By Wisdom fix'd, the rising states appear; 'Justice avows, and Heaven asserts their cause. Brightening thro' ages the fair prospect glows, 'Nor long futurity reveals the distant close.

II. I.

But thou, thy suppliant sons afar Who vexest with injurious war, 'Unnatural mother, hear thy doom! 'Devoted Britain, mark thy ills to come! • Enfeebled by Corruption's sway, The ruin of a mighty state, Unhonor'd shalt thou sink to swift decay: Each art, each virtue, fled, that made thee great. Torn from its base thy column lies, 'Forgotten all thy victories;

In the throng'd port thy cross is seen no more; 'Lost are thy boasted laws, o'erthrown thy balanc'd

power.

II. 2.

To peaceful realms the sword

In evil hour the proud Iberian bore;
Though empires own'd him Lord,

And wealth uncounted swell'd his fatal store.
6 From Cusco's mournful vale the cries
'Of guiltless blood ascend the skies;
To mutual slaughter rush the frantic band:
'The fathers' crimes their offspring bear,
The tardy vengeance still they fear,

While bigot slavery wastes the destin'd land.

II. 3.

'Spirits of heroes old,

'Who erst your country's rights assail'd 'Challeng'd in arms; and now heaven's guardian

shield

O'er struggling freedom hold;
Rescuing her unpolluted shrine,
In other climes her sons ye join.
"Heaven her blazing portal spreads;
Shafts of glory pierce the night;
Lo! the bright van the royal patriot leads,
Founder of laws, and arbiter of right;
Pensive his brow, as when opprest

By Danish pride his realm he view'd :
Girt with his peers Fitzwalter lifts his crest,
With him, who ill-star'd Henry's arms withstood;
'See Spencer's foe, fierce Lancaster appear,

'And Kent too early slain, and Tressel's brow

severe.

III. I.

Frowning from Chalgrave's sanguine field,
In timely death his virtue seal'd,

The right he bled for, to maintain; Hampden in sun-bright mail augments the train. • Victims of Stuart's bigot pride; 'Nor are ye absent, generous pair,

'In many a year of adverse fortune tried,
'Leicester's firm son, and Bedford's gentle heir.

'Join'd in love, in fate ye fell!

Still the just muse your fame shall tell,

'Where Freedom holds on earth her hallow'd seat; And nations yet unborn the pious strains repeat.

III. 2.

Ye too, they cry, be bold!

Uncheck'd by secret guile, or force abhorr'd, 'Your charter'd rights uphold;

• And dauntless brave the mercenary sword. 'To Heaven Oppression rears her head, 'Her scourge the prostrate kingdoms dread; 'But short her rule, and fleeting is her hour. The rod avenging Justice bears,

And when are past the appointed years, 'Smites with a giant's force, and quells her power.

III. 3.

Fast by the sapphire throne

Its adamant beam the balance sways,
In which the deeds of men th' Eternal weighs:
Thence the decrees are known

That set the suffering nations free,
And bear to virtue victory.

'Cherish deeds by Heaven approv'd,

'And virtues equal to thy doom.

Thrice happy land! See on thy plains belov'd

The sacred Muse her promis'd seat assume.

'As o'er the main thy towers arise, 'Spreading their salutary light;

And bless with hope the weary'd seaman's eyes, Worn with th' Atlantic storm, and wrapt in night, Thy genial breast shall still the unhappy greet, 'Refuge of injur'd worth, and freedom's last retreat.'

ODE XXI.

LORD CHATHAM'S PROPHECY.

WRITTEN IN THE YEAR MDCC LXXVI.

AND ASCRIBED TO

LORD JOHN TOWNSHEND.

WE

HEN boasting Gage was hurry'd o'er To dye his sword in British gore, And plead the Senate's right, Wise Chatham, with indignant smile, Harangu'd in this prophetic style, Illum'd by Freedom's light.

Your plumed corps though Percy cheers And far-fam'd British grenadiers,

Renown'd for martial skill;

Yet Albion's heroes bite the plain,
Her Chiefs round gallant Howe are slain,

And fallow Bunker's hill.

Some tuneful bard who pants for fame,
Shall consecrate one deathless name,
And future ages tell,---