As when a fudden storm of hail and rain Beats to the ground the yet unbearded grain, Think not the hopes of harveft are destroy'd On the flat field, and on the naked void; The light, unloaded ftem, from tempeft freed, Will raise the youthful honors of his head; And foon reftor'd by native vigor, bear The timely product of the bounteous year. Nor yet conclude all fiery trials past : For heaven will exercife us to the last; Sometimes will check us in our full career, With doubtful bleffings, and with mingled fear; : That, ftill depending on his daily grace, His every mercy for an alms may pass, With sparing hands will diet us to good; Preventing furfeits of our pamper'd blood. So feeds the mother bird her craving young With little morfels, and delays them long. True, this last bleffing was a royal feast'; But where's the wedding-garment on the guest? Our manners, as religion were a dream, Are fuch as teach the nations to blafpheme. In lufts we wallow, and with pride we fwell, And injuries with injuries repel ; } Prompt to revenge, not daring to forgive, But James and Mary, and the church prevail. But you, propitious queen, tranflated here, You, who your native climate have bereft Of all the virtues, and the vices left; Whom piety and beauty make their boast, Let angels voices with their harps confpire, Nor can I wish to you, great monarch, more Than fuch an annual income to your ftore ; The day which gave this unit, did not shine For a lefs omen, than to fill the trine. After a prince, an admiral beget; The Royal Sov'reign wants an anchor yet. Our ifle has younger titles ftill in store, The name of great your martial mind will fuit; But juftice is your darling attribute: Of all the Greeks, 'twas but one hero's due, Some kings the name of conqu'rors have affum'd, Some to be great, fome to be Gods prefum'd; Made tyrants still abhor the name of just; And fear'd a title that reproach'd their lives. The power, from which all kings derive their ftate, Whom they pretend, at leaft, to imitate, Is equal both to punish and reward; For few would love their God, unless they fear'd. Resistless force and immortality Make but a lame, imperfect, deity : And yet heaven's attributes, both last and first, One without life, and one with life accurst : But justice is heaven's felf, fo ftrictly he, That could it fail, the Godhead could not be. This virtue is your own; but life and state Are one to fortune fubject, one to fate : Equal to all, you justly frown or smile; Nor hopes nor fears your steady hand beguile; Yourself our balance hold, the world's our inle. } |