^' De la Mayne The patricians THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND THE P A T R I G I A N S, POEM. fPrice Two Shillings and Sixpence. ^ THE PATRICIANS: O R, A CANDID EXAMINATION INTO THE MERITS OF THE PRINCIPAL SPEAKERS O F T H E HOUSE OF LORDS. B Y T H E AUTHOR OF THE SENATORS. T( mark- t/if mmfrnfti/d i>/'t/itj luf/ifr HerM , Atui /rinv t/uni /o auounf — Crwi/i ,( ni.>/i t/ukie li^erii, Who .n >ui/(ti I'/'f /■'/ 'I (>»imtt/iit,it T&ifitan/ i/tfir rwtttj , Vm// /r'A a grafp of Ore . Or paluy Office ,.>>// >/» ''" /'"■ A"" • Mahomet . LONDON: Printed for G. KEARSLY, in Ludgate-Street. MDCCLXXm. /* THE PATRICIANS, &c. LE T puling Poets rack their lovefick brains To woo their Chloes in defponding ftrains, Now paint fome cowllip's head, or trembling breeze, And tell what every peafant heedlefs fees ; A difFrent miftrefs animates my fong, To whom all praife — all attributes belong ; Nor dare ye lovers! fay I fing in vain, Tis Freedom, heav'n-born Freedom fwells my Orain 1 For her a venal Senate late I fac'd, And all their impious anions freely trac'd, B io 85S552 2 THE PATRICIANS. To her once more I bend, devoid of fear, And point my fatyr at the guilty Peer, " What," (cries out Prudence, with her nerves unftrung, Her care- funk eyes, and hefitating tongue, Wrapt in the filcnt growth of ten per cent, Where the dull many vegetate content.) " Can you, juft Ycap'd the Se?mtorial laws, " Id'ly pufFd up with popular applaufe, " Now militate a much fupcrior fhrine, *' Whofe breath commands imprifonment dXi^fine, " Whofe honour bubbles from thofe facred fprings, " The Lord's annointed, Heav'n appointed Kings ? " Good Angels fhield us from fuch daring times ! " Whennamelefs bards attack a Lord in rhimes." Say — What can mean this bafe, inglorious thought. Which dares import that honour can hzbought? Can mufty parchments fo ennoble knaves. Or change to freemen, voluntary flaves ? For THE PATRICIANS. For wife and good capacitate the breaft, Whofe ev'ry thought is villainy confeft ; Far hence the flavifh mercenary creed, From whence the hireling only draws his meed ; A Lord in all his ftate is but a 7tian^ And fhould he fall beneath this glorious plan. That Mighty Lord is nothing but a name. Wealth all his wofth, and title all his fame. But let us try this charge by Nature's laws, And as fhe fpeaks, hold, or difmifs the caufe ! 5> *' Do not we all from the fame parents fpring " Whether our rank's a Cobler, ora King? " Do not we eat alike ? the fame way breed ? " And at our birth (land in an equal n.cd ? " Is not the earth alike, our common walk ? *' Do not we laugh alike —the fame way talk ? " Are not our bodies form'd the felf fame way *5 Suftain'd by nurture— 'fubjed to decay ? " And 4 THE PATRICIANS. *' And does not merc'lefs death take equal aims, " When he reforts the hovel or St. James ?" Let then the great, and little vulgar gaze, And bask beneath this mock refplendent blaze, The general homage join with loud accord, And every moment echo out '* my Lord." — Such paltry arts give Satyr all her ftrength, To draw this Giant -not hi 7ig at full length; Shew him that birth alone has no pretence, To truth, or honour, dignity, orfenfe, Yet let me not adopt a general fcorn, Nor hate the man, becaufe he's nobly born, Peers there have been, (and feme are ftill the fame, Who felf-ennobled, grac'd the rolk of fame. In arts excelling, as in arms well try'd. Their country's bulwark and the mufes' pride. No, FREEDOM, in thy prefence here I fvvear, By all thy trampled rights, now doubly dear. Ty'd THE PATRICIANS. 5 Ty'd to nor court, nor heated party's fide, Thy hand alone fhall be my faultlefs guide, And if I err from this impartial line, And paint unfaithful to this grand defign, Let me unpitied fall, defpis'd — undone — Or, what's much worfe — difown me as thy fon. In office plac'd above each brother Peer, Homage in front — attendance on the rear, The burnifli'd feals upon that table laid, ^ Where Talbot once his country's rights difplay'd, "Who's that to fuch diftinguifhed honours born. Yet whom, not ev'n thefe honours can adorn ? O world take note ! Proclaim it paffing air I 'Tis Apsley fills that once refpedled chair ; SeJjfe all confounded ftartles at his name, And Wifdoi?i bows her reverend head in fhame, Wit gives the wink to ev'ry favourite Lord, And pun^ as ufual, plays upon the word ; Ev'n Mamsfield feems to blufhes half betray'd, As confcious of xht paltry th'i?ig he made, C Whilft 6 THE PATRICIANS. Whilft yiijlke cries avaunt — thou fhade of law, Thou Chancellor " of patches, flircds, and flraw." Say what but folly in th' extreme complete, Could ever tempt thee to afpire this feat? At fuch a time too, when the virtuous crown Bxprefs'd the price, which honour fhould lay down, When honeft Camden fpurn'd the venal place, And YoRKE in deaths confefs'd the foul difgrace; When ev'n Smythe, time ferving Smythe, refus'd, And told his Prince, *' he'd rather be excus'd." — Could not thy Judgment Seat in Common Pleas, Crown thy ambition with a life of eafe ? There thou migh'ft (it whole live long hours away. And echo only what thy Chief might fay, In all thy tiny ftate jog up and down, ^Twixfl: term and term, from Fairy-Hill * to town ;, * The Country Scat of the Lord ChanceUor. Or THE PATRICIANS. 7 Or at affizes on the Bench look big, In the tremendous Majefty of wig, That wig whofe fides thy vifage all enclofe, Save the rich profpedt of thy purpled nofe. Thus while through life, exempt from toils and cares, AsAsHURST dull — importantlefs as Nares. From White's, Newmarket, and thofe gambling fchools, Where fools made fharpers, in their turns make fools, W^here fickle fortune guides the wav'ring ftocks, And Peer and pimp, by turns, command the box, Grafton ftept forth his country to defend. He fpoke it fair, and Chatham was his friend ; But ah! what honour — what connexions bind, Where intereft only occupies the mind ? Thatgrafp for pow'r — thatluft to rule alone. Which bear no rivals near their lawlefs throne, Fill'd all his foul — hence gratitude gave way, And ev'ry fcoundrel maxim came in play> 'Twas wit to flatter — wifdom to betray. And t THE PATRICIANS. And laft — to brand his name to future times, And clofe the chmax of a Stuart's crimes, Thefe Freeborn Rights, which gracious heav'n firft plann'd, As proofs of mercy to this favouiite land, Where ev'ry Briton, by his proxy fvvays, And what himfelf ordains, alone obeys, Thefe facred rights did Grafton dare afiail, And what's more ftrangc, he lives to tell the tale. Yet hear me Parricide/ — amidft thispowV, The venal vote of a more venal hour, Not all the triumphs which thy bofom feels, From fuch a fliwning levee at thy heels. Not all the intereft of thy Jieijo fortn d clan^ Nor all the fchemes thy coward heart can plan. Shall dare from hence a precedent to draw, Or intimate this brib'd affent as law ; No — in that hour (if e'er it fliould arrive,) Perhaps that hour's the bft you may furvive, 2 Some THE PATRICIANS. Some honeft hand (Lall dauntlefs bare the knife, And fnatch his birthright from thy lofs of life. Hail matchlefs Camden ! who fuch arts withftood, Great, without povv'r, and when in pow'r yet good, Who now unplac'd canft meet a nation's eyes, Uprais'd to call thee honeft, learn'd, and wife ; Thy ftubborn virtue took a diff'rent part. Nor dar'd corruption tamper with thy heart. When this great queftion * gloom'd the impious day. Which gave a free-born Briton's rights away, Spurr'd to the charge thy foul was up in arms. And all thy eloquence had double charms. Law fmoth'd by truth, infpir'd thy guardian tongue, Whilft wond'ring crowds on ev'ry accent hung. Yes — all thy patriotic worth confeft, All — fave the cdWouz-'pre-cIeUrmm d breaft. ♦ The Middlrfex Ele^ion. D Speak 10 THE PATRICIAN Is. Speak then Prerogative, where is thy claim, Thy lead pretence to elevated fame, If thus thou dar'ft capricioufly betray, A nation's laws, and turn her Chief away? Was it for this the people lent theepow'r, In part — to fave the remnant of their dow'r? Was it for this they bid thee fplendid live. To frown on worthies — i — d — tes forgive ? Hence then — ye fycophants, who fay 'tis giv'n. To God's vicegerents as the dole of heav'n, To mitigate the laws remorfelefs frown. And {hed a godlike mercy from the crown. So us'd, it operates the fcourge of rule. The rod of empire, and the tyrant's tool. See the proud Peer who no one fcience knows, Save that of levees, equipage, and cloaths ! Afk him what's honour, with a fmile of praife, He bids the herald make his honour blaze, Five. THE PATRICIANS. it Five golden balls — on five fmall fpires are feen, And Tome good motto gilds the pageant fcene j Confcious his ev'ry plea to worth, or fame, Lies in the mere dead letters of his name. But if the royal fmile his vote fhould buy, And give the mock refplendence of thefky, With awe then learn inferior fons of thrift, To reverence title fandificd by gift ; Hence fee the flar diverge its filver light, On Gow'r's proud heart, infufferably bright, Sec him take rank as Jirjl at Council Board, Only inferior to his fovereign Lord ; Afk ye the caufe from whence thefe honouFS Spring? Why Gow'r betrays his country and his King. What then is honour fince it dwells not here r Is it too proud to recognize the Peer? Lift to the voice of truth, and fhe'll impart, Honour's no more than purity of heart y 'Tis 12 THE PATRICIANS. 'Tis of no age — condition, fex, or kind, But lives a felf-born principle of mind, Jufl as it operates in Temple's breaft. Where all is truth and dignity confeft. Thou ray divine in bounteous nature's plan ! By whom alone we learn the worth of man, 'Tis thine to dignify the humble Board, And make its mafter greater than my Lord, 'Tis thine to fpurn alike Plebeian rage, Or what ambition madly might prefage, To laugh at title, birth— diftindive firings. And all the falfe rewards of partial Kings. Late Suffolk (hone the favourite of the crowd. In his eulogium every tongue was loud. Dear to his friends, and to his country dear. The manly patriot dignified the Peer, Now fee the fame diflionoured by a place ! \-' ►;, And though in pow'r, an obje6lof difgrace. y. Thofe cheering founds no more falute the ear. But all's contempt, and obloquy, and fneer. Though THE PATRICIANS. 13 Though fplendid fortune fmU'd at his command, And pour'd her bounties with unfparing hand, Though rofeate health contributed her boon, Nor yet his fun had journey 'd to his noon, Though fame and honour led the flow'ry way, And fhew'd the future glories of its day, All could not give the felf-approving teft. Nor ftamp the feal of honour on his breaft. Dar'ft thou apoftate recolledt of late, (Though thou fliould'fi: blot it from thy mem'ry's feat,) When venal Lords confpir'd to ftain the throne, And, in the people's rights, betray their own. How trumpet-tongued, thyev'ry pow'r did plead, " Againft the deep damnation of the deed?' And when nor truth, nor juftice could infpire. Nor Camden's eloquence, nor Chatham's fire, Then did'ft thou mingle with the virtuous hw, "Who dar'd dij[e?it '" from fuch a penfion'd crew. — * This was on a queftion of the Marquis of Rockingham's In favour of the Freedom of Eletflion, which was carried in tlie negative by a great majority, when Lord Suffolk was one of the Protefliing Lords. E Yes, 14 THE PATRICIANS. Yes, Suffolk's name fo flands upon record, And proves hiin an apojlate^ mifcreant Lord. Shall not then fatyr fting this fly of ftate, Who rafhly dares be profligately great, Whofe talents war againft his country's laws, From that corruption which betrays her caufe? O! yes 'tis her's, when virtue can't prevail, Nor coward fliame, the villains lateft veil, To bare fuch culprits to the pafling wind, There let them flink a warning to mankind. But who comes forward with that ruffian flridc,. As if his form the human form belied, Whofe fhoulders groan beneath a weight of head^. Like fome old manfion overcharg'd with lead? Senfe, fpeech, and meafure — languages retire, 'Tis Denbigh would the orator afpirel Whene'er he fpeaks, did ever furges roar, In louder rumblings 'gainft the Northern Shore? Whene'er he pleads — did ever reafon feci, , A greater effort of barbaric zeal?' 2 Ah! THE PATRICIANS. 15 Ah ! why will art thus with our natures jar, And carry on this cruel civil war, Had not a Coronet his brows adorn'd, Denbigh had breath'd, unnotic'd, and unfcorn'd ; Perhaps fome country Squire's old Whipper-in, His hours all fpent 'twijit hunting, and 'twixt gin, There his ambition would have known its bounds, Bleft in the yelping of his favourite hounds, And withering off life's ftalk, in good old days, Some Woodman's ballad had proclaim'd his praife. But here perhaps too raflily I defcry,. And meafure objects with too loofe an eye, Though Nature, partly, is repell'd by art, Some genuine Iparks ftill play round ev'ry heart ; Hence when he found his talents own'd the chace. He fpurn'd all honours for the huntfman's place, Through ev'ry ftate the vaffal heart prevails, Behold the Harlers * are his Lordfhip's vails! * Lord Denbigli, befids being a Lord of the Bed Chamber, i^ Mailer of tlic Hariers and Foxhounds. What i6 THE PATRICIANS. What diff'rent manners Lyttf.lton are thine, Whofe milder virtues make the Peerage fhine, Who knows no honour in a titled name, But what refults from honourable fame; Bleft with a tafte, corred, yet unconfin'd, Deduc'd from books, from bufinefs, and mankind, Who bred in courts, ne'er ftung thy Sov'reign's car. Though learn'd, polite, and though polite, fincere, To thee the mufes — patriots praife belong. Thou guardian of our rights — as of our fong! When fix'd in grief I fee thee, widow'd, mourn, And drop the tear o'er Lucy's * envied urn, O ! where's the breaft, not petrified as ftone. But what will judge thy forrow by his own, Catch ev'ry figh, jufi: iffuing from the heart. And (hare with thee, the fympathetic fmart, * The Poetical Reader need not be informed, that this alludes to that elegant and pathetic Monody, written by this Nobleman, on the death of his Lady. But THE PATRICIANS. 17 But when with zeal I fee thee firmly {land, The joint protedor of thy native land, Define her rights — ai;^jl py'ry right fupport, In fpite of bribery, and a fhamelefs Court, This double view fhews all that merit can, It crowns the patriot, and endears the man. ;^ Learn then ye fliamelefs Nobles of the age. Who deaf to truth — in ev'ry vice engage. Your vows forgot — who wanton in divorcey And ftab domeftic honour in its fource, Learn, from this bright example, to improve In all th' endearments of connubial love, Know that thefe crown each blefiing here below, Augment our joys, participate our woe, That he who doth his heart- felt duty here. Shall ad: with honour in a wider fphere. But flickering courtiers cry that birth, and place Shall ftamp a Peer with honour ^ truthy and grace^ F Nor i8 THE PATRICIANS. Nor need the mind another line purfue, For thefe will teach him all he ought to do. Look in thy bofom Pom fret, and be fair, Say — can'ft thou find out one fuch lodger there ? Put on y our /pe&acles J my Lord, and try, Thofe artificial aids may help the eye; What! Are there none? Not 07je to make report? Alas! they're not the favourites of a Court! Yet courage Pomfret! though thefe prudifh guefts, Are coy to fettle in ennobl'd breads. Though they're fo vulgar oft to fly the ftar^ And take their refuge with fome plain Jack Tar^ Another group of im?iates there you'll find, Oppression, Pride-^Ingratitude of Mind,.. In the fame train, fee V^ EYMOXJiaJiaggers onj' In thirft a German, and in pride a Don, A dupe to (harpers, from his earlieft play,, A Have to Bacchus in maturer day ; But what are thefe ? — in fuch vl pious reigrij, No vice how flagrant, Miniflers can ftain,, Eife THE PATRIC^^NS. 19 Elfe why fliould he e'er fteer the helm of ftate, Or on a nation's liberties debate ? He, who fends Reafon tumbling from her throne, Who calls each crime, alternately, his own, He, who, like Nero, thanks for pedding bloody * And dares to call the flagrant murder good. Admire we then what Courts low roofs contain,. The blazing circle, or the pompous train. When fuch as Weymouth claims his Sov'reign's ear,. And lives a chos'n — penflon'd favourite here, Whofe blifs is drinking^ and whole condud: gives,. But this one brutal reafon why he lives. " Forbear this rage at Lords!" (replies fome tool,. Who long has writ by minifterial rule. Perhaps fome Hawksworth pe^ijio^id to defcry. The jnonthly (hoots which pain a Courtier's eye,) * Vide his letter to the Third Regiment of Guard?, wherein he approves in the warmeft terms, the JMafiacre of St. George's-fields. " O'er 20 THE PATRICIANS. ^< O'er heated thus thy perfeverlng brawl, <' In time might reach you conrecrated wall, <* Where Britain's Prelates reverendly fit, ** And there grown fcurr'lous, ape the name of" wit." Far hence the thought 1 — as Minifters of God, I kifs their garments, and refpedl their nod; Nor can my foul adopt that vulgar game, That priefts, becaufe they're fuch, are fatyr's aim ; But when unmindful of their holy charge, Though cloth'd like flieep, like wolves they prowl at large, When mad ambition fwells their ev'ry vein, And to be good's as rare as to be lean^ When drums, and equipage employ their care, And Loo ufurps the facred place of pray'r. Then nor the Crofier, nor the Rochet's pride, My rage can fmother, or my vengeance hide. But to the proof? —Why to t!ie houfe repair. And fee their piety as pradlifed there j The THE PATRICIANS. at The quejlion movdj rcgardlefs of debate, See how they filent fit, or idly prate ! The quejlion caWd^ obedient to the word, The white-rob'd phalanx move with one accord ; With pious hafte they journey on their way ; Nor truth, nor honour, can impede their ftay. Nor all that reafon, and that confcience teach, Nor God's Commandments they're enjoin'd to preach, Thoughtlefs of all — except the favourite See, All feem to fay * — *' We have no God but thee."^- Heav'ns ! how unlike their Reverend Sires of old. Plain, poor, content, and but in virtue bold, No third had they for dignity, and pow'r. No texts they trimm'd to fhape the varying hour, No ftatefmen they to wrangle, and debate, No gilded fideboards blazon' d forth their ftatc, * From this groupe however, muft be detlucced, the Bifliops 0/ BangOi- and Exeter, who, upon all occafions, have attended more to che diclatcs of confciencr, than the views of prorootion. G No 22 THE PATRICIANS. No worldly cares their flumbers durft annoy, No chariot roll'd them to the Hoiife of Joy, From youth to age, in piety they trod, Their morals juftice — their religion God. Why then ye holy cheats will ye thus feign,. A facred title which your anions ftain ? Is it your pride to ev'ry virtue lack ? Or is a knave lefs fo when drefs'd in black f Courtiers, 'tis true, may celebrate this art. But candour fhrinks from fuch a damning part.. Go Mansfield, follow this time-ferving crew^ And keep the felf-fame maxims in thy view, Such firjl-rate Patriots fliould together mate. They guard the Church, juft as thou guard'ft the State 5; One turns from God the fupplicating eye, And pays to George the tribute of the sky. Whilft t'other ilrikes the coward bread with awe, And turns Weprmijler to a mart of law. Be gone my fears! nor tell me what I do, My caufeis Virtue's— her will I purfue, Neer. THE PATRICIANS. »j Ne'er talk to me of who are dano;erous things. Or Lord Chief Criminals^ or Paper KingSy Who is the greater villain, who the lefs,. Or what fell harpy fcowls it o'er the pj-efs^ All this I know — and knowing it I write. In fpite of menace^ in example's fpite, Nor fear the partial charge — th' invented flaw / Whilft English Juries Judges are of Law, Come fit you down then, Mansfield, in thy flate^, Thy robes all purpled in Britannia's fate, And let me wring that callous — coward breaft,. If e'er compundion deigned to be its gueft. If e'er (as Pope, with greater ^r^a'c^, has faid Than truth J it a£led jointly with thy head.. Who ivaft a record alter d^ to betray A freetna?! s birthrights in the face of day f TVho waft maijitaiii d with diSJatorial pride That facts were all which furies fjould decide .^' Who was it prompted^ in a rebel hour^ Ihat Genral Warrants claini d the Kiftgly powr f. Who 24 THE PATRICIANS. Who could but fuch a mifchief-brooding heart, Where tyrant daemons occupy each part, Engendering ev'ry noxious dark defign, Which ftrikes ?i\. freedom — Britijh freedo?ns Jhrim ! Not fo with Richmond I — fee by him fuftain'd. Each various title which his Sires obtain dy With him the Coronet and robe fupport Their real fplendour, dignity at Court; From hence behold his gen'rous bofom glow, With all that Peers fhould feel, that Peers fliould knowj n fenates hear him, warm in freedom's part, How, with what force he gains upon the heart! How, all with awe, the patriot founds imbibe, 'Till bold corruption almoft drops her bribe! Nor flops he here — as Freedom fpreads her courfe, He follows onward with an equal force ; 'Tis his fair-grateful fciencc to expand, And rear the lib'ral arts with lib'ral hand, 2 Cull THE PATRICIANS. 25 Cull modeft merit from the vulgar crowd, Reward in private^ but commend aloud. But fee where pity claims the feeling tear, In yon fad objed: bolfter'd in his chair, Who fcarcely animated holds his place, Racks in his joints — and fever in his face. Is this the man in youth, who fafhions led, Who writ, who drank, and who in Brothels bled? In riper years who rul'd the helm of ftate, And rofe to be moft infamoufly great ?" Is this the man, who ftoop'd with grov'ling art. To play by turns the Lord^ and Broker s part, Who now a mandate — now a transfer wrote, And chang'd his ftation as he chang'd his coat? That cautious — plodding — buflling grajtd defaulter ^ Whom George a title gave inftead of halter? Behold 'tis he! — or rather let me fay, A foul which oncq infpir'd a different clay, H 'Tis 36 THE PATRICIANS. 'Tis all of Holland — all that now remains, The reft are aches — infirmities, and pains. Yet oh! my fatyr turn afidc thy dart, Nor ftain its feather in this culprit's heart! Infult not mis'ry in her tedious way. Who feoffs a crim'nal on his final day? Perhaps ev'n now (all fearch'd with pangs, and fears) He more than balances his lo7ig arrearsy Turn from his groans then with a grateful mind. And own that heav'^n is neither deaf, nor blind. From this example Shelburnf. learn to know — That vice, though honour'd, 's not exempt from woe, That though the heart may fpurn the critic's rod. None can refift the vengeance of their God j Let then this thought, weigh'd with its proper forcCj Strike through thy foul, and turn it from its courfe,, Nor ufe the patriot's garb to fling away, "When greater honours ftart, or greater pay. Fortune THE PATRICI^NS. 27 Fortune has bleff'd thee with an ample pow'r, And titled greatnefs met thy earlicft hour, Manhood ftill blooms thofe bleflings to improve, And fame would crown thee with a people's love, What wouldfl thoti more ? or what can Kings beflow. To add to thefe — but frippery — and fhew ? Turn to thy country then, £he claims thy aid, Thy bleeding country, plunder'd, and betray 'd, EnliR a champion in her glorious caufe, Proted her honour — and fupport her laws. With manly force each venal arm repel, And fend evaJio7t to her native hell 1 Nor is there wanting — who fhall fhew thee fame, Who doubts the thought, when Rockingham I name? That patriot chief who hath himfelf withftood Corrupted pow'r in its meridian flood; Nay what is more — in thefe our venal days, Preferv'd his honour with the Ireasry Keys-, 2 Pleas'd 28 THE PATRICIANS. Pleas'd in Britannia's well pois'd flate to find, A juft prerogative with freedom join'd, He fought no minion to betray her caufe, Brib'd no afi'aflin to infult her laws, Left fenates free to vote juft as they thought. Nor like his vile fucceflbr — -fold^ and bought^ But weighing both — afpir'd to reunite, His monarch's glory with the people's right. *' What's his reward?" (fays bribery with a fneer) That which alone fhould recompence the Peer, Truth, confcious truthy whole glories beam afar, And dim the feebler luftre of the ftar. To curb ambitious views, and vain defires, And turn the heart from all its truant fires, Hillsborough has ta'en a philofophic plan, And wifely chang'd the courtier for the man ; Thus freed from levees, cabinets, and care, He feeks retirement in a purer air, Amidft THE PATRICIANS, 29 Amidft thofe fields where laugh'd his earlier days, Thofe happier times of innocence, and eafc. Yet fame has faid, and with no whifp'ring voice, That this retirement fprang not from his choice, Nay, added more, that when he was in pow'r, He rul'd, the little tyrant of his hour, Made facred freedom groan beneath his nod, And claim'd obedience with an iron rod. • I But why ■w'lWfame avouch this partial charge, And thus unheard, untry'd, condemn at large? See, truth portrays his honourable mind. And {hews him now unpenjton d, and refignd! Refign'd to keep a Statefman s confcience clear, The (dJzn^CQ. fix thoufand pounds a year. Seek ye his merits further to explore, Confult the records of Hibernia's Shore I There read them amply in his tenants eyes, Thofe chafte memorials of the good, and wife, I Sec -o THE PATRICIANS. o See Sacred Temples * own his pious care, And joyous Ceres crown the circling year! 'J Iiere fee the pealimt, comfortably warm, PoTefs the cot — the cultivated farm 1 Knjoy thofe fvveets which indufrry fliould claim, And, as he feels them, echo Hillsborough's name. Oh! happy Sandwich could thy bofom know, But half the joys which from fuch virtues flow! Or, could'fh thou to thy name, and honour true. Be a jufl heir, and merit's claim renew! With eager zeal, then fhould my Vv-illing lays, Afpire the deeds of Momtague to praife, But as thou art, an alien to thy race. Though cloth'd with pow'r, pre-eminence, and place. Expect my fatyr's complicated rage, And read a nation's hatred in her page. * This Nobleman, w!io is oneof the befi: Landlords in the kingdom of Ireland,, ainonoft many ads of indulgence to his'tenants, has buik for them fcverat churches, onL-in particular, on his own «omain, which, it is lliid, coil io,odo1* Yet THE PATRICIANS. 31 Yet fhall this man have empire o*er our fea. Who can nor truth, nor rcafon's laws obey ? Prefide o'er Lords — be foremoft in the ring, Now balance Europe — now advife his King ? This man, who only lives to pleafures end. This fhamelefs ftatefman, and this faithlefs friend ; And oh ! with tenfold horror fhall I fpeak, And drive all colour from the Chriftian cheek ? Who did, what fiends, nor hell can fcarcely name, A deed which blurs the modefty of fhame, Sets at defiance the aveno-ino; rod. And claims the heavieft — bitterefl wrath of God • Curfe on preferment, and preferment's road, When honours are io viciouily beftow'd ! Fir'd by that glovv', which patriots e*er fhould feel, A facred friend (hip for the common weal, No patron in my eye, nor in my choice. Save the tribunal of the public voice, Such 32 THE PATRICIANS. Such is the pidlure Freedom bade me draw, Unaw'd by pow'r — uncheck'd by modern law ; In the back ground, fee where her fons appear! Opprefs'd by numbers, arrogance, and fneer, Their aims defeated, all their rights o'erthrown, Bereft of ev'ry honour but their own, Whilft, in the front, her tyrants prowl at will, Prepar'd oppreOion's mandates to fulfill. — Roufe CHATHAAf, Foufc tlicn at this piteous fight, Colled thy pow'r — exterminating mighty Cull out thofe freeborn worthies to thy aid, (Thyfelf an hofi, where'er thou deign'd to lead.) Go i»ieet CORRUPTION with her pageant train. Her pimps for pow'r — her fycophants for gain, And fweeping onward pierce th' envenom'd ring. Which circulates thy much infulted King, There, with a voice which truth fhould e'er fupport, (Though' not the ufual language of a Court) Ring THE PATRICIANS. Ring In his ears what hirelings crowd his throne, Negledling ev'ry int'refl but their own, Tell him of England's long, and foul difgrace, Of knaves in pow'r, and fplendid fools in place^ Of laws perverted, liberties betray'd, Of modeft merit flurab'ring in the fliade, Of commerce trampled by a gambling band. Of fubjedls ftarving in a plenteous land, Of pafiions rankling in a vile extreme. For which Gomorrah only has a name. Prefs ev'ry truth — thy duty thus purfue, And tell him all a Brunswick ought to do. In fuch an hour, let fplee?t ne'er tell her tale, Nor aught beneath thy country's rights prevail, Think on the glories of thy former fame, And all the wonders done by Chatham's name, How when Britannia's navy felt difgrace, And mock invadons kept an equal pace, K 34 THE PATRICIANS. When (he^ herfclf, all faint, and friendlefs lay, Her Councils diffident — her Chiefs at bay, How like fome fuccouring God — by heav'n's command, You flood the Saviour of this helplefs landj A greater honour far than C^far prov'd, You came — you/<^xy — you conquer d — and was lov'd» An equal wreath ftill waits to grace thy brow^ You fav'd us once — we claim falvation now. FINIS. ERRATA. Page 6, Line 13, for migh'fiy read mighi'jl. Page 9, Line 13, ior fmoiUd, re^id finootFd. Page 1 3, Line 4, for his ;ioon, read its noon. And Line 6, of the fame Page, for its day, read, his day. This Day Is publifhed, Price 2S. 6d. The Fourth Edition, with confiderable Additions, THE SENATORS O R, A CRITICAL EN QJJ I R Y INTO THE MERITSOF THE PRINCIPAL PERFORMERS A T ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL. A POEM.. By the Author of The PATRICIANS, Printed for G. KEARSLY, in Ludgate-Street. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 305 De Neve Drive - Parlk np la MaypR - The patricians Y APFt 2 9 19^-^- PR 3U09 D17p 1 158 00989 9500 000 001 099 1 ' -r.^-- Univers Souti Libr