"Remember! that Omnipotence can give Boundless reward, should you afflicted live. Then, heed not earthly troubles or hard toil You'll meet the blessing on his heavenly soil."

"I see, I must repress my most lov'd views, And wear the thorny crown I would not choose."

"Make it a crown of fortitude and use; And, 'mid our storms, the calm we need produce. Your gentle qualities may soothe away

The factious passions which disgrace our day."

"I'll make the effort. Be your care my shield, And to no more regrettings will I yield."

"Be King of mind and happiness to all,
As far as from your reign these goods can fall.
You may advance the national mind, if you
The paths of truth and intellect pursue.
You will promote its happiness, whene'er
A kind and moral life in yours appear.
For, as a lofty sun, you may display
Virtues and piety with constant ray;

And these, to every home, to every heart,

Will peace and comfort, joy and hope impart.
They teach us diligence in every task,

And bring the blessings which from Heaven we ask.
Rule with a Christian and enlighten'd hand,
And every class will prosper in your land;
The character of England will enlarge,
If faith and honour gild your public charge.
Be then the model of whate'er will lead
The private heart to its immortal meed.
Become a royal Shepherd, to protect
And guide the myriads who your care expect.
Be mild, just, firm, beneficent, and wise,
And foster arts and knowlege as they rise.

Man tends to imitate and please the throne:
And thus our Sovereign's worth becomes our own."

"Who is that stranger gazing on me now? He sighs! Some misery rests upon his brow. Shall we accost him? See, he moves this way."

Is fast o'erclouding. From York's castled hill

The black-hair'd tempest rushes. Direst ill

Will mark its southward course.

Ambition soon

Will struggle to possess its guilty boon."

"What are you?"

"Rivers! be as firm as wise,

And be the lynx to penetrate disguise.

I've trac'd the inward conflict, and foresee,
Unless you guard, sad, strange iniquity."

He vanish'd in a copse near which they stood: They vainly sought him in th' entangled wood, To make the warning oracle more clear.

Mysterious riddles but inculcate fear, And give no fruit of knowlege. Yet I mean To guide with wariness your public scene."

"I hate all dark surmise, and twilight views;
Your sage experience is the staff I'll use.
Oft at old Merlin's prophecies I've smil❜d,
And wonder'd at th' historians they beguil'd."

"Enlighten'd prudence is man's genuine seer: All else, of earth, is dream, chance, fraud, or fear."

Again the castle horn! - Two troops await.
The earl, uneasy, sees them crowd the gate,
And hurries to the town. Their banners wave.

"My brothers! uncles! loyal knights and brave! Behold, my prince, the guardians of your throne. Come, let our hearts their welcome presence own!

BOOK III.

RICHARD'S EARLIER FEELINGS, AND SUBSEQUENT WISHES

AND FLUCTUATIONS.

WHILE thus the princely boy each day became
More worthy of the throne, his birthright claim,
His uncle Glo'ster watch'd him with an eye
That never slept in peace. Tho' distant, nigh
In thought and spialls. These to York each day
From Ludlow's hall, whate'er they mark'd, convey.

Too early call'd to deeds of high emprise, The heart of Richard knew not common ties. His youth the arm of Victory had led

On Barnet's mist-wrapt plain, when Hastings fled.
At Tewkesbury's mounds the hero-lad was seen
Defying danger in its angriest mien.

Surpass'd by no one, but his brother king,
The fields of triumph with his praises ring;
Dear to his soul-so dear-that, once enjoy'd,
His life without them seem'd a dreary void.