King Arthur An Heroick Poem. In Twelve Books. By Richard Blackmore. To which is Annexed, An Index, Explaining the Names of Countrys, Citys, and Rivers, &c |
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 | King Arthur |  |
These Hero's from above derive the Fire
And Force Divine, that dos their Breasts inspire.
The God-like Vigour and th'Immortal Ray
That breaks so brightly thro' their purer Clay
Kind Heav'n bestows; to form a noble Mind
For great Events and mighty Deeds design'd.
And from the glorious Fountain whence it came,
Divine Supplys must feed the Hero's Flame.
And when their Arms attempt Illustrious Deeds,
Assisted from above their Sword succeeds.
Their Safety springs from Heav'n's peculiar Care,
And from its Aid their Laurels gain'd in War.
The Lord of Hosts dos in the Battel spread
His spacious Shield above his Favorite's Head.
He in the Army's Front dos still appear,
And shakes from far his vast Almighty Spear.
He whets his glitt'ring Sword, prepares his Bow,
And shoots his fatal Shafts amidst the Foe.
What certain Triumph may those Chiefs expect,
Whose Arms Omnipotence dos thus Protect?
The strong the Battel, and the Swift the Race
May often gain, but not of Right, but Grace.
He often his controuling Power to show,
Bestows the Victory on the Weak, and Slow.
He often in the subtile Net ensnares
The crafty Statesman, which himself prepares.
He turns their Counsels into Foolishness,
And makes the Wise their Ignorance Confess,
Some flight, but unexpected Incident
Cast in by him, shall all their Schemes prevent.
Proud Monarchs, who on numerous Troops rely,
And neighb'ring States united force defy,
He's often pleas'd as Captives to bestow
On their much Weaker, tho' successful Foe,
He do's their Pride by their Defeat upbraid,
And shows no Power is great without his Aid.
And Force Divine, that dos their Breasts inspire.
The God-like Vigour and th'Immortal Ray
That breaks so brightly thro' their purer Clay
Kind Heav'n bestows; to form a noble Mind
For great Events and mighty Deeds design'd.
And from the glorious Fountain whence it came,
Divine Supplys must feed the Hero's Flame.
And when their Arms attempt Illustrious Deeds,
Assisted from above their Sword succeeds.
Their Safety springs from Heav'n's peculiar Care,
And from its Aid their Laurels gain'd in War.
The Lord of Hosts dos in the Battel spread
His spacious Shield above his Favorite's Head.
He in the Army's Front dos still appear,
And shakes from far his vast Almighty Spear.
He whets his glitt'ring Sword, prepares his Bow,
And shoots his fatal Shafts amidst the Foe.
What certain Triumph may those Chiefs expect,
Whose Arms Omnipotence dos thus Protect?
The strong the Battel, and the Swift the Race
May often gain, but not of Right, but Grace.
He often his controuling Power to show,
Bestows the Victory on the Weak, and Slow.
He often in the subtile Net ensnares
The crafty Statesman, which himself prepares.
248
And makes the Wise their Ignorance Confess,
Some flight, but unexpected Incident
Cast in by him, shall all their Schemes prevent.
Proud Monarchs, who on numerous Troops rely,
And neighb'ring States united force defy,
He's often pleas'd as Captives to bestow
On their much Weaker, tho' successful Foe,
He do's their Pride by their Defeat upbraid,
And shows no Power is great without his Aid.
| King Arthur | |