Читать книгу The Poetical Works of Addison; Gay's Fables; and Somerville's Chase - John Gay - Страница 16

And draw the reader on from sea to sea?

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Else who could Ormond's godlike acts refuse,

Ormond the theme of every Oxford Muse?

Fain would I here his mighty worth proclaim,

Attend him in the noble chase of fame,

Through all the noise and hurry of the fight,

Observe each blow, and keep him still in sight.

Oh, did our British peers thus court renown,

And grace the coats their great forefathers won,

Our arms would then triumphantly advance,

Nor Henry be the last that conquered France!

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What might not England hope, if such abroad

Purchased their country's honour with their blood:

When such, detained at home, support our state

In William's stead, and bear a kingdom's weight,

The schemes of Gallic policy o'erthrow,

And blast the counsels of the common foe;

Direct our armies, and distribute right,

And render our Maria's loss more light.

But stop, my Muse, the ungrateful sound forbear,

Maria's name still wounds each British ear:

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Each British heart Maria still does wound,

And tears burst out unbidden at the sound;

Maria still our rising mirth destroys,

Darkens our triumphs, and forbids our joys.

But see, at length, the British ships appear!

Our Nassau comes! and, as his fleet draws near,

The rising masts advance, the sails grow white,

And all his pompous navy floats in sight.

Come, mighty prince, desired of Britain, come!

May heaven's propitious gales attend thee home!

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Come, and let longing crowds behold that look

Which such confusion and amazement strook

Through Gallic hosts: but, oh! let us descry

Mirth in thy brow, and pleasure in thy eye;

Let nothing dreadful in thy face be found;

But for awhile forget the trumpet's sound;

Well-pleased, thy people's loyalty approve,

Accept their duty, and enjoy their love.

For as, when lately moved with fierce delight,

You plunged amidst the tumult of the fight,

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Whole heaps of dead encompassed you around,

And steeds o'erturned lay foaming on the ground:

So crowned with laurels now, where'er you go,

Around you blooming joys and peaceful blessings flow.