Poems on Several Occasions With Imitations from Horace, Ovid, Martial, Theocritus, Bachylides, Anacreon, &c. To which is prefix'd A Discourse on Criticism, and the Liberty of Writing. In a letter to a Friend. By Samuel Cobb ... The Third Edition. To which is added, Poems on the Duke of Marlborough, Prince Eugene, the Electoral Prince of Hannover, with other Poems. Never before Printed |
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ON THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH. |
 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
265
ON THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH.
As
Rome, her Consuls and Triumvirs past,
Became the Mistress of the World at last:
So Marlborough by smaller Steps began,
So through each Honour of an Army ran,
Till Time had finish'd the Heroick Man.
Whom Nature fashion'd with a double Care;
Here Courage sow'd, and manly Beauty there,
To conquer Kings, or win the conquering Fair.
Returning Summers hence fresh Triumphs bring,
Hence for his Brows new Groves of Laurel spring.
Campaigns are ended with substantial Praise,
And every Year breeds new Thanksgiving-Days:
Not for feign'd Conquests (a Pretence to bless)
Shadows of War, and Ecchoes of Success.
Became the Mistress of the World at last:
So Marlborough by smaller Steps began,
So through each Honour of an Army ran,
Till Time had finish'd the Heroick Man.
Whom Nature fashion'd with a double Care;
Here Courage sow'd, and manly Beauty there,
To conquer Kings, or win the conquering Fair.
Returning Summers hence fresh Triumphs bring,
Hence for his Brows new Groves of Laurel spring.
266
And every Year breeds new Thanksgiving-Days:
Not for feign'd Conquests (a Pretence to bless)
Shadows of War, and Ecchoes of Success.
Nor Love of Camps alone ingross his Heart;
The Son of Thetis had his human Part.
Mars may unwounded thro' whole Squadrons fly,
But finds no Fence from Cytherea's Eye.
Ador'd in Courts, but to be fear'd in Arms,
The Hero frightens, and the Courtier charms.
Yet Ease and Pleasure he resigns to Fame,
His Mind unshaken stands the hottest Flame,
In Battle and in Cabinet the same.
He fears no Danger and no Labour spares,
But toils and sweats to ease Brittannia's Cares,
Like Atlas, wakeful as the Stars he bears.
Active his Soul, and like the Heavenly Sphere,
Unwearied, tho' revolving all the Year.
Such is the Prince, who WILLIAM's room supplies,
In Action fearless, and in Councel wise.
Consenting Nations with united Voice,
Applauded WILLIAM's Judgment in his Choice.
The Son of Thetis had his human Part.
Mars may unwounded thro' whole Squadrons fly,
But finds no Fence from Cytherea's Eye.
Ador'd in Courts, but to be fear'd in Arms,
The Hero frightens, and the Courtier charms.
Yet Ease and Pleasure he resigns to Fame,
His Mind unshaken stands the hottest Flame,
In Battle and in Cabinet the same.
He fears no Danger and no Labour spares,
But toils and sweats to ease Brittannia's Cares,
Like Atlas, wakeful as the Stars he bears.
267
Unwearied, tho' revolving all the Year.
Such is the Prince, who WILLIAM's room supplies,
In Action fearless, and in Councel wise.
Consenting Nations with united Voice,
Applauded WILLIAM's Judgment in his Choice.
When Ammon's boasted Son expiring lay,
Disposing of the World's disputed Sway;
Let him, said he, succeed in Asia's Throne,
Who has no Equal, and can rule Alone.
His Captains justly of themselves despair,
And cautiously the parted Empire share.
So Belgium, anxious for her drooping Lord,
A Successor, a new Nassaw implor'd;
To lead her Troops, and take her injur'd Part,
One with the coolest Head, and warmest Heart.
Th' Heroic Prince with a Divine Foresight
Cry'd, Marlborough will do your Nation right,
For he is cool to think, and warm to fight.
Thus, glorious Duke, Great William did out-do
His former Triumphs, and, like Sampson, slew
More by his Death than Life, in chusing You.
Disposing of the World's disputed Sway;
Let him, said he, succeed in Asia's Throne,
Who has no Equal, and can rule Alone.
His Captains justly of themselves despair,
And cautiously the parted Empire share.
So Belgium, anxious for her drooping Lord,
A Successor, a new Nassaw implor'd;
268
One with the coolest Head, and warmest Heart.
Th' Heroic Prince with a Divine Foresight
Cry'd, Marlborough will do your Nation right,
For he is cool to think, and warm to fight.
Thus, glorious Duke, Great William did out-do
His former Triumphs, and, like Sampson, slew
More by his Death than Life, in chusing You.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |