On F. W. the King of Prussia’s Ineffectual Attempt on Warsaw

When Frederic, when the Usurper turn’d With baffled arms and insolence abash’d, From fearless Warsaw’s radiant walls, (For, crested with the Sons of Liberty, Then stood they fearless and secure,) No less than was that mount in Israel once, Where Angels rode in fiery guard Around the Prophet. Ever such defence Be made for freedom, and usurpers Abated and confounded in their pride, As Frederic now! He, when he turn’d, Thus gave mad utterance to his spleeny mood:— This royal merchandise of war That wont to bring towns, cities, provinces, To kings for profit, is become A losing trade, or only serves to enrich My shrewder neighbours, they who fight In quarrels not their own, and wisely sell The lives, unprofitable else, Of their obedient multitude: but I, Cursed be the hour I did so, I Who had the wealthiest of the world my dupe, England, to pay me lavish hire For service ne’er perform’d, must needs, O fool! To this most perilous venture run On mine own credit: therefore am I made A very bankrupt; all my hopes Of victory, dominion, fortune, fame, All ruin’d, and my royal word, My promises and threats alike held vile As the vain Brunswick’s menaces, Horrible once, now laugh’d at and despised. For who now fears me, or believes?— But let me from this ruinous assault, With what is left me, safe retire, And I will yet regain the credulous ear Of Her, whose unexhausted wealth Exceeds all measure but her easy faith, Good England:——O that I were now In England, with my royal Brother there, Giving a false alarm in jest To Weymouth town, and Buckinghamshire Captains.