TO HIS GRACE
The DUKE of ORMOND,
Upon His leaving the Government and King-
dom of IRELAND.
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HAve we a further Trouble yet in store?
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And can our Destiny afflict us more?
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To lose our Prince we thought too great a blow,
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And must we lose his glorious Image too?
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Ireland for more than thrice seven years has been
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Envy'd without, for being so blest within;
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While Plague, Fire, Famine, War abroad has reign'd,
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This only was the safe and happy Land.
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Which Happiness, Great Sir, to You we owe,
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Next to the God above, and God below.
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The Irish Harp, which long abus'd had lain,
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Your skilful Hand first brought in Tune again.
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And when some others by our King were sent
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To play upon the Noble Instrument,
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Such was their Ignorance, or their Errours such,
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They prov'd but Foils to your Melodious Touch.
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Into Your Hands then, which before it grac'd,
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The Noble Instrument again was plac'd;
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On which, a long, soft Tune again You play'd,
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When jarring Discord did all else invade.
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And we rejoyc'd to think you wou'd play on------
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But Heav'ns and our King's Will must still be done:
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We submit humbly to that Soveraign Pow'r,
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Which can the Bliss it takes away, restore;
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More we can't have, nor do we wish for more.
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Adieu then, much-lov'd Prince------
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(With mournful Hearts we make this Pray'r for you)
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Greatest and Best of Un-Crown'd Heads, adieu.
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And since You must go hence---
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O're you shall fly, a steddy Gale of Pray'rs,
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And under roll an humble Sea of Tears;
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All the amends which for Your mighty Toil
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Can be return'd by a poor Widdow-Isle:
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Such now, alas! she is, and ne're till now,
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That ORMONDs Noble House do's wholly from her go;
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Not leaving, to support her fainting Mind,
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An ARRAN, or an OSSORY behind.
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May Heav'ns choice Blessings on them all attend;
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And bring them to a Calm and Glorious End.
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Glorious and Calm may all their Passage be;
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As was the Hour in which they put to Sea.
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And landed; wheresoe're her ORMOND goes,
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May England doat on him, as Ireland does.
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To whose Great King, due Homage having done,
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His Councils Honour'd, and secur'd his Throne;
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Let Him Return His VICEROY here agen:
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May Heav'ns and Englands Monarch say, Amen.
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