Genius of True English-men,
Tacitus de vit. Jul. Agr. cap. 13. Britanni delectum ac Tributa & Injuncta Imperij Munera impigri obe-
unt, si Injuriae absint, has aegri tolerant; Jam domiti ut pareant nondum ut Serviant.
The Britains are a sort of People that pay very freely all manner of Tributes and Taxes to the Empire
Loyally Imposed, but cannot endure Injuries; and had rather Perish than live as Slaves.
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THe Free-born English Generous and Wise,
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Hate Chains, but do not Government despise;
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Rights of the CROWN, Tributes and Taxes they,
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(When Lawfully demanded) freely pay:
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Force they abhor, and Wrongs they scorn to bear,
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More guided by their Judgement than their Fear,
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JUSTICE with them is never calld Severe.
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Here Power by Tyranny was never got,
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LAWS may (perhaps) Enslave, but FORCE cannot.
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Rash Councels here have still the worst Effect,
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The surest way to Reign, is to Protect.
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KINGS are least safe in their Unbounded Will,
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Joynd with the wretched Power of doing ill;
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Forsaken most when theyre most Absolute,
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LAWs guard the MAN, and only bind the Brute.
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To Force that Guard with the worst so to joyn,
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Can never be a Prudent KINGs Design,
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What KING would change to be a Catiline?
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Break his own Laws, shake an unquestiond Throne,
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Conspire with Vassals to Usurp his own.
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Tis rather some base Favrites Vile Pretence,
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To Tyrannize at the wrongd KINGs Expence.
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Let France grow Proud beneath the Tyrants Lust,
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Whilst the Rackt People crawl and lick the Dust.
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The Mighty Genius of this Isle disdains
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Ambition, Slavery, and Golden Chains:
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ENGLAND to Servile Yokes did never bow,
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What Conqurors ner presumd who dare do now?
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ROMAN nor NORMAN never could pretend
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To have Enslavd, but made this Isle their Friend.
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