28
VERSES ON THE UNION.
Thy Briton's, fam'd for arts, in battle brave, 15
Have nothing now to censure or to crave;
Ev'n Vice and factions Zeal are held in awe,
Thy court a temple, and thy life a law.
When, edg'd with terrors, by thy vengeful hand
The sword is drawn to gore a guilty land, 20
Thy mercy cures the wound thy justice gave,
For 't is thy lov'd prerogative to save;
And Victory, to grace thy triumph, brings
Palms in her hand, with healing in her wings.
But as mild heav'n on Eden's op'ning gems 25
Bestow'd the balmiest dews and brightest beams;
So, whilst remotest climes thy influence share,
Britain's the darling object of thy care:
By thy wise councils and resistless might
Abroad we conquer, and at home unite. 30
Before thou bidd'st the distant battles cease,
Thy piety cements domestic peace;
Impatient of delay to fix the state,
Thy dove brings olive ere the waves abate.
Hail, happy Sister-lands! for ever prove 35
Rivals alone in loyalty and love;
Kindled from heav'n, be your auspicious flame
As lasting and as bright as Anna's fame!
And thou, fair northern Nymphs! partake our toil;
With us divide the danger and the spoil: 40
When thy brave sons, the friends of Mars, avow'd,
In steel around our Albion standards crowd,
Have nothing now to censure or to crave;
Ev'n Vice and factions Zeal are held in awe,
Thy court a temple, and thy life a law.
When, edg'd with terrors, by thy vengeful hand
The sword is drawn to gore a guilty land, 20
Thy mercy cures the wound thy justice gave,
For 't is thy lov'd prerogative to save;
And Victory, to grace thy triumph, brings
Palms in her hand, with healing in her wings.
But as mild heav'n on Eden's op'ning gems 25
Bestow'd the balmiest dews and brightest beams;
So, whilst remotest climes thy influence share,
Britain's the darling object of thy care:
By thy wise councils and resistless might
Abroad we conquer, and at home unite. 30
Before thou bidd'st the distant battles cease,
Thy piety cements domestic peace;
Impatient of delay to fix the state,
Thy dove brings olive ere the waves abate.
Hail, happy Sister-lands! for ever prove 35
Rivals alone in loyalty and love;
Kindled from heav'n, be your auspicious flame
As lasting and as bright as Anna's fame!
And thou, fair northern Nymphs! partake our toil;
With us divide the danger and the spoil: 40
When thy brave sons, the friends of Mars, avow'd,
In steel around our Albion standards crowd,
