2i6 Somervile^s [first 



While grateful citizens, with pompous fhevv. 

 Rear the triumphal arch, rich with th* exploits 

 Ot thy illuftrious houfe j while virgins pave 

 Thy way with flow'rs, and, as the royal youth 

 Faffing they view, admire, and figh in vain ; 

 While crowded theatres, too fondly proud 

 Of their exotic minftrels, and fhrill pipes, 

 The price of manhood, hail thee with a fong. 

 And ain foft-warbiing; my hoarfe-founding horn 

 Invites thee to the chace, the fport of kings ; 

 Image of war, without its guilt. The Mufe 

 Aloft on wing fhall foar, condudl with care 

 Thy foaming courfer o'er the fteepy rock. 

 Or on the river bank receive thee fafe, 

 Light-boftnding o'er the wave, from fhore to fliore. 

 Be thou our great protestor, gracious youth ! 

 And if, in future times, fome envious prince, 

 Carelefs of right and guileful, fhould invade 

 Thy Britain's commerce, or Ihould ftrive in vaia 

 To wreft the balance from thy equal hand j 

 Thy hunter-train, in chearful green array'd, 

 (A band undaunted, and inur'd to toils,) 

 Shall compafs thee around, dye at thy (ttty 

 Or hew thy pafTage thro' th' embattled foe. 

 And clear thy way to famej infpir'd by thee, 

 The nobler chace of glory fhall purfue 

 Thro' fire, and fmoke, and blood, and fields of deatli. 



Nature, in her produ<5lions flow, afpires 

 Py juft degrees to reach perfeftion's height : 



So 



