Page:The Emigrants.pdf/49



The hecatombs of victims, who have fallen Beneath a single despot; or who gave Their wasted lives for some disputed claim Between anointed robbers: 2 Monsters both! "3 Oh! Polish'd perturbation­—golden care!" So strangely coveted by feeble Man To lift him o'er his fellows;­—Toy, for which Such showers of blood have drench'd th' affrighted earth­— Unfortunate his lot, whose luckless head Thy jewel'd circlet, lin'd with thorns, has bound; And who, by custom's laws, obtains from thee Hereditary right to rule, uncheck'd, Submissive myriads: for untemper'd power, Like steel ill form'd, injures the hand It promis'd to protect­—Unhappy France! If e'er thy lilies, trampled now in dust,