VERSES ON THE UNION.
27
Beneath the weeping vault; but thou, a branch
Blasted and curs'd by Heav'n, to dogs and fowls
Art doom'd a banquet, mingling some remains
With criminals unabsolv'd, on all thy race 55
Transmitting guilt and vengeance. From thy domes
Thy children skulk erroneous and forlorn,
Fearing perdition, and for mercy sue
With eyes uplift, and tearful. From thy seed
The sceptre Heav'n resumes, by thee usurp'd
By guile and force, and sway'd with lawless rage. 61
Blasted and curs'd by Heav'n, to dogs and fowls
Art doom'd a banquet, mingling some remains
With criminals unabsolv'd, on all thy race 55
Transmitting guilt and vengeance. From thy domes
Thy children skulk erroneous and forlorn,
Fearing perdition, and for mercy sue
With eyes uplift, and tearful. From thy seed
The sceptre Heav'n resumes, by thee usurp'd
By guile and force, and sway'd with lawless rage. 61
VERSES ON THE UNION.
The Gaul, intent on universal sway,
Sees his own subjects with constraint obey,
And they who most his rising beams ador'd,
Weep in their chains, and wish another lord:
But, if the Muse not uninspir'd presage, 5
Justice shall triumph o'er oppressive rage;
His pow'r shall be reclaim'd to rightful laws,
And all, like Savoy, shall desert his cause.
So when to distant vales an eagle steers,
His fierceness not disarm'd by length of years, 10
From his stretch'd wing he sees the feathers fly
Which bore him to his empire of the sky.
Unlike, great Queen! thy steps to deathless fame;
O best, O greatest, of thy royal name!
Sees his own subjects with constraint obey,
And they who most his rising beams ador'd,
Weep in their chains, and wish another lord:
But, if the Muse not uninspir'd presage, 5
Justice shall triumph o'er oppressive rage;
His pow'r shall be reclaim'd to rightful laws,
And all, like Savoy, shall desert his cause.
So when to distant vales an eagle steers,
His fierceness not disarm'd by length of years, 10
From his stretch'd wing he sees the feathers fly
Which bore him to his empire of the sky.
Unlike, great Queen! thy steps to deathless fame;
O best, O greatest, of thy royal name!
