 | The Poetical Works of John Scott |  |
STANZAS
ON READING MRS. MACAULAY'S HISTORY OF ENGLAND. 1766.
To Albion's bards the Muse of History spoke:
‘Record the glories of your native land,
‘How Power's rude chain her sons' brave efforts broke,
‘And the keen scourge tore from Oppression's hand.
‘Record the glories of your native land,
‘How Power's rude chain her sons' brave efforts broke,
‘And the keen scourge tore from Oppression's hand.
‘Give to renown the Patriot's noble deeds;
‘Brand with disgrace the Tyrant's hated name;
‘Tho' Falsehood oft awhile the mind misleads,
‘Impartial Time bestows impartial fame.’
‘Brand with disgrace the Tyrant's hated name;
‘Tho' Falsehood oft awhile the mind misleads,
‘Impartial Time bestows impartial fame.’
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She said; and soon the lofty lyre they strung,
But artful chang'd the subject and the lore;
Of kings, and courts, and courtly slaves they sung,
And gloss'd with vain applause their actions o'er.
But artful chang'd the subject and the lore;
Of kings, and courts, and courtly slaves they sung,
And gloss'd with vain applause their actions o'er.
The servile strain the Muse indignant heard;
Anxious for truth, for public virtue warm,
She Freedom's faithful advocate appear'd,
And bore on earth the fair Macaulay's form.
Anxious for truth, for public virtue warm,
She Freedom's faithful advocate appear'd,
And bore on earth the fair Macaulay's form.
| The Poetical Works of John Scott | |