nied a place in the university books. Answer: Nonum prematur in annum. To my learned correspondent who writes against master's gowns, and poke sleeves, with a word in defence of large scarfs. Answer: I resolve not to raise animosities amongst the clergy. To the lady who writes with rage against one of her own sex, upon the account of party warmth. Answer: Is not the lady she writes against reckoned handsome ? I desire Tom Truelove (who sends me a sonnet upon his mistress, with a desire to print it imme. diately) to consider that it is long since I was in love. I shall answer a very profound letter from my old friend the upholsterer, who is still inquisitive whether the king of Sweden be living or dead, by whispering him in the ear, that I believe he is alive. Let Mr. Dapperwit consider, What is that long story of the cuckoldom to me? At the earnest desire of Monimia's lover, who declares himseif very penitent, he is recorded in my paper by the name of the faithful Castalio. The petition of Charles Cocksure, which the petitioner styles. very reasonable,' rejected. The memorial of Philander, which he desires may be dispatched out of hand, postponed. i desire s. R. not to repeat the expression under the sun, so often in his next letter. The letter of P. S. who desires either to have it printed entire, or committed to the flames not to be printed entire. No. 620. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1714, Hic vir, hic est, tibi quem promitti sæpiùs audis. VIRG. Æn. vi. 791. Behold the promis’d chief ! Having lately presented my reader with a copy of verses full of the false sublime, I shall here communicate to him an excellent specimen of the true : though it hath not been yet published, the judicious reader will readily discern it to be the work of a master; and if he hath read that noble poem on the prospect of peace, he will not be at a loss to guess at the author. THE ROYAL PROGRESS. • By longing nations for the throne design'd, Not so he march'd when hostile squadrons stood • Through stately towns, and many a fertile plain, In Haga's towers he waits till eastern gales Propitious rise to swell the British sails. Hither the fame of England's monarch brings The vows and friendships of the neighb'ring kings ; Mature in wisdom, his extensive mind Takes in the blended interest of mankind, The World's great patriot. Calm thy anxious breast, Secure in him, O Europe, take thy rest ; Henceforth thy kingdoms shall remain confin'd By rocks and streams, the mounds which Heav'n design'd; The Alps their new made monarch shall restrain, Nor shall thy hills, Pyrene, rise in vain. But see, to Britain's isle the squadrons stand, • Still is it thine ; tho' now the cheerful crew. The monarch hears the thund’ring peals around As in the flood he sails, from either side The sun now rolling down the western way, A blaze of fires, renews the fading day ; Unnumber'd barks the regal barge enfold, Brightning the twilight with it's beamy gold ; Less thick the finny shoals, a countless fry, Before the whale or kingly dolphin fly; In one vast shout he seeks the crowded strand, And in a peal of thunder gains the land. • Welcome, great stranger ! to our longing eyes, Oh! king desir'd, adopted Albion cries. For thee the East breath'd out a prosp'rous breeze, Bright were the suns, and gently sweli'd the seas, Thy presence did each doubtful heart compose, And factions wonder'd that they once were foes ; That joyful day they lost each hostile name, The same their aspect, and their voice the same. So two fair twins, whose features were design'd At one soft moment in the mother's mind. Show each the other with reflected grace, And the same beauties bloom in either face ; The puzzled strangers which is which inquire ; Delusion grateful to the smiling sire. • From that * fair hill, where hoary sages boast To name the stars, and count the heavenly host, By the next dawn doth great Augusta rise, Proud town ! the noblest scene beneath the skies. O'er Thames her thousand spires their lustre shed, And a vast navy hides his ample bedA floating forest! From the distant strand A line of golden cars strikes o'er the land : * Flamstead house. Britannia's peers in pomp and rich array, So haply thro’ the heav'n's wide pathless ways Now to the regal towers securely brought, He plans Britannia's glories in his thought, Resumes the delegated power he gave, Rewards the faithful, and restores the brave. Whom shall the Muse from out the shining throng, Select to heighten and adorn her song? Thee, Halifax. To thy capacious mind, O man approv'd, is Britain's wealth consign’d. Her coin (while Nassau fought) debas'd and rude, By thee in beauty and in truth renew'd, An arduous work! again thy charge we see, And thy own care once more returns to thee. O! form'd in every scene to awe and please, Mix wit with pomp, and dignity with ease : Tho' call’d to shine aloft, thou wilt not scorn To smile on arts thyself did once adorn: For this thy name succeeding time shall praise, And envy less thy garter than thy bays. "The Muse, if fir'd with thy enliv’ning beams, Perhaps shall aim at more exalted themes ; Record our monarch in a nobler strain, And sing the op'ning wonders of his reigu ; Bright Carolina's heavenly beauties trace, Her valiant consort, and his blooming race. A train of kings their fruitful love supplies, A glorious scene to Albion's ravish'd eyes; Who sees by Brunswick's hand her sceptre sway'd, And through his liņe from age to age convey'd.' |