Stanzas Spoken at a Play at the Theatre in Sunderland, for the Benefit of the Corsicans

SPOKEN AT A PLAY AT THE THEATRE IN SUNDERLAND, FOR THE
BENEFIT OF THE CORSICANS .

Who can behold with an unpitying eye
The glorious few (with patriotic fire)
Distrest — invaded — and resolv'd to die,
Or keep their independant rights entire?
Shackled themselves, the servile Gauls would bind
In their ignoble fetters half mankind.

The gentle homage that to-night you've paid
To Freedom, and her ever sacred laws,
The humble off'ring at her altar made,
Prove that your hearts beat nobly in her cause.
All-gracious Freedom, O vouchsafe to smile,
Through future ages, on this favourite isle!

Far may the boughs of Liberty expand,
For ever cultur'd by the brave and free!
For ever blasted be that impious hand,
That lops one branch from this illustrious tree!
Britons! — 'tis yours to make her verdure thrive,
And keep the roots of Liberty alive.

O, may her rich, her ripening fruits of gold,
Britannia! bloom perpetually for thee!
May you ne'er want a dragon, as we're told
Defended, once, the fam'd Hesperian tree!
A dragon fix'd, for your imperial sake,
With anxious eyes, eternally awake.