BOOK THE THIRD.
Blest—ever blest, remain the gentle band!
Whose peaceful spirits and whose Christian hand,
Have loos'd the fetters of the captive race,
And bade fair freedom seize oppression's place.
Friends be their well-earn'd name, emphatic given,
Friends to mankind, and delegates of heav'n!
No frantic wars disgrace their mild abodes;
Nor rigour bends, nor selfish guile corrodes;
Nor impious oath their pure affirmance stains;