20

When, past all offerings to Feretrian Jove,

He Mars deposed and arms to gowns made yield, Successful counsels did him soon approve

As fit for close intrigues as open field.

21

To suppliant Holland he vouchsafed a peace,
Our once bold rival in the British main,
Now tamely glad her unjust claim to cease
And buy our friendship with her idol, gain.

22

Fame of the asserted sea, through Europe blown,
Made France and Spain ambitious of his love;
Each knew that side must conquer he would own
And for him fiercely as for empire strove.

23

No sooner was the Frenchman's cause embraced
Than the light Monsieur the grave Don outweighed :
His fortune turned the scale where'er 'twas cast,
Though Indian mines were in the other laid.

24

When absent, yet we conquered in his right:
For, though some meaner artist's skill were shown
In mingling colours or in placing light,

Yet still the fair designment was his own.

25

For from all tempers he could service draw;
The worth of each with its alloy he knew;

And, as the confident of Nature, saw

How she complexions did divide and brew:

26

Or he their single virtues did survey
By intuition in his own large breast,
Where all the rich ideas of them lay

That were the rule and measure to the rest.

27

When such heroic virtue Heaven sets out,

The stars, like Commons, sullenly obey, Because it drains them, when it comes about, And therefore is a tax they seldom pay.

28

From this high spring our foreign conquests flow
Which yet more glorious triumphs do portend,
Since their commencement to his arms they owe,
If springs as high as fountains may ascend.

29

He made us freemen of the Continent

Whom nature did like captives treat before,

To nobler preys the English Lion sent,

And taught him first in Belgian walks to roar.

30

That old unquestioned pirate of the land,

Proud Rome, with dread the fate of Dunkirk heard, And trembling wished behind more Alps to stand, Although an Alexander were her guard.

31

By his command we boldly crossed the Line,
And bravely fought where southern stars arise;
We traced the far-fetched gold unto the mine,
And that which bribed our fathers made our prize.

32

Such was our Prince, yet owned a soul above
The highest acts it could produce to show:

Thus poor mechanic arts in public move,
Whilst the deep secrets beyond practice go.

33

Nor died he when his ebbing fame went less,
But when fresh laurels courted him to live;
He seemed but to prevent some new success,
As if above what triumphs earth could give.

34

His latest victories still thickest came,

As near the centre motion does increase; Till he, pressed down by his own weighty name, Did, like the Vestal, under spoils decease.

35

But first the Ocean as a tribute sent

That giant-prince of all her watery herd; And the Isle, when her protecting Genius went, Upon his obsequies loud sighs conferred.

36

No civil broils have since his death arose,
But faction now by habit does obey;
And wars have that respect for his repose

As winds for halcyons when they breed at sea.

37

His ashes in a peaceful urn shall rest;

His name a great example stands to show How strangely high endeavours may be blessed Where piety and valour jointly go.

ASTRÆEA REDUX.

A POEM ON THE HAPPY RESTORATION AND RETURN

OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY

CHARLES THE SECOND.

'Jam redit et Virgo, redeunt Saturnia regna?-VIRGIL, [Eclog. iv. 6.]