Classic Poem

Then pois'd his project with transposing scale,
And from the publick, shew'd the private weal?
Whence aptly summ'd, these politicians draw
The trust of power, and fanctitude of law;
Power in dispensing benefits employ'd,
And healing laws, not suffer'd, but enjoy'd.
The members, hence unanimous, combine
To prop that throne, on which the laws recline;
The law's protected even for private ends,
Whereon each individual's right depends;
Each individual's right by union grows,
And one full tide for every member flows;
Each member as the whole communion great,
Back'd by the powers of a defending state;
The state by mutual benefits secure,
And in the might of every member sure!

The publick thus each private end pursues;
Each in the publick drowns all private views:
By social commerce and exchange they live,
Assist supported, and receiving give.

High on her throne, the bright Imperial Queen
Gives the prime movement to the state machine:
She, in the subject, sees the duteous child;
She, the true parent, as the regent mild,
With princely grace invested sits elate,
Informs their conduct, and directs the state.
Around, the drones who form her courtly train,
Bask in the rays of her auspicious reign;
Beneath, the sage consulting peers repair,
And breathe the virtues of their prince's care;
Debating, cultivate the publick cause,
And wide dispense the benefit of laws.

So have I seen, when breathing organs blow,
One board sonorous fill the various row;
The pipes divide the unity of sound,
And spread the charms of symphony around.

The clustering populace obsequious wait,
Or speed the different ord'rs of the state;
Here greet the labourer on the toilsome way,
And to the load their friendly shoulder lay;
Or frequent at the busy gate arrive,
And fill with amber-sweets their fragrant hive;
Or seek repairs to close the fractured cell;
Or shut the waxen wombs where embryos dwell;
The caterers prompt, a frugal portion deal,
And give to diligence a hasty meal;
In each appointed province all proceed,
And neatest order weds the swiftest speed;
Dispatch flies various on ten thousand wings,
And joy throughout the gladsome region rings.

Distinctly canton'd is their spacious dome;
Here infants throb within the quickening comb;
Here vacant seats invite to sweet repose,
And here the tide of balmy nectar flows;
While here their frugal reservoirs remain,
And not one act of this republick's vain.

As oft the North, or Gallia's fruitful coast,
Poured forth their sons, a wide superfluous host!
To distant climes the banded legions stray'd,
And many a plan of future empire laid;
Like powers these wise prolifick people send,
And o'er the globe their colonies extend.

When swarms tumultuous claim an ampler space,
And thro' the straitening citadel increase,
An edict issued in this grand extreme,
Proclaims the mandate of the power supreme.
Then exiled crouds abjure their native home,
And sad, in search of foreign mansions roam;
A youthful empress guides their airy clan,
And wheels and shoots illustrious from the van.
Fatigued at length, they wish some calm retreat,
The rural settlement, and peaceful state;
When man presents his hospitable snare,
And wins their confidence with traitorous care.
Suspicion ever flies a generous breast —
Betrayed, each enters an unwary guest;
Here every form of ancient maxim trace,
And emulate the glories of their race.

As when from Tyre imperial Dido fled,
And o'er the main her future nation led;
Then staid her host on Afric's meted land,
And in strait bounds a mighty empire plann'd:
So works this rival of the Tyrian Queen;
So founds and models with assiduous mien;
Instructs with little to be truly great,
And in small limits forms a mighty state.

Intent, she wills her artists to attend,
And from the zenith bids her towers descend:
Nor like to man's, the aerial structures rise;
But point to earth, their base amid the skies.

Swift for the task the ready builders part,
Each band assigned to each peculiar art;
A troop of chymists scour the neighbouring field,
While servile tribes the cull'd materials wield,
With tempering feet the laboured cement tread,
And ductile now its waxen foliage spread.
The geometricians judge the deep design,
Direct the compass, and extend the line;
They sum their numbers, provident of space,
And suit each edifice with answering grace.