The Works of the English Poets: With Prefaces, Biographical and Critical

Thou ftrength of his Almighty hand,

Whofe power
Proceeding spirit, our defence,
Who doft the gifts of tongues dispense,
And crown'ft thy gift with eloquence!

does heaven and earth command.

Refine and purge our earthly parts;
But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts!
Our frailties help, our vice controul,
Submit the fenfes to the foul;
And when rebellious they are grown,
Then lay thy hand, and hold them down.
Chace from our minds th' infernal foe,
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow;
And, left our feet should step astray,
Protect and guide us in the way.

Make us eternal truths receive,
And practise all that we believe:
Give us thyself, that we may fee
The Father, and the Son, by thee.
Immortal honour, endless fame,
Attend th' Almighty Father's name:
The Saviour Son be glorify'd,
Who for loft man's redemption dy'd :
And equal adoration be,

Eternal Paraclete, to thee.

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THE SOLILOQUY

O F

A ROYAL

EXILE.

UNHAPPY I! who, once ordain'd to bear

God's juftice fword, and his vicegerent here,
Am now depos'd !—'gainst me my children rise,
My life must be their only sacrifice :

Highly they me accuse, but nothing prove;
But this is out of tenderness and love!

They seek to spill my blood; 'tis that alone
Muft for the nation's crying fins atone.
But careful Heaven forewarn'd me in a dream,
And fhew'd me that my dangers were extreme;
The heavenly vision spoke, and bade me flee
Th' ungrateful brood that were not worthy me:
Alarm'd I fled at the appointed time;
And mere neceffity was made my crime!

CON