ON REPAIRING SOMERSET-HOUSE.
135
If any prouder virtuoso's sense
At that part of my prospect take offence,
By which the meaner cabins are descry'd,
Of my imperial river's humbler side—
If they call that a blemish—let them know,
God, and my godlike mistress, think not so;
For the distress'd and the afflicted lie
Most in their care, and always in their eye.
And thou, fair river! who still pay'st to me
Just homage, in thy passage to the sea,
Take here this one instruction as thou go'st—
When thy mixt waves shall visit every coast;
When round the world their voyage they shall make,
And back to thee some secret channels take;
Ask them what nobler sight they e'er did meet,
Except thy mighty master's sovereign fleet,
Which now triumphant o'er the main does ride,
The terror of all lands, the ocean's pride.
From hence his kingdoms, happy now at last,
(Happy, if wise by their misfortunes past!)
From hence may omens take of that success
Which both their future wars and peace shall bless.
The peaceful mother on mild Thames does build;
With her son's fabricks the rough sea is fill'd.
At that part of my prospect take offence,
By which the meaner cabins are descry'd,
Of my imperial river's humbler side—
If they call that a blemish—let them know,
God, and my godlike mistress, think not so;
For the distress'd and the afflicted lie
Most in their care, and always in their eye.
And thou, fair river! who still pay'st to me
Just homage, in thy passage to the sea,
Take here this one instruction as thou go'st—
When thy mixt waves shall visit every coast;
When round the world their voyage they shall make,
And back to thee some secret channels take;
Ask them what nobler sight they e'er did meet,
Except thy mighty master's sovereign fleet,
Which now triumphant o'er the main does ride,
The terror of all lands, the ocean's pride.
From hence his kingdoms, happy now at last,
(Happy, if wise by their misfortunes past!)
From hence may omens take of that success
Which both their future wars and peace shall bless.
The peaceful mother on mild Thames does build;
With her son's fabricks the rough sea is fill'd.
