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State Tracts

Containing Many Necessary Observations and Reflections on the State of our Affairs at Home and Abroad; With some Secret Memoirs. By the Author of the Examiner [i.e. William Oldisworth]

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The Oxford Almanack explain'd, 1711.
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The Oxford Almanack explain'd, 1711.

Tell us O Juno whom thou hast sent down
In Prophets Dress to guard the British Crown,
Is't Osborn's Face or Hyde's that now appears
With Wisdom equal to their finish'd Years,
And prudent care of frugal Treasurers?

128

Who is't beneath that Mantle does preside,
With a perswasive Grace, devoid of Pride;
Is not that Pillar, his peculiar Care,
Which ripes with such Strength and solemn Air,
With more than human Art and Wisdom cast,
For Service of the Gods design'd to last.
Does he not from that School of Learning come,
Known by the Muses Hill, and sacred Dome.
To whom Aurora does her Message bring
Of Light renew'd, and a returning Spring.
When Charity again revives her Hope
Of better Days, and a more fruitful Crop.
When the false Brother hides his shameful Head,
Beneath that Altar where he found his Bread;
But the true Eaglet dares the height of Day,
Does all his Secrets 'fore the Sun display
And bids Truth Shine in its Meridian Ray.
But Juno O! That graceful Form defend
That to the Prophet does her Palm extend,
Whose Virtues, by the Mural Crown exprest,
Her Countries Safety show, and People blest;

129

See at her Elbows how Two Villains waid
Regardless of her Honour, or their Fate,
Into her secret Councils still wou'd pry,
And naked dare the View of Majesty.
Mechanicks too, insult her to her Face,
And threaten when they shou'd implore for Grace;
Yet she unmov'd with glorious Freedom stands,
And well advis'd, resolves on fresh Commands;
Scorning that Slaves shou'd bind her Royal Hands.
See how she bids her Martial Subject go,
And scatter Terror on the British Foe.
See from afar Britain's triumphant Fleet
Cutting the Surges with unrivall'd State,
How to the Skies their streaming Flags aspire,
And how their Bulks pregnant with Men and Fire,
To execute their Monarch's Will conspire.
That Fleet which Succour to the Eagle brings
And bids him now display his Royal Wings,
For she'd conduct him thro' the Indian Main,
And make him Monarch of the Richer Spain;

130

Whilst its great Mistress seeks no more Renown
But to preserve what Heav'n has made her own,
And not to seek, but give another Crown.