Page:An Epistle to Curio - Akenside (1744).djvu/16

 Again ascending treads the civil Scene, To act and be a Man, as thou had'st been.


 * Thus by Degrees thy Cause superior grew,

And the great End appear'd at last in view: We heard the People in thy Hopes rejoice; We saw the Senate bending to thy Voice; The Friends of Freedom hail'd th' approaching Reign Of Laws for which our Fathers bled in vain; While venal Faction, struck with new Dismay, Shrunk at their Frown, and self-abandon'd lay. Wak'd in the Shock, the rose, Abash'd and keener from his long Repose; Sublime in ancient Pride, he rais'd the Spear Which Slaves and Tyrants long were wont to fear: The City felt his Call: From Man to Man, From Street to Street the glorious Horror ran; Each crouded Haunt was stirr'd beneath his Pow'r, And murmuring challeng'd the deciding Hour. Lo!