The mind attains beneath her happy reign The growth, that Nature meant she should attain; The varied fields of science, ever new, Op'ning and wider op'ning on her view, While no base fear impedes her in her course. Stands most reveal'd before the freeman's eyes; No shades of superstition blot the day, 270 Free to prove all things and hold fast the best, 279 Guards well what arts and industry have won, And Freedom claims him for her first-born son. Slaves fight for what were better cast away-- It's clearest tone, the rapture it inspires. Place me where Winter breathes his keenest air, And I will sing, if Liberty be there; And I will sing at Liberty's dear feet, In Afric's torrid clime, or India's fiercest heat. A. Sing where you please; in such a cause I grant An English poet's privilege to rant ; But is not Freedom-at least is not ours Too apt to play the wanton with her pow'rs, 300 Grow freakish, and, o'erleaping every mound, B. Agreed. But would you sell or slay your horse For bounding and curvetting in his course? He break away, and seek the distant plain? No. His high mettle, under good control, Gives him Olympic speed, and shoots him to the goal. Let Discipline employ her wholesome arts; Let magistrates alert perform their parts, As if their duty were a desp'rate task; And set plebeian thousands in a roar, 311 When he usurp❜d Authority's just place, And dar'd to look his master in the face; 320 When the rude rabble's watchword was-de stroy, And blazing London seem'd a second Troy; Liberty blush'd, and hung her drooping head, Beheld their progress with the deepest dread; Blush'd, that effects like these she should produce, Worse than the deeds of galley-slaves broke loose. She loses in such storms her very name, And fierce Licentiousness should bear the blame. Incomparable gem! thy worth untold; 330 Cheap, though blood-bought, and thrown away when sold; May no foes ravish thee, and no false friend Betray thee, while professing to defend: A. Patriots, alas! the few that have been found, Where most they flourish, upon English ground, The country's need have scantily supplied, 341 And the last left the scene, when Chatham died. law. Would strive to make a Paul or Tully stand. 350 Such men are rais'd to station and command, When Providence means mercy to a land. He speaks, and they appear; to him they owe Skill to direct, and strength to strike the blow; |