Page:The Poems of John Dyer (1903).djvu/113

 Meantime (while those who dare be just oppose The various powers of many-headed Vice), Ye Delegates of Trade ! by patience rise O'er difficulties, in this sultry clime Note what is found of use ; the flix of goat, Red wool, and balm, and Caufee's berry brown Or drooping gum, or opium's lenient drug ; Unnumbered arts await them, trifles oft, By skilful labour, rise to high esteem. Nor what the peasant, near some lucid wave Pactolus, Simois, or Mæander slow, Renowned in story, with his plough upturns, Neglect ; the hoary medal, and the vase, Statue, and bust, of old magnificence Beautiful relics : oh ! could modern time Restore the mimic art, and the clear mien Of patriot sages, Walsinghams and Yorkes, And Cecils in long-lasting stone preserve ! But mimic art and nature are impair'd Impair'd they seem or in a varied dress Delude our eyes : the world in change delights : Change then your searches, with the varied modes And wants of realms. Sabean frankincense Rare is collected now : few altars smoke Now in the idol fane ; Panchaia views Trade's busy fleets regardless pass her coast : Nor frequent are the freights of snow-white woofs Since Rome, no more the mistress of the world, Varies her garb, and treads her darken'd streets With gloomy cowl, majestical no more. See the dark spirit of tyrannic pow'r ! The Thracian channel, long the road of trade To the deep Euxine and its naval streams, And the Mæotis, now is barr'd with chains, And forts of hostile battlement. In aught