Sonnet to the Prince Regent. On the Repeal of Lord Edward Fitzgerald's Forfeiture
To be the father of the fatherless,To stretch the hand from the throne's height, and raiseHis offspring, who expired in other daysTo make thy Sire's sway by a kingdom less,--This is to be a monarch, and repressEnvy into unutterable praise.Dismiss thy guard, and trust thee to such traits,For who would lift a hand, except to bless?Were it not easy, Sir, and is't not sweetTo make thyself belovéd? and to beOmnipotent by Mercy's means? for thusThy Sovereignty would grow but more complete,A despot thou, and yet thy people free,And by the heart--not hand--enslaving us.
Sign in to like, rate and collect poems, and keep track of what you've read.