Page:An Ode to the Country Gentlemen of England - Akenside (1758).djvu/9

 Why are ye tardy? what inglorious care Detains you from their head, your native post? Who most their country's fame and fortune share, 'Tis theirs to share her toils, her perils most. Each man his task in social life sustains. With partial labours, with domestic gains Let others dwell: to you indulgent heav'n By counsel and by arms the public cause To serve for public love and love's applause, The first imployment far, the noblest hire, hath giv'n.

Have ye not heard of Lacedæmon's fame? Of Attic chiefs in freedom's war divine? Of Rome's dread gen'rals? the Valerian name? The Fabian sons? the Scipios, matchless line? Your lot was theirs. the farmer and the swain Met his lov'd patron's summons from the plain; The legions gather'd; the bright eagles flew: Barbarian monarchs in the triumph mourn'd; The conqu'rors to their household gods return'd, And fed Calabrian flocks, and steer'd the Sabine plough. X. Shall