One glory shed, a brighter is display'd, And the charm'd Muses shelter in the shade. Thy name in view, no rights of verse I plead, And fondly guilt by partial majesty ; 80 90 "One bearing greatest toils with greatest ease; "One born to serve us, and yet born to please; "Whom, while our rights in equal scales he lays, "The prince may trust, and yet the people praise; "His genius ardent, yet his judgment clear, "His tongue is flowing, and his heart sincere ; "His counsel guides, his temper cheers our isle, "And smiling, gives three kingdoms cause to smile." Joy then to Britain, bless'd with such a son; To Walpole joy! by whom the prize is won; Who, nobly conscious, meets the smiles of Fate; True greatness lies in daring to be great. Let dastard souls in affectation, run To shades, nor were bright honours fairly won; * Knight of the Bath, and then of the Garter. 100 Honours which make the face of Virtue fair, 110 120 And what applause but her propitious gale? Then let Renown to worth divine incite R 130 Then Merit droops, and Genius downwards tends, On worth like that whence first the peerage flow'd. And kings most like them by rewarding well. 140 Tho' strong the twanging nerve, and, drawn aright, Short is the winged arrow's upward flight; But if an eagle it transfix on high, Lodg'd in the wound it soars into the sky. Thus while I sing thee with unequal lays, And wound, perhaps, that worth I mean to praise, Yet I transcend myself, I rise in fame, Not lifted by my genius, but my theme. No more; for in this dread suspense of Fate Now kingdoms fluctuate, and in dark debate Weigh peace and war, now Europe's eyes are bent On mighty Brunswick for the great event; Brunswick! of kings the terror or defence! Who dares detain thee at a world's expence? 159 160 Ye guardian Gods! who wait on kings, Ease of access, and the soft hour of speech. 11. 'Tis gain'd. Hail, Monarch, great and wise! O'er seas and lands I flew, your ear to claim: Deep in the frozen North I pine; Nor vine nor sun could warm me like my theme. Young] Rij HOR. 10 111. A theme how great! on yonder tide The labour of the deep, my Muse surveys IV. Ye great by Sea! ye Shades ador'd! And, pointing to your glorious scars, Vi. 'Tis done and see! sweet Clio brings From heav'n her deep-resounding strings: * Clio! the god which gave thy charming shell, To sing the sov'reign of the main : Of Ocean's queen what wonders wilt thou tell? .VI. Such wonders as may pass for sport, Or vision in a southern court: 20 · 30 But, mighty Throdes! those truths which make me Your fathers saw, your sons shall see; Then quit your infidelity. Some truths 'tis better to believe than know. [glow * Neptune. |