Poems on Several Occasions With Imitations from Horace, Ovid, Martial, Theocritus, Bachylides, Anacreon, &c. To which is prefix'd A Discourse on Criticism, and the Liberty of Writing. In a letter to a Friend. By Samuel Cobb ... The Third Edition. To which is added, Poems on the Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene, the Electoral Prince of Hannover, with other Poems. Never before Printed |
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 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
To whom for Succour shall th' Afflicted go?
Shall Cæsar's Successor precarious grow?
Shall Leopold on his own Force rely?
'Twere vain to fight; and 'tis as base to fly.
Shall Cæsar's Successor precarious grow?
Shall Leopold on his own Force rely?
'Twere vain to fight; and 'tis as base to fly.
234
This rouz'd the Reverend Genius of the West,
Who long in Secret, from his lab'ring Breast,
Deep Sighs and Groans, not human, had exprest.
Where'er he look'd, Death and Confusion reign'd,
Old Mother Earth of her rude Sons complain'd,
Who her kind Bosom with their Blood distain'd.
Rivers, discolour'd, to the Ocean bore
Europe's Disgrace, in Streams of Christian Gore,
A Joy to Turks, and each Barbarian Shore.
Who can our Ruin and Distraction tell?
Here Polish, there Hungarian Lords rebel.
On this side Savoy is by France annoy'd,
On that the Empire, only not destroy'd.
Who long in Secret, from his lab'ring Breast,
Deep Sighs and Groans, not human, had exprest.
Where'er he look'd, Death and Confusion reign'd,
Old Mother Earth of her rude Sons complain'd,
Who her kind Bosom with their Blood distain'd.
Rivers, discolour'd, to the Ocean bore
Europe's Disgrace, in Streams of Christian Gore,
A Joy to Turks, and each Barbarian Shore.
Who can our Ruin and Distraction tell?
Here Polish, there Hungarian Lords rebel.
On this side Savoy is by France annoy'd,
On that the Empire, only not destroy'd.
Here Grief and Pity from the Genius drew
Tears, such as mourning Angels Eyes bedew.
His Hands to Heav'n up lifting, and his Head
Low bowing, thus the hoary Guardian pray'd.
Tears, such as mourning Angels Eyes bedew.
His Hands to Heav'n up lifting, and his Head
Low bowing, thus the hoary Guardian pray'd.
235
O Thou supream Director of Affairs,
In Heav'n and Earth, attend thy Suppliant's Pray'rs!
Creator! Thunderer! Redeemer! hear;
If e'er my Services have been sincere.
If e'er with Joy I hasten'd to fulfil
Thy just Commands, and execute thy Will,
In Heav'n and Earth, attend thy Suppliant's Pray'rs!
Creator! Thunderer! Redeemer! hear;
If e'er my Services have been sincere.
If e'er with Joy I hasten'd to fulfil
Thy just Commands, and execute thy Will,
Thou dost the jarring Elements refrain,
And bind them fast with thy Eternal Chain.
Insulting Seas their ancient Duty know,
Keep within Limits, and no farther flow.
But Man, incroaching on his Neighbour's Right,
Breeds dire Dissention, and perpetual Spight.
What thousands by the greedy Sword have dy'd;
A Sacrifice to Treason, or to Pride?
Discord usurps my Europæan Charge,
Lives absolute below, and rules at large.
How long shall Saints beneath thy Altar pray,
For swift Revenge? How long wilt thou delay
Legions of Angels are at thy Command;
But thou art Greater in a weaker Hand.
Say what Diviner Mortal wilt thou chuse
To act thy Vengeance, and thy Power to use?
Pity the poor Remains of Human Kind;
Thou art all Eye; O, seem no longer blind!
No more be pleas'd to wink at Man's Offence,
But thunder, and Absolve thy Providence.
And bind them fast with thy Eternal Chain.
Insulting Seas their ancient Duty know,
Keep within Limits, and no farther flow.
But Man, incroaching on his Neighbour's Right,
Breeds dire Dissention, and perpetual Spight.
What thousands by the greedy Sword have dy'd;
A Sacrifice to Treason, or to Pride?
Discord usurps my Europæan Charge,
Lives absolute below, and rules at large.
236
For swift Revenge? How long wilt thou delay
Legions of Angels are at thy Command;
But thou art Greater in a weaker Hand.
Say what Diviner Mortal wilt thou chuse
To act thy Vengeance, and thy Power to use?
Pity the poor Remains of Human Kind;
Thou art all Eye; O, seem no longer blind!
No more be pleas'd to wink at Man's Offence,
But thunder, and Absolve thy Providence.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |