Page:Redemption, a Poem.djvu/120

 114 REDEMPTION.

Of God, come weal, come woe, blow hot or cold,

My everlasting hate is wholly thine ;

Thine, and all those, who, fawning, with thee side.

Time was when I my purpose might have waived,

And some compact have held with even Thee,

Willing to share by turns the filial throne;

Not less deserving it, who sat as high,

And equal claim had to be named his Son ;

The loss of which caused my first feud with Heav'n.

But that is past, and more that fairly prompts

To such defiance as bears no reprieve,

Brooks no collusion, and but kindles hate.

Then be assured, though seeming Victor now,

New wars thy vaunted peace shall break, thy rule

O'erturn, e'en should earth's empire cede to thee,

For short time keep allegiance transferr'd,

And thy new sons, as far the former race

Excel in numbers, virtue, or renown,

As hosts of heaven excel the least their tribes.

Deem thou this brav'ry vain, if so beseems;

But what field, tell me, e'er was shunn'd by me ?

What foe ever beheld my coward back,

Or me transpierced with an opprobrious wound ?

And though I hold thee equal, and confess

Some disadvantage in a former pass,

(A disadvantage amply since repaid,)

'Twas not through my defect, but dastard crew,

Who, basely terrified, left whom desert,

That else had measured thee with even force.

But doubt not we shall meet in other fields,

Though this new project universal lead

And sway all nations, cringing at thy shrine.

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