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EBBA 33129

National Library of Scotland - Crawford
Ballad XSLT Template
AN ESSAY
Towards a CHARACTER of His Sacred Majesty,
King JAMES the Second.

I Paint the Prince, the World would surely crave,
Could they the Sum of all their Wishes have;
Pattern of Goodness, Him on Earth we see,
Who knows, He bears the Stamp of Diety;
Is made by Nature fit for Sword, or Gown,
And with undoubted Right enjoyes his Crown;
As Gold, by Fire, He's try'd by suffering,
Preserv'd by Miracles to be a King;
Troubles were Foiles, to make his Glories shine,
Through all conducted by a Hand Divine;
Malice long strove his Fortunes to Defeat,
Now Earth, and Heav'n conspire to make him Great;
He of all Temp'ral Blessings stands Possest,
But in a Royal Consort doubly Blest.
His mind, as Head, with Princely Virtues Crown'd,
True Courage, Wisdom, Justice there are found;
His ev'ry Action has peculiar Grace,
And Majesty appears, in Meen, and Face;
In Subjects Hearts, as on his Throne he Raigns;
Himself, the Weight of all his Realms sustains;
Of ablest States-men ever seekes Advice,
And of best Councels knowes to make his Choice?
Is taught by long Obedience to Command,
His own best Gen'ral He, for Sea and Land;
Loves Peace, whilst thus for War and Action fit,
And Armes, and Hate layes down, when Foes submit;
Not of too Lib'ral, nor too Frugal mind:
In all things to the Golden Mean inclin'd;
Seemes for Himself not born, but People rather,
And showes by's Care, that He's their Common Father.
Lewdness expels, both from his Camp, and Court;
No Flattrers please, nor Fools can make him Sport;
Grave in Discoursing, in his Habit plain,
And all Excess Endeavours to restrain;
As Fates Decree, so stands his Royal Word,
O're all his Passions, Governs as their Lord;
Nicely does He inspect each Fair Pretence,
Justice alike to Friend, and Foe dispence;
He's the Retreat to which Opprest do fly,
Extending Help to those in Misery;
Gracious to Good, to Wicked men Severe,
Supports the Humble, makes the Haughty fear;
To true Deserts, in Mercy unconfin'd;
His Laws do more Himself, then others bind;
At Sea, his Naval Power He stretches far,
In Europe, holds the Scales of Peace and War;
His Actions lasting Monuments shall Frame,
None leave to future Age so sweet a Name.
Add ten times more, the Royal Image must
Fall short of JAMES the Great, the Good, the Just.


P.A.
R.L.S

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