Thee Venice keeps, thee Genoa now regains;
And next the throne thy seat the Swede maintains;
How few in safety thus with kings can vie!
If not supreme, how dangerous to be high!
O! still preside where'er the law's thy friend,
And keep thy station, and thy rights defend:
But take no factious League's reproachful name,
Still prone to change, and zealous still to blame,
Cloud not the sunshine of a conquering race,
Whom wisdom governs, and whom manners grace;
Fond of their sovereign, of subjection vain,
They wish no favours at thy hands to gain,
Nor need such vassals at their lord repine,
Whose easy sway they fondly take for thine.