012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,000[' ]| <3529 words. Text from the California Dryden. > 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,001[A ]| Thus long my grief has kept me dumb: 012:07,002[A ]| Sure there's a lethargy in mighty woe, 012:07,003[A ]| Tears stand congealed, and cannot flow, 012:07,004[A ]| And the sad soul retires into her inmost room; 012:07,005[A ]| Tears, for a stroke foreseen, afford relief, 012:07,006[A ]| But, unprovided for a sudden blow, 012:07,007[A ]| Like Niobe we marble grow 012:07,008[A ]| And petrify with grief. 012:07,009[A ]| Our British Heaven was all serene, 012:07,010[A ]| No threatening cloud was nigh, <10> 012:07,011[A ]| Not the least wrinkle to deform the sky; 012:07,012[A ]| We lived as unconcerned and happily 012:07,013[A ]| As the first age in Nature's golden scene; 012:07,014[A ]| Supine amidst our flowing store, 012:07,015[A ]| We slept securely, and we dreamt of more: 012:07,016[A ]| When suddenly the thunder-clap was heard, 012:07,017[A ]| It took us unprepared and out of guard, 012:07,018[A ]| Already lost before we feared. 012:07,019[A ]| The amazing news of Charles at once were spread, 012:07,020[A ]| At once the general voice declared, <20> 012:07,021[A ]| Our gracious prince was dead. 012:07,022[A ]| No sickness known before, no slow disease, 012:07,023[A ]| To soften grief by just degrees: 012:07,024[A ]| But, like an hurricane on Indian seas, 012:07,025[A ]| The tempest rose, 012:07,026[A ]| An unexpected burst of woes, 012:07,027[A ]| With scarce a breathing space betwixt, 012:07,028[A ]| This now becalmed, and perishing the next. 012:07,029[A ]| As if great Atlas from his height 012:07,030[A ]| Should sink beneath his heavenly weight, <30> 012:07,031[A ]| And, with a mighty flaw, the flaming wall 012:07,032[A ]| (As once it shall) 012:07,033[A ]| Should gape immense and rushing down, o'erwhelm this nether ball. 012:07,034[A ]| So swift and so surprising was our fear, 012:07,035[A ]| Our Atlas fell indeed; but Hercules was near. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,036[A ]| His pious brother, sure the best 012:07,037[A ]| Who ever bore that name, 012:07,038[A ]| Was newly risen from his rest, 012:07,039[A ]| And, with a fervent flame, 012:07,040[A ]| His usual morning vows had just addressed <40> 012:07,041[A ]| For his dear sovereign's health; 012:07,042[A ]| And hoped to have 'em heard, 012:07,043[A ]| In long increase of years, 012:07,044[A ]| In honour, fame and wealth: 012:07,045[A ]| Guiltless of greatness thus he always prayed, 012:07,046[A ]| Nor knew nor wished those vows he made, 012:07,047[A ]| On his own head should be repaid. 012:07,048[A ]| Soon as the ill-omened rumour reached his ear, 012:07,049[A ]| (Ill news is winged with Fate, and flies apace) 012:07,050[A ]| Who can describe the amazement in his face? <50> 012:07,051[A ]| Horror in all his pomp was there, 012:07,052[A ]| Mute and magnificent, without a tear: 012:07,053[A ]| And then the hero first was seen to fear. 012:07,054[A ]| Half unarrayed he ran to his relief, 012:07,055[A ]| So hasty and so artless was his grief: 012:07,056[A ]| Approaching Greatness met him with her charms 012:07,057[A ]| Of power and future state; 012:07,058[A ]| But looked so ghastly in a brother's fate, 012:07,059[A ]| He shook her from his arms. <60> 012:07,060[A ]| Arrived within the mournful room, he saw 012:07,061[A ]| A wild distraction, void of awe, 012:07,062[A ]| And arbitrary grief unbounded by a law: 012:07,063[A ]| God's image, God's anointed lay 012:07,064[A ]| Without motion, pulse or breath, 012:07,065[A ]| A senseless lump of sacred clay, 012:07,066[A ]| An image, now, of death. 012:07,067[A ]| Amidst his sad attendants' groans and cries, 012:07,068[A ]| The lines of that adored, forgiving face, 012:07,069[A ]| Distorted from their native grace, 012:07,070[A ]| An iron slumber sat on his majestic eyes. <70> 012:07,071[A ]| The pious duke ~~ forbear audacious Muse, 012:07,072[A ]| No terms thy feeble art can use 012:07,073[A ]| Are able to adorn so vast a woe ~~ 012:07,074[A ]| The grief of all the rest like subject-grief did show, 012:07,075[A ]| His like a sovereign did transcend; 012:07,076[A ]| No wife, no brother, such a grief could know, 012:07,077[A ]| Nor any name, but friend. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,078[A ]| O wondrous changes of a fatal scene, 012:07,079[A ]| Still varying to the last! 012:07,080[A ]| Heaven, though its hard decree was passed, <80> 012:07,081[A ]| Seemed pointing to a gracious turn again: 012:07,082[A ]| And Death's uplifted arm arrested in its haste. 012:07,083[A ]| Heaven half repented of the doom, 012:07,084[A ]| And almost grieved it had foreseen 012:07,085[A ]| What by foresight it willed eternally to come. 012:07,086[A ]| Mercy above did hourly plead 012:07,087[A ]| For her resemblance here below, 012:07,088[A ]| And mild Forgiveness intercede 012:07,089[A ]| To stop the coming blow. 012:07,090[A ]| New miracles approached the ethereal throne, <90> 012:07,091[A ]| Such as his wondrous life had oft and lately known, 012:07,092[A ]| And urged that still they might be shown. 012:07,093[A ]| On earth his pious brother prayed and vowed, 012:07,094[A ]| Renouncing greatness at so dear a rate, 012:07,095[A ]| Himself defending, what he could, 012:07,096[A ]| From all the glories of his future fate. 012:07,097[A ]| With him the innumerable crowd 012:07,098[A ]| Of armed prayers 012:07,099[A ]| Knocked at the gates of Heaven, and knocked aloud: 012:07,100[A ]| The first, well-meaning rude petitioners; <100> 012:07,101[A ]| All for his life assailed the throne, 012:07,102[A ]| All would have bribed the skies by offering up their own; 012:07,103[A ]| So great a throng not Heaven itself could bar: 012:07,104[A ]| 'Twas almost born by force as in the Giants' War. 012:07,105[A ]| The prayers, at least, for his reprieve were heard: 012:07,106[A ]| His death, like Hezekiah's, was deferred; 012:07,107[A ]| Against the sun the shadow went, 012:07,108[A ]| Five days, those five degrees, were lent 012:07,109[A ]| To form our patience and prepare the event. 012:07,110[A ]| The second causes took the swift command, <110> 012:07,111[A ]| The medicinal head, the ready hand, 012:07,112[A ]| All eager to perform their part, 012:07,113[A ]| All but eternal doom was conquered by their art. 012:07,114[A ]| Once more the fleeting soul came back 012:07,115[A ]| To inspire the mortal frame, 012:07,116[A ]| And in the body took a doubtful stand, 012:07,117[A ]| Doubtful and hovering like expiring flame, 012:07,118[A ]| That mounts and falls by turns, and trembles o'er the brand. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,119[A ]| The joyful short-lived news soon spread around, 012:07,120[A ]| Took the same train, the same impetuous bound: <120> 012:07,121[A ]| The drooping town in smiles again was dressed, 012:07,122[A ]| Gladness in every face expressed, 012:07,123[A ]| Their eyes before their tongues confessed. 012:07,124[A ]| Men met each other with erected look, 012:07,125[A ]| The steps were higher that they took, 012:07,127[A ]| Friends to congratulate their friends made haste, 012:07,127[A ]| And long inveterate foes saluted as they passed. 012:07,128[A ]| Above the rest heroic James appeared, 012:07,129[A ]| Exalted more, because he more had feared: 012:07,130[A ]| His manly heart, whose noble pride <130> 012:07,131[A ]| Was still above 012:07,132[A ]| Dissembled hate or varnished love, 012:07,133[A ]| Its more than common transport could not hide, 012:07,134[A ]| But like an Eagre rode in triumph o'er the tide. 012:07,135[A ]| Thus, in alternate course, 012:07,136[A ]| The tyrant passions, hope and fear, 012:07,137[A ]| Did in extremes appear, 012:07,138[A ]| And flashed upon the soul with equal force. 012:07,139[A ]| Thus, at half ebb, a rolling sea 012:07,140[A ]| Returns and wins upon the shore; <140> 012:07,141[A ]| The watery herd, afrighted at the roar, 012:07,142[A ]| Rest on their fins awhile, and stay, 012:07,143[A ]| Then backward take their wondering way; 012:07,144[A ]| The prophet wonders more than they 012:07,145[A ]| At prodigies but rarely seen before, 012:07,146[A ]| And cries, A king must fall, or kingdoms change their sway. 012:07,147[A ]| Such were our counter-tides at land, and so 012:07,148[A ]| Presaging of the fatal blow, 012:07,149[A ]| In their prodigious ebb and flow. 012:07,150[A ]| The royal soul, that like the labouring moon, <150> 012:07,151[A ]| By charms of art was hurried down, 012:07,152[A ]| Forced with regret to leave her native sphere, 012:07,153[A ]| Came but awhile on liking here; 012:07,154[A ]| Soon weary of the painful strife, 012:07,155[A ]| And made but faint essays of life: 012:07,156[A ]| An evening light 012:07,157[A ]| Soon shut in night; 012:07,158[A ]| A strong distemper, and a weak relief, 012:07,159[A ]| Short intervals of joy, and long returns of grief. 012:07,100[' ]| 012:07,160[A ]| The sons of Art all medicines tried <160> 012:07,161[A ]| And every noble remedy applied; 012:07,162[A ]| With emulation each essayed 012:07,163[A ]| His utmost skill, nay more they prayed: 012:07,164[A ]| Never was losing game with better conduct played. 012:07,165[A ]| Death never won a stake with greater toil, 012:07,166[A ]| Nor e'er was Fate so near a foil; 012:07,167[A ]| But, like a fortress on a rock, 012:07,168[A ]| The impregnable disease their vain attempts did mock; 012:07,169[A ]| They mined it near, they battered from afar 012:07,170[A ]| With all the cannon of the medicinal war; <170> 012:07,171[A ]| No gentle means could be essayed, 012:07,172[A ]| 'Twas beyond parley when the siege was laid. 012:07,173[A ]| The extremest ways they first ordain, 012:07,174[A ]| Prescribing such intolerable pain, 012:07,175[A ]| As none but Caesar could sustain; 012:07,176[A ]| Undaunted Caesar underwent 012:07,177[A ]| The malice of their art, nor bent 012:07,178[A ]| Beneath whate'er their pious rigour could invent: 012:07,179[A ]| In five such days he suffered more 012:07,180[A ]| Than any suffered in his reign before; <180> 012:07,181[A ]| More, infinitely more, than he, 012:07,182[A ]| Against the worst of rebels, could decree, 012:07,183[A ]| A traitor or twice-pardoned enemy. 012:07,184[A ]| Now Art was tired without success, 012:07,185[A ]| No racks could make the stubborn malady confess; 012:07,186[A ]| The vain insurancers of life, 012:07,187[A ]| And he who most performed and promised less, 012:07,188[A ]| Even Short himself, forsook the unequal strife. 012:07,189[A ]| Death and despair was in their looks, 012:07,190[A ]| No longer they consult their memories or books; <190> 012:07,191[A ]| Like helpless friends, who view from shore 012:07,192[A ]| The labouring ship, and hear the tempest roar, 012:07,193[A ]| So stood they with their arms across: 012:07,194[A ]| Not to assist, but to deplore 012:07,195[A ]| The inevitable loss. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,196[A ]| Death was denounced: that frightful sound 012:07,197[A ]| Which even the best can hardly bear; 012:07,198[A ]| He took the summons void of fear, 012:07,199[A ]| And, unconcernedly, cast his eyes around, 012:07,200[A ]| As if to find and dare the grizzly challenger. <200> 012:07,201[A ]| What Death could do he lately tried, 012:07,202[A ]| When in four days he more than died; 012:07,203[A ]| The same assurance all his words did grace, 012:07,204[A ]| The same majestic mildness held its place, 012:07,205[A ]| Nor lost the monarch in his dying face. 012:07,206[A ]| Intrepid, pious, merciful, and brave, 012:07,207[A ]| He looked as when he conquered and forgave. 012:07,000[A ]| 012:07,208[A ]| As if some angel had been sent 012:07,209[A ]| To lengthen out his government, 012:07,210[A ]| And to foretell as many years again, <210> 012:07,211[A ]| As he had numbered in his happy reign, 012:07,212[A ]| So cheerfully he took the doom 012:07,213[A ]| Of his departing breath, 012:07,214[A ]| Nor shrunk nor stepped aside for death; 012:07,215[A ]| But, with unaltered pace, kept on, 012:07,216[A ]| Providing for events to come, 012:07,217[A ]| When he resigned the throne. 012:07,218[A ]| Still he maintained his kingly state, 012:07,219[A ]| And grew familiar with his fate; 012:07,220[A ]| Kind, good and gracious to the last, <220> 012:07,221[A ]| On all he loved before, his dying beams he cast. 012:07,222[A ]| Oh truly good, and truly great, 012:07,223[A ]| For glorious as he rose, benignly so he set! 012:07,224[A ]| All that on earth he held most dear, 012:07,225[A ]| He recommended to his care, 012:07,226[A ]| To whom both Heaven 012:07,227[A ]| The right had given 012:07,228[A ]| And his own love bequeathed supreme command: 012:07,229[A ]| He took and pressed that ever loyal hand, 012:07,230[A ]| Which could in peace secure his reign, <230> 012:07,231[A ]| Which could in wars his power maintain, 012:07,232[A ]| That hand on which no plighted vows were ever vain. 012:07,233[A ]| Well for so great a trust, he chose 012:07,234[A ]| A prince who never disobeyed: 012:07,235[A ]| Not when the most severe commands were laid, 012:07,236[A ]| Nor want, nor exile with his duty weighed; 012:07,237[A ]| A prince on whom (if Heaven its eyes could close) 012:07,238[A ]| The welfare of the world it safely might repose. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,239[A ]| That king who lived to God's own heart, 012:07,240[A ]| Yet less serenely died than he: <240> 012:07,241[A ]| Charles left behind no harsh decree 012:07,242[A ]| For schoolmen with laborious art 012:07,243[A ]| To salve from cruelty; 012:07,244[A ]| Those, for whom love could no excuses frame, 012:07,245[A ]| He graciously forgot to name. 012:07,246[A ]| Thus far my Muse, though rudely, has designed 012:07,247[A ]| Some faint resemblance of his godlike mind, 012:07,248[A ]| But neither pen nor pencil can express 012:07,249[A ]| The parting brothers' tenderness 012:07,250[A ]| (Though that's a term too mean and low ; <250> 012:07,251[A ]| (The blessed above a kinder word may know); 012:07,252[A ]| But what they did, and what they said, 012:07,253[A ]| The monarch who triumphant went, 012:07,254[A ]| The militant who stayed: 012:07,255[A ]| Like painters, when their heightening arts are spent, 012:07,256[A ]| I cast into a shade. 012:07,257[A ]| That all forgiving King, 012:07,258[A ]| The type of him above, 012:07,259[A ]| That inexhausted spring 012:07,260[A ]| Of clemency and love: <260> 012:07,261[A ]| Himself to his next self accused, 012:07,262[A ]| And asked that pardon which he ne'er refused, 012:07,263[A ]| For faults not his, for guilt and crimes 012:07,264[A ]| Of godless men, and of rebellious times, 012:07,265[A ]| For an hard exile, kindly meant, 012:07,266[A ]| When his ungrateful country sent 012:07,267[A ]| Their best Camillus into banishment 012:07,268[A ]| And forced their sovereign's act, they could not his consent. 012:07,269[A ]| Oh how much rather had that injured chief 012:07,270[A ]| Repeated all his sufferings past, <270> 012:07,271[A ]| Than hear a pardon begged at last, 012:07,272[A ]| Which given could give the dying no relief! 012:07,273[A ]| He bent, he sunk beneath his grief, 012:07,274[A ]| His dauntless heart would fain have held 012:07,275[A ]| From weeping, but his eyes rebelled. 012:07,276[A ]| Perhaps the godlike hero in his breast 012:07,277[A ]| Disdained, or was ashamed to show 012:07,278[A ]| So weak, so womanish a woe, 012:07,279[A ]| Which yet the brother and the friend so plenteously confessed. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,280[A ]| Amidst that silent shower, the royal mind <280> 012:07,281[A ]| An easy passage found, 012:07,282[A ]| And left its sacred earth behind; 012:07,283[A ]| Nor murmuring groan expressed, nor labouring sound, 012:07,284[A ]| Nor any least tumultuous breath: 012:07,285[A ]| Calm was his life, and quiet was his death, 012:07,286[A ]| Soft as those gentle whispers were 012:07,287[A ]| In which the Almighty did appear: 012:07,288[A ]| By the still voice, the prophet knew him there. 012:07,289[A ]| That peace which made thy prosperous reign to shine, 012:07,290[A ]| That peace thou leavest to thy imperial line, <290> 012:07,291[A ]| That peace, oh happy shade, be ever thine! 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,292[A ]| For all those joys thy restoration brought, 012:07,293[A ]| For all the miracles it wrought, 012:07,294[A ]| For all the healing balm thy mercy poured 012:07,295[A ]| Into the nation's bleeding wound, 012:07,296[A ]| And care that after kept it sound; 012:07,297[A ]| For numerous blessings yearly showered, 012:07,298[A ]| And property with plenty crowned, 012:07,299[A ]| For freedom, still maintained alive 012:07,300[A ]| Freedom which in no other land will thrive, <300> 012:07,301[A ]| Freedom an English subject's sole prerogative, 012:07,302[A ]| Without whose charms even peace would be 012:07,303[A ]| But a dull quiet slavery: 012:07,304[A ]| For these and more, accept our pious praise; 012:07,305[A ]| 'Tis all the subsidy 012:07,306[A ]| The present age can raise, 012:07,307[A ]| The rest is charged on late posterity. 012:07,308[A ]| Posterity is charged the more, 012:07,309[A ]| Because the large abounding store, 012:07,310[A ]| To them and to their heirs, is still entailed by thee. <310> 012:07,311[A ]| Succession, of a long descent, 012:07,312[A ]| Which chastely in the channels ran, 012:07,313[A ]| And from our demi-gods began, 012:07,314[A ]| Equal almost to time in its extent, 012:07,315[A ]| Through hazards numberless and great, 012:07,316[A ]| Thou hast derived this mighty blessing down, 012:07,317[A ]| And fixed the fairest gem that decks the imperial crown. 012:07,318[A ]| Not faction, when it shook thy regal seat, 012:07,319[A ]| Not senates, insolently loud, 012:07,320[A ]| (Those echoes of a thoughtless crowd), <320> 012:07,321[A ]| Not foreign or domestic treachery, 012:07,322[A ]| Could warp thy soul to their unjust decree. 012:07,323[A ]| So much thy foes thy manly mind mistook, 012:07,324[A ]| Who judged it by the mildness of thy look: 012:07,325[A ]| Like a well-tempered sword, it bent at will, 012:07,326[A ]| But kept the native toughness of the steel. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,327[A ]| Be true, O Clio, to thy hero's name! 012:07,328[A ]| But draw him strictly so 012:07,329[A ]| That all who view the piece may know 012:07,330[A ]| He needs no trappings of fictitious fame. <330> 012:07,331[A ]| The load's too weighty: thou mayst choose 012:07,332[A ]| Some parts of praise, and some refuse; 012:07,333[A ]| Write, that his annals may be thought more lavish than the Muse. 012:07,334[A ]| In scanty truth thou hast confined 012:07,335[A ]| The virtues of a royal mind, 012:07,336[A ]| Forgiving, bounteous, humble, just and kind; 012:07,337[A ]| His conversation, wit, and parts, 012:07,338[A ]| His knowledge in the noblest, useful arts, 012:07,339[A ]| Were such, dead authors could not give, 012:07,340[A ]| But habitudes of those who live, <340> 012:07,341[A ]| Who, lighting him, did greater lights receive. 012:07,342[A ]| He drained from all, and all they knew; 012:07,343[A ]| His apprehension quick, his judgement true, 012:07,344[A ]| That the most learned, with shame, confess 012:07,345[A ]| His knowledge more, his reading only less. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,346[A ]| Amidst the peaceful triumphs of his reign, 012:07,347[A ]| What wonder if the kindly beams he shed 012:07,348[A ]| Revived the drooping arts again, 012:07,349[A ]| If science raised her head, 012:07,350[A ]| And soft humanity that from rebellion fled. <350> 012:07,351[A ]| Our isle, indeed, too fruitful was before, 012:07,352[A ]| But all uncultivated lay 012:07,353[A ]| Out of the solar walk and Heaven's highway; 012:07,354[A ]| With rank Geneva weeds run o'er, 012:07,355[A ]| And cockle, at the best, amidst the corn it bore. 012:07,356[A ]| The royal husbandman appeared, 012:07,357[A ]| And ploughed, and sowed, and tilled; 012:07,358[A ]| Thorns he rooted out, the rubbish cleared, 012:07,359[A ]| And blessed the obedient field. 012:07,360[A ]| When, straight, a double harvest rose, <360> 012:07,361[A ]| Such as the swarthy Indian mows, 012:07,362[A ]| Or happier Climates near the Line, 012:07,363[A ]| Or Paradise manured, and dressed by hands divine. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,364[A ]| As when the new-born Phoenix takes his way, 012:07,365[A ]| His rich paternal regions to survey, 012:07,366[A ]| Of airy choristers a numerous train 012:07,367[A ]| Attend his wondrous progress o'er the plain; 012:07,368[A ]| So, rising from his father's urn, 012:07,369[A ]| So glorious did our Charles return. 012:07,370[A ]| The officious Muses came along, <370> 012:07,371[A ]| A gay harmonious choir like angels ever young 012:07,372[A ]| (The Muse that mourns him now his happy triumph sung). 012:07,373[A ]| Even they could thrive in his auspicious reign, 012:07,374[A ]| And such a plenteous crop they bore 012:07,375[A ]| Of purest and well-winnowed grain, 012:07,376[A ]| As Britain never knew before. 012:07,377[A ]| Though little was their hire, and light their gain, 012:07,378[A ]| Yet somewhat to their share he threw; 012:07,379[A ]| Fed from his hand, they sung and flew, 012:07,380[A ]| Like birds of paradise, that lived on morning dew. <380> 012:07,381[A ]| Oh never let their lays his name forget! 012:07,382[A ]| The pension of a prince's praise is great. 012:07,383[A ]| Live then, thou great encourager of arts, 012:07,384[A ]| Live ever in our thankful hearts, 012:07,385[A ]| Live blessed above, almost invoked below, 012:07,386[A ]| Live and receive this pious vow, 012:07,387[A ]| Our patron once, our guardian angel now. 012:07,388[A ]| Thou Fabius of a sinking state, 012:07,389[A ]| Who didst by wise delays divert our fate, 012:07,390[A ]| When faction like a tempest rose <390> 012:07,391[A ]| In Death's most hideous form. 012:07,392[A ]| Then, art to rage thou didst oppose 012:07,393[A ]| To weather out the storm: 012:07,394[A ]| Not quitting thy supreme command, 012:07,395[A ]| Thou heldst the rudder with a steady hand, 012:07,396[A ]| Till safely on the shore the bark did land; 012:07,397[A ]| The bark that all our blessings brought, 012:07,398[A ]| Charged with thy self and James, a doubly royal fraught. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,399[A ]| Oh frail estate of human things 012:07,400[A ]| And slippery hopes below! <400> 012:07,401[A ]| Now to our cost your emptiness we know 012:07,402[A ]| (For 'tis a lesson dearly bought), 012:07,403[A ]| Assurance here is never to be sought. 012:07,404[A ]| The best, and best beloved of kings, 012:07,405[A ]| And best deserving to be so, 012:07,406[A ]| When scarce he had escaped the fatal blow 012:07,407[A ]| Of faction and conspiracy, 012:07,408[A ]| Death did his promised hopes destroy: 012:07,409[A ]| He toiled, he gained, but lived not to enjoy. 012:07,410[A ]| What mists of Providence are these <410> 012:07,411[A ]| Through which we cannot see? 012:07,412[A ]| So saints, by supernatural power set free, 012:07,413[A ]| Are left at last in martyrdom to die: 012:07,414[A ]| Such is the end of oft-repeated miracles. 012:07,415[A ]| Forgive me Heaven that impious thought: 012:07,416[A ]| 'Twas grief for Charles, to madness wrought, 012:07,417[A ]| That questioned thy supreme decree! 012:07,418[A ]| Thou didst his gracious reign prolong, 012:07,419[A ]| Even in thy saints and angels wrong, 012:07,420[A ]| His fellow citizens of immortality. <420> 012:07,421[A ]| For twelve long years of exile, born, 012:07,422[A ]| Twice twelve we numbered since his blessed return: 012:07,423[A ]| So strictly wert thou just to pay, 012:07,424[A ]| Even to the driblet of a day. 012:07,425[A ]| Yet still we murmur, and complain, 012:07,426[A ]| The quails and manna should no longer rain. 012:07,427[A ]| Those miracles 'twas needless to renew: 012:07,428[A ]| The chosen flock has now the Promised Land in view. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,429[A ]| A warlike prince ascends the regal state, 012:07,430[A ]| A prince, long exercised by Fate: <430> 012:07,431[A ]| Long may he keep, though he obtains it late. 012:07,432[A ]| Heroes in Heaven's peculiar mould are cast, 012:07,433[A ]| They and their poets are not formed in haste; 012:07,434[A ]| Man was the first in God's design, and man was made the last. 012:07,435[A ]| False heroes, made by flattery so, 012:07,436[A ]| Heaven can strike out, like sparkles, at a blow; 012:07,437[A ]| But ere a prince is to perfection brought, 012:07,438[A ]| He costs omnipotence a second thought. 012:07,439[A ]| With toil and sweat, 012:07,440[A ]| With hardening cold, and forming heat, <440> 012:07,441[A ]| The Cyclops did their strokes repeat, 012:07,442[A ]| Before the impenetrable shield was wrought. 012:07,443[A ]| It looks as if the maker would not own 012:07,444[A ]| The noble work for his, 012:07,445[A ]| Before 'twas tried and found a masterpiece. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,446[A ]| View then a monarch ripened for a throne: 012:07,447[A ]| Alcides thus his race began, 012:07,448[A ]| O'er infancy he swiftly ran, 012:07,449[A ]| The future God at first was more than man. 012:07,450[A ]| Dangers and toils, and Juno's hate <450> 012:07,451[A ]| Even o'er his cradle lay in wait, 012:07,452[A ]| And there he grappled first with Fate: 012:07,453[A ]| In his young hands the hissing snakes he pressed, 012:07,454[A ]| So early was the deity confessed;. 012:07,455[A ]| Thus, by degrees, he rose to Jove's imperial seat, 012:07,456[A ]| Thus difficulties prove a soul legitimately great. 012:07,457[A ]| Like his, our hero's infancy was tried: 012:07,458[A ]| Betimes the Furies did their snakes provide, 012:07,459[A ]| And, to his infant arms oppose 012:07,460[A ]| His father's rebels, and his brother's foes; <460> 012:07,461[A ]| The more oppressed the higher still he rose. 012:07,462[A ]| Those were the preludes of his fate, 012:07,463[A ]| That formed his manhood, to subdue 012:07,464[A ]| The Hydra of the many-headed, hissing crew. 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,465[A ]| As after Numa's peaceful reign 012:07,466[A ]| The martial Ancus did the sceptre wield, 012:07,467[A ]| Furbished the rusty sword again, 012:07,468[A ]| Resumed the long-forgotten shield, 012:07,469[A ]| And led the Latins to the dusty field: 012:07,470[A ]| So James the drowsy Genius wakes <470> 012:07,471[A ]| Of Britain long entranced in charms, 012:07,472[A ]| Restive and slumbering on its Arms, 012:07,473[A ]| 'Tis roused, and with a new strung nerve, the spear already shakes. 012:07,474[A ]| No neighing of the warrior steeds, 012:07,475[A ]| No drum, or louder trumpet, needs 012:07,476[A ]| To inspire the coward, warm the cold: 012:07,477[A ]| His voice, his sole appearance makes 'em bold. 012:07,478[A ]| Gaul and Batavia dread the impending blow, 012:07,479[A ]| Too well the vigour of that arm they know; 012:07,480[A ]| They lick the dust, and crouch beneath their fatal foe. <480> 012:07,481[A ]| Long may they fear this awful prince, 012:07,482[A ]| And not provoke his lingering sword; 012:07,483[A ]| Peace is their only sure defence, 012:07,484[A ]| Their best security his word; 012:07,485[A ]| In all the changes of his doubtful state, 012:07,486[A ]| His truth, like Heaven's, was kept inviolate, 012:07,487[A ]| For him to promise is to make it fate. 012:07,488[A ]| His valour can triumph o'er land and main, 012:07,489[A ]| With broken oaths his fame he will not stain, 012:07,490[A ]| With conquest basely bought, and with inglorious gain. <490> 012:07,000[' ]| 012:07,491[A ]| For once, O Heaven, unfold thy adamantine book 012:07,492[A ]| And let his wondering senate see, 012:07,493[A ]| If not thy firm immutable decree, 012:07,494[A ]| At least the second page, of strong contingency; 012:07,495[A ]| Such as consists with wills, originally free. 012:07,496[A ]| Let them, with glad amazement, look 012:07,497[A ]| On what their happiness may be; 012:07,498[A ]| Let them not still be obstinately blind, 012:07,499[A ]| Still to divert the good thou hast designed, 012:07,500[A ]| Or with malignant penury, <500> 012:07,501[A ]| To starve the royal virtues of his mind. 012:07,502[A ]| Faith is a Christian's, and a subject's test: 012:07,503[A ]| Oh give them to believe, and they are surely blest! 012:07,504[A ]| They do; and, with a distant view, I see 012:07,505[A ]| The amended vows of English loyalty, 012:07,506[A ]| And all beyond that object, there appears 012:07,507[A ]| The long retinue of a prosperous reign, 012:07,508[A ]| A series of successful years, 012:07,509[A ]| In orderly array, a martial, manly train. 012:07,510[A ]| Behold even to remoter shores <510> 012:07,511[A ]| A conquering navy proudly spread: 012:07,512[A ]| The British cannon formidably roars, 012:07,513[A ]| While starting from his oozy bed, 012:07,514[A ]| The asserted ocean rears his reverend head, 012:07,515[A ]| To view and recognize his ancient lord again, 012:07,516[A ]| And, with a willing hand, restores 012:07,517[A ]| The Fasces of the main.