That grows on earth, or in its floods and mines,

(Eighth sharer of the inhabitable sphere)

Whom Persia bows to, China ill confines,

And India’s homage waits, when Albion’s star declines?

But time will teach the Russ, e’en conquering

Has handmaid arts: ay, ay, the Russ will woo

All sciences that speed Bellona’s car,

All murder’s tactic arts, and win them too;

But never holier Muses shall imbue

His breast, that’s made of nature’s basest clay: