University of Virginia Library

To the Honourable Jonathan Atkins, Governour of the Barbadoes.

With joy like ours the mighty Roman State
Their Capitolean Triumphs celebrate.
Sing Io Peans for their Victory,
And Trophies bring, great God of VVar, to thee,
Yet we to you Great Sir, will Trophies bring
Of Peace, a more delightful Offering.
Our VVoods shall ring, whilst we bring Myrtle Boughs,
Commixt with Bays, to crown your sacred Brows.
And thou Daphnean Lawrel too shall joyn
Thy verdant Leaves, which shall his Temples twine.
Ceres, Pomona, Flora, all shall bring
The Glorys of the Summer, Autumn, Spring.
The great Surveyor of the East, and West
Shall fire the Spices of the Phœnix Nest;
And Jove's great Bird shall in her Tallons bring
The living Phœnix as an Offering;
Iris to both the Poles her Bow shall tye,
VVhose party-colour'd Robes adorn the Skie.
The spangled Orbs their glory shall dispence
Upon this Isle, with sacred Influence.
All things shall strive to add some glory to
This Fertil Isle, that's Governed by you,
Even senseless things: And shall I silent sit,
And slear at all, for to be thought a VVit,
Like many Foppish Gallants now adays?
No, I'le present you with this sprig of Bays.
Inspire my Muse, thou sacred God of Verse,
VVhilst in Heroick Numbers I rehearse
The glory, safety, and the blest content,
Depends, Great Sir, upon your Government.
The Rich, the Poor, the Strong, the Impotent,
Each in his Station reaps a blest content.
The Rich his Land and Cattle doth obtain,
The Poor Man reaps the fruit of all his pain,
The strong Mans strength is curb'd from Tyranny,
The weak ne're fears his angry Enemy,
Here no Man falls by cruel hand of VVar,
Nor raging Tumults terrifie from far;
But here in safety every man does lye,
Reaping the joys of such Tranquillity.
Vive le Roy. Great Charles, thou didst foresee
This Countrys good, and long'd for Liberty.
Great Jonathan our David well did know,
On whom his Love and Honour to bestow;
Else had this Isle ne're seen this happy time,
More Fertil by your presence, than the Clime.
O happy Island! O Thrice happy Land,
VVhose Regiment is given to your Hand!
Rule as you please, those Pow'rs that reign above
Inspire your Soul with a paternal Love;
Infusing in our Hearts Obedience still,
Governing all our Actions by your VVill.