Britain Reviv'd: IN A PANEGYRICK TO THEIR Most August MAJESTIES, William and Mary.
A Pindarick Poem.
I.
'TIS done; the weighty Business of the State,
That has so Long been in Profound Debate,
Is to Perfection brought:
Not by a Mortal thought,
For Heaven Inspir'd 'em with a greater Sence
Of things Past, Present, and to Come,
Which their most prudent Souls did Influence,
To work our Safety, from the Threaten'd Domb.
O Hero's more than half Divine,
For Monarchy in its Decline
By Nature made the Antidotes.
Religious Champions, 'gainst that Monster Pope.
You th' first did us Convince
Of an Enslaving Arbitrary Prince,
By whom, as by an Ignis fatuus led on,
We wander'd, till our Laws and Liberties were gon;
Until Religion did Consumptive lie,
And weakn'd so, we were afraid she'd die.
II.
So toss'd and Ship-wreck'd in the Storms of Chance,
By a Popish Wind, which blew from France;
She on the ravenous Billows tott'ring lay,
And too much trusting to the Romish See,
Had she not quickly clapt the Helm a Lee,
She had by ventring thrown her self away;
But growing Sea-sick fell to Pray'r,
Imploring Heaven's Care.
At which the
The Nobility of England.
Higher Powers in Council sate,How to reduce this shatter'd State,
Of cicumvented Church,
By
The late King.
Neptune left i'th' lurch,To raffle with the
Popery.
Boistrous Seas,Our Ruine only could appease;
For then the Sea and
Dissenters.
Winds were knit together,Where e're we sail'd, we met with stormy weather.
III.
O dismal time! when each audacious wave
Grew bigg, to see us sink they would not save;
Roaring Destruction, roul'd to us apace,
And dash'd our Non-resistance in our face.
The
Dissenters.
Winds too treacherous were, and hiss'd aloud,At the Obedience Passive of our Ship-wreck'd crowd.
IV.
Then our Heroick WILLIAM, all Divine,
With true Religious Valour did incline,
To our assistance; braves the Daring Main,
And brings us to our Calmer Days again.
V.
Next, in the Rank of Heroes, let me bring,
Those who Oppos'd our Popish King,
And dar'd in this storm of State.
To turn about the Wheel of Fate,
And lead the way to Fortune.
Those Nature sure stampt in her largest mould,
With all Ingredients to be bravely bold;
Or some unusual Vertue was from Heaven
To them at their Creation given,
That they so wisely knew to look,
Into the Adamantine Book,
Of future Destiny.
And where they could espy,
Our approaching Misery;
Blot out the Ill, and write the Fate anew,
And change a James, Great
To the King.
SIR! for You.So by this brave Experiment we're taught,
Most August Prince, You were God's Second Thought.
VI.
Then long bless'd King, may God, who crown'd Your Brow,
To Your bright Days all Happiness allow.
And Your Illustrious QUEEN, Exalt yet higher,
Than Envy e're can reach, but to admire.
O happy we! since You've your Reign begun,
Our LAWS shall now in their Old Channel run;
LIBERTY no more shall fettered lye,
Nor PROPERTY with close confinement dye;
But all our Hearts shall mutually agree,
Dread SIR! to Honour, Love, and Fight for Thee.
London: Printed for R. Baldwin, near the Black-Bull in the Old-Baily. 1689.