University of Virginia Library

On King William.

How long must the Restorer of our State,
That Royal Engine of designing Fate,
Toil, the Concerns of Heaven to compleat?
In whose close Breast their Councils brood secure,
And Europe's Welfare waits the mighty Hour;
Where Lewis Ruin yet in Embryo lies,
And whence kind Peace intends her sacred Rise.
Th'alluring Dictates of soft Ease he slights,
With Jove in Flame and Thunder he delights.
The Dooms of Nations He and Fate dispose,
The One decrees but what the Other does.
His Arms the Briny Empire late maintain'd,
And British Waves with French Dishonour stain.
'Tis true, yet Conquest holds the question'd Ball,
As loth to let the mighty Laurel fall;
Yet certain to adorn the English Brow,
Proceeds in Blood before she does bestow,
Like Heaven and Fate in great Donations slow.
This won, then NASSAU, readorn your Crown,
Can you forgo MARIA for Renown?
So keen for Fame? Awhile the World delay,
After a Pause in Albion's Arms, convey
Your Sword as far as the Retreat of Day.
With British Shields affright the Eastern Moon,
And rob the Indians of their God the Sun.
Methinks I see already on the Loom
Revolving Years of the Third Edward come.
I see the Martial'd Britains in a Line,
In English Helmets quaff the conquer'd Seine,
While William's Health goes round in tributary Wine.
I see his Pow'r thro the won Realm diffuse,
Now Gallia yields, and Boileau damns his Muse.
He now on Lewis pleads an Irony,
To you, NASSAU, the transfer'd Praises fly.
No trivial Statue shall thy Fame suffice,
VVe'll raise Colossi to th'endanger'd Skies,
And shew the Gods how Nassau's Vertues rise:
Beyond where'er the Roman Eagles flew,
A Pitch the lingring Cæsars never knew.
Bless'd be the Day when the long forming Years
Disclos'd the Hero to the wond'ring Spheres;
VVhen first the Ocean knew its Infant Lord,
The Albion Genius shook, the Belgic Lions roar'd.
Europe took notice of the mighty Throw,
And Rev'rend Nature did with Homage bow.
So fares the VVorld when a NASSAU appears,
NASSAU! the noblest Favour of the Stars.
Nor a less Triumph signaliz'd the Time
VVhen first MARIA grac'd the English Clime.
Fair at her Birth the Royal Beauty shone;
As when the President of Light, the Sun,
VVith Infant Lustre, and with new-born Ray,
Had shook off Chaos, and began the Day.
The Conscious Planets join'd the mighty Pair,
Decreed by Fate the parted Globe to share.
VVisely the Gods, for Virtues like their own,
Preventing Censure did provide a Throne;
The Justice equal, and the Plea's the same,
As they their Altars, these their Scepters claim.
Yet what a Loss of Power had each sustain'd,
Had distant MARY from her WILLIAM reign'd?
Less had their Grandeur, less their Empire grown,
He'd wanted th'English, she the Gallick Crown.
So two fair Planets that adorn the Sphere,
VVith a less Splendor, if apart, appear:
But when their dazling Glories kindly join,
VVith fiercer Vigour, greater State they shine.
Nor can their native Bounds their Rays contain,
But o'er the subject World with mingl'd Beams they reign.