Page images
PDF
EPUB

But if immortal any thing remain,

Rejoice, my Muse, and strive that end to gain.
Thou kind diffolver of encroaching care,

And eafe of every bitter weight I bear,

Keep from

my foul repining, while I fing The praife and honour of this glorious king; And farther tell what wonders thou didst find Worthy thy song and his celestial mind.

270

Beyond the Dome a* lofty tower appears, Beauteous in ftrength, the work of long-past years, 275 Old as his noble ftem, who there bears fway,

And, like his loyalty, without decay.

280

This goodly ancient frame looks as it stood
The mother pile, and all the rest her brood.
So careful watch feems piously to keep,
While underneath her wings the mighty fleep;
And they may rest, since † Norfolk there commands,
Safe in his faithful heart and valiant hands.

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

But now appears the beauteous feat of Peace, Large of extent, and fit for goodly ease;

Where noble order ftrikes the greedy fight

With wonder, as it fills it with delight;
The maffy walls feem, as the womb of earth,
Shrunk when fuch mighty quarries thence had birth;
Or by the Theban founder they'd been rais'd,
And in his powerful numbers should be prais'd :

*The Castle. of Windfor Castle.

[ocr errors]

285

290

The Duke of Norfolk, Constable

+ The Houfe.

Such

Such ftrength without does every where abound,
Within fuch glory and such splendor's found,
As man's united fkill had there combin'd
T'express what one great genius had defign'd.

295

300

Thus, when the happy world Augustus sway'd, Knowledge was cherish'd, and improvement made; Learning and arts his empire did adorn, Nor did there one neglected virtue mourn; But, at his call, from fartheft nations came, While the immortal Mufes gave him fame. Though when her far-ftretch'd empire flourish'd moft, Rome never yet a work like this could boaft: No Cæfar e'er like Charles his pomp exprefs'd, Nor ever were his nations half fo bleft:

Though now (alas !) in the fad grave he lies,

305

310

Yet fhall his praise for ever live, and laurels from it rise.
Here, as all Nature's wealth to court him preft,
Seem'd to attend him Plenty, Peace, and Rest.
Through all the lofty roofs * defcrib'd we find
The toils and triumphs of his god-like mind :
A theme that might the nobleft fancy warm,
And only fit for this who did perform.
The walls adorn'd with richest woven goid,
Equal to what in temples fhin'd of old,
Grac'd well the luftre of his royal eafe,

315

Whofe empire reach'd throughout the wealthy feas;

*The Paintings done by + The Sieur Verrio, his Majefty's chief Painter.

Eafe

Eafe which he wifely chofe, when raging arms
Kept neighbouring nations waking with alarms:
For when wars troubled her foft fountains there, 320
She fwell'd her ftreams, and flow'd-in fafter here;
With her came Plenty, till our ifle feem'd bless'd
As Canaan's fhore, where Ifrael's fons found reft.
Therefore, when cruel fpoilers, who have hurl'd
Waste and confufion through the wretched world, 325
To after-times leave a great hated name, ́

The praise of Peace shall wait on Charles's fame;
His country's father, through whofe tender care,
Like a lull'd babe she slept, and knew no fear;
Who, when sh' offended, oft would hide his eyes, 330.
Nør fee, because it griev'd him to chastize.
But if fubmiffion brought her to his feet,
With what true joy the penitent he'd meet!
How would his love ftill with his justice strive!
How parent-like, how fondly he'd forgive F
But now (alas !) in the fad grave he lies,

335

Yet fhall his praise for ever live, and laurels from it rise. Since after all thofe toils through which he ftrove

By every art of most endearing love,

For his reward he had his Britain found,

The awe and envy of the nations round.

340

Muse, then speak more what wonders thou didst find Worthy thy fong and his celeftial mind..

[blocks in formation]

Defcribe that lofty monumental * hall,

Where England's triumphs grace the shining wall,
When the led captive kings from conquer'd Gaul.
Here when the fons of Fame their leader meet,
And at their feasts in pompous order fit,

When the glad fparkling bowl inspires the board,
And high-rais'd thoughts great tales of war afford,
Here as a leffon may
their eyes
behold

What their victorious fathers did of old;

When their proud neighbours of the Gallic shore
Trembled to hear the English lion roar.

Here may they fee how good old + Edward fat,
And did his glorious fon's arrival wait,

}

355

360

When from the fields of vanquifh'd France he came,
Follow'd by spoils, and usher'd in by Fame.

In golden chains he their quell'd monarch led.
Oh, for fuch laurels on another head!

Unfoil'd with floth, nor yet o'ercloy'd with peace, 365
We had not then learn'd the loose arts of case.
In our own climes our vigorous youth were nurs'd,
And with no foreign educations curs'd.

Their northern metal was preferv'd with care,
Nor fent for foftening into hotter air.

Nor did they 'as now from fruitlefs travels come
With follies, vices, and difeafes home;

But in full purity of health and mind
Kept up the noble virtues of their kind.

* Where St. George's Feaft is kept.
+ Edw. III.. The Black Prince.

370

Had not falfe fenates to those ills difpos'd
Which long had England's happiness oppos'd
With stubborn faction and rebellious pride,
All means to fuch a noble end deny’d,
To Britain, Charles this glory had restor'd,
And those revolted nations own'd their lord.
But now (alas !) in the sad grave he lies,

375

380

385

Yet fhall his praife for ever live, and laurels from it rise.
And now furvey what 's open to our view,
Bow down all heads, and pay devotion due,
The temple by this hero built behold,
Adorn'd with carvings, and o'erlaid with gold;
Whofe radiant roof fuch glory does difplay,
We think we fee the heaven to which we pray;
So well the artift's hand has there delin'd
The merciful redemption of mankind;
The bright afcenfion of the Son of God;

390

When back through yielding skies to heaven he rode, With lightning round his head, and thunder where

he trod.

Thus when to Charles, as Solomon, was given
Wisdom, the greatest gift of bounteous heaven; 395
A house like his he built, and temple rais'd,
Where his Creator might be fitly prais'd;
With riches too and honours was he crown'd,
Nor, whilst he liv'd, was there one like him found.
Therefore what once to Ifrael's lord was faid,
When Sheba's queen his glorious court survey'd,

400

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »