But we must all decline: The Muse grows dumb,
Not weary'd with his Praise, but overcome.
Who shall describe Him? or what Eye can trace
The Matchless Glories of his Princely Race?
What Prince can equal what no Muse can praise?
No Land but _Britain_, must pretend to shine
With Gods and Heroes of an equal Line.
So may this Island a new _Delos_ prove,
Joyn[8] Young _Apollo_ to the _Cretan Jove_!
What Bloom! what Youth! what Hopes of future Fame!
How his Eyes sparkle with a Heav'nly Flame!
How swiftly _Gloster_ in his Bud began!
How the _Green Hero_ blossoms into Man!
Smit with the Thirst of Fame, and Honour's Charms,
To tread his Uncle's Steps, and shine in Arms:
See, how he Spurs, and Rushes to the War!
Pale Legions view, and tremble from afar,
What Blood! what Ruin! Thrice unhappy They
Who shall attempt him on that fatal Day.
_Edwards_ and _Harry's_ to his Eyes appear
In Warlike form, and shake the glitt'ring Spear.
At _Agincourt_ so terrible they stood,
So when _Pictavian_ Fields were dy'd with Blood.
The Royal Youth with Emulation glows,
And pours thick Vengeance on his ghastly Foes.
Troops of Commission'd Angels from the Sky,
Unseen, above Him, and about Him, Fly.
O'er _England's_ Hopes their flaming Swords they hold,
And wave them, as o'er Paradise of Old.
Nor shall they cease a Nightly Watch to keep,
But, ever waking, bless him in his Sleep.
Their Golden Wings for his Pavilion spread,
Their softest Mantles for his Downy Bed,
Defend the Sacred Youth's Imperial Head.

[8] _The Duke of_ Glouceiter. _Here the Author laments he
prov'd so bad a Prophet_.

After whose Conquests, and the Work of Fate,
The Arts and Muses on his Triumph wait.
The Streams of _Thamisis_, exulting, Ring,
When fair _Augusta's_ lofty _Clio's_ Sing
_Granta_ and _Rhedycina's_ Tuneful Throng
Fill the resounding Vales with Learned Song.

Live, Heav'nly Youth, beyond invidious Time,
Adorning Annals, and immortal Rhyme.
Thy Glories, which no Malice can obscure,
Bright as the Sun, shall as the Sun endure.
But on thy Fame no envious spots shall prey,
Till _English_ Sense and Valour shall decay.
Till Learning and the Muses Mortal grow,
Or _Cam_ or _Isis_ shall forget to Flow.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Discourse on Criticism and of Poetry
(1707), by Samuel Cobb

*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DISCOURSE ON POETR