Classic Poem

IN THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS MAJESTY'S REIGN .

May all thy years, like this, auspicious be,
And bring thee crowns, and peace, and victory!
Scarce hadst thou time t' unsheath thy conqu'ring blade;
It did but glitter, and the rebels fled.
Thy sword, the safeguard of thy brother's throne,
Is now as much the bulwark of thy own.
Aw'd by thy fame, the trembling nations send
Throughout the world to court so firm a friend;
The guilty senates that refus'd thy sway
Repent their crime, and hasten to obey;
Tribute they raise, and vows and off'rings bring,
Confess their frenzy, and confirm their king:
Who with their venom overspread thy soil,
Those scorpions of the state, present their oil.
So the world's Saviour, like a mortal dress'd,
Altho' by daily miracles confess'd,
Accus'd of evil doctrine by the Jews,
The giddy crowd their rightful Prince refuse;
But when they saw such terror in the skies,
The temple rent, their King in glory rise,
Seiz'd with amaze they own'd their lawful Lord,
And, struck with guilt, bow'd, trembled, and ador'd.