Classic Poem

On the Royal Nuptials: Addressed to Her Majesty

When ev'ry tongue great G EORGE'S praise recites,
And loyal gratitude the verse indites;
May I, the humblest of the Muse's train,
Presume to join them in the lofty strain;
Let me the dictates of my heart obey,
Which thus to Charlotte bids devote the lay:
Deign then, O! Queen, to view this humble wreath,
And on the flow'ry toy acceptance breathe;
Myrtles, as fragrant as thy G EORGE'S name,
Whose incense rises on the wings of fame,
Fresh have I cull'd from Pindus' sacred shade,
With blooming flow'rets, never doom'd to fade;
Emblems of virtues that thy G EORGE adorn,
Foretelling blessings to an age unborn;
Laurels unchanging join the mystic band,
Which speak the glories of this conqu'ring land;
These, Royal Charlotte , by the Muse consign'd,
Trembling I weave, thy sacred brow to bind.

The wreath thus form'd, receive it, gracious Queen,
And mark the virtues that in G EORGE are seen;
His name, by gen'rous deeds illustrious grown,
Now shines the brightest jewel in his crown;
Fair Honour sits enthron'd upon his brow,
Where youth and beauty like these flow'rets grow;
Virtue and Truth his steady footsteps wait,
And Mercy, smiling cherub! opes his gate;
Religion now beams fresh her cheering ray,
And Heav'n's vicegerent gladly owns her sway;
True filial Piety his bosom warms,
And social Fondness in the monarch charms;
From his bright pattern ev'ry blessing springs,
The best of sons, of brothers, and of kings:
What more remain'd to form the Godlike youth?
Paternal fondness, and connubial truth.

Lo! now attendant angels gracious bring
A consort worthy Albion's virtuous king;
Graces celestial to her mind belong,
Humble tho' great, and sagely wife tho' young:
England's old Genius like himself appears,
And points exulting to the coming years;
With joy paternal bids obedient Fame
To trembling nations British G EORGE proclaim.
Long may he reign, encircled with renown
Fair as his virtues, mighty as his crown;
May sweet domestic bliss, unmix'd with care,
And soft content, each rising hour prepare;
May England and her king alone contest,
Who most revere, who love each other best;
May his dread sceptre bid contention cease,
And awe perfidious nations into peace;
May home-felt bliss the cares of state beguile,
Th' enraptur'd parent at the cherub smile,
With joys refin'd protect the budding flow'r,
And taste its sweetness in the vernal hour;
Joys! such as lov'd, lamented F RED'RICK knew,
Beneath whose care his infant virtues grew!
Like good A UGUSTA be great Charlotte seen,
Nor lose the mother in the mighty Queen.
And late, oh late, may Heav'n's dread mandate come,
That calls the mortal to his native home;
May then celestial guardians waft you o'er
Death's stormy sea, to Life's eternal shore;
There, all forgetful how your Britons grieve,
From Heav'n applauding brighter crowns receive!English