Got, while his soul did huddled notions try, And born a shapeless lump, like anarchy. Usurped a patriot's all-atoning name. Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed, Half loth, and half consenting to the ill, 315 And late augment the number of the blest, His lawful issue shall the throne ascend, Or the collateral line, where that shall end. His brother, though oppressed with vulgar spite, Yet dauntless and secure of native right, Of every royal virtue stands possessed, 355 Still dear to all the bravest and the best. His courage goes, his friends his truth proclaim, His loyalty the King, the world his fame. His mercy even the offending crowd will find, For sure he comes of a forgiving kind. 360 Why should I then repine at Heaven's decree, Which gives me no pretence to royalty? Yet oh that Fate, propitiously inclined, Had raised my birth, or had debased my mind; To my large soul not all her treasure lent, Why am I scanted by a niggard birth? 369 Him staggering so when Hell's dire agent found, While fainting virtue scarce maintained her ground, He pours fresh forces in, and thus replies: 375 "The eternal God, supremely good and wise, Imparts not these prodigious gifts in vain. What wonders are reserved to bless your reign! Against your will your arguments have shown 379 364 But charming greatness since so few refuse, 485 'Tis juster to lament him than accuse. And that his noble style he might refine, No Rechabite more shunned the fumes of wine. Chaste were his cellars, and his shrieval board * The grossness of a city feast abhorred: His cooks with long disuse their trade Oh foolish Israel! never warned by ill! forgot; Still the same bait, and circumvented still! Cool was his kitchen, though his brains Did ever men forsake their present ease, were hot. 620 756 In midst of health imagine a disease, What shall we think? Can people give away Both for themselves and sons their native sway? 760 Then they are left defenceless to the sword Of each unbounded, arbitrary lord; And laws are vain by which we right enjoy, If kings unquestioned can those laws destroy. |