Linenotes

Title] Vix ea nostra voco M. P.

Before 1

What Statesmen scheme and Soldiers work,
Whether the Pontiff or the Turk,
Will e'er renew th' expiring lease
Of Empire; whether War or Peace
Will best play off the Consul's game;
What fancy-figures, and what name
Half-thinking, sensual France, a natural Slave,
On those ne'er-broken Chains, her self-forg'd Chains, will grave;

Disturb not me! Some tears I shed
When bow'd the Swiss his noble head;
Since then, with quiet heart have view'd
Both distant Fights and Treaties crude,
Whose heap'd up terms, which Fear compels,
(Live Discord's green Combustibles,
And future Fuel of the funeral Pyre)
Now hide, and soon, alas! will feed the low-burnt Fire.

M. P.

tempest] storm-wind M. P.

To] And The Friend, 1809. slumbers] slumber M. P., The Friend.

thy gentle hand] the power Divine M. P.

Autumn] Summer M. P.

The best the thoughts will lift M. P.

thee] her M. P.

some] a M. P.

hermit] hermit's M. P.