The works of Mr. Thomas Brown Serious and Comical, In Prose and Verse; In four volumes. The Fourth Edition, Corrected, and much Enlarged from his Originals never before publish'd. With a key to all his Writings |
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Upon the Encampment at Hounslow-Heath.
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 | The works of Mr. Thomas Brown |  |
Upon the Encampment at Hounslow-Heath.
Too long by flowing luxury betraid,
Our British Isle was in loose Slumbers laid;
Too long we felt the Ills of Fatal peace,
And idly Languish'd in inglorious Ease,
No manly Business did our Thoughts engage
To purchase Fame on Europe's Wondring stage;
But grown unmindful of our former Name
We all our Fathers Triumphs did disclaim,
While even France it self with Scorn beheld our Shame.
The idle Spear hung up, the polisht Shield
Forgot the great Atchievements of the Field,
The gen'rous Sword contracted filthy Rust,
And active Pikes lay Mouldering in the dust.
Shrill Trumpets spake not to the Armed throng,
Our Instruments unlearn'd each Martial song,
While Guns and Bombs as useless did appear,
As laws and learning in the times of War:
Our British Isle was in loose Slumbers laid;
Too long we felt the Ills of Fatal peace,
And idly Languish'd in inglorious Ease,
No manly Business did our Thoughts engage
To purchase Fame on Europe's Wondring stage;
But grown unmindful of our former Name
We all our Fathers Triumphs did disclaim,
While even France it self with Scorn beheld our Shame.
The idle Spear hung up, the polisht Shield
Forgot the great Atchievements of the Field,
The gen'rous Sword contracted filthy Rust,
And active Pikes lay Mouldering in the dust.
Shrill Trumpets spake not to the Armed throng,
Our Instruments unlearn'd each Martial song,
While Guns and Bombs as useless did appear,
As laws and learning in the times of War:
Mean-while our Neighbours strove to break the Chain
And sought the Empire of fair Albion's Main,
Bold num'rous suitors briskly did prepare,
To court the Nymph with all the Pomp of War.
Nay more, the Eastern World our Shame must know
And rifled Bantam English Conduct show,
While the Proud Dutch by Potent Nants inspir'd,
Invade our Coasts, and on the Castles fir'd:
Spain that was much amaz'd at such a sight,
Suspected now the Truth of eighty Eight.
And scarcely thought our Fathers could obtain,
Such great, and glorious Triumphs over Spain.
And sought the Empire of fair Albion's Main,
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To court the Nymph with all the Pomp of War.
Nay more, the Eastern World our Shame must know
And rifled Bantam English Conduct show,
While the Proud Dutch by Potent Nants inspir'd,
Invade our Coasts, and on the Castles fir'd:
Spain that was much amaz'd at such a sight,
Suspected now the Truth of eighty Eight.
And scarcely thought our Fathers could obtain,
Such great, and glorious Triumphs over Spain.
Thus were we Scorn'd, and thus contemn'd abroad;
While Seeds of civil Feuds at home were sow'd,
Prompted by each bold Instrument of Hell,
Dull fools we did, for Conscience sake rebel,
Then Sensless clamours all our Thoughts employ'd,
And Whig, and Tory did the Land divide.
While Seeds of civil Feuds at home were sow'd,
Prompted by each bold Instrument of Hell,
Dull fools we did, for Conscience sake rebel,
Then Sensless clamours all our Thoughts employ'd,
And Whig, and Tory did the Land divide.
But now Triumphant James the Scepter sways
The adoring World our rising Sun surveys,
He to our Minds new Vigor does infuse,
And furnish ample Matter for the Muse;
He to it self our Island does restore,
Extends its Limits, and confirms its Pow'r,
While the great Edwards mighty Ghost is pleas'd
To see his ancient Kingdoms honour rais'd.
The adoring World our rising Sun surveys,
He to our Minds new Vigor does infuse,
And furnish ample Matter for the Muse;
He to it self our Island does restore,
Extends its Limits, and confirms its Pow'r,
While the great Edwards mighty Ghost is pleas'd
To see his ancient Kingdoms honour rais'd.
Behold how Shining in your Martial pride
Our Troops at Hounslow doe your Coursers guide,
See how the well-form'd Phalanx does advance,
Taught by experience; not inspir'd by chance;
See how the Colours Wanton in the Air,
And helmets glisten formidable fair,
See groves of pointed Spears do move along,
As Trees Commanded by the Thracian Song,
While Drums, and Trumpets rend the listning Skies,
And ev'ry Heart keeps Measure with the Noise.
Our Troops at Hounslow doe your Coursers guide,
See how the well-form'd Phalanx does advance,
Taught by experience; not inspir'd by chance;
See how the Colours Wanton in the Air,
And helmets glisten formidable fair,
See groves of pointed Spears do move along,
As Trees Commanded by the Thracian Song,
While Drums, and Trumpets rend the listning Skies,
And ev'ry Heart keeps Measure with the Noise.
Surely, if Poets prophecies are true
These Heroes must unheard of Wonders do,
Either proud France must now fresh Vengeance feel,
And once more groan beneath the English Steel,
Or perjur'd Holland some revolving day,
For fam'd Amboyna's fatal Slaughters pay,
Or the the large Kingdoms of the pow'rful West,
Too much by Spanish cruelties opprest,
With English Arts at last, and English Laws be blest.
These Heroes must unheard of Wonders do,
Either proud France must now fresh Vengeance feel,
And once more groan beneath the English Steel,
Or perjur'd Holland some revolving day,
For fam'd Amboyna's fatal Slaughters pay,
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Too much by Spanish cruelties opprest,
With English Arts at last, and English Laws be blest.
| The works of Mr. Thomas Brown | |