The Works of Hildebrand Jacob ... Containing Poems on Various Subjects, and Occasions; With the Fatal Constancy, a Tragedy; and Several Pieces in Prose. The Greatest Part Never Before Publish'd |
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The Patriot.
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 | The Works of Hildebrand Jacob |  |
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The Patriot.
We'll venture all in Virtue's sacred Cause,
Proud to expire for Liberty, and Laws!
Thus nobly shall we fall, and, like the Sun,
Set glorious, when our bold Race is run.
But O vile Age! produce us, if you can,
Another brave, sincere, well-meaning Man,
Who of his proper Garb is not afraid,
Tho' the whole World appears in Masquerade;
But dares expose to all his honest Face,
As fearless of its Danger as Disgrace;
Whose purer Soul admits of no Allay;
But spurns the Dross of Interest away;
Who, unacquainted with a selfish End,
Is justly call'd a Patriot, and a Friend;
Who knows at once how to be Good, and Great,
And joins his Fortune to his Country's Fate:
Who partially maintains no Faction's Cause,
And follows only, where his Conscience draws;
Whose gen'rous Heart scorns to be blest alone;
But for his Nation's Good impairs his own.
Show such a Man, so excellent, so rare,
Whose Soul is dealt out in so large a share;
We then no more will absent Justice mourn;
But hope to see the golden Age return!
Proud to expire for Liberty, and Laws!
Thus nobly shall we fall, and, like the Sun,
Set glorious, when our bold Race is run.
But O vile Age! produce us, if you can,
Another brave, sincere, well-meaning Man,
Who of his proper Garb is not afraid,
Tho' the whole World appears in Masquerade;
But dares expose to all his honest Face,
As fearless of its Danger as Disgrace;
Whose purer Soul admits of no Allay;
But spurns the Dross of Interest away;
Who, unacquainted with a selfish End,
Is justly call'd a Patriot, and a Friend;
Who knows at once how to be Good, and Great,
And joins his Fortune to his Country's Fate:
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And follows only, where his Conscience draws;
Whose gen'rous Heart scorns to be blest alone;
But for his Nation's Good impairs his own.
Show such a Man, so excellent, so rare,
Whose Soul is dealt out in so large a share;
We then no more will absent Justice mourn;
But hope to see the golden Age return!
Thus Alcibiades has often said
On either Side and each alike betray'd.
On either Side and each alike betray'd.
| The Works of Hildebrand Jacob | |