and Arms,
[9] "Fir'd with a reſtleſs an impatient Flame,
"That leads him raptur'd where Ambition calls:
"And ENGLISH MERIT Her's; where meet, combin'd,
"Whate'er high Fancy, ſound judicious Thought,
"An ample generous Heart, undrooping Soul,
"And firm tenacious Valour can beſtow.
"Great Nurſe of Fruits, of Flocks, of Commerce, SHE!
"Great Nurſe of Men! by THEE, O GODDESS, taught,
"Her old Renown I trace, diſcloſe her Source
"Of Wealth, of Grandeur, and to BRITONS ſing
"A Strain the Muſes never touch'd before."
"But how ſhall this THY mighty KINGDOM ſtand?
"On what unyielding Baſe? how finiſh'd ſhine?"
At this HER Eye, collecting all it's Fire,
Beam'd more than human; and HER awful Voice,
Majeſtic, thus SHE rais'd—"To BRITONS bear
"This cloſing Strain, and with intenſer Note
"Loud let it ſound in their awaken'd Ear."
On VIRTUE can alone MY KINGDOM ſtand,
On PUBLICK VIRTUE, EVERY VIRTUE JOIN'D.
For, loſt this ſocial Cement of Mankind,
The greateſt Empires, by ſcarce-felt Degrees,
[10] Will moulder ſoft away; 'till, tottering looſe,
They prone at laſt to total Ruin ruſh.
Unbleſt by VIRTUE, Government a League
Becomes, a circling Junto of the Great,
To rob by Law; Religion mild a Yoke
To tame the ſtooping Soul, a Trick of State
To mask their Rapine, and to ſhare the Prey.
What are without IT Senates, ſave a Face
Of Conſultation deep and Reaſon free,
While the determin'd Voice and Heart are ſold?
What boaſted Freedom, ſave a ſounding Name?
And what Election, but a Market vile
Of Slaves ſelf-barter'd? VIRTUE! without THEE,
There is no ruling Eye, no Nerve, in States;
War has no Vigour, and no Safety Peace:
Even Juſtice warps to Party, Laws oppreſs,
Wide thro' the Land their weak Protection fails,
Firſt broke the Ballance, and then ſcorn'd the Sword.
Thus Nations ſink, Society diſſolves;
Rapine and Guile and Violence break looſe,
Everting Life, and turning Love to Gall;
Man hates the Face of Man, and Indian Woods
[11] And Lybia's hiſſing Sands to him are tame.
By thoſe THREE VIRTUES be the Frame ſuſtain'd,
Of BRITISH FREEDOM: INDEPENDENT LIFE;
INTEGRITY IN OFFICE; and, o'er all
Supreme, A PASSION FOR THE COMMON-WEAL.
Hail! INDEPENDANCE, hail! HEAVEN's next beſt Gift,
To that of Life and an immortal Soul!
The Life of Life ! that to the Banquet high
And ſober Meal gives taſte; to the bow'd Roof
Fair-dream'd Repoſe, and to the Cottage Charms.
Of publick Freedom, hail, thou ſecret Source!
Whoſe Streams, from every Quarter confluent, form
MY better Nile, that nurſes human Life.
By Rills from Thee deduc'd, irriguous, fed,
The private Field looks gay, with Nature's Wealth
Abundant flows, and blooms with each Delight
That Nature craves. It's happy Maſter there,
The ONLY FREE-MAN, walks his pleaſing Round:
Sweet-featur'd Peace attending; fearleſs Truth;
Firm Reſolution; Goodneſs, bleſſing all
That can rejoice; Contentment, ſureſt Friend;
And, ſtill freſh Stores from Nature's Book deriv'd,
[12] Philoſophy, Companion ever-new.
Theſe chear his rural, and ſuſtain or fire,
When into Action call'd, his buſy Hours.
Mean time true-judging moderate Deſires,
Oeconomy and Taſte, combin'd, direct
His clear Affairs, and from debauching Fiends
Secure his little Kingdom. Nor can Thoſe
Whom Fortune heaps, without theſe Virtues, reach
That Truce with Pain, that animated Eaſe,
That Self-Enjoyment ſpringing from within,
That INDEPENDANCE, active, or retir'd,
Which make the ſoundeſt Bliſs of Man below:
But, loſt beneath the Rubbiſh of their Means,
And drain'd by Wants to Nature all unknown,
A wandering, taſteleſs, gaily-wretched Train,
Tho' rich, are Beggars, and, tho' noble, Slaves.
Lo! damn'd to Wealth, at what a groſs Expence,
They purchaſe Diſappointment, Pain and Shame.
Inſtead of hearty hoſpitable Chear,
See! how the Hall with brutal Riot flows;
While in the foaming Flood, fermenting, ſteep'd,
The Country maddens into Party-Rage.
[13] Mark! thoſe diſgraceful Piles of Wood and Stone;
Thoſe Parks and Gardens, where, his Haunts be-trimm'd,
And Nature by preſumptuous Art oppreſs'd,
The woodland Genius mourns. See! the full Board
That ſteams Diſguſt, and Bowls that give no Joy:
No Truth invited there, to feed the Mind;
Nor Wit, the Wine rejoicing Reaſon quaffs.
Hark! how the Dome with Inſolence reſounds,
With thoſe retain'd by Vanity to ſcare
Repoſe and Friends. To tyrant Faſhion mark!
The coſtly-Worſhip paid, to the broad Gaze
Of Fools. From ſtill deluſive Day to Day,
Led an eternal Round of lying Hope,
See! ſelf-abandon'd, how they roam adrift,
Daſh'd o'er the Town, a miſerable Wreck !
Then to adore ſome warbling Eunuch turn'd,
With Midas' Ears they crowd; or to the Buzz
Of Maſquerade unbluſhing: or, to ſhow
Their Scorn of Nature, at the Tragic Scene
They mirthful ſit, or prove the Comic true.
But, chief, behold! around the rattling Board,
The civil Robbers rang'd; and even the Fair,
[14] The tender Fair, each Sweetneſs laid aſide,
As fierce for Plunder as all-licens'd' Troops
At ſome ſack'd City. Thus diſſolv'd their Wealth,
Without one generous Luxury diſſolv'd,
Or quarter'd on it many a needleſs Want,
At the throng'd Leve bends the venal Tribe:
With fair but faithleſs Smiles each varniſh'd o'er,
Each ſmooth as Thoſe that mutually deceive,
And for their Falſhood each deſpiſing each;
'Till ſhook their Patron by the wintry Winds,
Wide flies the wither'd Shower, and leaves him bare.
O far ſuperior Afric's ſable Sons,
By Merchant pilfer'd, to theſe willing Slaves !
And, rich, as unſqueez'd Favourite, to them,
Is he who can his Virtue boaſt alone !
BRITONS ! be firm!—nor let Corruption ſly
Twine round your Heart indiſſoluble Chains !
The Steel of BRUTUS burſt the groſſer Bonds
By Ceſar caſt o'er ROME; but ſtill remain'd
The ſoft enchanting Fetters of the Mind,
And other Ceſars roſe. Determin'd, hold
Your INDEPENDANCE; for, That once deſtroy'd.
[15] Unfounded, FREEDOM is a Morning Dream,
That flits aerial from the ſpreading Eye.
Forbid it HEAVEN ! that ever I need urge
INTEGRITY IN OFFICE on MY Sons;
Inculcate common Honour—not to rob.—
And whom?—the gracious the confiding Hand,
That laviſhly rewards; the toiling Poor,
Whoſe Cup with many a bitter Drop is mixt;
The Guardian Publick; every Face they ſee,
And every Friend; nay, in Effect, themſelves.
As, in familiar Life, the Villain's Fate
Admits no Cure; ſo, when a deſperate Age
At This arrives, I the devoted Race
Indignant ſpurn, and hopeleſs ſoar away.
But, ah too little known to modern Times !
Be not the nobleſt Paſſion paſt unſung;
That Ray peculiar, from UNBOUNDED LOVE
Effus'd, which kindles the heroic Soul;
DEVOTION TO THE PUBLIC. Glorious Flame!
Celeſtial Ardor ! in what unknown Worlds,
Profuſely ſcatter'd thro' the blue Immenſe,
Haſt Thou been bleſſing Myriads, ſince in ROME,
[16] Old virtuous ROME, ſo many deathleſs Names
From Thee their Luſtre drew? ſince, taught by Thee,
Their Poverty put Splendor to the Bluſh,
Pain grew luxurious, and even Death Delight?
O wilt Thou ne'er, in thy long Period, look,
With Blaze direct, on this MY laſt Retreat?
'Tis not enough, from Self right underſtood
Reflected, that thy Rays inflame the Heart:
Tho' VIRTUE not diſdains Appeals to Self,
Dreads not the Trial; all her Joys are true,
Nor is there any real Joy ſave Her's.
Far leſs the tepid the declaiming Race,
Foes to Corruption, to it's Wages Friends,
Or thoſe whom private Paſſions, for a while,
Beneath MY Standard liſt, can they ſuffice
To raiſe and fix the Glory of MY REIGN?
An active Flood of univerſal Love
Muſt ſwell the Breaſt. Firſt, in Effuſion wide,
The reſtleſs Spirit roves Creation round,
And ſeizes every Being: Stronger then
It tends to Life, whate'er the kindred Search
Of Bliſs allys: then, more collected ſtill,
[17] It urges Human-kind: a Paſſion grown,,
At laſt, the central Parent-Public calls
It's utmoſt Effort forth, awakes each Senſe,
The Comely, Grand and Tender. Without This,
This awful Pant, ſhook from ſublimer Powers
Than thoſe of Self, this HEAVEN-infus'd Delight,
This moral Gravitation, ruſhing prone
To preſs the public Good, MY Syſtem ſoon,
Traverſe, to ſeveral ſelfiſh Centers drawn,
Will reel to Ruin: while for ever ſhut
Stand the bright Portals of deſponding Fame.
From ſordid Self ſhoot up no ſhining Deeds,
None of thoſe ancient Lights, that gladden Earth,
Give Grace to Being, and arrouſe the Brave
To juſt Ambition, VIRTUE's quickening Fire!
Life tedious grows, an idly-buſtling Round,
Fill'd up with Actions animal and mean,
A dull Gazette ! Th' impatient Reader ſcorns
The poor hiſtoric Page; 'till kindly comes
Oblivion, and redeems a People's Shame.
Not ſo the Times when, Emulation-ſtung,
GREECE ſhone in Genius, Science, and in Arts,
[18] And ROME in Virtues dreadful to be told !
To live was Glory then! and charm'd Mankind,
Thro' the deep Periods of devolving Time,
Thoſe, raptur'd, copy; Theſe, aſtoniſh'd, read.
True, a corrupted State, with every Vice
And every Meanneſs foul, this Paſſion damps.
Who can, unſhock'd, behold the cruel Eye?
The pale inveigling Smile? The ruffian Front?
The Wretch abandon'd to relentleſs Self,
Equally vile if Miſer or Profuſe?
Powers not of GOD, aſſiduous to corrupt?
The fell deputed Tyrant, who devours
The Poor and Weak, * at Diſtance from Redreſs?
Delirious Faction bellowing loud MY Name?
The falſe fair-ſeeming Patriot's hollow Boaſt?
A Race reſolv'd on Bondage, fierce for Chains,
MY ſacred Rights a Merchandize alone
Eſteeming, and to work their Feeder's Will
By Deeds, a Horror to Mankind, prepar'd,
[19] As were the Dregs of Romulus of old?
Who Theſe indeed can undeteſting ſee?—
But who unpitying? To the generous Eye
Diſtreſs is Virtue; and, tho' Self-betray'd,
A People ſtruggling with their Fate muſt rouze
The Hero's Throb. Nor can a Land, at once,
Be loſt to Virtue quite. How glorious then!
Fit Luxury for Gods! to ſave the Good,
Protect the Feeble, daſh bold Vice aſide,
Depreſs the Wicked, and reſtore the Frail.
Poſterity, beſides, the Young are pure,
And Sons may tinge their Father's Cheek with Shame.
Should then the Times arrive (which HEAVEN avert !)
That BRITONS bend unnerv'd, not by the Force
Of Arms, more generous, and more manly, quell'd,
But by Corruption's Soul-dejecting Arts,
Arts impudent! and groſs! by their own Gold,
In Part beſtow'd, to bribe them to give All.
With Party raging, or immers'd in Sloth,
Should they BRITANNIA's well-fought Laurels yield
To ſlily-conquering Gaul; even from her Brow
Let her own Naval Oak be baſely torn,
[20] By ſuch as tremble at the ſtiffening Gale,
And nerveleſs ſink while others ſing rejoic'd.
Or (darker Proſpect! ſcarce one Gleam behind
Diſcloſing) ſhould the broad corruptive Plague
Breathe from the City to the fartheſt Hut,
That ſits ſerene within the Foreſt-Shade;
The ſever'd People fire, inflame their Wants,
And their luxurious Thirſt, ſo gathering Rage,
That, were a Buyer found, they ſtand prepar'd
To ſell their Birthright for a cooling Draught.
Should ſhameleſs Pens for plain Corruption plead;
The hir'd Aſſaſſins of the Commonweal!
Deem'd the declaiming Rant of GREECE and ROME,
Should Public Virtue grow the Public Scoff,
'Till Private, failing, ſtaggers thro' the Land:
'Till round the City looſe mechanic Want,
Dire-prowling nightly, makes the chearful Haunts
Of Men more hideous than Numidian Wilds,
Nor from it's Fury ſleeps the Vale in Peace;
And Murders, Horrors, Perjuries abound:
Nay, 'till to loweſt Deeds the Higheſt ſtoop;
The Rich, like ſtarving Wretches, thirſt for Gold;
[21] And thoſe, on whom the vernal Showers of HEAVEN
All-bounteous fall, and that prime Lot beſtow,
A Power to live to Nature and Themſelves,
In ſick Attendance wear their anxious Days,
With Fortune, joyleſs, and, with Honours, mean.
Meantime, perhaps, Profuſion flows around,
The Waſte of War, without the Works of Peace;
No Mark of Millions in the Gulph abſorpt
Of uncreating Vice, none but the Rage
Of rouz'd Corruption ſtill demanding more.
That very Portion, which (by faithful Skill
Employ'd) might make the ſmiling Public rear
Her ornamented Head, drill'd thro' the Hands
Of mercenary Tools, ſerves but to nurſe
A Locuſt-Band within, and in the Bud
Leaves ſtarv'd each Work of Dignity and Uſe.
I paint the worſt. But ſhould theſe Times arrive,
If any nobler Paſſion yet remain,
Let all MY Sons all Parties fling aſide,
Deſpiſe their Nonſenſe, and together join;
Let Worth and Virtue, ſcorning low Deſpair,
Exerted full, from every Quarter ſhine,
[22] Commix'd in heighten'd Blaze. Light flaſh'd to Light,
Moral, or Intellectual, more intenſe
By giving glows. As on pure Winter's Eve,
Gradual, the Stars effulge; fainter, at firſt,
They, ſtraggling, riſe; but when the radiant Hoſt,
In thick Profuſion pour'd, ſhine out immenſe,
Each caſting vivid Influence on each,
From Pole to Pole a glittering Deluge plays,
And Worlds above rejoice, and Men below.
But why to BRITONS this ſuperfluous Strain?—
Good-nature, honeſt Truth even ſomewhat blunt,
Of crooked Baſeneſs an indignant Scorn,
A Zeal unyielding in their Country's Cauſe,
And ready Bounty, wont to dwell with them.—
Nor only wont—Wide o'er the Land diffus'd,
In many a bleſt Retirement ſtill they dwell.
To ſofter Proſpect turn we now the View,
To laurel'd SCIENCE, ARTS, and PUBLIC WORKS,
That lend MY FINISH'D FABRIC comely Pride,
Grandeur and Grace. Of ſullen Genius he!
Curs'd by the Muſes! by the Graces loath'd!
Who deems beneath the Public's high Regard
[23] Theſe laſt enlivening Touches of MY Reign.
However puff'd with Power, and gorg'd with Wealth,
A Nation be; let Trade enormous riſe,
Let Eaſt and South their mingled Treaſure pour,
'Till, ſwell'd impetuous, the corrupting Flood
Burſt o'er the City and devour the Land:
Yet Theſe neglected, Theſe recording Arts,
Wealth rots, a Nuſance; and, oblivious, ſunk,
That Nation muſt another Carthage lie.
If not by Them, on monumental Braſs,
On ſculptur'd Marble, or the deathleſs Page
Impreſt, Renown had left no Trace behind:
In vain, to future Times, the Sage had thought,
The Legiſlator plann'd, the Hero found
A beauteous Death, the Patriot toil'd in vain.
Th' Awarders They of Fame's immortal Wreathe,
They rouze Ambition, they the Mind exalt,
Give great Ideas, lovely Forms infuſe,
Delight the general Eye, and, dreſt by Them,
The moral Venus glows with double Charms.
SCIENCE, MY cloſe Aſſociate, ſtill attends
Where-e'er I go. Sometimes, in ſimple Guiſe,
[24] She walks the Furrow with the Conſul-Swain,
Whiſpering unletter'd Wiſdom to the Heart,
Direct; or, ſometimes, in the pompous Robe
Of Fancy dreſt, She charms Athenian Wits,
And a whole ſapient City round Her burns.
Then o'er her Brow MINERVA'S Terrors nod:
With XENOPHON, ſometimes, in dire Extremes,
Unequal'd Glory: with the Theban Sage,
EPAMINONDAS, Firſt and Beſt of Men!
Sometimes She bids the deep-embattled Hoſt,
Above the vulgar Reach, reſiſtleſs form'd,
March to ſure Conqueſt,—never gain'd before! †
Nor on the treacherous Seas of giddy State
Unskilful She: when the triumphant Tide
Of high-ſwoln Empire wears one boundleſs Smile,
And the Gale tempts to new Purſuits of Fame,
Sometimes, with SCIPIO, She collects her Sail,
And ſeeks the bliſsful Shore of rural Eaſe,
[25] Where, but th' Aonian Maids, no Syrens ſing.
Or ſhould the deep-brew'd Tempeſt muttering riſe,
While Rocks and Shoals perfidious lurk around,
With TULLY She her wide-reviving Light
To Senates holds, a Catiline confounds,
And ſaves awhile from Ceſar ſinking ROME.
Such the kind POWER, whoſe piercing Eye diſſolves
Each mental Fetter, and ſets Reaſon free;
For ME inſpiring an enlighten'd Zeal,
The more tenacious as the more convinc'd
How happy Freemen, and how wretched Slaves.
To BRITONS not unknown, to BRITONS full
The GODDESS ſpreads her Stores, the ſecret Soul
That quickens Trade, the Breath unſeen that wafts
To them the Treaſures of a ballanc'd World.
But FINER ARTS (ſave what the MUSE has ſung,
In daring Flight, above all modern Wing)
Neglected droop the Head; and PUBLIC WORKS,
Broke by Corruption into private Gain,
Not ornament, diſgrace, not ſerve, deſtroy.
Shall BRITONS, by their own JOINT WISDOM rul'd
Beneath one ROYAL HEAD, whoſe vital Power
[26] Connects, enlivens and exerts the WHOLE;
In FINER ARTS, and PUBLIC WORKS, ſhall They
To Gallia yield?—yield to a Land that bends,
Depreſt, and broke, beneath the Will of One?
Of One—who, ſhould th' unkingly Thirſt of Gold,
Or tyrant Paſſions, or Ambition, prompt,
Calls Locuſt-Armies o'er the blaſted Land:
Drains from it's thirſty Bounds the Springs of Wealth,
His own inſatiate Reſervoir to fill:
To the lone Deſart Patriot-Merit frowns,
Or into Dungeons Arts, when They, their Chains,
Indignant, burſting, for their nobler Works
All other Licence ſcorn but TRUTH's and MINE.
Oh ſhame to think! ſhall BRITONS, in the Field
Unconquer'd ſtill, the better Laurel loſe?
By giddy Power, betray'd, and flatter'd Pride,
To graſp unbounded Sway; while, ſwarming round,
His Armies dar'd all Europe to the Field;
To hoſtile Hands while Treaſure flow'd profuſe,
And, that great Source of Treaſure, Subjects' Blood,
Inhuman ſquander'd, ſicken'd every Land;
[27] From BRITAIN, chief, while MY ſuperior Sons,
In Vengeance ruſhing, daſh'd his idle Hopes,
And bad his agonizing Heart be low:
Even then, as in the golden Calm of Peace,
What PUBLIC WORKS, at home, what ARTS aroſe!
What various SCIENCE ſhone! what GENIUS glow'd!
'Tis not for ME to paint, diffuſive ſhot
O'er fair Extents of Land, the ſhining Road;
The Flood-compelling Arch; the long † Canal,
Thro' Mountains piercing, and uniting Seas;
The ‖ Dome reſounding ſweet with Infant Joy,
From Famine ſav'd, or cruel-handed Shame,
The Land where ſocial Pleaſure loves to dwell,
Of the fierce Demon, Gothic Duel, freed;
The Robber from his fartheſt Foreſt chas'd;
The turbid City clear'd, and, by Degrees,
Into ſure Peace the beſt Police refin'd,
Magnificence, and Grace, and decent Joy.
Let Gallic Bards record, how honour'd ARTS,
And SCIENCE, by deſpotic Bounty bleſs'd,
[28] At Diſtance flouriſh'd from MY PARENT-EYE.
Reſtoring ancient Taſte, how BOILEAU roſe.
How the big ROMAN Soul ſhook, in CORNEILLE,
The trembling Stage. In elegant RACINE,
How the more powerful tho' more humble Voice
Of Nature-painting GREECE, reſiſtleſs, breath'd
The whole awaken'd Heart. How MOLIERE's Scene,
Chaſtis'd and regular, with well-judg'd Wit,
Not ſcatter'd wild, and native Humour, grac'd,
Was Life itſelf. To public Honours rais'd,
How Learning in warm * Seminaries ſpread;
And, more for Glory than the ſmall Reward,
How Emulation ſtrove. How their pure Tongue
Almoſt obtain'd what was deny'd their Arms.
From Rome, awhile, how PAINTING, courted long,
With POUSSIN came; Ancient Deſign, that lifts
A fairer Front, and looks another Soul.
How the kind † Art, that, of unvalu'd Price,
The fam'd and only Picture, eaſy, gives,
Refin'd her Touch, and, thro' the ſhadow'd Piece,
All the live Spirit of the Painter pour'd.
[29] Coyeſt of Arts, how Sculpture northward deign'd
A Look, and bad her GIRARDON ariſe.
How laviſh Grandeur blaz'd; the barren Waſte,
Aſtoniſh'd, ſaw the ſudden Palace ſwell,
And Fountains ſpout amid it's arid Shades.
For Leagues, bright Viſtas opening to the View,
How Foreſts in majeſtic Gardens ſmil'd.
How menial Arts, by their gay Siſters taught,
Wove the deep Flower, the blooming Foliage train'd
In joyous Figures o'er the ſilky Lawn,
The Palace chear'd, illum'd the Story'd Wall,
And with the Pencil vy'd the glowing Loom *.
Theſe Laurels, LOUIS, by the Droppings rais'd
Of thy Profuſion, it's Diſhonour ſhade,
And, green thro' future Times, ſhall bind thy Brow;
While the vain Honours of perfidious War
Wither abhorr'd, or in Oblivion loſt.
With what prevailing Vigour had they ſhot,
And ſtole a deeper Root, by the full Tide
Of War-ſunk Millions fed? Superior ſtill,
How had they branch'd luxuriant to the Skies,
In BRITAIN planted, by the potent Juice
[30] Of Freedom ſwell'd? Forc'd is the Bloom of ARTS,
A falſe uncertain Spring, when Bounty gives,
Weak without ME, a tranſitory Gleam.
Fair ſhine the ſlippery Days, enticing Skies
Of Favour ſmile, and courtly Breezes blow;
'Till ARTS, betray'd, truſt to the flattering Air
Their tender Bloſſom:—then malignant riſe
The Blights of Envy, of thoſe Inſect-Clouds,
That, blaſting Merit, often cover Courts:
Nay, ſhould, perchance, ſome kind MOECENAS aid
The doubtful Beamings of his PRINCE's Soul,
His wavering Ardor fix, and unconfin'd
Diffuſe his warm Beneficence around;
Yet Death, at laſt, and wintry Tyrants come,
Each Sprig of Genius killing at the Root.
But when with ME IMPERIAL BOUNTY joins,
Wide o'er the Public blows eternal Spring;
While mingled Autumn every Harveſt pours
Of every Land; whate'er Invention, Art,
Creating Toil and Nature can produce.
Here ceas'd the GODDESS; and HER ardent Wings,
Dipt in the Colours of the heavenly Bow,
[31] Stood waving Radiance round, for ſudden Flight
Prepar'd, when thus, impatient, burſt my Prayer.
"Oh forming Light of Life! Oh better Sun!
"Sun of Mankind! by whom the cloudy North,
"Sublim'd, not envies Languedocian Skies,
"That, unſtain'd Ether all, diffuſive ſmile:
"When ſhall we call theſe ancient Laurels Ours?
"And when THY WORK complete?" Strait with HER Hand,
Celeſtial red, SHE touch'd my darken'd Eyes.
As at the Touch of Day the Shades diſſolve,
So quick, methought, the miſty Circle clear'd,
That dims the Dawn of Being here below:
The Future ſhone diſclos'd, and, in long View,
Bright riſing Aeras inſtant ruſh'd to Light.
"THEY come! GREAT GODDESS! I the TIMES behold!
"The TIMES our Fathers, in the bloody Field,
"Have earn'd ſo dear, and, not with leſs Renown,
"In the warm Struggles of the Senate-Fight.
"The TIMES I ſee! whoſe Glory to ſupply,
"For toiling Ages, Commerce round the World
"Has wing'd unnumber'd Sails, and from each Land
"Materials heap'd, that, well-employ'd, with ROME
[32] "Might vie our Grandeur, and with GREECE our Art.
"Lo! PRINCES I behold! contriving ſtill,
"And ſtill conducting firm ſome brave Deſign;
"KINGS! that the narrow joyleſs Circle ſcorn,
"Burſt the Blockade of falſe deſigning Men,
"Of treacherous Smiles, of Adulation fell,
"And of the blinding Clouds around them thrown:
"Their Court rejoicing Millions; Worth, alone,
"And Virtue dear to them; their beſt Delight,
"In juſt Proportion, to give general Joy;
"Their jealous Care THY KINGDOM to maintain;
"The public Glory Theirs; unſparing Love
"Their endleſs Treaſure; and their Deeds their Praiſe.
"With THEE They work. Nought can reſiſt YOUR Force:
"Life feels it quickening in her dark Retreats:
"Strong ſpread the Blooms of Genius, Science, Art;
"His baſhful Bounds diſcloſing Merit breaks;
"And, big with Fruits of Glory, Virtue blows
"Expanſive o'er the Land. Another Race
"Of GENEROUS YOUTH, of PATRIOT-SIRES, I ſee!
"Not thoſe vain Inſects fluttering in the Blaze
"Of Court and Ball and Play; thoſe venal Souls,
[33] "Corruption's veteran unrelenting Bands,
"That, to their Vices Slaves, can ne'er be free.
"I ſee the FOUNTAIN's purg'd! whence Life derives
"A clear or turbid Flow; ſee the young Mind.
"Not fed impure by Chance, by Flattery fool'd,
"Or by ſcholaſtic Jargon bloated proud,
"But fill'd and nouriſh'd by the Light of Truth.
"Then beam'd thro' Fancy the refining Ray,
"And pouring on the Heart, the Paſſions feel
"At once informing Light and moving Flame;
'"Till moral, public, graceful Action crowns
"The Whole. Behold! the fair Contention glows,
"In all that Mind or Body can adorn,
"And form to Life. Inſtead of barren Heads,
"Barbarian Pedants, wrangling Sons of Pride,
"And Truth-perplexing metaphyſic Wits,
"Men, Patriots, Chiefs and Citizens are form'd.
"Lo! JUSTICE, like the liberal Light of Heaven,
"Unpurchas'd ſhines on All, and from her Beam,
"Appalling Guilt, retire the ſavage Crew,
"That prowl amid the Darkneſs they themſelves
"Have thrown around the Laws. Oppreſſion grieves,
[34] "See! how her Legal Furies bite the Lip,
"While YORKS and TALBOTS their deep Snares detect,
"And ſeize ſwift Juſtice thro' the Clouds they raiſe.
"See! ſocial LABOUR lifts his guarded Head,
"And Men not yield to Government in vain.
"From the ſure Land is rooted ruffian Force,
"And, the lewd Nurſe of Villains, idle Waſte;
"Lo! raz'd their Haunts, down daſh'd their maddening Bowl,
"A Nation's Poiſon! Beauteous Order reigns!
"Manly Submiſſion, unimpoſing Toil,
"Trade without Guile, Civility that marks
"From the foul Herd of brutal Slaves THY Sons,
"And fearleſs Peace. Or ſhould affronting War
"To ſlow but dreadful Vengeance rouſe the Juſt,
"Unfailing Fields of Freemen I behold!
"That know, with their own proper Arm, to guard
"Their own bleſt Iſle againſt a leaguing World.
"Deſpairing Gaul her boiling Youth reſtrains,
"Diſſolv'd her Dream of Univerſal Sway:
"The Winds and Seas are BRITAIN's wide Domain;
"And not a Sail, but by Permiſſion, ſpreads.
"Lo! ſwarming ſouthward on rejoicing Suns,
[35] "Gay COLONIES extend; the calm Retreat
"Of undeſerv'd Diſtreſs, the better Home
"Of Thoſe whom Bigots chaſe from foreign Lands.
"Not built on Rapine, Servitude and Woe,
"And, in their turn, ſome petty Tyrant's Prey;
"But, bound by ſocial Freedom, firm they riſe;
"Such as, of late, an OGLETHORPE has form'd,
"And, crowding round, the charm'd Savannah fees.
"Horrid with Want and Miſery, no more
"Our Streets the tender Paſſenger afflict.
"Nor ſhivering Age, nor Sickneſs without Friend,
"Or Home, or Bed to bear his burning Load,
"Nor agonizing Infant, that ne'er earn'd
"It's guiltleſs Pangs, I ſee! The Stores, profuſe,
"Which Britiſh Bounty has to Theſe aſſign'd,
"No more the ſacrilegious Riot ſwell
"Of Cannibal Devourers! Right apply'd,
"No ſtarving Wretch the Land of Freedom ſtains:
"If poor, Employment finds; if old demands,
"If ſick, if maim'd, his miſerable Due;
"And will, if young, repay the fondeſt Care.
"Sweet ſets the Sun of ſtormy Life, and ſweet
[36] "The Morning ſhines, in Mercy's Dews array'd.
"Lo! how they riſe! THESE FAMILIES OF HEAVEN!
"Where blooms and warbles glad a riſing Age:
"What Smiles of Praiſe! And, while their Song aſcends,
"The liſtening Seraph lays his Lute aſide.
"Hark! the gay MUSES raiſe a nobler Strain,
"With active Nature, warm impaſſion'd Truth,
"Engaging Fable, lucid Order, Notes
"Of various String, and heart-felt Image fill'd.
"Behold! I ſee the dread delightful School
"Of temper'd Paſſions, and of poliſh'd Life,
"Reſtor'd: behold! the well-diſſembled Scene
"Calls from embelliſh'd Eyes the lovely Tear,
"Or lights up Mirth in modeſt Cheeks again.
"Lo! vaniſh'd Monſter-land. Lo! driven away
"Thoſe that Apollo's ſacred Walks profane:
"Their wild Creation ſcatter'd, where a World
"Unknown to Nature, Chaos more confus'd,
"O'er the brute Scene it's † Ouran-Outangs pours;
[37] "Deteſted Forms! that, on the Mind impreſt,
"Corrupt, confound and barbarize an Age.
"Behold! all thine again the SISTER-ARTS,
"Thy Graces They, knit in harmonious Dance.
"Nurs'd by the Treaſure, from a Nation drain'd
"Their Works to purchaſe, They to Nobler rouze
"Their untam'd Genius, their unfetter'd Thought;
"Of pompous Tyrants, and of dreaming Monks,
"The gaudy Tools, and Priſoners, no more.
"Lo! Numerous DOMES a BURLINGTON confeſs:
"For Kings and Senates fit, the Palace ſee!
"The Temple breathing a religious Awe;
"Even fram'd with Elegance the plain Retreat,
"The private Dwelling. Certain in his Aim,
"Taſte, never idly working, ſaves Expence.
"See! SYLVAN SCENES, where Art, alone, pretends
"To dreſs her Miſtreſs, and diſcloſe her Charms:
"Such as a POPE in Miniature has ſhown;
"A BATHURST o'er the widening * Foreſt ſpreads;
"And ſuch as form a RICHMOND, CHISWICK, STOWE.
"Auguſt, around, what PUBLIC WORKS I ſee!
"Lo! ſtately Streets, lo! Squares that court the Breeze.
[38] "In ſpite of Thoſe to whom pertains the Care,
"Ingulphing more than founded Roman Ways,
"Lo! ray'd from Cities o'er the brighten'd Land,
"Connecting Sea to Sea, the Solid Road.
"Lo! the Proud Arch (no vile Exactor's Stand)
"With eaſy Sweep beſtrides the chafing Flood.
"See! long Canals, and deepen'd Rivers join
"Each Part with each, and with the circling Main
"The whole enliven'd Iſle. Lo! Ports expand,
"Free as the Winds and Waves, their ſheltering Arms.
"Lo! ſtreaming Comfort o'er the troubled Deep,
"On every pointed Coaſt the Light-houſe tow'rs;
"And, by the broad imperious Mole repell'd,
"Hark! how the baffled Storm indignant roars."
As thick to View THESE VARIED WONDERS roſe,
Shook all my Soul with Transport, unaſſur'd,
The VISION broke; And, on my waking Eye,
Ruſh'd the ſtill RUINS of dejected ROME.
THE END.