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From the days of Job Charnock, scarce known on record. To the triumphs of Plassey's redoubtable Lord,
 * The Company traffick'd unheeded:

She sent her ships forth, the wide ocean to roam, With rich cargoes well freighted, and brought richer home
 * And in all she adventur'd succeeded.

By oppression provok'd, she to arms had recourse, And soon made her oppressors submit to her force;
 * From defensive proceeded offender:

And her courage attemper'd with wisdom conspir'd To aggrandize her pow'r, till at length she acquir'd
 * Of an empire entire the surrender.

Now the sages in schools of diplomacy bred, Civil doctors, divines, and state-moralists said—
 * (And the senate confirm'd their opinion;)

That for her, a mere trader (for what was she more?) Or her factors and clerks, from her counting-house door,
 * To pretend to the rights of dominion;

That to give up the pen in exchange for the gun; To hold rule over nations—no matter how won:—
 * To make treaties; assume legislature;

Nay worse, of finance to distribute the drains, To elicit their currents, and pocket the gains;
 * Was to gospel repugnant and nature.