New pledge of safety to her native isle, The fost'ring Muses on fair Mitford smile: To her their fervent energy convey; And, to the future age, consign her lay. How blest the Land where they to rest incline; And spread around their influence benign: How glows each bosom then with sacred fire: Then Virtue rules, repressing base desire: Then live the Just, the Good, the Wise, the Brave: The gen'rous wish exists to shield; to save; From dire oppression save, to shield from harm, And with the ardent love of freedom warm: To give mankind to know the sweets of peace; And joy to see the gen'ral bliss increase. Such, FAVOUR'D PEOPLE, such thy pleasing task; And its continuance all thou hast to ask. May the high blessing still on thee attend: May Taste with thee reside, of Genius friend. Still may be thine the pure poetic stream; And, strong in virtue, rule with sway supreme. 19th June, 1811.
