Of dizzy Vision pil'd, in one wide flash

An Ethiopian deluge foams amain,

230

(Whence wondering fable trac'd him from the sky ;) E'en not that prime of earth, where harvests crowd On untill'd harvests all the teeming year,

If of the fat o'erflowing culture robb'd,
Were then a more uncomfortable wild,
Sterile, and void, than, of her trade depriv'd,
Britons! your boasted isle: her princes sunk,
Her high built honour moulder'd to the dust,
Unnerv'd her force, her spirits vanish'd quite,
With rapid wing her riches fled away,
Her unfrequented ports alone the sign

235

240

Of what she was, her merchants scattered wide,
Her hollow shops shut up, and in her streets,
Her fields, woods, markets, villages, and roads,
The cheerful voice of Labour heard no more.
Oh! let not, then, waste Luxury impair

245

That manly soul of toil, which strings your nerves,
And your own proper happiness creates !

Oh! let not the soft penetrating plague

250

Creep on the free-born maid, and, working there,

With the sharp tooth of many a new-form'd want,
Endless, and idle all, eat out the heart

Of Liberty, the high conception blast,
The noble sentiment, th' impatient scorn
Of base subjection, and the swelling wish
For general good erasing from the mind;
While nought save narrow selfishness succeeds,
And low design, the sneaking passions all
Let loose, and reigning in the rankled breast.
Induced at last, by scarce perceived degrees,
Sapping the very frame of government
And life, a total dissolution comes;
Sloth, ignorance, dejection, flattery, fear,
Oppression raging o'er the waste he makes,

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260

265

The human being almost quite extinct,

And the whole state in broad corruption sinks.

Oh! shun that gulf; that gaping ruin shun!
And countless ages roll it far away

From you, ye heav'n belov'd! May Liberty,

The light of life! the sun of human kind!

270

Whence heroes, bards, and patriots borrow flame,
E'en where the keen depressive north descends,
Still spread, exalt, and actuate your powers!
While slavish southern climates beam in vain!
And may a public spirit from the throne,
Where every virtue sits, go copious forth,
Live o'er the land, the finer arts inspire,
Make thoughtful Science raise his pensive head,
Blow the fresh bay, bid Industry rejoice,
And the rough sons of lowest Labour smile;
As when, profuse of spring, the loosen'd west
Lifts up the pining year, and balmy breathes
Youth, life, and love, and beauty, o'er the world.
But haste we from these melancholy shores,
Nor to deaf winds and waves our fruitless plaint
Pour weak. The country claims our active aid;
That let us roam, and where we find a spark
Of public virtue, blow it into flame.

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280

285

Lo! now, my sons, the sons of Freedom! meet
In awful senate: thither let us fly,

290

Burn in the patriot's thought, flow from his tongue

In fearless truth, myself, transform'd preside,
And shed the spirit of Britannia round.”

295

This said, her fleeting form and airy train
Sunk in the gale, and nought but ragged rocks
Rushed on the broken eye, and nought was heard
But the rough cadence of the dashing wave.

WHEN I reflect upon that ready condescension, that preventing generosity, with which your royal highness received the following poem under your protection, I can alone ascribe it to the recommendation and influence of the subject. In you the cause and concerns of Liberty have so zealous a patron, as entitles whatever may have the least tendency to promote them to the distinction of your favour; and who can entertain this delightful reflection, without feeling a pleasure far superior to that of the fondest author, and of which all true lovers of their country must participate? To behold the noblest dispositions of the prince and of the patriot united; and overflowing benevolence, generosity, and candour of heart, joined to an enlightened zeal for Liberty, an intimate persuasion that on it depends the happiness and glory of both kings and people; to see these shining out in public virtues, as they have hitherto smiled in all the social lights and private accomplishments of life, is a prospect that cannot but inspire a general sentiment of satisfaction and gladness, more easy to be felt than expressed.

If the following attempt to trace Liberty from the first ages, down to her excellent establishment in Great Britain, can at all merit your approbation, and prove an entertainment to your royal highness; if it can in any degree answer the dignity of

the subject, and of the name under which I presume to shelter it, I have my best reward; particularly as it affords me an opportunity of declaring that I am, with the greatest zeal and respect,

Sir,

Your royal highness's

Most obedient and most devoted servant,
JAMES THOMSON.