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The Works of Soame Jenyns

... In Four Volumes. Including Several Pieces Never Before Published. To Which are Prefixed, Short Sketches of the History of the Author's Family, and also of his Life; By Charles Nalson Cole

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ON A LATE EXECRABLE ATTEMPT ON HIS MAJESTY's LIFE, 1786.
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ON A LATE EXECRABLE ATTEMPT ON HIS MAJESTY's LIFE, 1786.

Long had our gracious George, with gentle hand,
And love paternal, Britain's scepter sway'd;
To render this a free and happy land,
Was all for which he wish'd to be obey'd.

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With radiance bright, tho' mild, his virtues shone,
For he of every virtue was possest,
Which can add lustre to a Monarch's throne,
Or warm an undissembling patriot's breast.
Pattern of female excellence! his toils
His Royal Consort ever soothes and shares;
Imparting sweet domestic bliss, with smiles
That can disperse the heaviest cloud of cares.
Tho' Faction, Disappointment's restless child,
Has sometimes dar'd to interrupt his peace;
Yet aw'd at once, and charm'd, whene'er he smil'd,
She bade disorder and confusion cease.
Lov'd and ador'd by all, to all a friend,
Caution seem'd needless to protect his life;
Till Hell and Madness sent abroad a fiend,
And arm'd that fiend with a destructive knife.
But Britain's Guardian Angel, who still watch'd,
To shield her favourite son from every harm,
Just in th' important moment trembling catch'd,
And turn'd aside th' assassinating arm.

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Let then earth, air, and the high-vaulted sky,
With praises, pray'rs, and loud thanksgivings ring,
Joy fire each breast, and sparkle in each eye,
That Heav'n has thus preserv'd our Country and our King.