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The lovely virgin, or the well-earn'd fame,
And all the glories of the British name,—
If Heav'n has doom'd the downfal of the state,
And thy protection but retards our fate?
If France pursues her infamous career,
To spread the pest of her dominion here;
And if the blood of innocence must flow,
To grace the triumphs of a Gallic foe?
And now, assembling his unnumber'd host,
He threatens vengeance to the British coast;
Launches his navy, deck'd in all the pride
And pomp of war, and ploughs the foaming tide.
How vain the frantic enterprise! how vain
His hope to seize the Sceptre of the Main!
