ON THE TIMES IN ENGLAND.
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To that his studies, recreations, tend,That all, that only all-important end!But, present pleasure, present ease, in view,The distant future fades as instant too.Light, unimportant studies fill the mind,Nor prompt a thought but what 's to earth confined.John Bull,—once reckoned solemn, grave, sedate,—With conquests and prosperity elate,Has now become so polished and refinedHe 's left at last his neighbour France behind.Rouse! rouse, Britannia! from thy dangerous sleep;Awake! arise! and vigilantly keepGuard o'er thy country, which will else become,'T is to be feared, in fate, a second Rome.Awake, ye Britons! dash the cup asideOf folly, vice, voluptuousness, and pride!Beware! nor rashly tempt the certain fateOf a luxurious and corrupted state!
