University of Virginia Library


162

An Imitation of Horace's Ode 5.

Book IV. to Augustus.

When, royal Sire, shall we be blest again,
Under a S---'s gentle reign!
Have pity on a poor distracted land,
Tir'd with oppression and usurp'd command;
Assert thy country's bleeding cause,
Her liberties and dying laws;
Return, be guardian of a falling state,
Dissolve the senate, close the long debate.
Let royal J---s adorn his native isle,
Then will all things jocundly smile;
Not the glad Spring can more the earth renew,
Than England the return of peace and you.
How were the frozen Highlands chear'd,
When the bright northern star appear'd?
Smooth past the night, serenely calm the day,
The winter soften'd, and the war look'd gay.
Shall Scotland glory in thy first return,
And England still thy absence mourn?
We are intitled to the same delight,
And claim you by hereditary right.

163

Nature invites, and calls you here,
With a fond mother's pious prayer.
Be calm, ye winds, and gently waft him o'er.
Truth, peace and plenty, justice to restore.
Thus sighs the widow for her darling son,
Whom envious winds detain from home;
Pensive she sits, accusing his delay,
And views, with wat'ry eyes, the faithless sea;
Each sudden gust alarms her fear,
Whilst ling'ring calms excite despair.
Perplex'd, to Heav'n she makes her last address,
And bribes the powers with vows, for his success.
Propitious Heav'n, confirm my faithful prayer;
Let J---s be thy peculiar care:
Place him with safety on his Father's throne;
In J---'s safety we procure our own.
Fresh grass shall on our mountains grow,
Fat Oxen on our meadows low;
Ceres shall bless our harvest with increase,
When Albion is possest of J---s and peace.
The palace shall from debauchees be free,
Curst incest, and vile sodomy!
Triumphant Cæsar, by divine command,
Shall purge the errors of a guilty land.
The law shall run in its right line,
And justice in her Zenith shine;
“Horns shall no more point out th'inglorious head,
“But chastity adorn the marriage-bed.”
Our idle armour, then hung up for sight
In halls, shall only children fright.
We need not fear S---ss mercenary force,
The Belgick lion, or the B---k horse,
G---e shall resign his guilty reign,
And lead his G---s back again.

164

The Court from selfish Patriots shall be freed,
Blood-thirsty Priests, and Senators in red.
Again our country swains shall plow and sing,
And reap the product of the Spring;
The stars shall shine indulgent on our isle,
And rural pleasures round about us smile.
The lads with curling ivy bound,
The maids with flow'ry garlands crown'd,
To their great Pan shall yearly honours pay,
And consecrate with mirth the R---n day.
Ye powers eternal! grant his quick return
May cheer the hearts of those that mourn,
And spread a lovely joy o'er ev'ry face,
To see our isle enjoy perpetual peace.
“With sober wishes thus we pray,
‘When Cynthia pale, gives place to day;
‘Thus do we pray, when we our minds dispose,
‘With some few loyal toasts, for kind repose.”
Vivat Rex! Floreant Stemmata Regalia.