That can so well obey!) He to the Commons’ feet presents A kingdom for his first year’s rents; And, what he may, forbears His fame, to make it theirs; And has his sword and spoil ungirt, To lay them at the Public’s skirt: So when the falcon high Falls heavy from the sky, She, having killed, no more doth search, But on the next green bough to perch; Where, when he first does lure, The falconer has her sure. What may not then our isle presume, While victory his crest does plume? What may not others fear, If thus he crowns each year? As Caesar, he, ere long, to Gaul, To Italy a Hannibal, And to all states not free Shall climacteric be. The Pict no shelter now shall find Within his parti-coloured mind, But, from this valour sad, Shrink underneath the plaid; Happy, if in the tufted brake The English hunter him mistake, Nor lay his hounds in near The Caledonian deer. But thou, the war’s and fortune’s son, March indefatigably on, And for the last effect, Still keep the sword erect; Beside the force it has to fright The spirits of the shady night; The same arts that did gain A power, must it maintain. THE PICTURE OF T. C. IN A PROSPECT OF FLOWERS SEE with what simplicity This nymph begins her golden days! In the green grass she loves to lie, And there with her fair aspect tames The wilder flowers, and gives them names; But only with the roses plays, And them does tell What colours best become them, and what smell. Who can foretell for what high cause This darling of the gods was born? Yet this is she whose chaster laws The wanton Love shall one day fear, And, under her command severe, See his bow broke, and ensigns torn. Happy who can Appease this virtuous enemy of man! O then let me in time compound And parley with those conquering eyes, Ere they have tried their force to wound; Ere with their glancing wheels they drive In triumph over hearts that strive, And them that yield but more despise: Let me be laid, Where I may see the glories from some shade. Meantime, whilst every verdant thing Itself does at thy beauty charm, Reform the errors of the Spring; Make that the tulips may have share Of sweetness, seeing they are fair, And roses of their thorns disarm; But most procure That violets may a longer age endure.