Mints
56
From Prince Arthur; an heroick poem in ten books by Sir Richard Blackmore
chosen by Parker
I Sing the Briton, and his Righteous Arms,
Who bred to Suffrings, and the rude Alarms
Of bloody War, forsook his Native Soil,
And long sustain’d a vast Heroick Toil,
Till kinder Fate invited his Return,
To bless the Isle, that did his Absence mourn:
To re-enthrone fair Liberty, and break
The Saxon Yoke, that gall’d Britannia’s Neck.
Tell, sacred Muse, what madeth Infernal King
Use all his Arts, and all his Forces bring
The gen’rous Briton’s Triumphs to oppose,
Afflict his Friends, and aid his cruel Foes.
Tell, why the angry Pow’rs below, combine
T’ oppress a valiant Prince, and thwart his brave Design.