Our commerce in the Indies hath increased
By leaps and bounds. The envious Castilian
With vain regrets doth wear away his strength.
God manifests the goodness of our cause
By aiding us. At Lisbon and Madrid
For their rebellions, we have caused much blood
And gold to flow. Their galleons doth Blake
Discharge in our exchequer. I've two fleets
Sent to Jamaica. Meanwhile th' army's ranks
Are filling fast. The Tuscan doth repent;
He'll be forgiven. When the time shall come
That all things near are happily at rest,
We shall be able, then, to lend a hand
To save the Russian from the Sultan's hordes,
Since he doth earnestly appeal to us.—
If we but form a wish, God instantly
Doth grant it. Thus, you see, no nation stands
Upon a higher plane. Let us live on,
With full assurance of celestial favour.
But that the Lord may manifest himself,
We must e'en bow the head and bend the knee.
Now let us pray, and may the Holy Spirit
Descend among us.
All are on their knees,
The tyrant and his guard. The swords are lowered.
No eye is watching us. Why strike we not?
