The Poetical Works of James Thomson Volume 48 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 Excerpt: ...a people's shame. 270 Not so the times when, emulation-stung, Greece shone in genius, science, and in arts, And Rome in virtues dreadful to be told To live was glory then and charmed mankind, Through the deep periods of devolving time, Those, raptured, copy; these, astonished, read. "True, a corrupted state, with every vice And every meanness foul, this passion damps. Who can, unshocked, behold the cruel eye? The pale inveigling smile? the ruffian front? 280 The wretch abandoned to relentless self, Equally vile if miser or profuse? Powers not of God, assiduous to corrupt? The fell deputed tyrant, who devours The poor and weak, at distance from redress? Delirious faction bellowing loud my name? The false fair-seeming patriot's hollow boast? A race resolved on bondage, fierce for chains, My sacred rights a merchandize alone Esteeming, and to work their feeder's will 290 By deeds, a horror to mankind, prepared, As were the dregs of Romulus of old? Who these indeed can undetesting see?--But who unpitying? to the generous eye Distress is virtue; and, though self-betrayed, A people struggling with their fate must rouse The hero's throb. Nor can a land, at once, Be lost to virtue quite. How glorious then Fit luxury for gods to save the good, Protect the feeble, dash bold vice aside, 300 Depress the wicked, and restore the frail. Posterity, besides, --the young are pure, Lord Molesworth, in his account of Denmark, says, " It is observed, that in limited monarchies and commonwealths, a neighbourhood to the seat of the government is advantageous to the subjects; whilst the distant provinces are less thriving, and more liable to oppression."--T. " And sons may tinge their father's cheek with shame. "Should then the times arrive (which Heave...