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An Ode to the Duke of Argyll

To which is added, One to the Earl of Marchmont [by C. H. Williams]
Hanbury Williams, Charles (1708-1759)

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TO THE Duke of ARGYLL.
 
TO THE Earl of Marchmont.

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3

TO THE Duke of ARGYLL.

An ODE.

I

Attend, O Cambel! nor refuse
The Tribute which a free-born Muse,
Unsought, uninfluenc'd brings!
Truth sanctifies an honest Praise;
Let the Slave blush, who tunes his Lays
For Ministers or K---s!

II

'Twas glorious Labour, when afar
You spread the horrid Front of War,
In trembling Europe's Cause.
As glorious, when exalted Sense
Pours the big Flood of Eloquence,
For Britain and her Laws.
4

III

Nor yet less glorious, beaming forth,
Thy Virtues cheer'd the drooping North,
A long-benighted Croud!
Like Truth's fair Messenger you spoke,
And quick the saving Radience broke,
Thro' black Corruption's Cloud.

IV

What tho' no Senate then could hear,
Nor shouting Hosts salute thine Ear,
With Triumph's proud Acclaim!
Yet Virtue bade her Powers rejoice,
And Conscience sang with sweeter Voice,
Than all the Trumps of Fame.

V

Tho' Fortune shift the various Scene,
Unchang'd, Determin'd, and Serene,
The Patriot shines confest.
Far, far unlike the vainly Great,
Who sullen fall from troubled State,
To plunge in gloomy Rest.
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VI

In vain shall Sloth's inglorious Tribe
Reject the base Seducer's Bribe,
The sordid Hireling's Shame:
Whether with Ease, or Wages won,
Whether for Self, or Friend, or Son,
The Bribe is still the same.

VII

Low Prudence! narrow-minded Care!
Who thrifty, hoard your separate Share,
Unvex'd with publick Pains;
When Fraud shall swell Tyrannic Power,
When lawless Rapine shall devour,
Compute your boasted Gains!

VIII

Go then, ye impotent of Soul,
Produce your Freedom's vaunted Scroll,
And tame and humble wait;
'Till spurn'd the sully'd Prize shall lie,
Or in mock Triumph rais'd on high,
Proclaim some Tyrant's State!
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IX

Nor rests the great eternal Cause,
On the frail Base of Human Laws,
Disjointed and perplext:
Law may a guilty Few controul,
'Tis Virtue must direct the Whole,
And mend the mortal Text.
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