Classic Poem

'Tis the toast of the King we wish for,
'tis a fine and noble tonic.
to drink it in the wine of Spain,
or in potent, lordly punch;
when 'tis level with the brim,
as full as the cups can contain,
in whose-ever hand it may chance to be,
'tis his duty to see it passed round.

Great is the happiness prevailing
in the kingdom, since this king was crowned
in the place held by his forbears,
where his great-grandsire obtained dynastic rights;
Scotland, England and Ireland
now to the same man do yield homage,
as never before were they seen doing,
since first brought into subjection.

'Tis great good fortune doth attend the youth,
the third George to sit upon the throne;
there is not a king in Europe
who can contend with sword against him;
youthful was he when he began adventure,
and oft the gain is in his hands —
opponents' land being ever taken from them,
and every place acquired by him, retained.

Renowned and famed wherever they were mustered,
in many a region have his armies been —
his vigorous, stalwart infantry,
and spirited troop of sturdy horse;
Irish, Lowland Scots, and English
were heroes in the enemy's land;
woe to him who met the warriors
when they proceeded to volley.

In every hazard and danger,
great is the respect the Gaels have won;
yet for a time they were held suspect,
as if they were alien to the nation;
but once they won esteem and trust,
and 'twas believed they would not fail,
they were the truest in their honour
that ever drew bright brand from sheath.

On all occasions in the time of fighting,
ardent were they, going into battles;
every man of them braved peril,
and on every field theirs was the victory;
each young gallant was commissioned
and gave commands to his battalion,
and they were as devoted to King George
as lions would be to their whelps.

The chart and the wheel of fortune,
the lords of war all favoured thee;
in every engagement they had,
Mars did play his proper part;
what time thy ships were under way,
Aeolus boomed to suit thy sails;
Neptune gave thee the freedom of the seas,
and who was absent that could aid thee?

The garrisons were so well fortified
'twere foolish to go to besiege them:
they had a strong front to every wall,
so that the barracks might be guarded;
and insurmountable high ramparts,
with battery and cannon primed thereon;
woe to any exposed to their blast
when they started roaring.

All kings who started to oppose thee
took for choice the very worst course;
so it proved to be in their case,
much they lost by that proceeding;
thou didst take a haul from the Frenchman,
and didst receive bonds and covenant,
that he would not rouse thy wrath again,
lest greater disaster befall him.

The Queen of Hungary was foolish
when she started strife with thee;
no wiser was the king of Spain —
he set to, audaciously and rudely;
though powerful were both of these,
and a king or two who were in India,
in all thy claims thou didst prevail against them,
and the scores have been settled.

Now is the King as he desireth,
in safety he may take his ease;
he hath drawn his navy inshore,
nor is there need to maintain encampment;
those men who were his enemies
have all become good friends to him,
and every one so leal to him:
this state of peace endureth still.

In the four quarters of the globe,
George hath territory and subjects;
and his prelates are in every place
to save them from misdemeanour;
they have law and parliament
to ensure them justice and equity;
thievery hath been arrested,
forays and feuds have ceased.

While thou survivest, dukes and earls
will all fare as they desire;
each lord and baron will be granted
all privileges due to them;
gentlemen and farming tenants
are satisfied with their resources;
craftsmen are finding employment,
and no poor man doth lack a share.

The growth of the soil doth fructify
in fruit, in corn and many crops;
the herd hath grown rich in milk and produce,
content and fecund, fat and fleshy;
on the moor of every rugged region
there is game, and hunters find sport;
the fish of the sea are rising,
and cash is plentiful in George's reign.

Much hath he done in home affairs,
he hath showered all benefits on us;
he hath placed a bridge on every burn,
and he hath made the highways smooth;
he hath set a school in every glen,
so that our children might have schooling;
we shall get arms and Highland garb,
since we prefer it for display.

He is supreme among the princes,
and the child of fortune from his early youth;
a mighty captain in all places,
over every tribe and every sort;
the title " of Britain" and " of France" —
these warrants are in his pocket;
the style " of Ireland", " Defender of the Faith",
fitly uphold him with credentials.

Long mayest thou enjoy thy crown,
thy throne, thy orb, thy sword and majesty,
with thy great, royal, fair-famed family,
and the palace where thou abidest;
whenever age overtaketh thee,
or when thou passest from that state,
may thy son and heir be secure
in thy place, as is his right.