The Origin of English Liberty

Once the Gods of the Greeks at ambrosial feast, Large bowls of rich nectar were quaffing, Merry Momus among them was sat as a guest; Homer says the Celestials lov'd laughing, On each in the synod the humourist droll'd, So none could his jokes disapprove; He sung, repartee'd, and some smart stories told, And at last thus began upon Jove:

Sire Atlas who long has the universe bore, Grows grieviously tir'd of late, He says that mankind are much worse than before, So he begs to be eas'd of their weight. Jove knowing the earth on poor Atlas was hurl'd From his shoulders commanded the ball; Gave his daughter Attraction command of the world, And she hung it up high in his hall.

Miss pleas'd with the present review'd the globe round, To see what each climate was worth, Like a diamond the whole with an atmosphere bound, And she variously planted the earth; With silver, gold, jewels, she India endow'd, France and Spain she taught vineyards to fear, What suited each clime on each clime she bestow'd, And freedom she found flourish'd here.

Four cardinal virtues she left in this Isle, As guardians to cherish the root, The blossoms of liberty gayly 'gan t' smile, And Englishmen fed on the fruit: Thus fed and thus bred from a bounty so rare, O preserve it as free as 'twas giv'n, We will while we've breath, nay, we'll grasp it in death, Then return it untainted to Heav'n.