[8]
The Crown of Poland venal twice an Age
To just three Millions stinted modest—.
But nobler Scenes Maria's Dreams unfold,
Hereditary Realms, and Worlds of Gold.
Congenial Souls! whose Life one Av'rice joins,
And one Fate buries in th' [1]Asturian Mines.
To just three Millions stinted modest—.
But nobler Scenes Maria's Dreams unfold,
Hereditary Realms, and Worlds of Gold.
Congenial Souls! whose Life one Av'rice joins,
And one Fate buries in th' [1]Asturian Mines.
Much-injur'd Bl—t! why bears he Britain's hate?
A Wizard told him in these words our fate.
"At length Corruption, like a gen'ral Flood,
"(So long by watchful Ministers withstood)
"Shall deluge all; and Av'rice creeping on,
"Spread like a low-born Mist, and blot the Sun;
"Statesman and Patriot ply alike the Stocks,
"Peeress and Butler share alike the Box,
"The Judge shall job, the Bishop bite the Town,
"And mighty Dukes pack Cards for half a crown.
"See Britain sunk in Lucre's sordid charms,
"And France reveng'd of Anne's and Edward's Arms!
No poor Court-Badge, great Scriv'ner! fir'd thy brain,
No Lordly Luxury, no City Gain:
A Wizard told him in these words our fate.
"At length Corruption, like a gen'ral Flood,
"(So long by watchful Ministers withstood)
"Shall deluge all; and Av'rice creeping on,
"Spread like a low-born Mist, and blot the Sun;
"Statesman and Patriot ply alike the Stocks,
"Peeress and Butler share alike the Box,
"The Judge shall job, the Bishop bite the Town,
"And mighty Dukes pack Cards for half a crown.
"See Britain sunk in Lucre's sordid charms,
"And France reveng'd of Anne's and Edward's Arms!
No poor Court-Badge, great Scriv'ner! fir'd thy brain,
No Lordly Luxury, no City Gain:
- ↑ Two persons of distinction, each of whom in the time of the Mississippi despised to realize above three hundred thousand pound; the Gentleman with a view to the Crown of Poland, the Lady on a Vision of the like nature. They since retir'd together into Spain, where they are still in search of Gold in the Mines of the Asturies.
But
