html.skin-theme-clientpref-night @media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os }Swift as Joves Messenger, the Winged God,
With Sword as Potent as his Charming Rod,
He flew to Execute the Kings Command,
And in a moment reach'd that Northern Land;
Where Day contending with approaching Night,
Assists the Heroe with continu'd Light.
On Foes surpriz'd, and by no Night conceal'd,
He might have rush'd, but noble Pity held
His Hand a while, and to their choice gave 'space,
Which they would prove, his Valour, or his Grace.
This not well heard, his Cannon louder spoke,
And then, like Lightning, thro that Cloud he broke;
His Fame, his Conduct, and that Martial Look,
The guilty Scotch with such a Terror strook;
That to his Courage they resign the Field,
Who to his Bounty had refus'd to yield.
Glad that so little Loyal Blood it cost,
He grieves so many Britains should be lost;
Taking more Pains, when he beheld them yield,
To save the Flyers, than to win the Field:
And at the Court his Interest does employ,
That none, who scap'd his fatal Sword, should dye.
And now these rash bold Men their Error find,
Not trusting one beyond his Promise kind;
One whose great Mind, so bountiful and brave,
Had learnt the Art to Conquer, and to Save.
In Vulgar Breasts no Royal Vertues dwell,
Such deeds as these his high Extraction tell;
And give a secret Joy to him that Reigns,
To see his Blood Triumph in Monmouth's Veins:
To see a Leader, whom he got and chose,
Firm to his Friends, and fatal to his Foes.
But seeing Envy, like the Sun, does beat
With scorching Rays, on all that's high and great:
This, ill requited Monmouth, is the Bough
The Muses send to shade thy Conqu'ring Brow.
Lampoons, like Squibs, may make a present blaze;
But Time and Thunder pay respect to Bays,
Achilles Arms dazle our present view,
Kept by the Muse as radiant, and as new,
}As from the Forge of Vulcan first they came;
Thousands of years are past, and they the same:
Such care she takes, to pay desert with Fame:
Then which no Monarch, for his Crowns defence
Knows how to give a Nobler Recompence.