Forgetful of the favours kind But listen, Nero, lend thine ears, "Oh! sacred be her memory, "Blest be my sons, and eke all those She conquer'd Britain's fiercest foes, "All princes, kings, and potentates, Ambassadors did send: All nations, provinces, and states, "In Anna they did all confide, "Truth, mercy, justice, did surround In her the Graces all were found, In Anna all complete. 180 140 150 'She held the sword and balance right, And sought her people's good: In clemency she did delight, Her reign not stain'd with blood. 'Her gracious goodness, piety, In all her deeds did shine, And bounteous was her charity; All attributes divine. "Consummate wisdom, meekness all, "Ten thousand glorious deeds to crown, "This last and godlike act achiev'd, "Leave we in bliss this heavenly saint, Revere, ye just, her urn; Her virtues high and excellent, "Commemorate, my sons, the day Which gave great Anna birth: Keep it for ever and for aye, And annual be your mirth !" 160 170 180 Illustrious George now fills the throne, Who can his wondrous deeds make known? Thee, favourite Nero, he has deign'd To raise to high degree! Well thou thy honours hast sustain❜d, But pass-These honours on thee laid, 190 Don't Gaphny's blood, which thou hast shed, Oh! is there not, grim mortal, tell, Places of bliss and woe? Oh! is there not a heaven, a hell? Can nought change thy obdurate mind?. Wilt thou for ever rail? The prophet on thee well refin'd, And set thy wit to sale. How thou art lost to sense and shame, Three countries witness be: Thy conduct all just men do blame, Libera nos, Domine! Dame Justice waits thee, well I ween, Her sword is brandish'd high: 200 210 Nought can thee from her vengeance screen, Heavy her ire will fall on thee, She cuts off the impure. To her I leave thee, gloomy peer! 220 WHEN THE CAT IS AWAY, THE MICE MAY PLAY. A FABLE,* INSCRIBED TO DR. SWIFT. In domibus Mures avido dente omnia captant: LADY once (so stories say) By rats and mice infested, With gins and traps long sought to slay Great havoc 'mongst her cheese was made, At length Grimalkin to her aid And begg'd him to relieve her. 10 10 The hints of this and the following fable appear to have originated from the fable of the Old Lady and her Cats, printed in the General Postscript, Nov. 7, 1709. They have been both ascribed to Dr. Swift. Soon as Grimalkin came in view, Ne'er cat before such glory won; Pert Mrs. Abigail alone Envied Grimalkin's glory; Her favourite lap-dog now was grown She cannot bear, she swears she won't, But firmly is resolv'd upon't, And vows, that, whatsoe'er comes on't, She begs, she storms, she fawns, she frets, Her arts are all employ'd, And tells her lady, in a pet, Grimalkin cost her more in meat Than all the rats destroy'd. At length this spiteful waiting-maid 20 30 |