Forbid it gracious Heaven! and incline

Some Muse of nobler energies than mine

To touch in bright and animated song

The theme to which these weaker strains belong;
Oh prompt some bard of more than wonted fire
To strike with pow'r divine the patriot lyre;
Whose voice may warn his Country of the foe
That lies in wait to strike th'assassin's blow;
May wake to timely caution and alarm

The listless soul, and nerve the palsied arm;

May quench the flame which Faction's breath has fann'd,

And speak conviction to his native Land.

Blest Isle! where Heav'n still show'rs its gifts around,

ENGLAND! alike in arms and arts renown'd;

Where Justice, not Oppression, points the

spear,

And smiling Plenty crowns the fruitful year;

E

Where all conditions do their comforts bring,
Where ev'ry Subject is himself a King;

Where equal Laws their wholesome sway dispense,

The rich man's boast, the poor man's best defence;
Where in pure verdure blooms the genuine Tree
Of civil and religious Liberty;

-Oh hear the warning voice! attend the lay
Which bids thee heed not what Reformers say!

Look back to GALLIA's fate! and shun the crew
Who'd act that bloody tragedy anew:

Heed not their rant of "Freedom" and " New light,"
Who would thy Freedom sink in endless night;
Oh heed them not, my Country! Turn thine eyes
To Gallick scenes; survey them,-and be wise* !

* What do the Reformers want?-Do they want more Liberty? Can they point out a corner of the earth where there exists so much as they possess? Can they not accuse and censure ministers, and blame any public measure?—Thank God

"Presumptuous fool!" some hot Reformer sneers, "Think'st thou thy trash will win a nation's ears ? "What tho' our aims be such as you define, "ENGLAND will ne'er be sav'd by lays like thine.”

Alas! the Muse will no excuses seek,

She knows her pow'rs, and knows them to be weak;
My thoughts could I in equal language trace,
Oh could my pen with my full heart keep pace,

they can. But is not this a proof that there is real Liberty in this country? Let them go to Paris and say one syllable against the most obnoxious measure, not of Buonaparte, but of his ministers of the lowest rank,-they will soon find themselves in a dungeon, or on their route to Cayenne.-GOLDSMITH's Secret History of the Cabinet of Buonaparte.

Before I went to France, I also was a Reformer; but I was only a Reformer: I am afraid some, of our present Reformers mean a Revolution; I know their aim. Could they succeed in what they hold out to the Publick as a Reform, they would endeavour to bring about a Revolution. IBID.

-But no: the wish from honest ardour grew;

To will great ends is all my muse can do :
Then be that boasting mine; and, for my lay,
Why let it e'en pursue its noiseless way:
From meanest causes great effects have come;
A worthless goose once sav'd imperial ROME!

Oh might these lines but equal glory claim, No better task I'd seek, no loftier name;

Tho' hosts of witlings should their sneers let loose, Proud in such cause to be the English goose!

TO BELINDA,

WITH

A SET OF SHAKSPEARE'S PLAYS*.

-When good will is show'd, though it come too short,
The actor may plead pardon.

DEAR Belinda,

ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.

Accept from the hand of your friend

The contents of a packet he ventures to send;

They'll pay carriage at least; and, howe'er you receive it, The donor means well, and I trust you'll believe it:

* The Lady to whom these lines were addressed is a great admirer of Mr. Ke's histrionick powers; it will be seen however that the saucy Muse has here carried that admiration still further.