Ev'n now fond Fancy leads th' ideal train,
And ranks her troops on Memory's ample plain;
See! the firm leaders of my patriot line,
See! Sidney, Raleigh, Hampden, Somers shine.
See Hough, superior to a tyrant's doom,
Smile at the menace of the slave of Rome:
Each soul whom truth could fire, or virtue move,
Each breast, strong panting with its country's love,
All that to Albion gave the heart or head,
That wisely counsell'd, or that bravely bled,
All, all appear; on me they grateful smile,
The well-earn'd prize of every virtuous toil
To me with filial reverence they bring,
And hang fresh trophies o'er my honour'd spring.
Ah! I remember well you beachen spray,
There Addison first tun'd his polish'd lay;
'Twas there great Cato's form first met his eye,
In all the pomp of free-born majesty;
"My son, he cry'd, observe this mien with awe,
" In solemn lines the strong resemblance draw;
"The piercing notes shall strike each British ear;
" Each British eye shall drop the patriot tear!
"And rous'd to glory by the nervous strain,
" Each youth shall spurn at Slavery's abject reign,
"Shall guard with Cato's zeal Britannia's laws,
" And speak, and act, and bleed in Freedom's cause. "