If honour to an ancient name be due,
Or Riches challenge it, for one that's new,
The Brittish Language claim's in either Sence,
Both for its Age, and for its Opulence.
But all great things must be from us remov'd,
To be with higher Reverence belov'd.
So Lantskips, which in prospects distant ly,
With greater wonder, draw the pleased Ey.
Is not great Troy to one dark ruine hurl'd?
Once the fam'd Scene of all the fighting World.
Where's Athens now, to whom Rome learning ow's,
And the safe Lawrell's that Adorn'd her brow's?
A strange reverse of Fate, she did endure,
Never once greater, then she's now obscure.
Ev'n Rome her self, can but some footstepps shew
Of Scipio's times, or those of Cicero.
And as the Roman, and the Grecian State,
The Brittish fell, the spoyle of Time and Fate.
But though the Language hath her beauty Lost,
Yet she has still some great remains to boast;
For 'twas in that, the sacred Bards of Old,
In deathless numbers did their thoughts unfold.
In groves, by Rivers and on fertil plaines,
They civilised, and taught the Listening Swain's:
Whilst with high Raptures, and as great success,
Virtue they cloath'd in musicks charming dress.
This Merlin spoke, who in his gloomy Cave,
Ev'n Destiny herself seem'd to enslave.
For to his Sight, the future time was known,
Much better then to other is their own.
And with such state, Predictions from him fell,
As if he did Decree, and not foretell.
This spoke King Arthur ; who, if fame be true,
Could have compell'd mankind to speak it too.
In this, once, Boadicia valour taught,
And spoke more nobly, then her soldiers fought.
Tell me what Hero could do more then she,
Who fell at once for Fame, and Liberty?
Nor could a greater sacrifice belong,
Or to her children's, or her Countrey's wrong.
This spoke Caraticus , who was so brave,
That to the Roman fortune, check he gave;
And when their yoak he could decline no more,
He it so decently and nobly wore,
That Rome her self with blushes did beleive
A Brittan would the Law of Honour give.
And hastily, his chains away she threw,
Least her own Captive else, should her subdue.