| Citation |
RNYG.780.071
15 Mar 1780:24,31 (361)
To the Printer.
Sir, You have lately told us (what the world has long
confess'd, however France and Spain may now affect to
dispute it) that "The Tars of Old England are Lords of the
Main." You have also given us a new edition of a New Year's
Ode, to the tune, and I suppose in humble imitation of the
spirit, of the celebrated "Rule, Britannia, rule the Waves."
Now is the time, no doubt, for Britain to shew what she can
do, and pessani quia posse videntur shou'd be her motto. To
judge what she can do, it is not amiss to remember: what
she has done.--That she has, for ages, held one of the
highest ranks in the Temple of Fame, is known to all the
world; nor can her noble achievements, in the late war
especially, be ever forgotten. At the close of that war the
following verses were written. Being unskilled myself in
singing, my rhymes are not intended to be sung. They may,
however, if you please, be printed, and, if your readers
choose it, they may be read. As I take it for granted that
no Son of Britannia entertains a doubt of her acquitting
herself now, in such a manner as not to diminish, but
greatly to increase her ancient stock of glory, I presume
this publication will not be thought unseansonable.
A FRAGMENT: WRITTEN ANNO 1763.
Insulted by a haughty foe,
By factious discontent betray'd,
Britannia thus indignant cried;
"To me do Realms their safety owe!
. . . [5 more lines on p. 2, col. 4 and 15 on p. 3, col. 1]
[The above article continues, with a poem in a different
format]
Britannia hail! in war and peace renown'd
For ages past in fame's high temple crown'd,
'Tis thine to smile, tho' half the world were foe,
To smile secure, while ocean round thee flows!
. . . [26 more lines]
[The above article continues with a new poem]
Prologue to Polly Honeycombe.
Spoken lately at the Theatre Royal in this City.
Ladies and gentlemen, our farce to night,
We hope may yield you profit and delight.
Instead of speechless maid and mock physician,
Please to admit--a maid of erudition;
. . . [32 more lines]
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