Many a year distressèd Albion lay By her unnatural offspring torn, Once the World's terror, then its scorn, At home a prison, and abroad a prey: Her valiant Youth, her valiant Youth did kill, And mutual blood did spill; Usurpers then, and many a mushroom Peer Within her palaces did domineer; There did the vulture build his nest, There the owls and satyrs rest, 50 By _Zim_ and _Ohim_ all possest; 'Till England's Angel-Guardian, thou, With pity and with anger mov'd For Albion thy belov'd (Olive-chaplets on thy brow), With bloodless hands upheld'st her drooping head, And with thy trumpets call'dst her from the dead. Bright Phosphor to the rising Sun! That Royal Lamp, by thee did first appear Usher'd into our happy hemisphere; 60 O may it still shine bright and clear! No cloud nor night approach it, but a constant noon! IV. Nor thus did thy undaunted valour cease, Or wither with unactive peace: Scarce were our civil broils allay'd, While yet the wound of an intestine war Had left a tender scar, When of our new prosperities afraid, Our jealous neighbours fatal arms prepare; In floating groves the enemy drew near. 70 Loud did the Belgian Lion roar, Upon our coasts th' Armada did appear, And boldly durst attempt our native shore, Till his victorious squadrons check'd their pride, And did in triumph o'er the Ocean ride. With thunder, lightning, and with clouds of smoke He did their insolence restrain, And gave his dreadful law to all the main, Whose surly billows trembled when he spoke, And put their willing necks under his yoke. 80 This the stupendious vanquisher has done, Whose high prerogative it was alone To raise a ruin'd, and secure an envied throne. V. Then angry Heav'n began to frown, From Heav'n a dreadful pestilence came down, On every side did lamentations rise; Baleful sigh, and heavy groan, All was plaint, and all was moan! The pious friend with trembling love, Scarce had his latest kindness done, 90 In sealing up his dead friend's eyes, Ere with his own surprising fate he strove, And wanted one to close his own. Death's iron sceptre bore the sway O'er our imperial Golgotha; Yet he with kind, though unconcernèd eyes, Durst stay and see those numerous tragedies. He in the field had seen Death's grisly shape, Heard him in volleys talk aloud, Beheld his grandeur in a glittering crowd, 100 And unamaz'd seen him in cannons gape: Ever unterrified his valour stood Like some tall rock amidst a sea of blood: 'Twas loyalty from sword and pest kept him alive, The safest armour and the best preservative.