Classic Poem

Jove from on high beheld the jarring world,
Shook the vast globe and round his thunder hurl'd;
" Mortals, " he cry'd, " attend a god's decree,
" Behold a youth commission'd you from me;
" Go, Day , " he said, " exert your utmost art,
" Improve the morals, and instruct the heart;
" Protect the Arts , and Sciences defend,
" And Navigation round the globe extend;
" Prove Nature's friend, and ev'ry vice suppress,
" But most your care — demands the British press;
" Freedom is held by Briton's sacred dear,
" Haste to their aid, their dearest rights revere;
" Assert with eloquence, support their cause,
" And bleed, if needful, to defend their laws, "
He ceas'd to speak, and graceful wav'd his hand
O'er Britain's isle, where Freedom takes her stand;
Quick to the earth the youth impatient flew,
And reach'd the spot where Liberty first grew;
Unknown to tyrants' arbitary sway,
Albion receiv'd, and own'd the urchin Day .
Anxious to act the part he was design'd,
His first great effort was to try the mind:
He found the Britons valiant, firm, and free,
He found great George reign sovereign of the sea.
" Yes, yes! " in raptures, cry'd the happy youth,
'Tis here reigns Virtue, Constancy, and Truth.
Here will I fix ambassador of Jove,
And own his Britons well deserve his love.
In plaintive verse, petition sent on high,
Permission begg'd to live, and here to die.
Old Thunder smil'd, and gracious gave consent,
While acclamations old Olympus rent;
Pleas'd with the choice, the daring Boy had made,
" Pallas, " he said, " your laurels ne'er will fade;
" England will now your various arts display,
" And Wisdom flourish in the age of Day . "