An Ode to the Duke of Argyll To which is added, One to the Earl of Marchmont [by C. H. Williams] |
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TO THE Earl of Marchmont.
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 | An Ode to the Duke of Argyll |  |
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TO THE Earl of Marchmont.
An ODE.
I
Restrain thy Tears! the pious SonEnough hath wept the honour'd Sire;
Thy Race of Glory just begun,
It now were impious to retire:
Then spite of hard unequal Laws,
Rise in thy sinking Country's Cause!
II
Thrice happy Youth, whose first EssaysJudicious, honest, firm, and bold,
In S--- gain'd impartial Praise,
Where Reason, Honour, Faith, were s---d;
And strengthening Truth with graceful Art,
Pour'd St. John's Words, from Cobham's Heart.
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III
Strange Force of Virtue thus exprest,The Guilty catch the sacred Flame;
And honest Nature shines confest,
Thro' adverse Power, and Pride, and Shame.
Tyrants the potent Impulse own,
And they who sculk beneath a Throne.
IV
Lo! where the lash'd Offender stands,Aghast with Anger, Fear, Surprize;
And now he lifts his trembling Hands,
And now he rolls his haggard Eyes;
While all around the down-look'd Tribe,
Half wish away the tempting Bribe.
V
Yet farther still, brave Youth, proceed!Let Freedom stamp the Patriot's Page;
E're Law restrain the glorious Deed,
E're Letters sink in Gothic Rage:
And unconfin'd by Time or Place,
Write, teach, and save a better Race!
| An Ode to the Duke of Argyll | |