University of Virginia Library

An Anniversary Poem on the 30th of January, 1699.

Hail, sacred Day! that each returning Year,
Do'st with new Light our drooping Spirits chear;
Remind'st us of our Ancestors Renown,
Who bravely pull'd a sawcy Tyrant down,
While Liberty Triumphant fill'd the Throne.
The Tydings first at the curss'd Court began,
Which chearfully thro' all the Nation ran:
Fresh Streams of unknown Joys around did flow,
And all good Men ador'd the righteous Blow.
The Sun transported with the Noble Deed,
Shone out, and smil'd to see the Monster bleed.
Th'amaz'd World united in Applause,
And bless'd the Justice of our Arms and Cause.
Nought under Heaven mourn'd but the curs'd Priest,
Whose damn'd Dissimulation is a Jest,
That every free-born Nation should detest.
Thrice Hail, illustrious Day! in thee's display'd
A brighter Scene, than when the World was made;
When from dark Chaos this gay Form was rear'd,
And all the grizly Phantoms disappear'd:
Just so they slunk away, just so they fled,
And groan'd and tumbl'd with the Tyrant's Head;
While general Gladness did the Isle employ,
And every English Tongue did shout for Joy:
Hail once again, thou glorious Part of Time!
Thou endless Subject of eternal Rhime!
May I forget to make my Numbers meet,
And Tune new Thoughts in well-composed Feet.
May she I love, forget to love me more,
Be always wretched, I be always poor,
If I forget this sacred Day t'adore.
When Courage over Slav'ry did prevail,
And Providence weigh'd down the juster Scale:
When Right Triumphant o'er Injustice rode,
Following the Foot-steps of the leading God,
Did to the doubting World a Pattern shew,
What English Men, for English Rights, dare do.