Honor  the  King  !— Pray  tell  me,  tell  me  how  ?

Must  worship  him  as  God  ?  O  no,  no,  no  !

Kings  are  but  mortal !  honor  lasts  its  day ;

His  Majesty  and  ministers  must  pass  away-

If  ranks  of  men  for  mutual  support^

To  laws  of  wisdom  happily  resort^

With  one  consent  acknowledging  a  King,

Their  lord  and  governor,  and  kindly  bring

The  oTateful  tribute  in  affection  true,

Say  not  they  pay  him  grudgingly  his  due.
Kings  have  great  cares,  temptations  more  than  we,

Much  to  discharge  to  make  their  people  free.
No  common  lot  the  sway  of  England's  crown,

In  times  of  trouble  ministers  have  known  ;

Long  may  they  know  that  wisdom  is  a  plant,

More  strong  in  structure  than  the  elephant ;


246

Swift  as  the  horse,  as  patient  as  the  slave.
Free  as  the  light'ning,  fearless  as  the  brave ;
Sharp  as  the  sword,  more  subtle  than  the  snake,
x\live  to  liberty,  to  love  awake  : —
Long-  may  this  knowledge  actuate  the  great.
Preserve  the  King,  his  ministers,  and  state.
Say  not,  ye  furious,  I  write  this  line
To  flatter  any  one,  to  seek  to  shine.
To  court  the  great,  to  praise  the  i*ich  and  proud.
To  gain  the  plaudits  of  the  assembled  crowd  ;
I  write  for  love,  and  rather  would  I  crave
Good  will  of  one,  that  one  in  spirit  brave.
Than  court  for  Sovereigns  what  I  could  not  bear.
Or  say  a  word  with  sycophantic  air.
Pause  then  my  friend,  and  whilst  thou  view'st  the  Kiug,
Thine  heart's  affection  tribute  let  it  bring.
Hast  thou  a  father  ?  has  he  been  to  thee
That  which  a  parent  to  a  child  should  be  ?
The  King  had  his,  who  was  to  him  as  much.
