The course you steer I worthy blame conclude, But 'tis because you leave it unpursued. A monarch's crown with fate surrounded lies; Who reach, lay hold on death that miss the prize. Did you for this expose yourself to shew, And to the crowd bow popularly low; For this your glorious progress next ordain, With chariots, horsemen, and a numerous train; With fame before you like the morning star, And shouts of joy saluting from afar? Oh from the heights you've reached but take a view, Scarce leading Lucifer could fall like you! And must I here my shipwrecked arts bemoan? Have I for this so oft made Israel groan? Your single interest with the nation weighed, And turned the scale where your desires were laid. Even when at helm a course so dangerous moved To land your hopes, as my removal proved.[363] I not dispute, the royal youth replies, The known perfection of your policies, Nor in Achitophel yet grudge or blame The privilege that statesmen ever claim; Who private interest never yet pursued, But still pretended 'twas for others' good: What politician yet e'er 'scaped his fate, Who saving his own neck not saved the state? From hence on every humourous wind that veered, With shifted sails a several course you steered. What from a sway did David e'er pursue, That seemed like absolute, but sprung from you? Who at your instance quashed each penal law, That kept dissenting factious Jews in awe; And who suspends fixt law's, may abrogate, That done, form new, and so enslave the state,[364] Even property, whose champion now you stand, And seem for this the idol of the land, Did ne'er sustain such violence before, As when your counsel shut the royal store; Advice, that ruin to whole tribes procured, But secret kept till your own banks secured. Recount with this the triple covenant broke, And Israel fitted for a foreign yoke; Nor here your counsels fatal progress staid, But sent our levied powers to Pharaoh's aid. Hence Tyre and Israel, low in ruins laid, And Egypt, once their scorn, their common terror made. Even yet of such a season can we dream, When royal rights you made your darling theme; For power unlimited could reasons draw, And place prerogative above the law; Which on your fall from office grew unjust, The laws made king, the king a slave in trust; Whom with state-craft, to interest only true, You now accuse of ills contrived by you. To this hell's agent:--Royal youth, fix here; Let interest be the star by which you steer. Hence, to repose your trust in me was wise, Whose interest most in your advancement lies; A tie so firm as always will avail, When friendship, nature, and religion fail. On our's the safety of the crowd depends, Secure the crowd, and we obtain our ends;