SONNET VIII. TO JOHN HORNE TOOKE, ESQ.
------ “May he live
“Longer than I have time to tell his years.”
Champion of freedom, friend to all mankind,
Let Britons hail the day which gave thee birth;
Thou who would'st guide with truth the erring mind,
And crown with peace all nations of the earth.
Ne'er didst thou, Tooke, swerve from the public weal;
Ne'er didst thou climb Ambition's tow'ring height;
Corruption trembles at thy manly zeal,
As sinks Oppression at the hero's might.
When Gallia's sons shook off despotic pow'r,
And from their clime fell Superstition hurl'd,
Thou, Britain's Patriot! didst proclaim the hour
When heav'n-born Freedom smil'd upon the world.
Long shall thy suff'rings tell thy country's shame,
And long fair Virtue's sons shall venerate thy name.
