Sir Richard Blackmore M. D. - King Arthur: Book V lyrics

The Chiefs returning from the hot Pursuit Did with becoming Joy their Friends salute. But all lamented mighty Shobar's Fall, A Chief rever'd, applauded, lov'd by all. But summon'd now King Arthur to attend To his high Tent they did their Footsteps bend. The British Monarch from his Chair of State Began, the Captains did around him wait. Th' Allmighty Lord of Hosts whom we adore Has added to the past this Triumph more. First to propitious Heav'n the Praise is due For this Success, and next, brave Men, to you. Your Arms this Day have rais'd the British Name, And equall'd your great Father's Warlike Fame. The Courage and the Conduct you have shown, Your Faithfulness long try'd, and so well known, Assure me, you will Clotar's Force sustain, Whilst I my Troops forsake to pa** the Main. Know, Britons, some in Albion left behind, Impatient, proud, and turbulent of Mind, Intestine Heats and civil Feuds create, And with seditious Arts embroil the State. I therefore to Britannia must return To quench the Flames wherewith the Britons burn. When from its Fears my Kingdom I have freed, Back to the Camp I'll come with equal Speed. Till I return to the Neustrasian Strand, Solmar in chief my Army shall command. Seek not again t' engage the Gallic Host, But with defensive Arms maintain your Post. Such valiant Troops can never be annoy'd, If private Strife and Contests they avoid. He ceas'd. The Captains by their Aspect show'd The Joy was sunk which from their Conquest flow'd. They griev'd to hear the pious King relate What Strife embroil'd Britannia's troubled State; Which forc'd him to forsake the Gallic Soil, To re-establish Peace in Albion's Isle. Then from his Princely Seat King Arthur rose Intending Albion's Tumults to compose. Now did the Morn her radiant Lap display, And gently on the Air shook forth the Day. When strait the King his Chariot did demand, And took his Way to the Neustrasian Strand. Valiant Gravellan did his Prince attend, And faithful Lucius Arthur's bosom Friend. Soon as they reach'd the Shore without Delay They all embark'd, and strait stood out to Sea. The bounding Vessel ran before the Wind, Leaving Neustrasia's Rocks and Towers behind. And when the rising Sun dispell'd the Night, The Regnian Strand appear'd within their Sight. Soon as they came on Shore they took the Way To Domar's Castle, there resolv'd to stay, Till brave Gravellan should return, who sent To learn the State of things t' Augusta went, And down from thence his chiefest Frinds to bring Fit to a**ist and to advise the King. Thrice had th' unweary'd Sun his Chariot driv'n O'er the wide Plains and trackless Wast of Heav'n. When the wise Lord return'd, and with him came The Peers and Prelates of distinguish'd Fame For Zeal and Wisdom, Men who ever stood For Arthur's Glory, and their Country's Good. Then Albion's pious Monarch Silence broke And thus the Prelates and the Peers bespoke. For Britain's Safety to express my Care I leave in Gallia an unfinish'd War. My Arms have met Success, but Zeal for you Will not permit our Conquests to pursue. What Feuds some Peers and Prelates ill dispos'd Have rais'd, Gravellan has before disclos'd, But what has happen'd since do you relate, And tell the present Posture of the State. Suggest some ready and effectual Way To check Sedition, and its Progress stay. Britannia might despise all forreign Power, If from contentious Sons she stood secure. Her Strength abroad is formidable grown, No Arms can shake her Greatness but her own. Only our Strife can Clotar's Empire Guard, Obstruct our Triumphs, and our Arms retard. Only your Feuds can sinking Gallia prop, Your Feuds their Refuge, and their single hope. Then Reverend Arman for his Learning known And his Capacious Genius thus begun. Illustrious Monarch! whose Victorious hand From Pagan Kings and Gods has sav'd the Land, Urg'd by Affection and a Loyal Zeal, The Cause of our Distractions I'll reveal. The Liberty Sectarians have enjoy'd By your Indulgence, has our Peace destroy'd. At first they cry'd, Indulgence would content, Ease they demanded, but Dominion meant. For since from Punishment they live secure, And dread no more an unarm'd Church's Power, They now disclose their Malice, and their Pride, Affront our Order, and our Laws deride. They boast the Court Sectarians dos befriend, And dare for Empire with the Church contend. Freedom and Ease they know not how to use, But gentle Monarchs favours still abuse. Peevish, Illnatur'd, Proud and Arrogant They crave still more, and still more Merit vaunt. Those who to give a troubled Kingdom Ease Cherish these restless Sects, do but release Outragious Winds to calm th' unquiet Seas. Such call the Foe in, to Protect the Town, Or dig before the Flood their Fences down. This Pious Prince is sad Britannia's fate While Sects let loose disturb our Church and State. Cheer'd with indulgent Rays the monstrous Brood Like Vermin hatch'd in Nile's prolific Mud, O'erspread the Land, th' uneasy State molest, Devour our Country, and the Church infest. The Sediment which at the bottom lay From the pure Church thrown down and purg'd away, Awaken'd now, attempts a fresh ascent, And with new Strife the Struggling Parts ferment. Sectarian Dreggs audacious are become, Rise up and on the top appear in Scum. The Church can ne'er be from Disorders free Till fin'd, and rackt from this unquiet Lee. I labour'd once to give Sectarians Ease, And thought Indulgence might Establish Peace; With Youthful Zeal I did a**ert their Cause, And strove to blunt the Edge of Penal Laws. But long Experience and Maturer Thought Make me retract the Deed, and own the Fault. I know th' Ambitious Race, they only claim The Right of Subjects, but at Empire aim. Which when they grasp, they Cruel Tyrants grow And unknown Rigour to their Subjects show. They lash with Scorpions, who complain'd before Of the mild Whips that show'd the Churches Power. With Tragic Clamours they for Freedom strive, Which they when Masters ne'er to others give. The Church's temperate Empire they destroy, That they themselves a wider may enjoy. 'Tis not in point of Power we disagree, But who should be the Rulers they or we. For, pious Prince, since by Compa**ion mov'd You first th' Indulgence of the Sects approv'd, Th' aspiring Race deliver'd from the Awe Of Court Displeasure, and coercive Law, Stand over us insulting, threaten high And treat with Scorn the sacred Hierarchy. Their Contumacy, Pride, and Insolence Justly the Lovers of the Church Incense. Her Sons too far transported with their Rage, For her Protection now in Arms engage. The Trait'rous Deed all highly must condemn, But would you soon th' impetuous Torrent stem, Would you at once the threatning Troops disarm, Which o'er Brittania's troubled Region swarm, Against audacious Schismaticks declare, With Vigor carry on the Pious War. Revoke th' Indulgence granted, and restore To Britain's ancient Church her ancient Power. Her Friends whom now too much Resentment warms, Will at your royal Feet cast down their Arms. This pious Edict will their Troops disband, Secure your Throne, and bless with Peace the Land. Then mighty Monarch unmolested you Your glorious Triumphs may abroad pursue. He said, and ancient Ladan silence broke And gravely thus the British King bespoke. Th' Expedient Reverend Arman do's suggest, T' appease the Tumults which the State molest. Great Prince, do's fully with my Judgment suit; It lays the Axe home to Sedition's Root. The civil Broils which Albion discompose From Fears and anxious Jealousies arose, Lest the proud Sects which kindly you protect, Should once their Empire o'er the Church erect. 'Tis true, that some who with the Rebels joyn, Their Country's Fall, and Gallia's Growth design; But if those Troops which for the Church appear Submit their Arms, the rest we need not fear. Now 'tis with Reason that the Church suspects The Growth of proud, morose, designing Sects. I've long observ'd their Pride and Arrogance, And what destructive Doctrines they advance. Where they prevail the Church is soon defac'd, Becomes a wild, uncultivated Wast. A horrid Wilderness wherein we see The monstrous Forms of howling Heresy. Where Grisly Schism, and raging Strife appear And raving Sects each other rend and tear. Where mad Enthusiasm and Discord reign, And endless Errors endless War maintain. These sad Effects their Liberty abus'd Thro' Albion's Isle already has produc'd. Audacious Schismaticks with lawless Pride Affront the Church, and all her Laws deride. Now Heresy her odious Head do's rear, And fresh engender'd Monsters thick appear, Which run upon the Church with open Jaws And fasten in her Wounds their dreadful Claws. Ev'n ancient Heresys which once annoy'd The Church's Peace, but seem'd long since destroy'd, Now chear'd and warm'd by this indulgent Heat, Stretch out their hideous Limbs, and Life and Vigor get. Since the Rebellious Britons but reveal In a Religious Cause an erring Zeal, And for themselves alledge they flew to Arms To save their Altars from the Foe's Alarms; I must for Arman's wise Advice declare, As likely to prevent th' Effects of War. Th' Indulgence granted to the Sects revoke And thus Sedition's quell'd without a Stroke. He ceas'd. And Reverend Olbar rose and spoke. The Gospel Genius and a Christian Mind All fierce destructive Methods still declin'd. Our Founder did not raise his Regal Throne By his Opposers Suff'rings, but his own. He gave his Church no Arms for her Defence, But Wisdom joyn'd with Dove-like Innocence. He always taught his Followers to profess Meekness Divine, and God-like Gentleness. When urg'd by eager Zealots to employ Fire ev'n from Heav'n Opposers to destroy, He us'd no other Flames, but those of Love, The gentle Fire he brought down from above. The blest Restorer of undone Mankind With soft and mild perswasive Ways inclin'd The World his Heav'nly Mission to believe, And his bright Train of Blessings to receive. He us'd no other Force, no other Arms But Mercy's tender Crys and Pity's Charms. And all his Followers he oblig'd to be Gentle, and kind, and merciful as he. He gave Command they should in Friendship live, Patient of Wrongs, and easie to forgive. Mutual Forbearance, Meekness, Peace and Love Which fashion Men like the pure Minds above, He oft declar'd were Heav'nly Marks disign'd To make them known from th' unbelieving Kind. He never arm'd his Church with Regal Power, Nor bad the strong the weaker Part devour. He to the valiant Champions of the Faith Allow'd the Serpent's Wisdom, not his Teeth. He came from Heav'n lost Blessings to restore But took from Men none they possest before. He ne'er pronounc'd Error or Unbelief, Just Forfeitures of Liberty or Life. He never bad his Church for Arms declare Nor taught the Rules and Stratagems of War. He never show'd them how Campaigns to make, How to defend, and how they should attack. He ne'er instructed them in future Days When numerous grown, what Bulwarks they should raise. What Forts and Cittadels they should erect The Church's sacred Frontier to protect. He came to save Mens Lives, and not to k**, And therefore taught no Military Sk**. No Models left of Arsenals to be reer'd, Nor said what Warlike Stores should be prepar'd. His Church he ne'er Commanded to Ama** Spears, Fauchions, Helmets, Shields and Boots of Bra**. Her Valiant Champions first with Error strove In Arms Divine, and Armour from above, Immortal Truth, and Light, and Heav'nly Love. Thus Arm'd the Chiefs their glorious Course pursu'd, Defeated Vice, and Ignorance subdu'd. Error before them fled, and Pagan Gods Of Light impatient, left their old abodes. Then a wide Empire Christian Faith possest, And Truth Divine Believing Nations blest. The White European and the Swarthy Moor, With a like flame Religion did adore. So powerful then were her Celestial Arms, So bright her Form, so ravishing her Charms, That where she came th' obsequious World obey'd, And at her Altars due Devotion paid. But when she once her Heav'nly Strength forsook, And in Exchange Terrestrial Weapons took, When Martial Faith in Armour first appear'd, And in the Field her bloody Standard reer'd, Advancing like an Amazonian Dame To vanquish Heresy with Sword and Flame; The World at such a Figure stood amaz'd, And on the hideous Sight with horror gaz'd. Against her Throne the Nations soon rebell'd, And Arms with Arms, and Power with Power repell'd. Her Innocence, her Love, and Meekness lost, The warlike Church could no new Triumphs boast. She soon was stopt in her Victorious Course, Weak by her Arms, and impotent by Force. Christ's peaceful Flock with Wolves devouring Jaws, And his meek Dove arm'd with the Faulcon's Claws, Prodigious Monsters to the World appear'd, No longer to be lov'd, and scarcely fear'd. Religion thus against it self was arm'd, And Civil War the troubled Church alarm'd! Temple contended Temple to subdue, And Flames from Altars, against Altars flew. Religion endless Revolutions saw, And all by turns were Orthodox by Law. The Men condemn'd for Hereticks before Grew Apostolic, as they grew in Power. Prevailing Sects did weaker Sects invade, And Desolation not Conversions made. For Pain and Suff'rings may indeed affright, But can't perswade us with Convincing Light. Torments 'tis true strong Arguments appear, But 'tis not to our Reason, but our Fear. Our Heav'nly Founder who at distance saw Ambitious Churchmen back'd with Power and Law, Their Peaceful Neigbours would with force invade, Disarm'd the Gown, and Violence forbad. Nor do those Princes for their Peace provide, Who with one Sect against all others side. Those Counsels therefore Arman gives for Peace Both as unjust, and dangerous too, displease. He ceas'd. Then noble Sefel did begin, Of Prince like Presence, and Majestic Mien. A noble Genius to the Muses dear, Yet none knew better how the State to steer Whom every Minister and every Bard With equal Awe, and Rev'rence did regard. To form the wondrous Man great Pompey's Mind, And Tully's flowing Eloquence combin'd. All Orators grew proud who gain'd his praise, And where he pleas'd he gave the Poet's Bays. All charg'd with lessening or debasing Wit His Sentence did Condemn, or did Acquit. The trembling Bards at his Tribunal stood, None prais'd their Songs, till he pronounc'd them good. None strove with greater Prudence to compose Contentious Heats, which in the Church arose. Then this wise Briton thus himself exprest, And show'd how Albion's Strife might be supprest. Subjects who Tribute to their Monarch pay, And Peacefully his just Commands obey, With highest Justice from their Prince expect He should their Lives and Libertys protect. No Errors in Religion can destroy Th' Immunitys which we, as Men, enjoy. Those whom the Churchmen as Sectarians blame, Lose not the Rights which they as Subjects claim. The Sacred Laws our Heav'nly Author made, Were not to force Belief, but to Perswade. Prisons were ne'er for Christian Schools design'd, Nor Whips and Racks for Arguments enjoyn'd. Unless our Wills could Laws to Reason give, And Man could what he pleas'd, as Truth believe, Force for Conversion is employ'd in vain; Whose Judgment ever was inform'd by Pain? Churches should Arms forbear till they agree On some unerring mark of Heresy. Some Christians call'd, of Antichristian mind, To Force and not to Argument inclin'd. To take the Sword lay down the Pastor's Crook, And into Wolves convert their Peaceful Flock. Forth against Schism they march exclaiming loud, And make the Church a reeking Field of Blood. These Sons of Thunder thus the Gospel Preach, And red in Slaughter Heav'nly Meekness teach. These Men perswade, and make their Doctrines known, Not by th' Almighty's Terrours, but their own. Declining Reason's mild perswasive Course, They Press for Heav'n, and Christians Lift by force. These from the Temple's Battlements display The bloody Flag, and draw out in Array Their Warlike Orders, who Embattled stand With Sabres, not the Gospel in their hand. Then breathing Fire, they March Mankind to free From Hereticks, as well as Heresy. How ill her Arms and Military dress The Gentle, Meek and Pa**ive Church express? How will this Equipage and strange disguise, The mild Restorer of Mankind surprise? How will he like his Vineyard which appears A Bulwark'd Camp all planted o'er with Spears? How will he know his Church in Tented Fields, Midst Chariots, Steeds, bright Helms and blazing Shields? How will he know her when with Conquest proud, Laden with Spoils and Garments roll'd in blood? These Arm'd Evangelists must sure displease Their Gentle Lord, the Prince of Love and Peace. When Converts first were in Britannia made, The Christian Planters only did perswade. When they were few, easy to be supprest, Then the Religion which the Sword possest, Was not allow'd a Right to crush the rest: Then Persecution was aloud condemn'd, And Violence the highest Crime esteem'd. And shall the Christians strong and numerous grown, The Maxims which advanc'd their Church disown? Shall they Assert an Antichristian Power Their disagreeing Neighbours to devour, Which if the Pagan Princes had employ'd, The Christian Church long since had been destroy'd? But grant the Church Sectarians may restrain Inflicting rigorous Penaltys and Pain, Grant too that this the Rebels will appease, Who will have none, if others have their Ease? Will this Britannia's troubled State compose, Or dry the Spring whence our Disturbance flows? Will not th' opprest Sectarian think it hard To be of Rights to Subjects due debar'd? Will Arthur thus their Services reward? Those who themselves and humane Nature know Foresee the Mischiefs that from hence must flow. Those whom unjust Severities provoke Will struggle hard to break th' uneasy Yoke. All will conspire, as they Occasion find, To sink a Government to them unkind. Whom States oppress they Enemys create, Who, when they safely can, express their Hate. If Princes but a Party will protect, They on a narrow Base their Throne erect, And can't be more than Monarchs of a Sect. Wise Princes who would lasting Peace create, And from all restless Bigots save the State, Should not on any side their Power engage, But guard the weaker from the Stronger's Rage. No Fav'rite Party should their Sword employ, Those, whom they cannot proselite, to destroy. Wise Parents if their Sons for Power contest, Will no one aid to Ruin all the rest. Monarchs who seek their own and Subjects Ease, Between contending Sects should keep the Peace. All will obey when all Protection find, And Rev'rence Kings without Distinction kind. Could greater Number, Power, or Splendor shew What Churches are erroneous, what are true, Yet peaceful Subjects have a just Pretence To be secur'd from Force and Violence: I still would guard Sectarians from the Awe Of Courts of Justice and coercive Law. This will to all the Government commend, And every Subject will be too a Friend. Freely to speak my Sense in this Debate, The Way suggested to compose the State By ceasing all Sectarians to protect, Because not just, nor wise, I would reject. I would perswade King Arthur to decree, And strait proclaim a gen'ral Amnesty. This would the Rebels into Friends convert, And make the British Youth their Chiefs desert. The Britons soon grow hot, but soon repent, They threaten high, but with soft Words relent. Their Love to Liberty and ancient Laws, Oft turns to Jealousy without a Cause: With whose impatient Flames they quickly burn, But to their Temper do as soon return. Their Pa**ions swell, but easily subside, Kind Looks, and Words repress th' o'erflowing Tide. The Rebels sure must dread King Arthur's Name, And think on their Ingratitude with Shame. The common Men by specious Words misled Begin the fatal Consequence to dread. A general Pardon then to all declare And you prevent the sad Effects of War. He ceas'd and most applauded his Advice: The British Monarch, as an Angel wise, Who by his God-like Temper was inclin'd To Pity, and support opprest Mankind, With Olbar's and with Sefel's Language mov'd Their Prudence and their Piety approv'd. Mean time the Rebels at Cononium lay, And as their Head did Morogan obey, When they had heard that on the Regnian Strand, The pious King was safely come to Land. Their Monarch's Presence some began to dread, And in their Breasts a secret Terror fed. They trembled at his Arms, and Warlike Fame, And seem'd already vanquish'd with his Name. Some of a less ungrateful Mind begun To think of all the Wonders he had done And what his Arms had for Britannia won. How to a Thousand various Dangers, he To save Britannia's State by Land and Sea, Midst Storms and more inexorable Foes, His sacred Life did freely oft expose. What vast Herculean Toyl he underwent Albion's impending Ruin to prevent. What Patience, what amazing Fortitude, The God-like Man in endless Labour shew'd, Britannia's Peace and Freedom to restore, To raise her Glory, and extend her Power. Many for this who dar'd in Arms appear Mov'd by their Gratitude, or by their Fear In numerous Bodys did the Camp forsake, And by Desertion left the Rebels weak. They now their Levity, and Folly mourn'd, And to their Houses and their Farms return'd. Amongst the Rebels hence disorders grew, And great Distrust and Contests did ensue. The Leaders saw they could no more depend On their rash Troops their Treason to defend. They found the British Youth would never stand Against an Host where Arthur did Command. Then Morogan perplex'd his Servants sent, To call the Chief Commanders to his Tent: That they might all things prudently debate That to th' Important Juncture did relate. Straight to their Gen'rals high Pavilion came The Chiefs of highest Trust, and greatest Name. To whom the General thus himself addrest, Britons, you see the Zeal which some exprest For Albion's Liberty is soon expir'd: You see, what Troops are from our Camp retir'd. A fresh example here, brave Friends, you see Of the weak Vulgars Fear and Levity. Speak what you think a prudent Man should do, Shall we desist, or our Design pursue? Then many Chiefs did various ways suggest Which they believ'd in this Conjuncture best. But while in sharp debate they did oppose Each other's Counsel, great disturbance rose. Then Adal who in Wisdom all the rest, And Eloquence excell'd, his Thoughts exprest. Britons, with great astonishment we see The Wavering Crowd do's from our Banners flee. The Vulgar we by this sad Instance find, As Seas unstable, changing as the Wind. All our Affairs are now in such a State, As must oblige us to Capitulate. With any Terms King Arthur will comply, That shall disarm a British Enemy. His Heart is so on Foreign Conquest set, He'll easily what's done at home forget. He would abroad be for a Hero shown, Nor cares at home to know or to be known. To our Demands no doubt he'll soon a**ent, Domestic War and Tumults to prevent. The Terms on which I'm willing to agree, Are first an Universal Amnesty. That all who please may undisturb'd retreat, Or to their City, or their Rural Seat. And all who in the State have been employ'd Shall keep the Places they before enjoy'd. But all the Chiefs and Captains who declare They'll serve King Arthur in his Foreign War, When they attend him to the Gallic Land, They in his Troops shall have the same Command. He ceas'd. The rest fearing an ill Event, In loud Applauses gave a full Assent. So when the Dogs that chase a timorous Hind Which o'er the Lawns flys swifter than the Wind, Are at a fault, and now enjoy no more The cheerful Scent that lay so hot before: If some Stanch Hound who rarely do's mistake, In great Esteem and Credit with the Pack, Opens, to tell that he the Scent has found, The rest attending to the joyful sound, In his Experience and his Sk** confide, And follow with full Cry their faithful Guide. Then four Commanders from the rest they chose, In whom they all could Confidence repose. Who to the Castle where King Arthur lay, To make this Overture strait took their way. Where they arriv'd during the great debate, About the measures to compose the State. Which ended, they admitted to the King, The Message told they had in Charge to bring. The Pious Monarch who his Subjects lov'd, By tender Mercy and Compa**ion mov'd, To win the Rebels hearts did soon agree, To grant the Universal Amnesty. Nor did he think it prudent to withstand, Those other Terms the Rebels did demand. That he henceforth might undisturb'd pursue His high design King Clotar to subdue. That he his Forreign Conquests might repeat, And the Deliv'rance of the Gauls compleat. For Crafty Adal wisely did suggest That the chief Pa**ion in King Arthur's breast Was Liberty to Neustria to restore, And free the Christian Franks from Clotar's power. The Messengers that from the Rebels went Back to their Friends were by King Arthur sent. Where they their Monarch's gracious Pardon read, As was agreed, at every Squadron's head. That done, the Chiefs did all their Troops disband, And from Seditious Uproar freed the Land. Thus did Britannia's jarring Discord Cease, And in its place return'd Harmonious Peace. So soon King Arthur's Fame and Presence quell'd The Discontented Britons who Rebel'd. As when a Heav'nly Angel comes to Chase Infernal Fiends from some Inchanted Place. Forthwith th' Inchantment's force is gone, and Hell No longer Aids the black Magician's Spell. Th' Imaginary Castles disappear, The brazen Gates and Bulwarks melt to Air. No Warriours more in Airy Armour stand, Griping prodigious Bucklers in their hand: Phantastic Monsters are no longer seen, But all the Pageant Horrors quit the Scene. The struggling Air throws off the Magic Chains, And strait appear sweet Meads and flowry Plains. So all the Terrours which did Albion feare, At Arthur's Presence vanish'd into Air. The Briton who with ardent Zeal did burn, Back to his Troops in Gallia to return. Now all things for his Voyage did prepare, And to protect Britannia did declare What Lords he did invest with Regal Power In whom both Prince and People were Secure. Olbar was first a mild and prudent Guide, Who o'er Britannia's Churches did preside. Nor Care nor Pains th' Indulgent Pastor spar'd, Nor Vigilance his Flock to Feed and Guard. His Erudition did their Reverence move, And his diffusive Charity their Love. His Christian Temper oft Contention charm'd, And the hot Bigots of all Sects disarm'd. By Moderation, Patience, Gentleness And Candor which to all he did express. He ever strove th' Erroneous to reduce, Who to the Church Obedience did refuse. But he Employ'd to set their Judgments right, No Force but Reason's mild but powerful Light. Resolv'd on Truth and not on Power to stand He did the Lictors of the Church disband. Arista was the next whom all Men prais'd, To Honour by distinguish'd Merit rais'd. Such was his Justice, such his Eloquence So strong his Thought, so solid was his Sense, So well his Wisdom was in Albion known, That all his Judgment prais'd, to shew their own. His universal Genius was refin'd With Sciences, and Arts of every kind, All held with Ease in his capacious Mind. In Arthur's Cause he did such Zeal declare, To serve the State such was his Toyl and Care, None his high Station did with Envy view, For all believ'd it to his Merit due. He with his Wit could when he pleas'd surprise, But he supprest it, choosing to be Wise. None better knew the Business of the State, Clear as the Day, and as the Night sedate. Fav'rite and Patriot he the Secret knew How both to Prince and People to be true. He made their Intrests one, and shew'd the Way To serve the first, and not the last betray. Happy Britannia had in after Days Thy Statesmen strove thy Glory thus to raise. Had they not toyl'd with anxious Care and Sweat, To make themselves, and not their Country great. Had they not Law and Right and Justice sold, And form'd their Judgments by inlight'ning Gold. Hebar was next of noble Parents born, No Peer did more King Arthur's Count adorn Nor Archimedes, nor the Stagirite Could boast a clearer intellectual Light. For he th' extensive Power of Nature knew Whose secret Springs lay open to his View. She all her wondrous Sk** to him disclos'd, And all the Myst'ry of her Work expos'd. Great was his Genius as by Nature wrought, But 'twas by Art to such Perfection brought, By Contemplation and laborious Thought. Tho Nature, Art and painful Industry To make th' accomplish'd Man did all agree, Yet was he humble, affable, and kind The true Distinctions of a noble Mind. All in a Statesman were amaz'd to see Such spotless Honour, and Integrity. Courteous without betraying Vertue's Cause, Just to his Prince, but not beyond the Laws. He both to Church and State alike was true, And gave to Cæsar and to God their Due. Canvallo next. The Land did not afford To represent a King a fitter Lord. No Peer did ever grace the British Court With such a noble and Majestic Port. Like Saul amidst the Hebrew Knights he stood, His Head and Shoulders rais'd above the Crowd. And yet with no less Kindness Nature joyn'd To such a graceful Frame an equal Mind. The next was Galbut of illustrious Birth, Of perfect Honour, and unrivall'd Worth. Whose Vertues thro' the Isle a**iduous Fame Yet for the Task unequal did proclaim. With these King Arthur Sakil did unite, Sakil the People's and the Court's Delight. Arthur did envy'd Favour to him shew, As all wise Monarchs to the Muses do. So the fam'd Conquerour of the spacious East To the great Stagyrite his Love exprest, Augustus so the Roman Wit carest. Danmonian was the last, a noble Lord Bred in a Court, yet faithful to his Word. All in his Honour might securely trust, To promise slow, but in Performance just. His Words were full and pertinent, but few, For sparingly he spoke, but always true. None better knew the Art of Government To guard the State, and Dangers to prevent. Skilful to lay a Masterly Design, And as expert the Foe to undermine. These were the noble Lords King Arthur chose, In whom th' important Trust he might repose. He did to these commit th' Imperial Power, Yet they with Pain the Weight of Empire bore Which singly he with Ease sustain'd before. Thus did the Hero Albion's State appease And settled all things for its future Ease. And now he wish'd himself on Neustria's Coast, Impatient to rejoyn the British Host. Back to his Ships with eager Hast he flew, His glorious Undertaking to pursue.