Page:The Temple of Fame - Pope (1715).pdf/37

 The pois'nous Vapor blots the purple Skies, And withers all before it as it flies.

A Troop came next, who Crowns and Armour wore, And proud Defiance in their Looks they bore: For thee (they cry'd) amidst Alarms and Strife, We sail'd in Tempests down the Stream of Life; For thee whole Nations fill'd with Flames and Blood, And swam to Empire thro' the purple Flood. Those Ills we dar'd thy Inspiration own, And all that Virtue seem'd was done for thee alone. Ambitious Fools! (the Queen reply'd, and frown'd) Be all your Acts in dark Oblivion crown'd; There sleep forgot, with mighty Tyrants gone, Your Statues moulder'd, and your Names unknown. A sud-