Thy stern position, Prussia, demands

The prompt obedience of th' Elite, the flower
Of millions! who, requir'd, could instant shower
No trivial chastisement on such fierce foes

As might assail thee-souls who ne'er shall cower,

Let hard however come the Gallic blows,

And loyal also as good Frederick knows.

By arms obtained and

thereby held.

XXIV.

His sturdy liege-men are, 'tis hop'd, too wise
To mingle in the tumult of the times;

Have they a wrong?-there needs no sacrifice

To make it heard.-The monarch wont count crimes

bestowed on him by the Emperor Leopold, in 1688. Frederick I. was son of William surnamed the Great Elector, who was a kind, generous, and humane prince. Frederick II*. surnamed the Great, succeeded to the sovereignty in 1741, and his life is well known to have been a scene of almost continual warfare. His martial talents and exploits are too well known to require particular notice here. His victories and success astonished Europe, and, after a seven years' war, he finally wrested Silesia from the house of Austria, which was confirmed to him by the Peace of Hubertsburg. He died in 1786.

* Sometimes also called Frederick III.

All lawful claims. What people of what climes
Have not a right to feel themselves a part

Of that great whole, which union best sublimes ?
They are the wisest heads1 who have the art

To give 2 the boon, not wait the threatening dart.

XXV.

Age of won- We live, I trow, in the proud reign of arts,

ders.

In a most strange and wonder-working age;

When chemists, with their steamers-coaches-carts,
Will, with most perfect confidence, engage
To make a hundred miles an easy stage.

1 It is wonderful how much mischief is often averted in this world by conciliatory measures, in times of great commotion, which may on such occasions be considered as a warning of danger.

2 Since writing the above stanza, the author has learnt that while the people of some of the Cantons of Switzerland lately demanded a change of government, such as those of Lucern, Yurie, and Geneva, the government of the Canton de Vaud wisely anticipated a similar claim, and offered any change which might be supposed likely to be for the general good; and it were well for several of the crowned heads of Europe at this time, if they were to follow so good an example.

"Bis est gratum quod opus est, si ultro offeras.'

That great machine of all yclep'd a Nation,

We have some credit there, too, spite the rage Of those who'd envy our exalted station,

And term that we deem freedom, perturbation.

XXVI.

What makes a good machine? I'll tell thee, plain

A sound, well-temper'd, mainspring, just and strong,

Of English steel, not apt to break in twain;

A chain of noble links, but not too long,

Yet of sufficient strength (with no rough wrong)
To wind up close, and yield sustaining action;
To balance all, a well-condition'd throng
Of minor wheels, which, plac'd by sage election,
Form, as a whole, an engine of perfection.

A good ma

chine.

XXVII.

What forms a happy state? Why, the desire

Of every heart to honour and perform

Its bounden duties So shall we admire

The bark which has outrode the heaviest storm;

An able helmsman.

A plank or two may creak-that wont deform.

Nay, sails may split, and ropes may rend around,

No fear of the destroying canker-worm,

Provided aye the timbers are but sound,

And helmsman wise-she'll never run aground.

XXVIII.

a Lord-Chan

A caution for Make but the people good, not overlearn'd
('Tis there we fear 's the error of the time),

cellor.

For, overtaught, they'll scorn the wages earn'd
By patient labour, hoping still to climb;
But failing, often falling into crime.

Bright genius will surmount all bars, and thrive
With common culture, spite e'en lack of time.
From yonder bower this precious truth derive,-
It is the working bees preserve the hive.

XXIX.

Sweden.

Ere yet the murmurs of foul discontent

Are whisper'd on that bold romantic shore, Where hearts-how many hearts, alas! were rent

By frightful anarchy, in days of yore!

May the small voice of Raymond still implore
That no tempestuous southern gale may drive

Those clouds, which raging revolution bore,
To thee, now happy Sweden! Mayst thou thrive
Beneath that Prince1 who made thee to revive!

XXX.

Who, profiting by all that he had seen,
When Gaul ran wild, and Bonaparte strode,
And rul'd with most unbounded sway, till e'en

He fell, and found no peace in that abode,
Where he would fruitless rave, not kiss the rod.
No! Bernadotte, thou hast not liv'd in vain,

And well dost grace that empire which his nod Erst gave to thee. So ably dost thou reign, We'd almost swear-Gustavus' come again.

A second
Gustavus
Adolphus.

1 The admirable discretion and manly conduct of Bernadotte are well rewarded by the gratitude and affection of his subjects, and the approbation of all wise men.

2 Bonaparte is said to have remarked, that another revolution in France would be the larum-bell for disaffection in every civilized nation in Europe, and such appears to have been in a great measure the case.