Since I am doom'd to be undone

By the Disease, or by the Cure.

JOHN HUGHES.

PRESENTING TO A LADY A WHITE ROSE AND A RED, ON THE TENTH OF JUNE

If this pale Rose offend your Sight,

It in your Bosom wear;

'Twill blush to find itself less white,
And turn Lancastrian there.

But, Celia, should the Red be chose,
With gay Vermilion bright;
"Twou'd sicken at each Blush that glows,
And in Despair turn White.

Let Politicians idly prate,
Their Babels build in vain;
As uncontrolable as Fate,
Imperial Love shall reign.

Each haughty Faction shall obey,
And Whigs, and Tories join,
Submit to your Despotick Sway,
Confess your Right Divine.

Yet this (my gracious Monarch) own,
They're Tyrants that oppress;
'Tis Mercy must support your Throne,
And 'tis like Heav'n to Bless.

WILLIAM SOMERVILE.

OLIVIA

I

OLIVIA'S lewd, but looks devout,
And Scripture-Proofs she throws about,
When first you try to win her;
But pull your Fob of Guineas out;
Fee Jenny first, and never doubt
To find the Saint a Sinner.

II

Baxter by Day is her Delight:
No Chocolate must come in Sight
Before two Morning Chapters:
But lest the Spleen should spoil her quite,
She takes a civil Friend at Night
To raise her holy Raptures.

III

Thus oft' we see a Glow-Worm gay,
At large her fiery Tail display,
Encourag'd by the dark:

And yet the sullen Thing all Day

Snug in the lonely Thicket lay,

And hid the native Spark.

ELIJAH FENTON.

RULE BRITANNIA! FROM ALFRED,
AN OPERA

WHEN Britain first, at heaven's command,
Arose from out the azure main;

This was the charter of the land,

And guardian-Angels sung this strain: Rule, Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never will be slaves.

The nations, not so blest as thee,
Must, in their turns, to tyrants fall:
While thou shalt flourish great and free,
The dread and envy of them all.
Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise,

More dreadful, from each foreign stroke: As the loud blast that tears the skies, Serves but to root thy native oak. Rule, Britannia, rule the waves; Britons never will be slaves.

Thee haughty tyrants ne'er shall tame:
All their attempts to bend thee down,
Will but arouse thy generous flame;
But work their woe, and thy renown.
Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.

To thee belongs the rural reign;

Thy cities shall with commerce shine:
All thine shall be the subject main,
And every shore it circles thine.

Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;
Britons never will be slaves.

The Muses, still with freedom found,
Shall to thy happy coast repair:

Blest isle! with matchless beauty crown'd,
And manly hearts to guard the fair.
Rule, Britannia, rule the waves;

Britons never will be slaves.

JAMES THOMSON.

O'ER DESERT PLAINS, AND RUSHY
MEERS

O'ER desert plains, and rushy meers,
And wither'd heaths I rove;

Where tree, nor spire, nor cot appears,
I pass to meet my love.

But tho' my path were damask'd o'er
With beauties e'er so fine;

My busy thoughts would fly before,
To fix alone on thine.

No fir-crown'd hills cou'd give delight,
No palace please mine eye:

No pyramid's aerial height,

Where mouldering monarchs lie.

Unmov'd, should Eastern kings advance,

Could I the pageant see:

Splendour might catch one scornful glance,

Not steal one thought from thee.

WILLIAM SHENSTONE.

LIGHT SHINING OUT OF DARKNESS

GOD moves in a mysterious way,

His wonders to perform;

He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill

He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding ev'ry hour;

The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow'r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,

And he will make it plain.

WILLIAM COWPER.