The Almighty heard, and cast on Piety,
The meekest seraph of the heav'nly choir,

A glance that spake in volumes. Quick as thought

The seraph hover'd o'er the head of Tell,

340

Unseen by others' eyes. Depriv'd of sense,
And speech the hero stood; when the angel took
The bow and arrow from his trembling hand,

And by celestial aim the apple fell

Transpierced to the ground. Her mission done 345 The seraph wing'd her rapid flight to heav'n,

Where joy angelick beam'd upon her face.
But now the pious pair with out-stretch'd hands
Pour'd forth in silent pray'r their gratitude
To the seat of mercy; while their countrymen 350

Miss'd his designed aim, and slain his son,
A second reed had pierc'd the tyrant's heart.
This Griesler learnt, and as some lioness
Prowls round the sheepfold in the evening's dusk,

Press'd sore by hunger, and maternal care,
But fears to enter, for both men and dogs

361

Keep there strict watch; at length by nature's wants Imperious urg'd, she overleaps the fence,

And having gorg'd herself with blood, conveys 365 Some mangled carcase to her distant young,

370

62 WASHINGTON, OR LIBERTY RESTORED. BOOK II.
Pursued by dogs and men; so Griesler seiz'd
The unhappy Tell, and Cassenach's lonely tow'rs
Had now receiv'd the sire; when clouds of dust,
A true but silent messenger, and gleams
Of distant arms awaken'd all his fears.
Then Griesler learnt to tremble; then he knew
The prince who rules not in his subjects' hearts
Is struck by Heaven's wrath, and falls despis'd.
And thus fell Griesler, and that tyrant race
Who long oppress'd Helvetia; for her sons,
An armed nation, warm'd by Heaven's fire,
And urg'd by injuries, had now aris'n
A light to light the world, and show to all,
A nation's voice is but the voice of God.

375

380

368. Cassenach's lonely tow'rs-A castle situated on the lake Lucerne.

END OF THE SECOND BOOK.

WASHINGTON,

OR

LIBERTY RESTORED.

BOOK III.

ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK.

Episode-Progress of Liberty continued. Revolution in the Netherlands. Queen Elizabeth assists the Prince of Orange. Her Speech upon that Occasion. Prophecy concerning the Princess Charlotte of Wales. Speeches of Philip II. and his Brother John; of William Prince of Orange. Spanish Armada.

WASHINGTON,

OR

1

LIBERTY RESTORED.

HERE stop, my Muse! and own thy gratitude

That thou wert not in being at that time
When ignorance' deep whirlpools whelm'd the world,
And all was vice and woe; when if perchance

Some genius less benighted rose to light,

5

'Twas only to pour forth in barbarous rhime The praise of murderers and the drunkard's broils. 'Tis from the evils of those wretched times

That virtue even now deplores that man
Must wade to freedom thro' a sea of blood.

10

But thus hath Fate ordain'd; Wisdom alone
Can purge the mental ray to bear the light

Of truth, and virtue, liberty, and love.

Hail then, thou period blest! when heaven's decree

15

Instructed man to know, and feel his rights;

The light once risen ne'er will set again,
But in meridian glory eternal shine

Of brightest essence co-essential.

Helvetia now had rais'd her powerful voice