Classic Poem

GREAT and bounteous BENEFACTOR,
We thy gen'rous aid adjure,
Shield us from the foul exactor,
And his sons, that grind the poor.

Lo the swelling fruits of summer,
With inviting colours dy'd,
Hang, for ev'ry casual comer,
O'er the fence projecting wide.

See the corn for plenty waving,
Where the lark secur'd her eggs—
In the spirit then be saving,
Give the poor that sings and begs.

Gentle nature seems to love us
In each fair and finish'd scene,
All is beauteous blue above us,
All beneath is cheerful green.

Now when warmer rays enlighten
And adorn the lengthen'd time,
When the views around us brighten,
Days a rip'ning from their prime,

She that was as barren reckon'd,
Had her course completely run,
And her dumb-struck husband beckon'd
For a pen to write a son.

JOHN, the child of Zacharias,
Just returning to his earth,
Prophet of the Lord Messias,
And fore-runner of his birth.

He too martyr'd, shall precede him,
Ere he speed to heav'n again,
Ere the traitors shall implead him,
And the priest his God arraign.

John beheld the great and holy,
Hail'd the love of God supreme;
O how gracious, meek, and lowly,
When baptiz'd in Jordan's stream!

If from honour so stupendous
He the grace of pow'r deriv'd,
And to tyrants was tremendous,
That at fraud and filth conniv'd;

If he led a life of rigour,
And th' abstemious vow obey'd;
If he preach'd with manly vigour,
Practis'd sinners to dissuade;

If his voice by fair confession
Christ's supremacy avow'd;
If he check'd with due suppression
Self-incitements to be proud.

Vice conspiring to afflict him
To the death that ends the great,
Offer'd him a worthy victim
For acceptance in the height.