Page:Golden Treasury of English Songs and Lyrics.djvu/68

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He nothing common did or meanUpon that memorable scene,But with his keener eyeThe 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.
—This was that memorable hourWhich first assured the forcéd power: So when they did designThe 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!
And now the Irish are ashamedTo see themselves in one year tamed: So much one man can doThat does both act and know.
They can affirm his praises best,And have, though overcome, confestHow good he is, how justAnd fit for highest trust;
Nor yet grown stiffer with command,But still in the Republic’s hand— How fit he is to swayThat can so well obey!
He to the Commons’ feet presentsA Kingdom for his first year’s rents,And (what he may) forbearsHis fame, to make it theirs:
And has his sword and spoils ungirtTo lay them at the Public’s skirt.So when the falcon highFalls heavy from the sky,
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