To make our errors cause of your decrees.

We fretting fume, and burning wax right wood;

We cry for swords and harmful harness crave;

We rashly rave, whiles from our present rage

You frame a cause of long-foredeemed doom.

2.

When Britain so desired her own decay,

That even her native brood would root her up,

Seem’d it so huge a work, O heavens, for you

To tumble down and quite subvert her state,