Walls here are men, who fence their cities more
Than Neptune, when he doth in mountains roar,
Doth guard this isle, or all those forts and tow'rs
Amphion's harp rais'd about Thebes's bow'rs.
Heaven's arch is oft their roof, the pleasant shed
Of oak and plain oft serves them for a bed.
To suffer want, soft pleasure to despise,
Run over panting mountains crown'd with ice,
Rivers o'ercome, the wastest lakes appall,
(Being to themselves, oars, steerers, ship and all)
Is their renown: a brave all-daring race,
Courageous, prudent, doth this climate grace;
Yet the firm base on which their glory stands,
In peace, true hearts; in wars, is valiant hands,
Which here, great King! they offer up to thee,
Thy worth respecting as thy pedigree:
Though it be much to come of princely stem,
More is it to deserve a diadem.
Vouchsafe, blest people, ravish'd here with me,
To think my thoughts, and see what I do see.
A prince all-gracious, affable, divine,
Meek, wise, just, valiant, whose radiant shine
Of virtues, like the stars about the Pole
Gilding the night, enlight'neth every soul,
Your sceptre sways; a prince, born in this age
To guard the innocent from tyrants' rage;
To make peace prosper, justice to reflow'r,
In desert hamlet, as in lordly bow'r ;
A prince that, though of none he stands in awe, Yet first subjects himself to his own law;
Who joys in good, and still, as right directs,
His greatness measures by his good effects;
His people's pedestal, who rising high,
To grace this throne, makes Scotland's name to fly
On halcyon's wings (her glory which restores)
Beyond the ocean to Columbus' shores:
God's sacred picture in this man adore,
Honour his valour, zeal, his piety more ;
High value what you hold, him deep engrave
In your heart's heart, from whom all good ye have:
For as moon's splendour from her brother springs,
The people's welfare streameth from their kings.
Since your love's object doth immortal prove,
O! love this prince with an eternal love.
Pray that those crowns his ancestors did wear,
His temples long, more orient, may bear;
That good he reach by sweetness of his sway,
That ev'n his shadow may the bad affray;
That Heaven on him what he desires bestow,
That still the glory of his greatness grow;
That your begun felicities may last,
That no Orion do with storms them blast;
That victory his brave exploits attend,
East, west, or south, where he his force shall bend,
Till his great deeds all former deeds surmount,
And quell the Nimrod of the Hellespont;
That when his well-spent care all care becalms,
He may in peace sleep in a shade of palms;
And rearing up fair trophies, that Heaven may
Extend his life to world's extremest day.
Rous'D from the Latmian cave, where many years
That empress of the lowest of the spheres,
Who cheers the night, did keep me hid, apart
From mortal wights, to ease her love-sick heart,
As young as when she did me first inclose,
As fresh in beauty as the morning rose,
Endymion, that whilom kept my flocks
Upon Ionia's flow'ry hills and rocks,
1 6 Endymion was apparelled like a shepheard in a long coat of crimson velvet comming over his knee; he had a wreath of flowers upon his head, his haire was curled, and long; in his hand he bare a sheep-hooke, on his legs were buskins of gilt leather."
And sweet lays warbling to my Cynthia's beams,
Out-sang the cygnets' of Meander's streams:
To whom, for guerdon, she heaven's secret bars
Made open, taught the paths and pow'rs of stars:
By this dear Lady's strict commandement,
To celebrate this day I here am sent.
But whether is this heaven, which stars do crown,
Or are heaven's flaming splendours here come down
To beautify this nether world with me?
Such state and glory did e'er shepherd see?
My wits my sense mistrust, and stay amaz'd;
No eye on fairer objects ever gaz’d.
Sure this is heaven; for ev'ry wand'ring star,
Forsaking those great orbs where whirl'd they are,
All dismal, sad aspects abandoning,
Are here met to salute some gracious king.
Nor is it strange if they heaven's height neglect ;
Undoubted worth produceth like effect.
Then this it is, thy presence, royal youth,
Hath brought them here within an azimuth,
To tell by me, their herald, coming things,
And what each Fate to her stern distaff sings:
Heaven's volume to unclasp, vast pages spread,
Mysterious golden cyphers clear to read.
Hear then the augur of thy future days,
And what the starry senate of thee says;
For, what is firm decreed in heaven above,
In vain on earth strive mortals to improve.
1 66 "Cygnets"-" swannets."
To fair hopes to give reins now is it time,
And soar as high as just desires may climb;
O halcyonian, clear, and happy day!
From sorry wights let sorrow fly away,
And vex Antarctic climes; great Britain's woes
Vanish, for joy now in her zenith glows.
The old Leucadian scythe-bearing sire,
Though cold, for thee feels flames of sweet desire;
And many lustres at a perfect height
Shall keep thy sceptre's majesty as bright,
And strong in power and glory, every way,
As when thy peerless parent did it sway;
Ne'er turning wrinkled in Time's endless length,
But one in her first beauty, youthful strength,
Like thy rare mind, which stedfast as the Pole
Still fixed stands, however spheres do roll.
More to enhance with favours this thy reign,
His age of gold he shall restore again;
Love, Justice, Honour, Innocence renew,
Men's sprights with white simplicity indue;
Make all to live in plenty's ceaseless store
With equal shares, none wishing to have more.
No more shall cold the ploughmen's hopes beguile,
Skies shall on earth with lovely glances smile;
Which shall, untill'd, each flower and herb bring forth,
And lands to gardens turn, of equal worth ;
Life (long) shall not be thrall'd to mortal dates:
Thus Heavens decree, so have ordain'd the Fates.
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