And shows how Landau might have fallen before. Scared at his near approach, great Louis fears Vengeance reserved for his declining years, Forgets his thirst of universal sway, And scarce can teach his subjects to obey; His arms he finds on vain attempts employed, The ambitious projects for his race destroyed, The work of ages sunk in one campaign, And lives of millions sacrificed in vain. _450 Such are the effects of Anna's royal cares: By her, Britannia, great in foreign wars, Ranges through nations, wheresoo'er disjoined, Without the wonted aid of sea and wind. By her the unfettered Ister's states are free, And taste the sweets of English liberty: But who can tell the joys of those that lie Beneath the constant influence of her eye! Whilst in diffusive showers her bounties fall, Like heaven's indulgence, and descend on all, _460 Secure the happy, succour the distressed, Make every subject glad, and a whole people blessed. Thus would I fain Britannia's wars rehearse, In the smooth records of a faithful verse; That, if such numbers can o'er time prevail, May tell posterity the wondrous tale. When actions, unadorned, are faint and weak, Cities and countries must be taught to speak; Gods may descend in factions from the skies, And rivers from their oozy beds arise; _470 Fiction may deck the truth with spurious rays, And round the hero cast a borrowed blaze. Marlborough's exploits appear divinely bright, And proudly shine in their own native light; Raised of themselves, their genuine charms they boast, And those who paint them truest praise them most. COWLEY'S EPITAPH ON HIMSELF. TRANSLATED BY MR ADDISON. From life's superfluous cares enlarged, His debt of human toil discharged, Here Cowley lies! beneath this shed, To every worldly interest dead; With decent poverty content, His hours of ease not idly spent; To fortune's goods a foe profess'd, And hating wealth by all caress'd. 'Tis true he's dead; for oh! how small A spot of earth is now his all: _10 Oh! wish that earth may lightly lay, And every care be far away; Bring flowers; the short-lived roses bring, To life deceased, fit offering: And sweets around the poet strow, Whilst yet with life his ashes glow. PROLOGUE TO THE TENDER HUSBAND.[8] SPOKEN BY MR WILKS.