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Poem
March 5, 1772
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
A poem addressing slaves in despotic France (Gallia) and Asia, envying the liberty enjoyed by even the humblest in Britain (Albion), where people bow only to Heaven and freedom, not tyrants.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
On ARBITRARY GOVERNMENT.
Boast not you your State, Slaves of despotic Sway,
Where wanton Gallia, 'midst her Vine-clad Hills,
Her Olive Bowers, her Myrtle-shaded Rills,
Her mild Air's Fan, her genial Sun's Survey:
Nor ye, where Asia like a Queen sits gay,
Midst her rich Groves, where odorous Balm distills,
And the charm'd Eye th' Elysian Landscape fills,
And Hand in Hand young Spring and Autumn play:
Each Boon to you your haughty Lords deny,
And at their Will your frail Lives ye resign;
Behold! and 'midst your flowery Scenes repine!
Under bleak Albion's Cloud-envelop'd Sky
Her meanest Sons enjoy their own,
And bow to Heaven and Liberty alone.
On ARBITRARY GOVERNMENT.
Boast not you your State, Slaves of despotic Sway,
Where wanton Gallia, 'midst her Vine-clad Hills,
Her Olive Bowers, her Myrtle-shaded Rills,
Her mild Air's Fan, her genial Sun's Survey:
Nor ye, where Asia like a Queen sits gay,
Midst her rich Groves, where odorous Balm distills,
And the charm'd Eye th' Elysian Landscape fills,
And Hand in Hand young Spring and Autumn play:
Each Boon to you your haughty Lords deny,
And at their Will your frail Lives ye resign;
Behold! and 'midst your flowery Scenes repine!
Under bleak Albion's Cloud-envelop'd Sky
Her meanest Sons enjoy their own,
And bow to Heaven and Liberty alone.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Liberty Independence
Political
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Arbitrary Government
Despotic Sway
British Liberty
Albion Freedom
Gallia Asia
Tyranny Contrast
Poem Details
Title
On Arbitrary Government.
Subject
Contrasting Despotism Abroad With British Liberty
Key Lines
Under Bleak Albion's Cloud Envelop'd Sky
Her Meanest Sons Enjoy Their Own,
And Bow To Heaven And Liberty Alone.