52
Book
He nothing common did or mean
Upon that memorable scene,
But with his keener eye
The axe’s edge did try;
Upon that memorable scene,
But with his keener eye
The axe’s edge did try;
Nor call’d the Gods, with vulgar spite,
To vindicate his helpless right;
But bow’d his comely head
Down, as upon a bed.
To vindicate his helpless right;
But bow’d his comely head
Down, as upon a bed.
—This was that memorable hour
Which first assured the forcéd power:
So when they did design
The Capitol’s first line,
Which first assured the forcéd power:
So when they did design
The Capitol’s first line,
A Bleeding Head, where they begun,
Did fright the architects to run;
And yet in that the State
Foresaw its happy fate!
Did fright the architects to run;
And yet in that the State
Foresaw its happy fate!
And now the Irish are ashamed
To see themselves in one year tamed:
So much one man can do
That does both act and know.
To see themselves in one year tamed:
So much one man can do
That does both act and know.
They can affirm his praises best,
And have, though overcome, confest
How good he is, how just
And fit for highest trust;
And have, though overcome, confest
How good he is, how just
And fit for highest trust;
Nor yet grown stiffer with command,
But still in the Republic’s hand—
How fit he is to sway
That can so well obey!
But still in the Republic’s hand—
How fit he is to sway
That can so well obey!
He to the Commons’ feet presents
A Kingdom for his first year’s rents,
And (what he may) forbears
His fame, to make it theirs:
A Kingdom for his first year’s rents,
And (what he may) forbears
His fame, to make it theirs:
And has his sword and spoils ungirt
To lay them at the Public’s skirt.
So when the falcon high
Falls heavy from the sky,
To lay them at the Public’s skirt.
So when the falcon high
Falls heavy from the sky,
