In the more scenes your genius was display'd, They all conspir'd this mighty man to raise, For many rolling ages juftly fam'd, Has through the world her loyalty proclaim'd; What though thy birth a distant kingdom boast, THE THE INSTAL MEN T. то THE RIGHT HON. SIR ROBERT WALPOLE. KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER. "Quæfitam Meritis." MD CCXXVI. HOR. THE INSTALMENT. WITH invocations fome their breasts inflame; need no Mufe, a Walpole is my theme. Ye mighty dead, ye garter'd fons of praise ! Our morning stars! our boast in former days! Which hovering o'er, your purple wings display, Lur'd by the pomp of this distinguish'd day, Stoop, and attend: by one, the knee be bound; One, throw the mantle's crimson folds around; By that, the sword on his proud thigh be plac'd ; This, clasp the diamond-girdle round his waist; His breast, with rays, let juft Godolphin fpread; Wife Burleigh plant the plumage on his head; And Edward own, since first he fixt the race, None preft fair glory with a swifter pace. When fate would call fome mighty genius forth To wake a drooping age to godlike worth, Or aid fome favourite king's illuftrious toil, It bids his blood with generous ardour boil; His blood, from virtue's celebrated fource, Pour'd down the steep of time, a lengthen'd courfe; That men prepar'd may just attention pay, Warn'd by the dawn to mark the glorious day, When all the scatter'd merits of his line Collected to a point, intensely shine. See, Britain, fee thy Walpole shine from far, His azure ribbon, and his radiant star; A ftar |