Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

From Prejudice's servile Yoak,
Betimes his Godlike Genius broke:
Betimes, from Tyranny he turn'd,
And senseless Superstition spurn'd:
Freedom and Truth his Reason charm'd:
Freedom and Truth his Spirit warm'd:
And every Man, in Soul a Slave,
Was judg'd, by him, a Fool or Knave.

III.

Building on Principles so good,
His Faith and Honour stedfast stood:

354

Nor Priest nor Politician's Art,
From Reason cou'd seduce his Heart.
Him no Authority deceiv'd:
For Custom's Sake, he nought believ'd:
No specious Shew, and vain Pretence,
Impos'd upon his noble Sense.

IV.

Govern'd by Custom, let Mankind
Unite to censure Walsh's Mind;
Let them with Freedom prate, and call
His noble Wisdom Folly all:
Reason, that prov'd his constant Guide,
Will stand and conquer on his Side.
What Claim, on Him, cou'd Nature make,
Who Virtue lov'd for Virtue's Sake?

355

V.

What we call Kindred, Ties of Blood,
As well as we, he understood:
But what were these to one, whose Mind
And Fortune both were unconfin'd?
The World his Country was esteem'd
And all Men were his Kindred deem'd.
'Twas Virtue's Work for Him to chuse,
In such a Crowd, and to refuse.

VI.

What, tho' his Nature was inclin'd
To benefit all Human Kind?
The best deserving always prov'd,
In spite of Nature, most belov'd.
Thus, searching among Men, with Care,
To find an honest, worthy Heir,

356

He saw a Stranger to his Mind,
And generously his All resign'd.

VII.

Tho, Gordon, you was blest before
In Reputation and in Store;
Dear to the Wise, the Great, and Good,
And fair for high Preferment stood;
Tho', joyn'd with Trenchard's honour'd Name,
You shone renown'd in deathless Fame;
Yet This was wanting to compleat
Your Happiness, and make you Great,
His Choice, excelling his Estate!

VIII.

Long may my generous Friend enjoy,
And, like the Godlike Walsh, employ
His Fortune, won by true Desert,
Approv'd by every honest Heart!

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While, by the great Example taught,
The World is to Conversion wrought;
And, after Precedent so rare,
Makes real Excellence its Care.

IX.

With Hopes of like Distinction fir'd,
Ye Bards, exert your Gifts inspir'd.
Ye Orators of every Kind,
Ambitious such a Prize to find,
Each other study to excel,
In Speaking and in Writing well:
If you wou'd future Walsh's move,
Like Gordon, first deserve their Love.

X.

But tremble, O ye Priests of Baal—
Your Kingdom now is near its Fall:

358

The Independant Whig prevails,
And Heav'n to him its Bounty deals.
Henceforth be dumb, who heretofore
Were blind, and Providence adore;
Your Antichristian Pow'r resign'd,
Let Truth and Reason bless Mankind.