Poems on Several Occasions With some Select Essays in Prose. In Two Volumes. By John Hughes; Adorn'd with Sculptures |
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THE PATRIOT. |
 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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THE PATRIOT.
To the Right Honourable William Lord Cowper,
Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.
How Godlike is the Man, how truly Great,
Who 'midst contending Factions of the State,
In Council cool, in Resolution bold,
Nor brib'd by Hopes, nor by mean Fears controul'd,
And Proof alike against both Foes and Friends,
Ne'er from the Golden Mean of Virtue bends!
But wisely fix'd, nor to Extremes inclin'd,
Maintains the steady Purpose of his Mind.
Who 'midst contending Factions of the State,
In Council cool, in Resolution bold,
Nor brib'd by Hopes, nor by mean Fears controul'd,
And Proof alike against both Foes and Friends,
Ne'er from the Golden Mean of Virtue bends!
But wisely fix'd, nor to Extremes inclin'd,
Maintains the steady Purpose of his Mind.
So Atlas, pois'd on his broad Base, defies
The Shock of gath'ring Storms, and wintry Skies;
Above the Clouds, Serene, he lifts his Brow,
And sees unmov'd the Thunder break below.
The Shock of gath'ring Storms, and wintry Skies;
Above the Clouds, Serene, he lifts his Brow,
And sees unmov'd the Thunder break below.
But where's the Patriot, by these Virtues known,
Unsway'd by others Passions, or his own?
Just to his Prince, and to the Publick true,
That shuns, in all Events, each Partial View?
That ne'er forgets the Whole of Things to weigh,
And scorns the Short-liv'd Wisdom of a Day?
Unsway'd by others Passions, or his own?
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That shuns, in all Events, each Partial View?
That ne'er forgets the Whole of Things to weigh,
And scorns the Short-liv'd Wisdom of a Day?
If there be One—hold Muse, nor more reveal—
(Yet Oh that Numbers cou'd his Name conceal!)
Thrice happy Britain, of such Wealth possest!
On thy firm Throne, great GEORGE, unshaken rest,
Safe in his Judgment, on his Faith rely,
And prize the Worth which Kingdoms cannot buy!
(Yet Oh that Numbers cou'd his Name conceal!)
Thrice happy Britain, of such Wealth possest!
On thy firm Throne, great GEORGE, unshaken rest,
Safe in his Judgment, on his Faith rely,
And prize the Worth which Kingdoms cannot buy!
Rich in itself, the genuine Diamond shines,
And owes its Value to its Native Mines;
Yet set in Britain's Crown, drinks ampler Rays
Of the Sun's Light, and casts a wider Blaze.
With Pleasure we the well-plac'd Gem behold,
That adds a Lustre to the Royal Gold.
And owes its Value to its Native Mines;
Yet set in Britain's Crown, drinks ampler Rays
Of the Sun's Light, and casts a wider Blaze.
With Pleasure we the well-plac'd Gem behold,
That adds a Lustre to the Royal Gold.
January 25, 1717–18.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |