Classic Poem

Spoken by way of Epilogue at the first representation of the British Enchanters.

Prophetic fury rolls within my breast,
And as at Delphos when the foaming priest,
Full of his god, proclaims the distant doom
Of kings unborn, and nations yet to come,
My lab'ring mind so struggles to unfold
On British ground a future Age of Cold;
But lest incredulous you hear — behold;

Here a scene representing the Queen, and the several triumphs of her Majesty's reign.

High on a throne appears the martial Queen,
With grace sublime, and with imperial mien,
Surveying round her, with impartial eyes,
Whom to protect, or whom she shall chastise.
Next to her side victorious Marlb'ro' stands
Waiting, observant of her dread commands:
The Queen ordains, and, like Alcides, he
Obeys, and executes her high decree.
In ev'ry line of her auspicious face
Soft Mercy smiles, adorn'd with ev'ry grace:
So angels look, and so, when Heav'n decrees,
They scourge the world to piety and peace.
Empress and Conqu'ror, hail! thee Fates ordain
O'er all the willing world sole arbitress to reign:
To no one people are thy laws confin'd,
Great Britain's Queen, but guardian of mankind;
Sure hope of all who dire oppression bear,
For all th' oppress'd become thy instant care.
Nations of conquest proud thou tam'st to free,
Denouncing war, presenting liberty:
The victor to the vanquish'd yields a prize,
For in thy triumph their redemption lies:
Freedom and peace for ravish'd fame you give,
Invade to bless, and conquer to relieve:
So the sun scorches and revives by turns,
Requiting with rich metals where he burns.
Taught by this great example to be just,
Succeeding kings shall well sulfil their trust;
Discord, and war, and tyranny, shall cease,
And jarring nations be compell'd to peace;
Princes and states, like subjects, shall agree
To trust her pow'r, safe in her piety.