Odes.
83
III.
O Phœbus! would thy godhead not refuse
This humble incense on thy altar laid;
Would thy propitious ear attend the Muse
That suppliant now invokes thy certain aid;
With Mantuan force I'd mount a stronger gale, 145
And sing the parent of her land, who strove
T' exceed the transports of her people's zeal
With acts of mercy and majestic love;
By Fate, to fix Britannia's empire, given
The guardian pow'r of earth, and public care of Heav'n. 150
O Phœbus! would thy godhead not refuse
This humble incense on thy altar laid;
Would thy propitious ear attend the Muse
That suppliant now invokes thy certain aid;
With Mantuan force I'd mount a stronger gale, 145
And sing the parent of her land, who strove
T' exceed the transports of her people's zeal
With acts of mercy and majestic love;
By Fate, to fix Britannia's empire, given
The guardian pow'r of earth, and public care of Heav'n. 150
I.
Then, Churchill! should the Muse record
The conquests by thy sword achiev'd,
Quiet to Belgian states restor'd,
And Austrian crowns by thee retriev’d.
Imperious Leopold confess'd 155
His hoary Majesty distress'd;
To arms, to arms, Bavaria calls,
Nor with less terror shook his throne
Than when the rising Crescent shone
Malignant o'er his shatter'd walls. 160
Then, Churchill! should the Muse record
The conquests by thy sword achiev'd,
Quiet to Belgian states restor'd,
And Austrian crowns by thee retriev’d.
Imperious Leopold confess'd 155
His hoary Majesty distress'd;
To arms, to arms, Bavaria calls,
Nor with less terror shook his throne
Than when the rising Crescent shone
Malignant o'er his shatter'd walls. 160
II.
The warrior led the Britons forth
On foreign fields to dare their fate,
Distinguish'd souls of shining worth,
In war unknowing to retreat:
The warrior led the Britons forth
On foreign fields to dare their fate,
Distinguish'd souls of shining worth,
In war unknowing to retreat:
