That, which anon we crave thee to accept;

For though most weighty be the proffer’d task,

We trust thy goodness will the toil accept,

Since we have always found thee kind by nature;

And, as the pelican, e’en with thy blood,

Ready to succour and relieve.

Vor. Most gracious sov’reign! to command is thine;

And, as a subject, mine is to obey.

Con. Such was the answer we did here expect,

And farther now we shall explain our meaning:—