Ode For the Birth-Day of the King of Prussia

FOR THE BIRTH-DAY OF THE KING PRUSSIA .

More glorious than the comet's blaze,
That through the starry region strays;
From Zembla to the Torrid Zone,
The mighty name of Prussia's known.

Be banish'd from the books of fame,
Ye deeds in distant ages done;
Lost and inglorious is the name
Of Hannibal, or Philip's son:

Could Greece, or conquering Carthage sing
A hero great as Prussia's king!

Where restless envy can't explore,
Or flatter'd hope presume to fly;
Fate bade victorious Frederic soar,
For laurels that can never die.

Could Greece, &c.

His rapid bolts tremendous break
Through nations arm'd in dread array;
Swift as the furious blasts that shake
The bosom of the frighted sea.

Could Greece, &c.

In vain, to shake the throne of Jove,
With impious rage, the giants try'd;
'Gainst Frederic's force the nations strove
In vain — their haughty legions died.

Could Greece, &c.

While prudence guides his chariot wheels,
Through virtue's sacred paths they roll;
Immortal truth his bosom steels,
And guards him glorious to the goal.

Could Greece, &c.

The vengeful lance Britannia wields
In concert with her brave ally,
Saves her fair roses in the fields
Where Gaul's detested lilies die.
Wreaths of eternal friendship spring,
'Twixt mighty George and Prussia's king.

The jocund bowl let Britons raise,
And crown the jovial board with mirth;
Fill — to great Frederic's length of days,
And hail the hero's glorious birth —
Could Greece, or conquering Carthage sing
A chieftain fam'd like Prussia's king!