GEORGE, great in War, but to defend thy own,
To help the Weak, by wicked Pow'r oppress'd,
Not to oppress them; not for wide Domain,
Or Fame disgraceful; Monarch, good as great,
Whose Wisdom scorns to conquer, but for Peace;
O may this mighty Praise be also thine!
O may thy Counsels, or thy Arms succeed,
And bless the groaning World with endless Peace!
Tremble, ye Sceptred Sons of the Most High,
Tremble! The Lord of Lords, and King of Kings,
Looks down displeas'd: The solar Splendors fade,
And Planets shrink with Horror; chiefly Earth,
With Wickedness, and human Blood, defil'd.
Dearth, Murrain, Pestilence, await his Beck,
To visit Men, who well deserve them all;
While Mercy humbly sues for longer Space
Of Patience, Piety for her Children pleads,
Tho' few. O Judges of the Earth, appease
His Ire, while yet ye may: If He be Wroth,
What is a King? Or will the Pest revere
Your Sceptres? Will your Gems and Diadems prove
Sure Amulets? Or Gold secure your Lives?
Ah, save us from the Judgments that impend,
Ah, save yourselves! Reflect how Virtue fails,
How little Piety our Age can boast.
Will War amend our Ways? Is War a School
Where Christ is taught, and his Commands inforc'd?
Far from it; they proceed from Sin to Sin,
Till Turks and Heathens have much more of Christ.
O Sires, consider that your Hosts make War
On Christ, and on His Brethren, and your own,
On Virtue, Piety, and Plenty too.
Peace to all these concede: Be truly great,
Delight in Justice, Virtue, Goodness, Love:
This is the only Way to be like GOD.
FINIS.