15. Some village Hampden, that, with dauntless breast,

The little tyrant of his fields withstood;

Some mute, inglorious Milton here may rest;

Some Cromwell, guiltless of his country’s blood.

16. The applause of listening senates to command

The threats of pain and ruin to despise,

To scatter plenty o’er a smiling land,

And read their history in a nation’s eyes.

17. Their lot forbade; nor circumscribed[661] alone

Their growing virtues, but their crimes confined;