Page:An Epistle to Curio - Akenside (1744).djvu/10

 Had aw'd Ambition's wild audacious Hate, And dragg'd at length Corruption to her Fate; If every Tongue its large Applauses ow'd, And well-earn'd Laurels every Muse bestow'd, If public Justice urg'd the high Reward, And Freedom smil'd on the devoted Bard; Say then, to him whose Levity or Lust Laid all a People's gen'rous Hopes in Dust; Who taught Ambition firmer Heights of Pow'r, And sav'd Corruption at her hopeless Hour; Does not each Tongue its Execrations owe? Shall not each Muse a Wreath of Shame bestow? And public Justice sanctify th' Award? And Freedom's Hand protect th' impartial Bard?

Yet long reluctant I forbore thy Name, Long watch'd thy Virtue like a dying Flame, Hung o'er each glimm'ring Spark with anxious Eyes, And wish'd and hop'd the Light again would rise. But