IMPROMPTU,ON HEARING MR. WHITBREAD DECLARE, ON LORD MELVILLE'S TRIAL, THAT "HE FONDLY TRUSTED HIS NAME WOULD DESCEND WITH HONOR TO POSTERITY."
The hope of fame thy noble bosom fires,
Nor vain the hope thy ardent mind inspires,
In British breasts, whilst purity remains,
Whilst Liberty her blest abode retains,
Still shall the Muse of History proclaim
To future ages thy immortal name!
And while fair Scotia weeps her favor'd son,
By place corrupted, and by pow'r undone,
England, with pride, her upright Patriot sees,
And Fame's unfading wreath to thee decrees.
Nor vain the hope thy ardent mind inspires,
In British breasts, whilst purity remains,
Whilst Liberty her blest abode retains,
Still shall the Muse of History proclaim
To future ages thy immortal name!
And while fair Scotia weeps her favor'd son,
By place corrupted, and by pow'r undone,
England, with pride, her upright Patriot sees,
And Fame's unfading wreath to thee decrees.
