trPR
3505
Greene
The politician
THE
POLITICIAN.
POEM.
Addressed to
Mr. J A ME S SCOTT,
Fellow of TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.
By the Author of Juvenal's Satires imitated and adapted to
the Times.
LONDON:
Printed for J.Ridley, St. James's Street, 1766.
THE
POLITICIAN.
TH E Patriot falls each gay Delufion dies,
And dreams of Grandeur fade before his eyes ;
With factious Strains at Hinchinbroke no more
He joins the lordly Bacchanalian Roar ;
To Silence lull'd, the ribald Murmurs ceafe,
And Scandal finks into the Arms of Peace.
B Reft
8585
Reft to her Afhes no unhallow'd Tread
Difturb the Slumbers of the facred Dead ;
Unfummon'd reft fhe in eternal Gloom,
And foft Oblivion confecrate the Tomb.
And thou, my Scott, to crown the fav'rite Bier,
Indulge the Tribute of a focial Tear ;
One pious Hymn the folemn Rites attend,
One filken Ditty to embalm thy Friend.
Yet tho' by matchlefs Genius rear'd to Fame,
Thou fpurn'ft the Trappings of a borrow d Name ;
And dar'ft, collected in thyfelf, to quit
The Paths of Slav'ry for the Realms of Wit ;
Dar'ft, a returning prodigal, refufe
Thy darling Sandwich, for the dearer Mufe j
Wilt thou, from Poefy's Elyfian Bow'rs,
Where Fancy weaves her variegated Flow'rs,
Wilt thou with me the Sons of Faction trace,
And crufh the Hydra of the Party-Race ;
Re-
[ 3 ]
Relentlefs Herd, by zealous Frenzy mov'd,
The dear AfTociates, whom fo late you lov'd,
Nor fpare the Dupe, who reads, the Tool, who writes,
. The Fly that buzzes, or the Snake that bites.
All, all are Statefmen — mark the gen'ral Rage,
From earlier Records to the prefent Age ;
The Young, the Old, the Rabble and the Peer,
Swell the loud Clamor, and indulge the Sneer ;
Triumphant Fadlion claps her fable Wing,
And blafts alike the Courtier, and the King.
Blefs'd with th' Applaufes of a Nation's Voice,
Call'd by their Pray'rs, and Monarch of their Choice,
In vain a William fhone, with patriot-Hand
Who fow'd the Seeds of Freedom o'er the Land ;
And ftill'd the Tempeft of Oppreflion's Hour,
Deaf to the Siren of defpotic Pow'r ;
The Northern Siren, with alluring Grace
That fondly fmii'd, and crufh'd the Steuart Race.
In
C 4 ]
In vain, true Guardian of his England's Fame,
Guide of her Arms, and Bulwark of her Name,
'Gainft Foes combin'd embattled he denies
Reft to his Soul, and flumber to his Eyes ;
At Home ftill watchful o'er his Subject's Caufe
Their Rights he foiters, and improves their Laws ;
To gen'ral Good devotes the princely Plan,
And with the Sovereign's Virtue crowns the Man.
Too bright the Luftre ! with a baleful Howl,
Sick of the Glare, fell Fadion, like the Owl,
Flits thro' the Shades of Night, and blots the Throne,
With venial Faults, or Errors not its own ;
Bids cold Referve on JubjeEl Courtiers wait,
While Hdla?id only meets the Smile of State.
In Annas Days, whofe hypccritic Zeal,
Secur'd a Brunfwick for the public Weal,
While Reafon faw, behind the Mafk of Art,
A kindred Steuart luiking in her Heart,
Iii
[ s ]
In Anna's Days undaunted Marlborough wore
Th' avenging Falchion, which a William bore,
Thought on his Brow, and Calmnefs in his Soul,
No Danger moves him, and no Fears control,
Himfelf the great Machine a World in Arms — —
Hurls the full Thunder, and directs th' Alarms ;
Where'er he turns he marks his deftin'd Prey,
And Conqueft fmiling leads him in his Way ;
France, at his Pow'r appall'd, beholds around
Her boafted Bulwarks fmoaking on the Ground,
Intrench'd me paufes o'er her flaughter'd Hofb,
Her wither'd Laurels, and her ravag'd Coafts ;
In vain his Country, with a fond regard,
Hang o'er the Warrior, and his Toils reward,
Hail every Triumph, and his Glories own,
Lov'd of the State, and Idol of the Throne :
Faction arous'd, now ftarting from her Screen,
Frowns at the Sight, and mars the happy Scene ;
C SIk
[ 6 ]
She fummons at a Nod her trait'rous Band
To curfe the Bounties of a grateful Land ;
Gold madly fhow'rd, and Titles ill-apply 'd
To pamper Av'rice, and to fatiate Pride ;
Succefsful in her Courfe the Crown fhe fhakes ;
The Great infult him, and his Queen forfakes :
He quits the Stage for Blenheim's lovM Refort,
And nobly fpurns the Creatures of a Court.
Succeeding Times th' invidious Fiend proclaim,
Alike her Vengeance, and her Cares the fame ;
Full thro' the Soul, with unrefifted Sway,
This Foe to Merit wings her rapid Way,
Broods o'er the Palace, fattens on the State,
The Good her Plunder, and her Prey the Great.
Is't not enough beneath a Brunfwics Reign,
That Freedom fhow'rs her animated Strain,
Screen'd from th' Oppreffion of a courtly Tool ;
And dares to lafli the Villain and the Fool ?
With
C 7 ]
With honeft Rage on titled Minions fprings,
Tears from their Bread the Ribbons and the Strings,
Far, far aloof the wretched Gewgaws hurl'd,
To thruft the Traitors naked to the World ?
Is't not enough, tho' faucy Grandeur frown,
That Satire dares, unbiafs'd by a Crown,
Spurn the Perogative of Right divine,
And bids the Father in the Monarch fliine ?
But foul Sedition with ungovern'd Mind
Will boldly forge the Crimes, fhe cannot find,
Curfe fpotlefs Worth, and titled Wealth difown,
When — called to Pow'r, and feated near the Throne.
In Peace let ilander roufe her envious Tide
To footh the Pangs of difappointed Pride ;
While hungry Malice bids her libels roll
To blaftthe Greatnefs of a Conway's Soul,
With Sneers a. patriot- Rocking/jam to foil,
A Grafton s Candor, and an Egmonts Toil ',
While
c 8 ]
While Folly dares without a Blum difplay
The Name of S ch to the Face of Day :
Once more invokes him with her blunifring Strains,
To reel into the State, and feize the Reins ;
Commends, with flow funereal Dullnefs fraught
The grave Proccjjion of a Gr lis Thought,
And fwears his Budget opes, tho' Leggis no more,
The Sibyl MyiVries of a Kingdom's Store ;
Full well the Themes their wretched Parent's fuit,
And amply crown the laft Remains of B—le.
Hail happy Scene, where minifterial Youth
Treads the bold Paths of Reafon and of Truth,
Where manly Prudence checks the Statefman's Rage,
And gives a Lcflbn to expericne'd Age ;
To thefe, America, much injur'd Land,
Sighs her full Sorrows, and extends her Hand;
To thefe fhe heaves the fupplicating Strain,
Nor to their Country's Friends laments in vain ;
To thefe her animated Tears deplore
Corruption curfingthe maternal Shore ;
Deplore
[ 9 J
Deplore (till Povv'r with friendly Armreliev'd)
A S te cheated, and a Realm deceiv'd,
Yes ! fuch the Fetters of the Slave defy,
Nor view Deftru&ion with a carelefs Eye ;
Fix'd to their Rights (fair Nature's charter'd Plan)
To roufe the confcious Dignity of Man)
Thofe Rights they fpeak, nor meanly bend the Knee,
But by our own Example dare be free.
Rous'd at her Subject in the Patriot's Caufe,
My Mufe fpontaneous kindles to Applaufe,
See ! motionlefs, and pale Ambition ftand,
Pale with Defpondence from her palfy'd Hand,
She drops, unwilling drops OpprelTion's Chain,
Againit her Country's Welfare forg'd in vain.
Reviving Commerce hoifls th' impatient Sail,
And opes her Treafures to th' alluring Gale,
Hark ! from her raptur'd Sons triumphant Cries
Fill the wide Strand, and eccho to the Skies ;
D O'er
[ TO ]
O'er diftant Climates panting to impart
The genial Tidings, each according Heart
Bears, deeply bears, with adamant engrav'd,
A People lighted, and a Kingdom fav'd
Methinks, fome hoary- headed Sage I hear,
— Fair Wifdom ever crowns the fixtielh Year;
Ever, when Nature droops to Time a Prey,
Supplies with Strength of Mind the great Decay ;
(For Soul and Body live unfocial Friends,
And when this Bucket rifes, that defcends)
His Head v, ell fettled by the Coffee's Draught,
And trembling o'er the News with anxious Thought,
While at his Side forgot the Crutches lie,
His Wig heav'd back, his Spectacles thrown by,
I hear impo?~ta7it Gravity exclaim,
<i From Age to Age, all Statefmen are the fame;
" View where you plcafe, the minifterial Plan,
tc And point one honeft Action, if you can;
<c Each Bofom Int'reft, and Ambition move,
*' Tho' fondly varnifh'd with its Country's Love ;
a
All
r » i
ic Allrufh impetuous in Preferment's Race,
" And all alike are Patriots till in Place.
" A Patriot ! ■ 'twas a Name of old rever'd,
Ere fmiling Lux'ry in the World appear'd,
Learn'd with fantaftic Gayeties to pleafe y
" And ftrew'd the Rofes of inglorious Eafe ;
Ere Gold whofe (Poifon by Lycurgus Art,
Awhile was Stranger to the Spartan Heart j
Nor taught,, o'er neighboring Realms tho' Freedom fell,
Thefe rugged Warriors meanly to rebel)
" Ere Gold a Paifage in the Soul could find,
" And with unnumber'd Sorrows curfe Mankind ;
" Bad the falfe Son a fondling Sire betray,
" Grace carelefs Innocence to Fraud a Prey,
" Bad Rapine, and Oppreilion ftalk the Earth,.
* c To crufh the Rights of Honerty, and Worth.
" But for the Patriot vainly fought at Home,
" Explore the happier Rolls of Greece and Rome ;
u There mid the Horrors of degen'rate Times,
" When Virtue iigh'd o'er fafhionable Crimes ;
" When
u
u
• c
cc
[ I* ]
" When bold Ambition rear'd her JaWfels head,
" And civil Difccrd o'er the Kingdom fpread ;
" Some neigb'ring Gaul, embattled at the Gate,
" To fwell the Tumults, and overwhelm the State ;
" How did th' unbounded Orator infpire
" The Heroe's Rage, and f-t his Soul on Fire !
<c Rous'd at a Philip\ Threats th' Albanian /lands,
u Calls to the gen'rous Strife his native Bands ;
" In Thunder calls at Freedom's rapid Show V
tc They fly to Arms and fpurn a Tyrant's Pow'r.
<c To ftab Corruption quench Sedition's Flame,
c< And drag a ruthlefs Cataline to Shame,
" The rebel Dagger from his Arm to wreft,
u Unmaik his treafons, and expel the Pert ;
" The brib d Patrician greatly to defy,
" And bare a Verres to the Public Eye ;
" Bid the foul Praetor from Oppreflion's mine
" Repay to injur'd Realms th'extorted Fine,
«< A
[ »3 j
** A Tully fpeaks niiajeftically fbong
" Rolls the full Tide of Eloquence along ;
" Rolls forth dhTus'd for Worth's exalted End,
" To fcourge the Guilty, and the Good be-friend.
" From Virtue beaming with diftinguim'd Blaze,
K Survey the Gloomy Shade of modern Days ;
" Survey the Patriot, with indignant Soul
" Who bids the Thunder of his Cenfures roll
" Full o'er the Statefman's Head — -laments the Realm,
« Where Pride and Folly blunder at the Helm ;
«< Eyes with Difdain the minifterial Race,
" By Vice and Meannefs climbing into Place ;
• c And paints in Elegy's enthuflaft Strains
" Deftruction hov'ring o'er his nativePlains j
" He, the fole Atlas, at the public Call,
" To prop the tott'ring Kingdom, ere it fall.
« To footh the Tempeft's melancholy Low'r,
« At once he vaults into the Seat of Povv'rj
«« Alike on Him the kindred Murm'rers vent
« Th' avenging Storm of pairiot-'Ditcorti.znt ;
E " His
C *4 ]
«' His Virtue feoff 'd at, and his Faith accus'd,
" Himfelf the Channeling of a Court abus'd ;
Tlius Envy fwells her unremitted Tale,
" And learns the mighty Science how to rail .
" Yet to difgrace at once this folemn Word
** This Creature never feen, tho' loudly heard ;
" This puny Infect flutt'ring for its Hour,
" To teize, and fret the Favorites of Pow'r ;
" This Thing of Nought, this Eccho of a Name A .
" This boafted Patriot boldly to proclaim ;
" Difplay the Magic of the Juggler's Art,
" And ope the guilty Secrets of his Heart ;
" All Honefty without, all Fraud within,
" The Tongue of Virtue, and the Soul of Sin ;
" Let confeious Walpole from the Tomb arife,
" And paint the living Pi&ure to our Eyes.
" 'Twas his for Years undaunted to withftand
" Th' oppofing Legion of a reftlefs Band ;
" Though bellowing S'tentors deal their Vengeance round,
And make the Senate with the clam'rous Sound ;
«' From
[ is 1
« From Side to Side though Strains licentious fpring
" A nd level'd at the Statefman pierce the King - y
" Nor Sneers cai. change, nor cenfures can control
(i The calm fedatenefs of his equal Soul.
* Skill'd in his Tafk, this Pilot of the Helm
" Smil'd o'er the jarring Tempefts of the Realm ;
While Mountains heav'd on Mountains tofs the Ship,
" Amid the Thunders of the roaring Deep,
" He rode ferenely, bad the Tumults ceafe,
w And all the Patriot-Buftle hujtidxo Peace.
« The Truth he found (which fage Experience fhews)
That Grandeur's Sun attracts a Swarm of Foes ;
Yet his the Triumph, for Ambition's Ends,
" To turn his flercefl Enemies to Friends.
" For this th' unbounded Streams of Treafure flow,
" For this the Title's prouder Splendors glow *,
" For this difplay'd, amid the wordy War,
" Spread forth their Charms the Ribband and the Star.
'' With Heady Art he worm'd into Mankind,
" And learn'd the ruling Paflion of the Mind,
<(
In
r i<s j
" In vain would Caution fhrowd each fav'rite Vice,
" Me fed their Wifhes for he knew their Price.' 5
Hence, Cenfor, hence, at Hern Rcfentment's Call
Tho* moil arc fpotted, muft I rail at All ?
Shall Reafon track the Steps of earlier Birth,
And rake the Afhes of the Dead for Worth ?
What if enamor'd of th' immortal Sage,
I hail the Boldnefs of his Epic Page ;
What if allur'd by Maro's manly Line
I fee in ev'ry Thought the Graces fhine ;
Muft I with Scorn a Milton's Strain perufe.
And loath the Raptures of his later Mufe,
Which borne by Fancy wings her towring Flight
O'er cold Antiquity's inferior Height.
Gainfr. modern Merit with impatient Ear
The taftelefs Pedant's giddy Taunts I hear;
And deem fair Poeiy's unrival'd Throne
In Spite of ancient Triumphs — all our own.
But
[ »7 ]
But can the Sons of Freedom tamely fit
And yield the Prize of Virtue as of Wit !
Alike, injurious to themfelves, impart
Goodnefs of Head, and Honefty of Heart r
Be ours in confcious Rapture to proclaim
Th' Athenian Greatnefs, and the Roman Fame ;
Be ours with Pride departed Worth to view,
Yet give to prefent Times th'Applaufes due.
Call forth ye Dotards, from the Grecian Store,
The manly Orators ingenuous Lore ;
Infpir'd by Liberty's celeftial Reign
Pour on her guilty Foes th'avenging ftrain ;
Truth's rigid Frown let gall'd Ambition feel,
And baffled Tyrants mid their Millions kneel :
Call forth a Tully^ in his Country's Caufe
Who mounts the Roftrum, and afferts her Laws ;
Tho' blufhing Traitors with a coward Fear
Crouch to the Lafh, and tremble, as they hear ;
Tho' wrap'd Attention, with a fond Defire,
Hang o'er each Period, as fhe ne'er could tire ;
F Be
[ r8 ]
13e tJiciis, to living worth the Palm to quit,
And wooe the Thoughts of Camden aud of Pitt.
'Tis not the Clamor of intemp'rate Zeal,
A random Ferment for the public Weal ;
'Tis not the Madnefs of a Harpy-Rout,
Who damn all Meafures when themfelves are out j.
Tis not a boafting independent Tribe,
Who roar their Honor, while they grafp the Bribe ;
'Tis not a Wretch, by titled Patrons fed,.
Abforb'd in Int'reft, and by Party led,
Led, like a Slave, who, loft to ev'ry Grace,
Creeps the meer Shadow of his Mailer's Face ;
Looks with his Eyes, and thinks, but with his Thought, ,
Acts, at a Nod, or Scribles as he's taught :
Not fu /6the Patriot, he unmov'd by Fears,
Speaks, what he feels, and is what he appears;
Serenely bold, amid a Hoft of Foes,
Dares ev'ry Locuft of a Court oppofe ;
Bids Truth around the Throne her Radiance fling,
And from the Viper Flattr'ry plucks her Sting.
[ *9 3
By Wifdom fway'd let calm Reflection roll,
And dart o'er diftant Realms from Pole to Pole,
Explore her Country's Weal with ftudious Eye,
And link, where Int'reft calls the focial Tye;
Let Reafon arm'd with manly Strength of Heart
Strip from th' infidious Foe the Veil of Art ;
To Fraud, to Force unknowing how to yield,
Honeft in Council, dauntlefs in the Field,
Cruih the mean Wiles of Gaul, the Spaniards Pride,
And lift the kingdom, which fhe dares to guide :
Let Worth, untainted Worth, with foft Control,
Subdue the boift'rous PafTions of the Soul ;
Bid Faction hide her Head — bid Freedom fpring,
And poize the Rights of Subjedt, and of King ; ^
Nor rob the Public, to reward her Toils,
Or fatten Minions v/ith their Country's Spoils ;.
Cn Candor's Balls build th'exalted Plan, m
And crown at once the Mmiikr, and Man : ,
Be this the Patriot's Boaft -with lib'ral Hand,
Charm'd with the Guardian of his native Land,
The
[ " ]
The Mufe Ivcr confecrating Lay dial 1 fhovv'r,
i he Mufe that ever fpurns the Tools of Povv'r.
Yes yes abhorrent of the Statefman's Crimes,
Bold Satire {hall infpire her honeft Rhimes j
Unbounded Hate fliall riot in her Page,
Ope all her fluices, and exhauft her Rage
— —Vengeance, purfue and crufh the guilty Great,
Foes to their Prince, and Scorpions of the State.
When Law is wrefted from her facred Courfe,
And fick'ning Juftice lies o'erwhelm'd by Force ;
When Subjects fetter'd at Ambition's Nod
As Traitors branded mourn OpprefTion's Rod ;
For Truths, they boldly fpeak, condemn'd to groan
Slaves in the Land, which Freedom calls her own :
When mould'ring into Peace relentlefs War,
Who drove o'er half the Globe his murd'rous Car,
Drove with a favage Joy Deffruction's Round,
Scowl'd o'er the Tempeft, por'd on ev'ry Wound,
And
And madly revel'd in the Wafte of Blood,
While proftrate Myriads fhed their vital Flood
Fill'd with the baleful Scene, not his the Care,
The Lofs of Worlds how Nature mould repair ;
When War, whofe Smile amidft the dire Alarms
With Conqueft ever crowns the Britifh Arms,
Refigns to coward-Tools with Javifti Breaft
The Key, tliatopes the Treafures of the Weft ;
To Treactiry yields the Triumphs of the Fight,
And gives the pois'nous Adder Pow'r to bite :
When venal Traitors with, a fhamelefs Grace
Lur'd by the Scent cf Int'refl: foar to place ,
Dare on the Entrails of their Country prey,
Her Weal detefted while they grafp her Pay :
When State's an Auction, in whofe gilded Roll
Thehigheft Bidder buys the hireling Soul ;
When, meanly upftart Meannefs to adorn,
Reverfions (hine for Children fcarcely born ;
When mangled Ireland feeds a penfion'd Crew,
Her Treafures thrown to thofe fhe never knew,
G
Or known, muft loath wlien Title's fplendid Ray,
5'cncs the vile Purports of corrupted Sway :
I nil o'er the Realm when glaring to the Eyes
Stalks furious on the Monfter of Excife ;
Swells at each Step, and fhengthens every Hour,
The darling Slave of arbitrary Pow'r:
When Nobles unfufpecling Virtue blind,
And fafcinate a Sovereign's gen'rous Mind ;
Turn from their Courfe the Dictates of his Breaft,
Whofe Joy— -whofe Pride's- --to make a People blefs'd :
When fuch the Minifter to chain my Tongue,
Would flamp a Victim to the Caufe of Wrong ;
This— Cenfure's JEva— this the Time defcry,
When Silence is a Guilt of deepeft Dye.
Who will for me to Sin's unhallow'd Train
May creep in Ribaldry's detefled Strain ;
Freely may Nafos Quill an Altar raife,
And damn their Mem'ries with his fulfome Praife ;
Freely, while Slander he arraigns abufe,
And ftrut the puny Monarch of the News.
Of
['■• *3. ]
Of Stature tall, as Nature had defign'd
To match with Height of Frame his Height of Mind,
With Union fweet where Pride, and Meannefs fit,
And rule the pallid-jkeleton of Wit ;
In Noon of Youth, impatient of Reward,
His Pen he brandifh'd, and commenc'd a Bard ;
Himfelf (the Prince of Critics) fkill'd to charm,
He leasd awhile the Kijlinghury-Vaxm,
But foon of Conqueft tir'd, with friendly Views
Refign'd the envy'd Prize to Bally\ Mufe.
For Themes more lofty in maturer Age
He loaths the Trifles of poetic Rage ;
In Fancy doom'd o'er Gran fa's Sons to fhine,
Fix'd on the Mitre's Smiles he turns divine j
With Self inebriate plies his Coxcomb-part,
And foars complcat a Warburton in Heart.
Religion's Caufe by Others be maintain'd,
Her Truths rever'd, her Myfteries explain'd ;
Be Virtue's rugged Paths by others trod,
Who court her Precepts, and adore their God ;
On
[ *4 ]
On humbler Souls be Charity imprefs'd,
By bleiling Others — who therafelves are blefs'd * y
Not this the Tafk olNafo he withftood
Each feeling of the Heart, which led to Good.
'Twas his to idolize tti immoral Great,
Corruption's Prieft — and Pander of the State ;
Vio^v courtly Subje&sin the Houfe oiPrayr,
Which Reafon hates, when once fhe enters there.
Shall meek-ey'd Modefty, the Friend of Senfe,
Feel the rude Scoffs of worthlefs Impudence;
The Tale rauft Falfhcod's want'ning Fancy make,,
She knows untrue— and lye for Lying's Sake ;
Muft Vice in every Shape ufurp the Soul,
Muft Folly in each Thought triumphant roll ;
—Let Truth the Blacknefs of a Nafo fcan,
And for all Vilenefs form'd— behold the Man.
For thefe let Wealth be fhower'd— let Grandeur fliine,.
Fair Virtue Harbinger of Peace be mine ;
Be mine 'gainft Knaves like thefe to clofe my Door,
And dare with Scottbc honed— and be poor.
FINIS.
ERRAT. Page i r Line 14. for « Grace" read « Gave.'
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