To the King.
HEROES of old, by Rapine and by Spoil,
In search of Fame, did all the World embroil.
Thus sprang from Jove, and That from Titan came.
With equal Valour, and the same Success,
Dread King, might’st thou the Universe oppress.
But Christian Laws constrain thy Martial Pride,
Peace is thy Choice, and Piety thy Guide;
By thy Example, Kings are taught to sway,
Heroes to fight, and Saints may learn to pray.
The Grecian Leaders were but half Divine;
Nestor in Council, Ulysses shine:
But in the Day of Combat, all wou’d yield
To the fierce Master of the sev’n-fold Shield.
Their very Deities were grac’d no more,
Mars had all the Courage, Jove the Thunder bore:
But all Perfections meet in James alone,
And Britain's King is all the Gods in one.