 | Three Hundred Sonnets |  |
241
AT THE ACCESSION.
Bold in my freedom, yet with homage meek,As duty prompts and loyalty commands,
To thee, O Queen of empires, would I speak:
Behold, the most high God hath giv'n to thee
Kingdoms and glories, might and majesty,
Setting thee ruler over many lands;
Him first to serve, O Monarch, wisely seek:
And many people, nations, languages,
Have laid their welfare in thy sovereign hands;
Them next to bless, to prosper, and to please,
Nobly forget thyself, and thine own ease:
Rebuke ill counsel; rally round thy state
The scatter'd good, and true, and wise, and great:
So Heav'n upon thee shed sweet influences!
| Three Hundred Sonnets | |