7 Behold two nations, then, engaged so far That each seven years the fit must shake each land: Where France will side to weaken us by war, Who only can his vast designs withstand. 8 See how he feeds the Iberian with delays, To render us his timely friendship vain: And while his secret soul on Flanders preys, He rocks the cradle of the babe of Spain. 9 Such deep designs of empire does he lay O'er them, whose cause he seems to take in hand; And prudently would make them lords at sea, To whom with ease he can give laws by land. 10 This saw our King; and long within his breast His pensive counsels balanced to and fro: He grieved the land he freed should be oppress'd, And he less for it than usurpers do. 11 His generous mind the fair ideas drew Of fame and honour, which in dangers lay; Where wealth, like fruit on precipices, grew, Not to be gather'd but by birds of prey. 12 The loss and gain each fatally were great; And still his subjects call'd aloud for war; But peaceful kings, o'er martial people set, Each, other's poise and counterbalance are. 13 He first survey'd the charge with careful eyes, Which none but mighty monarchs could maintain; Yet judged, like vapours that from limbecks rise, It would in richer showers descend again. 14 At length resolved to assert the watery ball, He in himself did whole Armadoes bring: Him aged seamen might their master call, And choose for general, were he not their king. 15 It seems as every ship their sovereign knows, His awful summons they so soon obey; So hear the scaly herd when Proteus blows, And so to pasture follow through the sea. 16 To see this fleet upon the ocean move, Angels drew wide the curtains of the skies; And heaven, as if there wanted lights above, For tapers made two glaring comets rise. 17 Whether they unctuous exhalations are, Fired by the sun, or seeming so alone: Or each some more remote and slippery star, Which loses footing when to mortals shown. 18 Or one, that bright companion of the sun, Whose glorious aspect seal'd our new-born king; And now a round of greater years begun, New influence from his walks of light did bring. 19 Victorious York did first with famed success, To his known valour make the Dutch give place: Thus Heaven our monarch's fortune did confess, Beginning conquest from his royal race. 20 But since it was decreed, auspicious King, In Britain's right that thou shouldst wed the main, Heaven, as a gage, would cast some precious thing, And therefore doom'd that Lawson[37] should be slain.