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Poem
June 9, 1738
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Patriotic ode addressing Britons, urging trust in King George to resolve Spanish depredations through peace or war, invoking naval power, historical victories like Blenheim, and leaders like Walpole.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
To the People of Great-Britain, on the Spanish Depredations.
An ODE.
Whence Britons, these depending Cares,
This vain Accusing of your Fate?
Whence these unnecessary Fears,
While GEORGE is Guardian of your State?
Let Heaven to his Breast restore,
From Grief's Excess a Dawn of Peace,
Th' Iberian shall insult no more,
His false Pyratic War shall cease.
With mild Demand, but glowing Heart,
The King shall fix his People's Right,
Shall Honour with fair Peace impart,
And Trade with Freedom shall unite.
But if deluded Monarchs scorn,
Their proffer'd Blessing to enjoy,
Soon shall they know, in just Return,
He who'd save them, can destroy.
His Naval Pow'r o'er all the Main,
Shall all his high Behests fulfill,
And once more teach Repenting Spain,
That Briton's Sons are Britons still.
So Jove, resolv'd to scourge Mankind.
And check their Vice, and Haughty Pride,
In Pity is to Peace inclin'd.
And lays the Thunderbolt aside :
The Thunder though not sudden hurl'd,
If long provok'd his Power to show
He Rears his Arm and makes the World
Shudder beneath th' Avenging Blow.
Britons. by Nature prompt to War,
Whom Love of Freedom warms,
Unwont the least Restraint to bear,
Eager of Fight, and bold in Arms.
Rashly no more with Civil Rage,
For Love of Peace accuse the State,
GEORGE, shall your every Care assuage,
By Peace or War shall make ye Great.
The British Cross Shall Honour find,
From Realm to Realm, from Pole to Pole,
Far as can breeze a Gale the Wind,
Far as the utmost Wave can Roll.
The Merchant Fleet, secure their Freight,
Shall fear no Force of Plund'ring Bands,
But proud from World to World relate,
So Justice bids, so GEORGE commands.
What then can generous Britons dread,
Their Leagues preserv'd, their Faith untain'd?
If to the Choice of Peace they're led,
Their Pow'r, their Rights shall be maintain'd:
If War their Choice, Revolving o'er
Rook's Deeds, and Blenheim's Glorious Field,
Again, they'll waste th' Iberian Shore,
Again the Crafty Gaul shall yield.
Who fears the Schemes of Gallic Art?
Who shall of Philip's Arms complain?
While Walpole Council shall impart,
And GEORGE shall live and rule the Main.
An ODE.
Whence Britons, these depending Cares,
This vain Accusing of your Fate?
Whence these unnecessary Fears,
While GEORGE is Guardian of your State?
Let Heaven to his Breast restore,
From Grief's Excess a Dawn of Peace,
Th' Iberian shall insult no more,
His false Pyratic War shall cease.
With mild Demand, but glowing Heart,
The King shall fix his People's Right,
Shall Honour with fair Peace impart,
And Trade with Freedom shall unite.
But if deluded Monarchs scorn,
Their proffer'd Blessing to enjoy,
Soon shall they know, in just Return,
He who'd save them, can destroy.
His Naval Pow'r o'er all the Main,
Shall all his high Behests fulfill,
And once more teach Repenting Spain,
That Briton's Sons are Britons still.
So Jove, resolv'd to scourge Mankind.
And check their Vice, and Haughty Pride,
In Pity is to Peace inclin'd.
And lays the Thunderbolt aside :
The Thunder though not sudden hurl'd,
If long provok'd his Power to show
He Rears his Arm and makes the World
Shudder beneath th' Avenging Blow.
Britons. by Nature prompt to War,
Whom Love of Freedom warms,
Unwont the least Restraint to bear,
Eager of Fight, and bold in Arms.
Rashly no more with Civil Rage,
For Love of Peace accuse the State,
GEORGE, shall your every Care assuage,
By Peace or War shall make ye Great.
The British Cross Shall Honour find,
From Realm to Realm, from Pole to Pole,
Far as can breeze a Gale the Wind,
Far as the utmost Wave can Roll.
The Merchant Fleet, secure their Freight,
Shall fear no Force of Plund'ring Bands,
But proud from World to World relate,
So Justice bids, so GEORGE commands.
What then can generous Britons dread,
Their Leagues preserv'd, their Faith untain'd?
If to the Choice of Peace they're led,
Their Pow'r, their Rights shall be maintain'd:
If War their Choice, Revolving o'er
Rook's Deeds, and Blenheim's Glorious Field,
Again, they'll waste th' Iberian Shore,
Again the Crafty Gaul shall yield.
Who fears the Schemes of Gallic Art?
Who shall of Philip's Arms complain?
While Walpole Council shall impart,
And GEORGE shall live and rule the Main.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Patriotism
Political
War Military
What keywords are associated?
Britain
Spanish Depredations
King George
Naval Power
Peace War
Walpole
Blenheim
Patriotism
Poem Details
Title
To The People Of Great Britain, On The Spanish Depredations.
Subject
On The Spanish Depredations
Key Lines
Whence Britons, These Depending Cares,
This Vain Accusing Of Your Fate?
Whence These Unnecessary Fears,
While George Is Guardian Of Your State?
His Naval Pow'r O'er All The Main,
Shall All His High Behests Fulfill,
And Once More Teach Repenting Spain,
That Briton's Sons Are Britons Still.
George, Shall Your Every Care Assuage,
By Peace Or War Shall Make Ye Great.
If War Their Choice, Revolving O'er
Rook's Deeds, And Blenheim's Glorious Field,
Again, They'll Waste Th' Iberian Shore,
Again The Crafty Gaul Shall Yield.
While Walpole Council Shall Impart,
And George Shall Live And Rule The Main.