( 8 )
Had aw'd Ambition's wild audacious Hate,
And dragg'd at length Corruption to her Fate;
If every Tongue its large Applauses ow'd,
And well-earn'd Laurels every Muse bestow'd,
If public Justice urg'd the high Reward,15
And Freedom smil'd on the devoted Bard;
Say then, to him whose Levity or Lust
Laid all a People's gen'rous Hopes in Dust;
Who taught Ambition firmer Heights of Pow'r,
And sav'd Corruption at her hopeless Hour;20
Does not each Tongue its Execrations owe?
Shall not each Muse a Wreath of Shame bestow?
And public Justice sanctify th' Award?
And Freedom's Hand protect th' impartial Bard?
Yet long reluctant I forbore thy Name,25
Long watch'd thy Virtue like a dying Flame,
Hung o'er each glimm'ring Spark with anxious Eyes,
And wish'd and hop'd the Light again would rise.
