The Works of John Sheffield Earl of Mulgrave, Marquis of Normanby, and Duke of Buckingham. In two volumes ... The third edition, Corrected |
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Of Roman Senators.
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 | The Works of John Sheffield |  |
Of Roman Senators.
Third CHORUS.
I
Dark is the Maze poor Mortals tread;Wisdom itself a Guide will need:
We little thought, when Cæsar bled,
That a worse Cæsar would succeed.
And are we under such a Curse,
We cannot change, but for the worse?
365
II
With fair Pretence of Foreign Force,By which Rome must herself enthrall;
These, without Blushes or Remorse,
Proscribe the best, impov'rish all.
The Gauls themselves, our greatest Foes,
Could act no Mischiefs worse than those.
III
That Julius, with ambitious Thoughts,Had Virtues too, his Foes could find;
These equal him in all his Faults,
But never in his noble Mind.
That free-born Spirits should obey
Wretches, who know not to sway!
IV
Late we repent our hasty Choice,In vain bemoan so quick a Turn.
Hark all to Rome's united Voice!
Better that we a while had borne
Ev'n all those Ills which most displease,
Than sought a Cure far worse than the Disease.
| The Works of John Sheffield | |