On the Royal Nuptials

When every tongue great George's praise recites, And heart-felt gratitude the verse indites; May I my wishes for his weal impart, In words that speak the language of the heart: May I, the humblest of the muses train, Presume to join them in the lofty strain; Yes, yes, the inspiring muse now darts her ray, And bids to Charlotte thus devote the lay. Deign then, O queen! to view this humble wreath, And on the flowery band acceptance breathe: Myrtles as fragrant as thy George's name, Whose incense rises on the wings of fame, Fresh have I cull'd from Pindus' sacred shade, With blooming flowerets that can never fade; Emblems of virtues that thy George adorn, Foretelling blessings to an age unborn; Laurels unchanging join the mystic band, Which speak the glories of this conquering land: These, royal Charlotte, by the muse consign'd, Trembling I weave, thy sacred brow to bind. The wreath thus form'd, receive it, gracious queen, And mark the virtues that in George are seen: His name, by generous deeds illustrious grown, Now shines the brightest jewel in his crown; Fair honour sits enthron'd upon his brow, Where youth and beauty like these flowerets grow; Virtue and truth his steady footsteps wait, And mercy, smiling cherub, opes his gate: At his example vice astonish'd falls, And dreads an exile from our happy walls: Religion now fresh beams her cheering ray, And heaven's vicegerent gladly owns the sway: True filial piety his bosom warms, And social fondness in the monarch charms: From his bright pattern every blessing springs, The best of sons, of brothers, and of kings. What more remain'd to form the god-like youth? Paternal fondness, and connubial truth. Lo! now approving angels gracious bring A consort worthy Albion's virtuous king: Graces celestial to her mind belong, Humble tho' great, and sagely wise tho' young. England's old genius like himself appears, And points exulting to the coming years; With joy paternal bids obedient fame To trembling nations British George proclaim: Long may he reign, encircled with renown, Fair as his virtues, mighty as his crown: May sweet domestic bliss, unmix'd with care, And soft content your rising hours prepare: May each succeeding year new transport bring, And truth and wisdom bloom perpetual spring: Long may the people and the king contest, Who most revere, who love each other best: May his dread sceptre horrid war bid cease, And awe perfidious nations into peace: May home-felt bliss the cares of state beguile, The parent's rapture at the cherub-smile; The joys refin'd to rear the budding flower, And taste its sweetness in the vernal hour; Joys! such as lov'd, lamented Frederick knew, Beneath whose care his infant virtues grew: Like good Augusta be great Charlotte seen, Nor lose the mother in the mighty queen: And late, oh late, may heaven's dread mandate come, Which calls the mortal to his native home: Then may some radiant spirit guide your way, To the bless'd regions of eternal day; There, brighter crown'd, amidst the sacred throng. In strains celestial join the seraph's song.