Page:An Epistle to Curio - Akenside (1744).djvu/21

( 19 )

Yet high and jealous of their freeborn Name,
Fierce as the Flight of Jove's destroying Flame,
Where'er Oppression works her wanton Sway,
Proud to confront and dreadful to repay.210
But if to purchase Curio's sage Applause,
My Country must with him renounce her Cause,
Quit with a Slave the Path a Patriot trod,
Bow the meek Knee and kiss the royal Rod;
Then still, ye Pow'rs, inftruct his Tongue to rail,215
Nor let his Zeal, nor let his Subject fail:
Else ere he change the Style, bear me away
To where the Gracchi,^[1] where the Bruti^[2] stay!

O long rever'd and late resign'd to Shame!
If this uncourtly Page thy Notice claim220

1. Ver. 218.] The two Brothers, Tiberius and Caius Gracchus lost their Lives in attempting to introduce the only Regulation that could give Stability and good Order to the Roman Republic.
2. L. Jun. Brutus founded the Commonwealth, and died in its Defence.

When