( 14 )
Again ascending treads the civil Scene,
To act and be a Man, as thou had'st been.
Thus by Degrees thy Cause superior grew,
And the great End appear'd at last in view:120
We heard the People in thy Hopes rejoice;
We saw the Senate bending to thy Voice;
The Friends of Freedom hail'd th' approaching Reign
Of Laws for which our Fathers bled in vain;
While venal Faction, struck with new Dismay,125
Shrunk at their Frown, and self-abandon'd lay.
Wak'd in the Shock, the Public Genius rose,
Abash'd and keener from his long Repose;
Sublime in ancient Pride, he rais'd the Spear
Which Slaves and Tyrants long were wont to fear:130
The City felt his Call: From Man to Man,
From Street to Street the glorious Horror ran;
Each crouded Haunt was stirr'd beneath his Pow'r,
And murmuring challeng'd the deciding Hour.
Lo!
