By the Same.
THE INSTITUTION OF THE Order of the GARTER.
SCENE, WINDSOR PARK.
[107]Flouriſh of aërial muſick at a diſtance, after which the following verſes are ſung in the air by SPIRITS, while the GENIUS of England deſcends.
Firſt SPIRIT.
HITHER, all ye heav'nly pow'rs,
From your empyreal bow'rs;
From the fields for ever gay,
From the ſtar-pav'd milky way,
From the moon's relucent horn,
From the ſtar that wakes the morn;
From the bow, whoſe mingling dyes
Sweetly cheer the frowning ſkies;
From the ſilver cloud that ſails
Shadowy o'er the darken'd vales;
From th' Elyſiums of the ſky,
Spirits immortal, hither fly!
CHORUS of SPIRITS.
[108]Fly, and through the limpid air
Guard in pomp the ſliding car,
Which to his terreſtrial throne
Wafts Britannia's Genius down.
Second SPIRIT.
Hither, all ye heav'nly pow'rs!
From your empyreal bow'rs!
Chiefly ye, whoſe brows divine
Crown'd with ſtarry circlets ſhine;
Who in various labours try'd,
Once Britannia's ſtrength and pride,
Now in everlaſting reſt
Share the glories of the bleſt!
Peers and nobles of the ſky,
Spirits immortal, hither fly!
CHORUS of SPIRITS.
Fly, and through the limpid air
Guard in pomp the ſliding car,
Which to his terreſtrial throne
Wafts Britannia's Genius dawn.
Third SPIRIT.
Hither too, ye tuneful throng,
Maſters of enchanting ſong,
Sacred bards! whoſe rapt'rous ſtrains
Sooth the toiling hero's pains,
Sooth the patriot's gen'rous cares;
Sweetly thro' their raviſh'd ears
[109]Whiſp'ring to th' immortal mind
Heav'nly viſions, hopes refin'd;
Hopes of endleſs peace and fame,
Safe from envy's blaſting flame,
Pure, ſincere, in thoſe abodes,
Where to throngs of liſt'ning gods,
Hymning bards, to virtue's praiſe,
Tune their never-dying lays.
Sweet encomiaſts of the ſky,
Spirits immortal, hither fly!
CHORUS of SPIRITS.
Fly, and charm the limpid air,
While the ſoftly-ſliding car,
To his ſea-encircled throne
Wafts Britannia's Genius down.
Chorus of BARDS deſcends, dreſs'd in long flowing ſky-colour'd robes ſpangled with ſtars, with garlands of oaken bought upon their heads, and golden harps in their hands, made like the Welch, or old Britiſh harp. Before they appear, they ſing the chorus, and afterwards, as they deſcend, the following ſongs; at the laſt ſtanza of which, the cha⯑riot of the GENIUS appears, and deſcends gradually all the while that and the grand chorus is ſinging.
CHORUS of BARDS.
Gentle Spirit, we obey;
Thus along th' aetherial way,
We attend our monarch's car;
Thus we charm the ſilent air.
[110] SONG.
Firſt BARD.
Ye ſouthern gales, that ever fly
In frolic April's vernal train,
Who, as ye ſkim along the ſky,
Dip your light pinions in the main,
Then ſhake them fraught with genial ſhow'rs,
O'er blooming Flora's primroſe bow'rs:
2.
Now ceaſe awhile your wanton ſport,
Now drive each threat'ning cloud away;
Then to the flow'ry vale reſort,
And hither all its ſweets convey;
And ever as ye dance along,
With ſoft murmurs aid our ſong.
SONG II.
Second BARD.
But lo! fair Windſor's tow'rs appear,
And hills with ſpreading oaks imbrown'd!
Hark! hark! the voice of joy I hear,
Sung by a thouſand echoes round;
And now I view a glitt'ring train,
In triumph march o'er yonder plain.
[111]Grand CHORUS of SPIRITS and BARDS.
Hail mighty nation! ever fam'd in war!
Lo! heav'n deſcends thy feſtivals to ſhare;
To view thoſe heroes, whoſe immortal praiſe
Celeſtial bards ſhall ſing in living lays.
At the concluſion of this chorus, the GENIUS alights from his chariot, the front of which reſembling the head of a man of war, is adorned with a carved lion, holding be⯑fore his breaſt the arms of England, as they were borne by Edward. Behind, on a rais'd ſeat, ſits the GENIUS, leaning upon an anchor of ſilver, and bearing in his right hand the vindicta, or wand of enfranchiſement, and in his left a roll of parchment, upon which is written, in large letters of gold, MAGNA CHARTA. On his head is a co⯑rona roſtrata, or naval crown; and his robe, of a ſea-green colour, is embroidered with cornucopia's and golden tridents.
GENIUS.
Diſdain not, ye bleſt denizens of air,
To breathe this groſſer atmoſphere awhile,
Your ſervice I ſhall need; mean time reſort
To yon imperial palace, and in air
Draw up your ſquadrons in a radiant orb,
Suſpended o'er thoſe lofty battlements,
Like the bright halo that inveſts the moon,
Or Saturn's lucid ring: thence ſhed benign
Your choiceſt influence on the noble train,
There on this ſolemn day aſſembled round
The throne of Britiſh Edward: I awhile
Muſt here await th' approach of other ſpirits,
[112]Sage Druids, Britain's old philoſophers;
Fetch'd by my ſummons from the weſtern iſles,
That, ſcatter'd o'er the rough Hibernian flood,
Seem like huge fragments by the wild wave torn
From ſtormy Scotland, and the Cambrian ſhore.
There, from the world retir'd in ſecret ſhades,
Chiefly where Breint and Meinai waſh'd the oaks
Of ancient Mona, their academies
And ſchools of ſage and moral diſcipline
They held; and to the neighb'ring Britons round,
From their rever'd tribunals, holy mounts,
Diſpens'd at once their oracles and laws.
'Till fierce Paulinus, and his Roman bands,
Them and their gods defying, drove them thence
To ſeek for ſhelter in Hibernian ſhades.
Yet ſtill enamour'd of their ancient haunts,
Unſeen of mortal eyes, they hover round
Their ruin'd altars, conſecrated hills
Once girt with ſpreading oaks, myſterious rows
Of rude enormous obeliſks, that riſe
Orb within orb, ſtupendous monuments
Of artleſs architecture, ſuch as now
Oft times amaze the wand'ring traveller,
By the pale moon diſcern'd on Sarum's plain.
But hence, aërial ſpirits: lo, they come!
Here the SPIRITS
and BARDS,
together with the chariot of the GENIUS,
reaſcend, and at the ſame time the DRUIDS
enter, cloath'd in dark-colour'd coarſe ſtuff gowns [113] which before hang no lower than the knee, but behind almoſt touch the ground. The ſleeves of theſe gowns reach down below the elbow, and from behind comes up a ſort of hood or cowle, which hangs looſe about the head and forehead. From the left ſhoulder hangs in a ſtring a kind of pouch, or ſcrip, and reſts on the right hip. In their right hand they hold a ſtaff, and in their left an oaken branch. Their beards are very large and long, reaching below their waiſts. Their legs are naked, and their feet ſhod with ſandals, which are faſtened by thongs wound about the foot and the ſmall of the leg. a Enter DRUIDS.
Chief DRUID.
Inform us, happy ſpirit, protecting pow'r
Of this our ancient country, wherefore now
From our ſequeſter'd vallies, penſive groves
And dark receſſes, thou haſt ſummon'd us
To wait thy orders on this flow'ry hill?
GENIUS.
A great event, ſage Druids, that no leſs
Imports than this your ancient country's fame,
From contemplation, and your ſilent ſhades,
Calls you to meet me on this flow'ry hill.
Know, in yon caſtle, whoſe proud battlements
Sit like a regal crown upon the brow
Of high-climbing lawn, doth Edward hold
This day his ſolemn ſeſſion to receive
[114]The pleas of all th' aſpiring candidates,
Who, ſummon'd by the
b herald's publick voice,
To Windſor, as to Fame's bright temple, haſte
From ev'ry ſhore; the noble, wiſe, and brave,
Knights, ſenators, and ſtateſmen, lords and kings;
Ambitious each to gain the ſplendid prize,
By Edward promis'd to tranſcendent worth.
For who of mortals is too great and high
In the career of virtue to contend?
Of theſe ſelecting the moſt glorious names,
Doth England's monarch purpoſe to compoſe
A princely brotherhood, himſelf the chief,
And worthy ſov'reign of th' illuſtrious band;
A band of heroes, liſted in the cauſe
Of honour, virtue, and celeſtial truth,
Under the name and holy patronage
Of Cappadocian GEORGE, Britannia's ſaint.
Such is the plan by gen'rous Edward form'd;
A plan of glory, that beyond the reach
Of his own conquering arms, ſhall propagate
[115]The ſov'reignty of Britain, and erect
Her monarchs into judges of mankind.
But from this day's deciſions, from the choice
Of his firſt collegues, ſhall ſucceeding times
Of Edward judge, and on his fame pronounce.
For dignities and titles, when miſplac'd
Upon the vicious, the corrupt and vile,
Like princely virgins to low peaſants match'd,
Deſcend from their nobility, and ſoil'd
By baſe alliance, not their pride alone
And native ſplendor loſe, but ſhame retort
Ev'n on the ſacred throne, from whence they ſprung.
So may the luſtre of this order bright,
This eldeſt child of chivalry be ſtain'd,
If at her firſt eſpouſals, her great ſire,
Caught by the ſpecious outſides, that deceive
And captivate the world, admit the ſuit
Of vain pretenders void of real worth;
Light empty bubbles, by the wanton gale
Of fortune ſwell'd, and only form'd to dance
And glitter in the ſun-ſhine of a court.
Begin we then with Edward; firſt let him
At his own high tribunal undergo
The rigid inquiſition—I for this
Have left my lucid ſtar-encircled throne:
For this, immortal ſages have requir'd
Your wiſe and prudent miniſtry, well ſkill'd
In various ſcience and the human heart.
[116]Search Edward's to the bottom: ſound the depths
And ſhallows of his ſoul; if he poſſeſs
That firſt of regal talents, to diſcern
With quick-ey'd penetration, thro' the veil
Of art, each character's intrinſick worth,
And all the labyrinths of the human mind.
Nor bluſh for this good end yourſelves to wear
Fallacious forms to plead the cauſe of falſe
But ſpecious merit; at his throne appear
In borrow'd ſhapes, and there with artful guile,
When the ſhrill trumpet cites the candidates,
Urge your pretenſions: all the pow'r employ
Of wit and eloquence: Edward, I truſt,
The trial ſhall abide; which ſhall but tend
To manifeſt, that not from arrogance,
But conſcious virtue, hath he thus aſſum'd
Above all other kings, to be the judge
And great rewarder of heroic deeds.
Nor wholly unaſſiſted will I leave
My royal charge, but with bleſt influence clear
His intellectual eye from the dim miſts
It haply hath contracted from a long
Unebbing current of felicity,
Unhop'd, unequall'd triumphs, from the view
Of captive monarchs, and the glitt'ring throng,
Who at his ſummons from all climates come,
To take, as from their ſov'reign, honours new.
[117]When heav'n tries mortals in unuſual ways,
'Tis fit it ſhould afford unuſual aid.
Now, ſages, to yon ſpreading oaks retire
There wait my ſummons; and mean time adviſe
How beſt to execute the taſk enjoin'd.
Ex. Gen. and Druids.
The SCENE
changes to a large room in the caſtle (St. George's Hall)
at the upper end of which is a royal canopy with the figure of St George,
and the motto of the Garter, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE,
beneath it embroider'd in gold. Under this canopy appears ſeated on an elevation of two or three ſteps, king Edward,
in the habit of the order of the Garter, with a ſceptre in his right hand, and a globe in his left. On his left hand is ſeated queen Philippa,
with a crown upon her head, and dreſs'd in a royal mantle of crimſon velvet, powder'd with embroider'd garters, and an enamel'd c garter bound like a bracelet upon her left arm. By her ſtand a great number of ladies very richly dreſs'd. On Edward's
right hand is ſeated king John,
in the imperial robes of France;
and on the ſame ſide, but a ſtep lower, ſits Edward
the Black Prince, in the robes belonging to the Prince of Wales.
Next to queen Philippa
are ſeated the reſt of Edward's
children; and next to the Black Prince, on the other ſide, ſtand the French priſoners, and a great num⯑ber of lords, &c. richly dreſs'd. On the floor, at ſome diſtance, ſtands Garter king at arms in the habit of his office, holding in his hand a Garter, with the grand collar of the order. Near him ſtand other heralds, uſhers, attendants, &c.
[118] Flouriſh of trumpets, kettle-drums, &c. After which Ed⯑ward riſing up from his throne, addreſſes himſelf to the aſſembly.
EDWARD.
That hither from your diſtant reſidence,
By ſolemn invitation, noble gueſts,
I have entreated your illuſtrious train,
Miſconſtrue not to levity and pride,
Or oſtentatious vain magnificence,
Unworthy the grave majeſty of kings,
Unworthy your atention, my renown.
This bright aſſemblage of the wiſe, the brave,
The noble, the magnificent, the fair,
The ornaments of Europe, have I ſought
To grace the pomp of Virtue, to adorn
With nobleſt off'rings her unſpotted ſhrine,
Attracting thus to her divine commands
The aweful veneration of mankind.
This was the cauſe, great princes, this the call,
The voice of Virtue, not of England's king,
That with reſpectful zeal ye hear'd and follow'd:
From Burgundy's rich vineyards, from the meads
Of Hainault and Brabant, the rocky wave
Of Danube, from Germania's warlike tow'rs,
Imperial mother of an hundred ſtates;
From Spain, long exercis'd by Mooriſh arms,
From Italy's fair princedoms, and the walls
Of ſea-waſh'd Venice, Adria's haughty ſpouſe.
[119]With me then, all ye virtuous, by what ſtile
Recorded in the regiſters of fame,
Knights, ſenators, or ſoldiers, ermin'd lords,
Or ſcepter'd princes; from whatever clime
Ye come, ennobled by heroic acts,
With me unite the ſplendor of your names
To dignify th' erection of a new
And noble order, which to heav'n's high praiſe,
And to heav'n's champion Cappadocian GEORGE,
On this his holy feſtival I mean
To found a recompence for worthieſt deeds.
Thus as the orient ſun, ador'd of old
By proſtrate Perſia, ow'd his deity
Leſs to that genial and benignant heat
That cheriſhes and warms the ſeeds of life,
Than to thoſe gorgeous beams, that deck with gold
And crimſon the gay portals of the morn;
So ſhall this riſing order owe its fame
And brighteſt luſtre to the ſplendid train
Of lords and purpled princes, who are met
This day to uſher and adorn its birth.
Nor deem that to allure heroic minds,
My private int'reſts partially to ſerve,
To lift the valiant in ambition's cauſe,
And form a league of conqueſt, I have laid
In ſubtle policy this great deſign:
[120]ASHAM'D BE HE WHO WITH MALIGNANT EYE
SO READS MY PURPOSE: and be he accurs'd
Whoe'er in after-times ſhall ſo pervert
This ſacred inſtitution. To the world
I here conſign it, to the good and great
Of every age and clime, and them alone.
d [121]Now ſound the trumpet; bid the candidates
With confidence appear, and urge their claims.
Flouriſh of trumpets, &c. which is anſwered by another trumpet from without; then enter a grandee of Spain, magnificently attir'd in the Spaniſh habit, holding in his hand the pedigree of his family, and preceded by heralds, &c. bearing atchievements, banners, coats of armour, helmets, gauntlets, ſpurs, &c.
SPANIARD.
Illuſtrious monarch! emp'ror of the iſles!
My name is Guzman—from thoſe heroes ſprung,
[122]Who with Pelagio 'mid th' Aſturian rocks
Againſt th' invaſion of unnumber'd Moors,
Maintain'd the ſame and empire of the Goths,
And founded at Oviedo once again
The Spaniſh monarchy and cath'lick faith,
Tranſporting from the mountain's dreary womb
To glitt'ring temples her moſt holy altars.
Thence on the bordering Moor their valiant ſons
Waging inceſſant war, ere long regain'd
Their ancient realms of Leon, Arragon,
And rich Caſtilia: in which great exploits
My brave progenitors, by valour, zeal,
And loyalty diſtinguiſh'd, from their kings
Gain'd thoſe high honours, princely ſignories,
And proud prerogatives, which have extoll'd
The name of Guzman to ſuch envy'd grandeur,
That ſcarce above it towers the regal throne.
Theſe honours undiminiſh'd, undefil'd,
To me deliver'd down, might well content
A vulgar mind; but ſpirits highly born
Are full of gen'rous and aſpiring thoughts;
And uſe the vantage ground of rank and pow'r
But to aſcend ſtill higher. Thus I come
Thy GARTER to ſollicit; pleas'd, great prince,
With thee to be enroll'd thy brother knight,
And fearing no repulſe. Nobility,
As neareſt in her orbit, firſt receives
The beams of majeſty; alone can bear
[123]The fulneſs of that glory, which o'erpow'rs
Inferior natures. Virtue's ſelf would bluſh,
Did ſhe at once approach too near the throne.
But the young eagle borne amid the blaze
Of glancing lightnings, with undazzled eye
Soars to the courts of heav'n, and perches bold
On the bright ſceptre of imperial Jove.
The greateſt king is he, who is the king
Of greateſt ſubjects. Seek'ſt thou to advance
The glory of thy order? To thy ſelf
Aſſociate thoſe, whoſe high-exalted names
For ages paſt from Envy's ſelf have forc'd
Habitual veneration, never paid
To new and upſtart merit. Such am I,
Whoſe pure and gen'rous blood deſcending down
From nobleſt fountains, in its courſe enrich'd
By glorious mixtures with each royal ſtream
That fair Iberia boaſts, might ev'n pretend
To thy alliance, Edward. View this ſcroll,
The faithful blazon of my ancient line,
A line of potentates, whoſe ev'ry ſon
Deſerv'd to wear the GARTER I demand.
In me their repreſentative, the heir,
Of all their honours, ſon of their renown,
Do thou reward their virtues: in their names
I claim, and on hereditary right,
The right of monarchs, Edward, reſt my plea.
EDWARD.
[124]The high deſert of thy renown'd forefathers
Well haſt thou ſhewn; but haſt thou therefore prov'd
Thy ſelf deſerving to be call'd their ſon?
To thee their proſp'rous virtues have indeed
Tranſmitted lineal rank, and titles proud,
By them more hardly gain'd; for which thou ſtand'ſt
To cuſtom and th' indulgence of thy country
Indebted, Guzman, in a large account;
Which thou muſt firſt diſcharge by noble deeds,
Ere thou canſt ſtile thoſe dignities thine own.
This if thou haſt not paid, why doſt thou ſeek,
Like thriftleſs prodigals, to ſwell the debt,
And overwhelm thy ſelf with obligations?
Virtue is honour, and the nobleſt titles
Are but the public ſtamps ſet on the ore
To aſcertain its value to mankind.
It were a kind of treaſon to my crown,
To mark baſe metal with the royal impreſs,
And put off lazy pride in virtue's name.
Wou'dſt thou attain my GARTER? Seek it there
Where thy heroic anceſtors acquir'd
Their glorious honours, in th' embattled field
Among the ſquadrons of the warlike Moors:
Or in the council of thy king, by truth
And wiſdom equal to th' important truſt.
Be what thy fathers were, and then return
[125]To aſk the pledge of merit from my hand,
And be the fit companion of a king.
Exit Spaniard.
Flouriſh of trumpets, &c. which, as before, is anſwered by another trumpet from without; then enter an uſurer and ſenator of Genoa (at that time the bank of Europe) dreſs'd in his ſenatorial gown of black velvet, profuſely, but aukwardly adorn'd with jewels, pearls and diamond necklaces, pendents, bracelets, rings, ſuch as he may be ſuppoſed to have received as pawns, and to wear rather as marks of his great riches, than as ornaments of his dreſs. He is attended by a large train of people of every profeſſion, appearing to be his debtors, by their abject and timid countenances, at the head of whom, and next to the uſurer, marches a ſcrivener, bearing a large bundle of bonds, mortgages, &c.
GENOESE.
From Genoa the opulent, the bank
And treaſury of the world, moſt puiſſant king,
Invited by thy heralds, am I come
To claim the honour by thy promiſe due,
Due by thy juſtice to ſuperior worth;
Due then to me, great Edward, who poſſeſs
That object of the toils, the cares, the vows
Of all mankind, that comprehenſive good,
Source of all pow'r and grandeur, boundleſs wealth.
Behold yon glitt'ring train, whoſe ſumptuous pride,
Bright with the treaſures of each precious mine,
Inveſts with glory thy imperial throne:
Whence is their dignity? The ray auguſt,
That awes and dazzles the reſpectful crowd,
[126]Proceeds it from nobility, from virtue,
Their wiſdom, or their valour, or their fame?
Comes it not rather from the beaming ore?
The diamond's ſtar-like radiance? Wealth, O king,
Wealth is the ſun that decks the gorgeous ſcene;
That cheriſhes, adorns, and calls to view
Theſe princely flowers of honour, virtue, fame,
Which in the ſhades of poverty were loſt.
Whatever men deſire or venerate,
On wealth attends; ev'n empire's ſelf is bought.
Nor cou'd the mighty Julius have attain'd
By wiſdom or by valour ſov'reign pow'r,
Had not the gold of vanquiſh'd Gaul ſubdu'd
The liberties of Rome. On wretched want,
Contempt and narrow-ſoul'd dependence wait.
Ev'n kings, of neceſſary wealth depriv'd,
In powerleſs indigence loſe all reſpect,
All homage from their ſubjects: while the rich,
Like gods ador'd, o'er ev'ry neck extend
Their potent ſceptres, and in golden chains
Fierce Faction and rebellious Freedom bind.
The glory, ſtrength, importance of a realm
Is meaſur'd by its riches: Venice thus,
Thus Genoa's petty ſtate out-balances,
In Europe's ſcale, the boundleſs wilds that cloath
With tributary furs the Ruſſian Czar.
With like pre-eminence exalted ſhines
[127]In ev'ry land above the proudeſt names,
The bleſt poſſeſſor of all-worſhip'd gold.
My birth or rank I boaſt not here, though born
A ſenator of Genoa. The deſert,
On which I found my claim, is all my own;
To have adorn'd and dignify'd the ſtate
Of my declining houſe with greater wealth
Than e'er my thriftleſs anceſtors poſſeſs'd;
Whoſe richeſt acquiſitions were but ſprigs
Of barren laurel, or the flaunting rags
Of ſome torn enſign, to their needy ſon
A worthleſs heritage. Yet not to ſwell
My narrow fortunes wou'd my ſoul deſcend
To the baſe methods of ignoble trade,
And vulgar mercantile purſuit of gain.
Mine were the noble arts of raiſing gold
From gold, of nurſing and improving wealth
By gainful uſe; arts practis'd heretofore
By ſenators and ſages of old Rome,
Illuſtrious Craſſus, and wiſe Seneca.
Thus have I grac'd the ſplendor of my name
With ſuitable poſſeſſions; thus I hold
In firm ſubjection to my will the poor
Of ev'ry rank and order, ſoldier, prieſt,
The vent'rous merchant, and the ſumptuous lord,
Who in a lower vaſſalage to me,
Than to thy ſceptre, Edward, bow their heads,
Pledging their lands and liberties for gold.
[128]Hence am I bold to ſtand before thy throne
A candidate for glory's higheſt prize:
And let me add, that policy alone
Shou'd teach thy prudence to approve my claim;
Shou'd teach thee in thy ſubjects to excite,
By honours on ſuperior wealth beſtow'd,
An uſeful emulation to be rich:
Which once inſpir'd, thy Albion ſhall become
The firſt of nations, thou the firſt of kings.
EDWARD.
Hadſt thou by op'ning to thy native land
The golden veins of commerce, by employing
The uſeful hands of induſtry in works
Of national advantage, by uniting
Remoteſt regions in the friendly bands
And honeſt intercourſe of mutual trade;
Hadſt thou by theſe humane and generous arts,
Which thy miſtaken pride ſo much diſdains,
Enrich'd at once thy country and thy ſelf,
Then not unworthy hadſt thou been to wear
The brighteſt marks of honour; but thy wealth,
The baſe-born child of ſordid uſury,
That foe to commerce, nurſe of idleneſs,
Stains and degrades thee from thy noble birth;
Nor in the uſurer can I diſcern
The ſenator of Genoa.—To enlarge
The mind with gen'rous ſentiments, to raiſe
Its aims by virtuous emulation, here
[129]I ſit; but not to gild with honour's beams
That ſelfiſh paſſion which congeals the heart,
And ſtops the ſtreams of ſweet benevolence,
Mean avarice, the vice of narroweſt ſouls,
Incapable of glory.—Wealth, thou ſay'ſt,
Can buy ev'n empire, and to Julius gave
Dominion o'er his country—Fatal gift,
And ruinous to both! But what to Rome,
What to that Caeſar's ſucceſſors avail'd
The boundleſs treaſures of the ravag'd world,
When they had loſt their virtue? Did not ſoon
The valiant ſons of poverty, the Goths,
The Huns and Vandals, from their barren hills
And rugged woods deſcending, to their ſteel
Subject the Roman gold? Yet I deny not
The pow'r and uſe of riches: to the wiſe
And good, in publick or in private life,
They are the means of virtue, and beſt ſerve
The nobleſt purpoſes; but in the uſe,
Not in the bare poſſeſſion, lies the merit.
Shew me thy merit then, thy bounteous acts,
Publick munificence, or private alms,
The hungry and the naked, and the ſick,
Suſtain'd and cheriſh'd by thy ſaving hand;
Plead this, and I allow thy worthy claim,
For this is virtue, and deſerves reward.
Ex. Gen.
[130] Flouriſh of trumpets, &c. which is anſwered by a ſym⯑phony of flutes, violins, &c. playing a light amorous air; then appears a Neapolitan courtier, a favourite of queen Joan, who then reign'd at Naples, and whoſe court was the moſt debauch'd and diſſolute of that age. He comes in with a gay and affected geſture, and is dreſs'd in looſe ſilken robes, rich, but finical and eſſemi⯑nate; on his hair, which is curl'd and ſpread all over his ſhoulders down to the middle of his back, he wears a chaplet of roſes, and is attended by a train of beautiful boys, habited like Cupids, and muſicians, who, as he marches towards the throne, continue playing their ſoft and wanton airs.
NEAPOLITAN.
Not on my wealth, nor on my noble blood,
Shall I preſume to claim thy royal gift,
Auſpicious prince, but on the ſkill to give
That ſplendor to nobility and wealth,
That elegance of taſte, from which alone
Their value they derive; of this to judge,
This to direct, I boaſt, fit arbiter
Of all refin'd delights.—But chief to kings
My happy talents I devote; on them
My genius waits with duteous care, and wafts
The golden cup of pleaſure to their lips,
Like Ganymede before the throne of Jove.
And who indeed would wiſh to be a god
Only to thunder, and to hear the pray'rs
Of clam'rous ſuitors? 'Tis the nectar'd feaſt,
The dance of Graces, and the wanton charms
Of Venus, ſporting with the Smiles and Loves,
[131]That make the court of heav'n a bleſt abode.
Far happier were the meaneſt peaſant's lot
Who ſleeps or ſings in careleſs eaſe beneath
The ſun-burnt hay-cock, or the flow'ry thorn,
Than to be plac'd on high in anxious pride,
The purple drudge and ſlave of tireſome ſtate,
If to ſuperior pow'r ſuperior means
Of joy were not annex'd, and larger ſcope
For ev'ry wiſh the laviſh heart can form:
If the ſoft hand of pleaſure did not wreathe
Around the royal diadem, whoſe weight
Oppreſſive loads the monarch's aching brow,
Her faireſt growth of ever-blooming flow'rs.
On thee, victorious prince, propitious Fortune
Hath pour'd her richeſt gifts, renown and wealth,
And greatneſs equal to thy mighty mind;
One only bliſs is wanting to thy court,
Voluptuous elegance, the lovely child
Of eaſe and opulence; that never comes,
But like a bird of ſummer to attend
The brighteſt ſun-ſhine of a glorious ſtate.
To her, and her alone belongs the taſk,
By learned delicacy to remove
What yet remains in this thy ancient realm
Of Gothick barbariſm, the ruſt of war,
And valiant ignorance.—Her artful hand
Thy rugged Britons ſhall refine, and teach
More courtly manners, to their ſov'reign's will
[132]Politely pliant: do but thou command
Thy willing ſervant, with thy favours grac'd,
From fair Joanna's ever-ſmiling court,
Under whoſe happy influence I was train'd,
From poliſh'd Naples, her delightful ſeat,
The blooming goddeſs to tranſport, with all
Her train of joys, and fix them here beneath
Thy great protection.—But perhaps thou fear'ſt
The voice of cenſure, and the grave reproof
Of moralizing dullneſs: idle fear!
The vulgar herd, indeed, religious craft
And policy of ſtate have well confin'd
With wiſe ſeverity to rigid laws:
Elſe would that headſtrong beaſt the multitude
Forget obedience, and its rider's voice
Diſdain. But ſhall the rider put a curb
In his own mouth? The laws that kings have made
Shall they reſtrain the makers? Edward, no!
For thee indulgent juſtice ſhall relax
Her harſh decrees, and piety ſhall wait
To give her rev'rend ſanction to thy will.
'Tis thine to rove at large thro' nature's field,
Crop ev'ry flow'r, and taſte of ev'ry fruit;
By ſweet variety provoking ſtill
The languid appetite to new deſires.
Nor uſeleſs to thy pleaſures, happy prince,
Shall be my faithful ſervice; nicer joys,
Joys of a quicker, more exalted taſte,
[133]Than ever ripen'd in this northern clime,
The growth of ſofter regions, ſhall my hand
By ſkilful culture in thy Britain raiſe.
To them, whoſe groſs and dull capacities
Are fit to bear the burthens of the ſtate,
The lab'ring mules, that thro' the mire of forms
Draw the ſlow car of government along,
Gladly the taſk of bus'neſs I reſign.
Be mine the brighter province, to direct
Thy pleaſures, Edward, miniſter ſupreme
Of all thy ſofter hours: to ſerve the king
Be theirs the glory, let me ſerve the man.
But ſhou'd thy ſterner Genius, only pleas'd
With arms and royalty's important cares,
The duties of a king, my gentle arts
Too lightly prize, and thence reject my ſuit:
Permit at leaſt, that to Philippa's ear,
Divine Philippa, thine and beauty's queen,
And her attendant graces, I may plead
The cauſe of bliſs, a cauſe ſo much their own:
They will approve my claim, to whom the cares,
The labours of my life, my head, my heart
Are all devoted—Let me from their hands
Receive the GARTER, and be call'd their knight.
PHILIPPA.
Permit me, gracious Edward, to reply
To this irreverent flatt'rer, who preſumes
Before a matron and a queen to plead
[134]The cauſe of vice, and impudently hopes
To find in her a fautreſs of his ſuit.
But know, pernicious ſophiſter, my heart
Hath learn'd from Edward's love, and this high rank
Which I partake with him, a noble pride,
That ill can brook the too familiar eye
And ſaucy tongue of riot and debauch;
In whoſe unmanner'd light ſociety,
Nor majeſty, nor virtue can maintain
That dignity, which is their proper guard.
Thy vile refinements, and luxurious arts,
Miſcall'd politeneſs, I deteſt; and feel,
In the ſoft duties of a virtuous love,
Such pure, ſerene delight, as far tranſcends
What thou ſtyl'ſt pleaſure, the delirious joy
Of an intoxicated feveriſh brain.
Behold my royal lord, the firſt and beſt
Of kings, the love and wonder of mankind!
Behold my children, worthy their great ſire,
The gen'ral theme of praiſe and benediction!
Theſe are my pleaſures; can thy ſkill beſtow
Superior bliſs? Ah no, the vain attempt.
Wou'd only bring diſguſt, remorſe, and ſhame.
EDWARD.
That I have lov'd, Philippa, and eſteem'd thee
More for thy virtues than thoſe female charms,
Which this vile flatterer deems ſingly worth
[135]His panegyrick, be thy happineſs
And glory, as it is thy Edward's pride.
With the like ſpirit have I alſo woo'd
And wedded ſov'reign power; nor weakly caught
With outward pomp, or ſeeking to myſelf
A privilege to riot uncontroul'd
In ſenſual pleaſures, and behind the throne
To laugh ſecurely at reſtraint and law.
No: I embrac'd her as the child of heav'n,
Dowr'd with the ample means of doing good;
From whoſe eſpouſals I might hope to raiſe
An offspring, worth th' ambition of a king,
Immortal glory; to a gen'rous mind
As far ſurpaſſing all the wanton toys,
Which he calls pleaſure, as thy faithful love
(The ſweet o'erflowing of heart-felt delight)
Excels, Philippa, the laſcivious ſmile
Of common proſtitutes, careſs'd and loath'd.
Hence from my ſight with thy deteſted arts,
Baſe miniſter of luxury, the bane
Of ev'ry flouriſhing and happy ſtate:
Preſume no more within my court to ſing
Thy Syren-ſong, nor ſoften into ſlaves
And cowards my brave ſubjects.—I diſdain
That elegance, which ſuch as thou can teach.
Virtue alone is elegant, alone
Polite; vice muſt be ſordid and deform'd,
Tho' to adorn her ev'ry art contend.
[136]And rather wou'd I ſee my Britons roam
Untutor'd ſavages, among the woods,
As once they did, in naked innocence,
Than poliſh'd like the vile degenerate race
Of modern Italy's corrupted ſons.
Exit Neap.
Trumpet ſounds, and is anſwer'd from without by another trumpet, which ſounds a march, accompanied by kettle⯑drums, and other warlike inſtruments: Then enters, pre⯑ceded by ſoldiers playing upon fifes, and others bearing tatter'd enſigns, ſtandards and trophies, a leader of mer⯑cenary bands, compleatly arm'd from head to foot, and carrying in his right hand a baton or truncheon. On each ſide of him march his 'ſquires, one bearing his lance, the other his ſhield. Behind him, as his attendants, comes a train of officers and ſoldiers maimed, and their faces all ſeam'd with ſcars.
SOLDIER.
Nor riches, nor nobility of birth,
Nor the ſoft arts of baſe effem'nate eaſe,
Which juſtly thou rejecteſt, valiant prince,
But thy own darling attribute I boaſt,
Undaunted courage, try'd in many a field,
In ev'ry clime, and under ev'ry banner,
That for theſe forty ſummers have been wav'd
O'er Europe's plains, by Iſter, Rhine, and Po,
Hungarian and Bohemian, Flemiſh, French,
Venetian, Spaniſh, Guelph and Gibbeline:
Whence in juſt confidence ſecure I come
This military honour to demand,
[137]Due to my toils and ſervice, to my wounds,
My laurels, and that generous love of glory,
Which without any call, or publick cauſe,
Or private animoſity, alone
Rais'd my ſtrong arm, and drew my dreadful ſword.
Wherever Mars his crimſon flag diſplay'd,
That was my country, thither ſwift I bore
My ready valour, and the dauntleſs band
Of various nations, under my command,
Prepar'd to ſell their blood, their limbs, their lives:
Nor where the right, nor where the juſteſt cauſe,
Deign'd we to aſk—thoſe intricate debates
We left to lazy penmen in the ſhade
Of coward eaſe; while our impetuous fire
Still bore us forward, ardent to purſue
Thro' danger's rougheſt paths the ſteps to fame.
On ſuch a ſpirit ſhould thy favour ſmile.
But let me wonder, Edward, that ſo long
Thy ear the vain pretenſions cou'd endure
Of men unknown to war, attendants meet
Of ſome luxurious Aſiatic court,
Or female diſtaff-reign; but ſuiting ill
The preſence of a monarch great in arms.
Hadſt thou to thoſe inglorious ſons of peace
Thy martial order giv'n, the warrior-ſaint
Had bluſh'd to ſee his image ſo profan'd,
Which on my manly breaſt, indented o'er
With many a noble ſcar, will fitly ſhine.
[138]But wherefore ſtand I thus haranguing here,
Unſkilful as I am in ſmooth diſcourſe,
The coward's argument? On force alone
I reſt my title: let the glorious prize
Be hung on high amid the liſted field,
And let me there diſpute it; there my lance
Shall plead my cauſe far better than my tongue,
If any dare deny my rightful claim.
EDWARD.
Not for the brave alone have I ordain'd
This inſtitution, but for all deſert,
All publick virtue, wiſdom, all that ſerves,
Improves, defends, or dignifies a ſtate:
Tho' firſt indeed to valour, as the guard
Of all the reſt, when in the publick cauſe,
With juſtice and benevolence employ'd.
But thou, baſe mercenary, canſt thou dare
The glorious name of valour to uſurp,
Who know'ſt no publick cauſe, no ſenſe of right,
Nor pity, nor affection, nor remorſe?
Who under any chief, in any quarrel,
Canſt ſtain with gore thy proſtituted arms?
Call it not love of glory; that is built
On acts for the deliv'rance of mankind;
On gen'rous principles, and noble ſcorn
Of ſordid int'reſt: call it cruel pride,
And ſavageneſs of nature, that delights
To conquer, and oppreſs, afflict, inſult;
[139]Or call it love of plunder, that can draw
Unauthoris'd, uninjur'd, unprovok'd,
The ſword of war; that bravo-like can lift
For hire the venal hand to perpetrate
Aſſaſſinations, murders, maſſacres.
But thou haſt ſerv'd with courage: be it ſo—
Thou haſt thy pay, and with it thy reward;
Pretend no farther, nor compare thy deeds,
Diſhonour'd by the mean deſire of gain,
With his, who for his country and his king
Reſigns his eaſe, his fortune, or his life.
Thoſe battles thou haſt fought, thoſe forty years
Of blood and horror, which thy vaunting tongue
So high hath ſounded, are indeed thy crimes,
Flagitious crimes; for which th' impartial bar
Of reaſon wou'd condemn thee, as the foe
Of human nature, did not cuſtom ſcreen
By her unjuſt eſteem thy guilty head.
But hope not honour or employment here.
Unſafe and wretched is that monarch's ſtate
Who weakly truſts to mercenary bands,
The guard or of his perſon, or his realm:
Unfaithful, inſolent, rapacious, baſe
He ſoon ſhall prove them, and become himſelf
Their ſlave, to hold his kingdom at their will.
For this within my Britain have I ſought
To raiſe a martial ſpirit, and ordain'd
Theſe new incitements, honours, and rewards,
[140]To virtuous chivalry, that never king
Who wears hereafter my imperial crown,
May need to ſtoop to the precarious aid
Of venal foreign ſwords; but in the hearts
Of his brave ſubjects find a ſtronger guard,
Prepar'd with zeal unbought, and Engliſh valour,
His rights to vindicate, and ſave their own.
Exit Soldier.
Trumpet ſounds, to which another from without replies: Then enters an Italian politician, habited like a Venetian nobleman, who advancing with a ſolemn and important air towards the throne, makes a low reverence to king Edward, and proceeds.
POLITICIAN.
Well has thy ſovereign wiſdom, royal judge,
The ſuit refus'd of theſe pretenders vain,
And, by rejecting them, embolden'd me.
For valour, and nobility, and wealth,
Though by their proud poſſeſſors vaunted high,
Are but ſubordinate, the ſlaves and tools,
Not the companions, and the counſellors
Of godlike monarchy; whoſe aweful throne
By darkſome clouds envelop'd, far beyond
The ken of vulgar eyes, ſupported ſtands
On that deep-rooted prop, the craft of ſtate,
Myſterious policy.—Who beſt hath learn'd
Her wily leſſons, beſt deſerves to ſhare
[141]The honours, counſels, and the hearts of kings.
By him inſtructed, ev'n the meaneſt prince
Shall riſe to envy'd greatneſs, ſhall advance
His dreaded pow'r above reſtraint and fear,
And all the rules that in fantaſtic chains
Inferior minds confine. Thus Milan's dukes,
Thus Padua's lords above their country's laws
Have rais'd their heads, and trampled to the duſt
The pride of freedom, that eſſays in vain
Their high ſuperior genius to controul.
Theſe were my maſters, mighty prince; beneath
Their rule, and in their councils was I form'd
To know the falſe corrupted heart of man,
His ev'ry weakneſs, ev'ry vice, and thence
To tempt, or break his paſſions to the yoke:
To ſcorn the publick as an empty name,
And on the helpleſs multitude impoſe
The adamantine bonds of fraud and force.
Thus was I train'd, thus fitted to conduct
The fate of proudeſt empires; thus I come
To claim thy GARTER, Edward, the juſt meed
Of worth praeeminent, and in return
My ſervices to offer, which no doubt
Thy wiſdom gladly will accept: for who
So fit to ſerve the majeſty of kings,
As he, who ſlighting ev'ry meaner tye,
Friends, parents, country, to advance their pow'r
Devotes his toil, experience, fortune, fame,
[142]Nor other favour courts, nor refuge hopes
But in their high protection? — Led by me,
Thou, royal Edward, ſhalt attain that height,
That glorious ſummit of imperial pow'r,
Which not thy mighty anceſtors have reach'd;
Where in a freer air, a more enlarg'd
Horizon, bounded only by thy will,
Thou ſhalt exalted ſit, and view beneath,
In humbler diſtances and ſafer bounds,
Thoſe ſubjects, who preſumptuous now approach
Too near, and with rude hands profane thy throne.
Nor let weak ſcruples check thy manly ſoul
In the bright taſk of glory; know, great prince,
A king's divinity is ſov'reign pow'r,
The only god, before whoſe ſhrine the wiſe
Their incenſe offer, whence inſpir'd, they draw
Divine ambition, and heroic ſcorn
Of vulgar prejudices, vulgar fears.
Virtue's the people's idol, and by them
Rewarded well with popular applauſe,
That idle breath, the gift and prize of fools.
'Tis thine to govern, not to court mankind,
Nor on their ſmiles precarious to depend,
But nobly force them to depend on thine.
O ſacred ſir, can virtue give thee this,
This bright ſupremacy? Truſt not her boaſts,
Her idle pageanty of barren praiſe:
Reject her ſaucy claims, importunate,
[143]And ſelf-ſupported; nor admit her train,
Proud independency, and publick zeal,
Thoſe factious demagogues, the foes of kings.
EDWARD.
Are virtue then, and love of publick good,
The foes of monarchy? and are deceit,
Injuſtice and oppreſſion, qualities
Becoming and expedient in a king?
Then know I not to govern; but have nurs'd
For twice theſe fifteen years ev'n in my heart,
A pois'nous viper; nay unking'd myſelf,
By yielding to reſtrain my ſov'reign pow'r
With laws and charters of enfranchiſement,
Not due, it ſeems, from monarchs to their ſlaves.
But know, vile counſellor of infamy,
That I diſdain thy politics, thoſe falſe
And ſhallow politics, by which my ſire,
Weak judging Edward, was betray'd to ſhame
And foul deſtruction, while to ſuch as thee
His ear and heart incautious he reſign'd,
And was indeed their ſlave, not England's king.
By maxims different far have I ſuſtain'd
The ſtrength and ſplendor of my regal ſtate,
On the broad baſis of true wiſdom fix'd
With ſolid firmneſs. By encouraging
The gen'rous love of virtue and of fame,
That ſource of valour, pledge of victory.
[144]By granting to my ſubjects, what indeed
Is their inherent right, ſecurity,
The cheerful father of content and peace,
Of induſtry and opulence, which fills
With ſmiling multitudes the land, and pays
In willing ſubſidies that prince's care,
Who lays up treaſure in his people's hearts.
By holding with a firm impartial hand
The ſleddy ſcale of juſtice; not alone
Betwixt my ſubjects in their private rights,
But in the gen'ral, more important cauſe,
Betwixt the crown and them, the diff'rent claims
Of freedom and of juſt prerogative:
Tranſgreſſing not myſelf by boundleſs pow'r,
Nor ſuff'ring others to tranſgreſs thoſe laws,
That in their golden chain together bind▪
For common good, the whole united ſtate.
But more than all, by guarding from contempt,
Or impious violation, that ſupreme
Protrectreſs of all government and law,
Religion; in whoſe train for ever wait
Obedience, order, juſtice, mercy, love,
A guard of angels plac'd around the throne.
Her ſacred counſels have I ſtill rever'd,
Her high commands enforc'd, her pow'r implor'd,
O'er all my ſubject nations to call down
From heav'nly wiſdom, her eternal fire,
[145]A fix'd ſecure felicity, beyond
The force of human prudence to attain.
Theſe are my arts of government, thoſe arts
By which my Britiſh crown I have advanc'd
Above th' imperial diadem, above
The pride of Afric's, or of Aſia's thrones.
I wou'd not tell thee this, but that thou ſeem'ſt
A ſtranger to my fame, as to my realm,
And to the real greatneſs of a king:
Whoſe ſacred dignity, by thee traduc'd,
Much it behoves a king to vindicate;
Not by rejecting only with diſdain
Thy arrogant pretenſions, but in thee
Diſhonouring and branding with reproach
Thy tenets alſo, the pernicious lore
Of tyrants and uſurpers, which thy tongue,
Blaſpheming juſtice, government, and law,
Hath in a land of freedom dar'd to vent.
Hence! from my kingdom, with thy quickeſt ſpeed,
Leſt the revenge of an inſulted king
With ſudden ruin intercept thy flight.
Exit Politician.
King JOHN.
Permit me, Edward, to thy royal voice
To add my ſuffrage alſo, and with thee
Proteſt againſt this coward policy,
That meanly ſkulks behind opprobrious fraud,
And low unprincely artifice; I feel
[146]A virtue in my heart, a gen'rous pride,
That tells me kings were cloath'd with majeſty,
Encircled with authority, rever'd
And almoſt deify'd, to teach them thence
That goodneſs and the ſaving attributes
Of heav'n become their office, juſtice chief,
And truth, the virtue of heroic minds,
Which, were it baniſh'd from all other breaſts,
Should dwell for ever in the hearts of kings.
Aërial muſick, upon which re-enter the five Druids who perſonated the Grandee, &c. in their original characters and habits of Druids, the chief of whom advancing to⯑wards the throne, addreſſes himſelf to king Edward.
Chief DRUID.
Behold in us, great king, the ancient prieſts
And judges of this land, the Druids old:
Who late in borrow'd characters have ſtood
Before thy ſage tribunal, to prefer
The claims of valour, wealth, nobility,
And thoſe ſoft ſpecious flatt'rers, who beneath
The roſy wreath of pleaſure and of love
Conceal the ſickly and diſguſtful brow
Of riot and debauch, and often win
From weak unmanly princes the rich prize
To virtue due and wiſdom, not to theſe
The cankers of a ſtate; but leaſt of all
Due to that traytor of his king and country,
[147]Who lab'ring to build up the regal throne
Beyond its due proportion, and the ſtrength
Of thoſe foundations which the laws have laid,
O'erwhelms the people, and at once o'erturns
His royal maſter, places him at beſt
On an uneaſy tott'ring pinnacle,
The mark of execration and reproach.
Theſe claims haſt thou rejected; like a king
Diſcerning in mankind, and knowing well
The value of his favours: like a king
Deſerving the high office of the judge
And arbiter of Europe: like a king
Equal to his great fame, and worth the care
Of thoſe immortal ſpirits, who this day
Have quitted their celeſtial reſidence,
To view and to approve thy glorious deeds.
But, Edward, be not thou amaz'd to find
That thoſe who lately for thy favour ſu'd
Were not the perſonages they aſſum'd.
O king! thou art beſet with counterfeits
The very oppoſites to us, who ſeem
Far better than they are. For Flattery,
Cameleon-like, accommodates with care
To the court-hue his changeful countenance.
And when a prince is brave, magnanimous,
And high in ſpirit, then Ambition wears
A face of dignity, and nothing breathes
But lofty enterprizes, conqueſt, pow'r,
[148]And ſchemes of glory to the ſov'reign ear,
Pretending love and care for his renown
With more than duteous zeal.—Of theſe beware!
For as the Theban queen, in fables old,
Was, by the ſpecious guile of fraudful Jove,
In her Amphitryon's form to guilt betray'd,
So by theſe counterfeits are kings ſeduc'd,
Ev'n in the moſt belov'd ſuſpectleſs ſhapes,
To take a traytor to their royal arms.
But thou ſhalt know them, Edward, by their works,
And of this truth be moſt aſſur'd, that he,
Who in his private commerce with mankind
Is mean, diſhoneſt, intereſted, falſe,
Can ne'er be true to thee; nor can he love
His prince, who feels not for his country's good.
Thus warn'd we leave thee, mighty prince: be firm,
Be conſtant in the paths of fair renown.
Think it thy duty to revere thyſelf
The ſacred laws of chivalry, the wiſe
Injunctions by thy order laid on all
The GARTER'D KNIGHTS; ſo ſhall thy fame remain
The great example of all future kings.
Farewell! for lo! the Genius of thy realm
With all his pomp attended, comes to ſhare,
And grace the glories of this ſignal day.
Theſe clouds of fragrance, that far-beaming blaze
Of heav'nly brightneſs, his approach declare.
Druids vaniſh.
[149] Flaſhes of light, and ſymphony of aërial muſick. Genius of England deſcends in his chariot attended by ſpirits and bards; then alighting, he advances towards the throne, and addreſſes himſelf to Edward.
GENIUS.
From the gay realms of cloudleſs day I come,
Where in the glitter of unnumber'd worlds,
That like to iſles of various magnitudes
Float in the ocean of unbounded ſpace;
On my inviſible aërial throne
I ſit, attended with a radiant band
Of ſpirits immortal, whoſe pure eſſences,
While clad in human ſhapes on earth they dwelt,
Thro' the dull clay of groſs mortality
Diſclos'd their heav'nly vigour, and burſt forth
In godlike virtues and heroic deeds,
Their Albion gracing with as fair a growth
Of fame, as e'er enrich'd imperial Rome.
Thence ripe for heav'n and immortality,
To me, the Genius of this happy iſle,
They fly, and claim the meed of their deſert,
Celeſtial crowns, and ever-living praiſe
Recorded in the ſongs of heav'nly bards,
That round my throne their hymns of triumph ſing,
Attuning to the ſweet harmonious ſpheres
Their undiſcording lyres and voice divine.
Nor thus remov'd to heav'n, and thus employ'd
In careleſs raptures, wont they to forget
[150]Their native country, and the public weal,
To which on earth their labours and their lives
They once devoted; but purſuing ſtill
The bent and habit of their ſouls, with me
They watch the Britiſh empire, ſtill intent
To check alternately th' incroaching waves
Of regal pow'r and popular liberty:
I, chief attentive near the royal throne,
Take up my watchful ſtation, to infuſe
My ſage and mod'rate counſels in thoſe ears,
Which wiſdom hath prepar'd and purify'd
To reliſh honeſt, tho' unpleaſing truth.
Thus am I always, tho' inviſible,
Attendant, Edward, on thy glorious deeds.
But on this ſolemn day have I vouchſaf'd
To manifeſt my preſence; to declare,
Not in thoſe whiſpers which have often ſpoke
Peace to thy conſcious heart, but audibly
And evident to all, th' aſſent of heav'n
To the great buſineſs, which hath gather'd here
This troop of princes from all nations round.
Hence all may know that virtue hath a train
More bright than earthly empire can command:
Know, that thoſe actions which are great and good,
Receive a nobler ſanction from the free
And univerſal voice of all mankind,
Which is the voice of heav'n, than from the higheſt,
The moſt illuſtrious act of regal pow'r.
[151]This nobler ſanction, Edward, in the name
Not of this age alone, but lateſt time,
Here do I ſolemnly annex to each
Of thy great acts, but chief to this moſt wiſe,
Moſt virtuous inſtitution, which extends
Wide as thy fame, beyond thy empire's bound,
A prize of virtue publiſh'd to mankind.
Ye regiſters of heav'n, record the deed.
BARDS.
Now tune, ye bards, the Britiſh lyre;
Now wake the vocal ſtring;
While heav'n and earth in Edward's praiſe conſpire,
Join to the gen'ral voice your ſacred choir,
And on your ſoaring wing,
From time and envy waft his glorious name,
And place it in the ſhrine of incorruptive fame.
Begin: the liſt'ning echoes round
Shall catch with joy the long-forgotten ſound,
And warbling thro' each grove the Britiſh ſtrain
To Windſor's ſmiling nymphs, recall their Arthur's reign.
Ye nymphs of Windſor's bow'ry woods,
Ye pow'rs who haunt yon gliſt'ning floods,
That with reluctant fond delay
Around yon flow'ry valley ſtray;
Say, from your minds hath time eras'd
The pleaſing images of glory paſs'd?
[152]Review ye now thoſe ſcenes no more?
When nobly ſtain'd with Saxon gore,
From Badon's long-contended plain
Great Arthur with his martial train
To Windſor's choſen ſhades repair'd,
And with his knights the feſtive banquet ſhar'd.
Then firſt exulting Thames beheld
The triumphs of the liſted field;
Beheld along his level meads
Careering knights, encount'ring ſteeds,
Heroic games, whoſe toils inſpire
The thirſt of praiſe, and kindle martial fire.
Fair Peace in war's bright mail array'd,
With ſmiles the glorious liſts ſurvey'd;
So ſhou'd the brave (ſhe cry'd) prepare
Their hearts and ſinewy arms for war:
Such combats break not my repoſe,
Such ſons beſt guard my rights from daring foes.
Then too in feaſtful hall or bow'r,
Attendant on the genial hour,
The Britiſh harp ſweet lyriſts ſtrung,
And Albion's generous victors ſung:
While valiant Arthur's copious fame
Inceſſant fed the bright poetic flame.
[153]But mortals erring in exceſs,
O'erwhelm the virtue they careſs.
Thus Arthur his great ſtory mourn'd,
By too fond praiſe to fable turn'd:
Mourn'd the companions of his toils,
Mock'd with falſe glory and fantaſtic ſpoils.
'Till thro' the dark romantic tale,
Thro' ſuperſtition's magic veil,
Sage Edward piercing view'd, and own'd
The chief with genuine luſtre crown'd:
View'd the great model, and reſtor'd
The long-loſt honours of his martial board.
Hail Britiſh prince! theſe faithful lays,
Eternal records of heroic worth,
Shall reaſſert thy ancient praiſe,
And from the cloud of fiction call thee forth,
In glory's ſphere thy orbit to reclaim,
And at great Edward's beam relume thy darken'd fame.
But ſee in heav'nly panoply array'd,
Whoſe ſtreaming radiance ſkirts the clouds with gold,
I view Pendragon burſt the veiling ſhade,
And all his blazing magnitude unfold!
O'er yon broad tow'r he takes his airy ſtand,
And pointing, Edward, towards the royal throne,
To his fam'd knights around, a laurel'd band,
Shews on thy knee the bright ſky-tinctur'd zone.
[154]Virtue, he cries, (th' aetherial ſound
Thy groſs material organ cannot hear)
Virtue on earth by Britiſh Edward crown'd.
Her rev'rend throne once more ſhall rear.
To her own ſelf-applauding breaſt
Forc'd for reward no longer to retreat,
She ſees her aweful charms by kings careſs'd,
Sees honour woo her for his mate.
Honour, her heav'n-elected ſpouſe,
From her embrace by lawleſs pow'r with-held,
Now at yon altar plights his holy vows,
Vows by aſſenting Edward ſeal'd.
And now the fair angelic bride
Gath'ring her noble train from ev'ry land,
To her late wedded lord with decent pride
Preſents the venerable band.
The great proceſſion Edward leads;
I ſee yon hallow'd dome with heroes throng'd:
Inceſſant ſtill the white-plum'd pomp proceeds,
Thro' time's eternal courſe prolong'd.
And you, dear partners of my fame,
Your ancient honours now again ſhall boaſt;
This noble ORDER ſhall retrieve our name,
In viſionary fables loſt.
[155]This from our martial board deriv'd,
Theſe for our brethren let us proudly own,
More pleas'd to view our deeds by thee reviv'd,
Then griev'd, great king, to be outdone.
CHORUS.
Hail Britiſh prince! theſe faithful lays
Shall reaſſert thy ancient praiſe.
Nor thee, O Windſor, ſhall I paſs unſung,
Manſion of princes, and fit haunt of gods,
Who frequent ſhall deſert their bright abodes,
To view thy ſacred walls with trophies hung:
Thy walls by Britiſh Arthur firſt renown'd,
The early ſeat of chivalry and fame;
By Edward now with deathleſs honours crown'd,
Illuſtrious by his BIRTH, his GARTER, and his NAME.
GENIUS.
Conferring juſt rewards, moſt worthy prince,
Is the firſt attribute of ſov'reign pow'r,
And that which beſt diſtinguiſhes a king:
For puniſhment, and all the nice awards
Of civil juſtice, by the laws are fix'd,
And kings but execute what they decree.
While in rewarding merit, uncontroul'd,
Unguided, unaſſiſted is the hand
Of majeſty; the prince himſelf alone
There judges, and his wiſdom is the law.
Well does thy court, great king, with ev'ry worth
[156]And ev'ry virtue fill'd, this wiſdom ſhew
In thee tranſcendent: well haſt thou approv'd
Its force in this great trial, which my pow'r
Commanded, in no common ways to prove
Thy royal mind.—But that a father's name
May not reſtrain thy juſtice in the choice
Of the firſt knights-companions of St. GEORGE,
Myſelf here take upon me to preſent
A candidate, whom, were he not thy ſon,
Thou wouldſt thyſelf ſelect from all mankind.
His modeſty compels me to declare
That candidate is Edward, prince of Wales.
Prince EDWARD.
Inhabitant of heav'n! I not preſume
To deprecate or queſtion that high will,
To which it beſt becomes me to ſubmit.
But, gentle ſpirit, be propitious to me;
And thou, my gracious liege, if I requeſt
That this illuſtrious monarch, whoſe deſert
Is equal to the grandeur of his crown,
May ſtand before me in this liſt of fame.
King JOHN.
O generous youth! in vain thy goodneſs ſtrives
To raiſe thy captive thus above his fortune.
The king that is not free, is not a king;
Nor can thy bounteous favour reconcile
Honour and bondage.—To thy conqu'ring ſon
Do thou, great Edward, give this noble mark
[157]Of proſp'rous virtue; ill becomes it me,
To wear at once thy GARTER and thy chains.
Though by my former dignity I ſwear,
That were I reinſtated in my throne,
The thronc of Capet and of Charlemagne,
Thus to be join'd in fellowſhip with thee,
Would be the firſt ambition of my ſoul;
A ray of glory I would ſue to gain,
And prize it equal with my diadem.
GENIUS.
Wiſely thou haſt determin'd, worthy prince,
For thine and Edward's honour, and haſt fix'd
Its proper value on his royal gift,
Which as the meed of merit, may become
The proudeſt monarchs, by this GARTER mark'd
For ſomething more than monarchs, virtuous men.
This be the glory of thy order, Edward.
And
* never ſhall it want the greateſt names
Of all ſucceeding times to grace its annals.
France, Sweden, Poland, Germany, and Spain,
Each realm of Europe's wide-extended bounds,
Shall count among thy knights its mightieſt lords,
And ſee, in emulation of thy fame,
[158]New royal founders of like orders riſe.
Proceed then, mighty king, and ſet the world
The precedent of glory: thou begin
The radiant liſt of Sov'reigns, while thy ſon,
Like a young bride, that on her nuptial morn
Leads on with modeſt pride the virgin-choir,
Herſelf the brighteſt, heads the ſhining band
Of knights-companions, nobly ſeconding
His father's glorious deeds with equal fame.
EDWARD.
The teſtimony of heav'n to thee, my ſon,
Thus gloriouſly accorded, renders vain
All farther trial.—To my people's voice,
By this their tutelary pow'r declar'd,
With pleaſure I conſent, directing ſtill
By theirs my choice, my judgment, my deſires.
Approach then, my belov'd, my noble ſon,
Strength of my crown, and honour of my realm;
In whom my heart more joys, and glories more,
Than in the higheſt pride of ſov'reign pow'r.
*Thus I admit thee, Edward prince of Wales,
Firſt founder of the order of St. GEORGE;
In evidence whereof, about thy knee
I bind this myſtic GARTER; to denote
The bond of honour that together ties
[159]The brethren of St. GEORGE in friendly league,
United to maintain the cauſe of truth
And juſtice only—
† "May propitious heav'n
"Grant thou may'ſt henceforth wear it to his praiſe,
"The exaltation of this noble order,
"And thy own glory."—With like reverence,
My ſon receive and wear this golden chain,
"Grac'd with the image of Britannia's ſaint,
"Heav'n's valiant ſoldier, CAPPADOCIAN GEORGE;
"In imitation of whoſe glorious deeds
"May'ſt thou triumphant in each ſtate of life,
"Or proſperous or adverſe, ſtill ſubdue
"Thy ſpiritual and carnal enemies;
"That not on earth alone thou may'ſt obtain
"The guerdon of thy valour, endleſs praiſe,
"But with the virtuous and the brave above,
"In ſolemn triumph, wear celeſtial palms,
"To crown thy final nobleſt victory."
Embraces Pr. EDW.
Prince EDWARD.
Accept, my ſovereign liege, my grateful thanks,
That thou haſt thus vouchſaf'd to place thy ſon
Firſt next thyſelf upon the roll of fame,
[160]As he indeed is firſt in filial love,
And emulation of thy royal virtues
And may thy benediction, gracious lord,
May thy paternal vows be heard in heav'n!
That he, whom thou haſt liſted in the cauſe
Of truth and virtue, never may forget
His vow'd engagements, nor defraud thy hopes,
By ſoiling with diſhonourable deeds
The luſtre of that ORDER, which thy name
Shou'd teach him to reſpect and to adorn.
ODE.
STROPHE I. BARDS.
Celeſtial maid!
Bright ſpark of that aetherial flame,
Whoſe vivid ſpirit thro' all nature ſpread,
Suſtains and actuates this boundleſs frame!
O by whatever ſtile to mortals known,
Virtue, benevolence, or public zeal,
Divine aſſeſſor of the regal throne,
Divine protectreſs of the common weal,
O in our hearts thy energy infuſe!
Be thou our Muſe,
Celeſtial maid,
And, as of old, impart thy heav'nly aid
To thoſe, who warm'd by thy benignant fire,
To public merit and their country's good
Devoted ever their recording lyre,
Wont along DEVA'S ſacred flood,
[161]Or, beneath Mona's oak retir'd,
To warble forth their patriot lays,
And nouriſh with immortal praiſe
The bright heroic flames by thee inſpir'd.
ANTISTROPHE I.
I feel, I feel
Thy ſoul-invigorating heat;
My bounding veins diſtend with fervent zeal,
And to Britannia's fame reſponſive beat.—
Hail Albion, native country! but how chang'd
Thy once grim aſpect, how adorn'd and gay
Thy howling foreſts! where together rang'd
The naked hunter and his ſavage prey:
Where amid black inhoſpitable woods
The ſedge-grown floods
All cheerleſs ſtray'd.
Not in their lonely wand'ring courſe ſurvey'd,
Or tow'r, or caſtle, heav'n-aſcending fane,
Or lowly village, reſidence of peace
And joyous induſtry, or furrow'd plain,
Or lowing herd, or ſilver fleece
That whitens now each verdant vale;
While laden with their precious ſtore
Far trading barks to every ſhore,
Swift heralds of Britannia's glory, ſail.
EPODE I.
[162]Theſe are thy ſhining works: this ſmiling face
Of beauteous nature thus in regal ſtate,
Deck'd by each handmaid art, each poliſh'd grace,
That on fair liberty and order wait.
This pomp, theſe riches, this repoſe,
To thee imperial Britain owes.
To thee, great ſubſtitute of heav'n,
To whom the charge of earthly realms was giv'n;
Their ſocial ſyſtems by wiſe nature's plan
To form and rule by her eternal laws;
To teach the ſelfiſh ſoul of wayward man
To ſeek the publick good, and aid the common cauſe.
So didſt thou move the mighty heart
Of Alfred, founder of the Britiſh ſtate:
So to Matilda's ſcepter'd ſon,
To him whoſe virtue and renown
Firſt made the name of Edward great,
Thy ample ſpirit ſo didſt thou impart:
Protecting thus in every age,
From greedy pow'r and factious rage,
The law of freedom, which to Britain's ſhore
From Saxon Elva's many-headed flood,
The valiant ſons of Odin with them bore,
Their national, ador'd, inſeparable good.
STROPHE II.
[163]Along whoſe willow-fringed ſide
The ſilver-footed Naiads, ſportive train,
Down the ſmooth Thames amid the cygnets glide,
I ſaw, when at thy reconciling word,
Injuſtice, anarchy, inteſtine jar,
Deſpotick inſolence, the waſting ſword,
And all the brazen throats of civil war,
Were huſh'd in peace; from his imperious throne
Hurl'd furious down,
Abaſh'd, diſmay'd,
Like a chas'd lion to the ſavage ſhade
Of his own foreſts, fell oppreſſion fled,
With vengeance brooding in his ſullen breaſt.
Then juſtice fearleſs rear'd her decent head,
Heal'd every grief, each wrong redreſs'd;
While round her valiant ſquadrons ſtood,
And bade her aweful tongue demand,
From vanquiſh'd John's reluctant hand,
The deed of freedom purchas'd with their blood.
ANTISTROPHE II.
[164]O vain ſurmiſe!
To deem the grandeur of a crown
Conſiſts in lawleſs pow'r! to deem them wife
Who change ſecurity and fair renown,
For deteſtation, ſhame, diſtruſt, and fear!
Who, ſhut for ever from the bliſsful bow'rs,
With horror and remorſe at diſtance hear
The muſick that inchants th' immortal pow'rs,
The heav'nly muſick of well-purchas'd praiſe,
Seraphick lays,
The ſweet reward
On heroes, patriots, righteous kings conferr'd.
For ſuch alone the heav'n-taught poets ſing.
Tune ye for Edward, then, the mortal ſtrain,
His name ſhall well become your golden ſtring,
Begirt with this aetherial train,
Seems he not rank'd among the gods?
Then let him reap the glorious meed
Due to each great heroic deed,
And taſte the pleaſures of the bleſt abodes.
EPODE II.
Hail, happy prince! on whom kind Fate beſtows
Sublimer joys, and glory brighter far
Than Creſſy's palm, and every wreath that grows
In all the blood-ſtain'd field of proſp'rous war;
[165]Joys that might charm an heav'nly breaſt,
To make dependent millions bleſt,
A dying nation to reſtore
And ſave fall'n liberty with kingly pow'r;
To quench the torch of diſcord and debate,
Relume the languid ſpark of publick zeal,
Repair the breaches of a ſhatter'd ſtate,
And gloriouſly compleat the plan of England's weal;
Compleat the noble Gothick pile,
That on the rock of juſtice rear'd ſhall ſtand
In ſymmetry, and ſtrength, and fame,
A rival of that boaſted frame
Which virtue rais'd on Tiber's ſtrand.
This, Edward, guardian, father of our iſle,
This god-like taſk, to few aſſign'd,
Exalts thee above human-kind,
And from the realms of everlaſting day
Calls down celeſtial bards thy praiſe to ſing;
Calls this bright troop of ſpirits to ſurvey
Thee, the great miracle of earth, a PATRIOT-King.
* Runny Mead near Stains, where the Grand Charter was ſigned by king John.
GENIUS.
Now reaſcend your ſkies, immortal ſpirits!
Th' important act, that drew ye down to earth,
[...]s finiſh'd. Spare we now their mortal ſenſe,
That cannot long endure th' unſhrouded beam
Of higher natures. Well hath Edward laid,
[...]nder your happy auſpices, the baſe
Of his great ORDER: let him undiſturb'd,
[166]But not unaided by the heav'nly powers,
Compleat th' illuſtrious work, which future kings,
Struck with the beauty of the noble plan,
Shall emulouſly labour to maintain.
And may thy ſpirit, Edward, be their guide!
In every chapter, thou henceforth preſide,
In every breaſt infuſe thy virtuous flame,
And teach them to reſpect their country's fame.
Genius and Spirits reaſcend to a loud ſympony of muſick.