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Thee, Goddess, thee, Britannia's ille adores;
How has the oft exhausted all her fores,
How oft in fields of death thy presence fought,
Nor thinks the mighty prize too dearly bought !
On foreign mountains may the sun refine
The grape's soft juice, and mellow it to wine,
With citron groves adorn a distant soil,
And the fat olive swell with floods of oil :
We envy not the warmer clime, that lies
In ten degrees of more indulgent kies,
Nor at the coarseness of our heav'n repine,
Tho' o'er our heads the frozen pleiads shine :
'Tis Liberty that crowns Britannia's isle,
And makes her barren rocks and her bleak mountains

smile.
Others with tow'ring piles may please the sight,
And in their proud aspiring domes delight;
A nicer touch to the stretcht canvas give,
Or teach their animated rocks to live :
'Tis Britain's care to watch o'er Europe's fate,
And hold in balance each contending state ;
To threaten bold presumptuous kings with war,
And answer her afflicted neighbours' pray'r.
The Dane and Swede, rouz'd up by fierce alarms,
Bless the wise conduct of her pious arms :
Soon as her fleets appear, their terrors cease,
And all the northern world lies hulh'd in peace.

Th' ambitious Gaul beholds with secret dread
Her thunder aim'd at his aspiring head,

And

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And fain her godlike sons wou'd disunite
By foreign gold, or by domestic spite ;
But strives in vain to conquer or divide,
Whom Nassau's arms defend and counsels guidé.

Fir'd.with: the name, which I so oft have found
The distant climes and diff!rent tongues resound,
I bridle in my struggling muse with pain,
That longs to launch into a bolder strain.

But I've already troubled you too long, :
Nor dare attempt a more advent'rous fong..
My humble verse demands a softer thene,
A painted meadow, or a purling stream ;
Unfit for heroes ; whom immortal lays,,
And lines like Virgil's, or like yours, fou'd prailea.

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"The History of JOHN GILPIN,

OF CHEAPSIDE.

A DROLL STORY, read by Mr. HENDERSON, with

great Applause, at Free Mason's Tavera.

JOHN GILPIN was a citizen

Of credit and renown;
A train-band captain eke was he

Of famous London town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear

Though wedded we have been *. These twice ten tedious years, yet we

“ No holiday have seen.

16 To-morrow is our wedding-day,

“ And we will then repair * Unto the Bell at Edmonton,

“ All in a chaise and pair.

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** My sister and my fifter's child,

Myself and children three, +Will fill the chaise; so you must ride

«« On horfeback after we."

He foon reply'd" I do admire

« Of womankind but one ; " And you are she, my dearest dear,

«. Therefore it shall be done.

“ I am a linen-draper bold,

“ As all the world does know; “ And my good friend, the callender,

.66 Will lend his horse to go.”

Quoth Mrs. Gilpin—" That's well said ;

And, for that wine is dear, * We will be furnish'd with our own,

" Which is so bright and clear,"

• John Gilpin kiss'd his loving wife;

O’erjoy'd was he to find,
That though on pleasure she was bent,

She had a frugal mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought,

But yet was not allow'd
To drive up to the door, left all

Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was staid,

Where they did all get in, Six precious fouls; and all agog

To dash through thick and thin.'.

Smack went the whip, round went the wheels,

Were never folks so glad ;
The stones did rattle underneath,

As if Cheapfide were mad.

Joka John Gilpin, at his horse's fide,

Seiz'd fast the flowing mane,
And

up
he
got

in haite to ride, But soon came down again.

For saddle-tree scarce reach'd had he,

His journey to begin,
When, turning round his face, he saw

Three customers come in.

So down he came ; for loss of time,

Although it griev'd him fore,
Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,

Would grieve him ftill much more.

'Twas long before the customers

Were suited to their mind, When Betty scream'd into his ears

" The wine is left behind !"

s. Good lack !” quoth he; “ yet bring it me,

My leathern belt likewise, * In which I bear my trusty sword

“ When I do exercise.”

Now Mrs. Gilpin-careful foul !

Had two stone bottles found,
To hold the liquor which she lov’d,

And keep it safe and found.

Each