OFT has the muse here try'd her magic arts,
To raise your fancies, and engage your hearts.
When o'er this little spot she shakes her wand,
Towns, cities, nations, rise at her command;
And armies march obedient to her call,
New states are form'd, and ancient empires fall.
To vary your instruction and delight,
Past ages roll renew'd before your sight.
His awful form the Greek and Roman wears,
Wak'd from his slumber of two thousand years:
And man's whole race, restor❜d to joy and pain,
Act all their little greatness o'er again.
No common woes to-night we set to view;
Important in the time, the story new.
Our op'ning scenes shall to your sight disclose
How spiritual dragooning first arose;
Claims drawn from heav'n by a barbarian lord,
And faith first propagated by the sword.
In rocky Araby this post began,
And swiftly o'er the neighbouring country ran:
By faction weaken'd, and disunion broke,
Degen'rate provinces admit the yoke,
Nor stopp'd their progress till, resistless grown,
Th' enthusiasts made all Asia's world their own.
Britons, be warn'd; let e'en your pleasures here
Convey some moral to th' attentive ear:
Beware lest blessings long possess'd displease;
Nor grow supine with liberty and ease.
Your country's glory be your constant aim;
Her safety all is yours; think yours her fame.
Unite at home-forego intestine jars;
Then scorn the rumours of religious wars;
Speak loud in thunder from your guarded shores,
And tell the continent, the sea is yours,
Speak on, and say, by war, you'll peace maintain,
Till brightest years, reserv'd for George's reign,
Advance, and shine in their appointed round:
Arts then shall flourish, plenteous joys abound;
And cheer'd by him, each loyal muse shall sing,
The happiest island, and the greatest king.