The fairy prospect of perpetual Peace.

Advanc'd Society's prudential Laws,

The moral virtues of the enlighten'd mind,

And all the ties of Interest and of Love,

In vain conspire to nurse their favourite Peace,

And banish dire Immanity and War.

Strong Nature's bent, continual increase,

Still counteracts Humanity's fond wish,

The perpetuity of Peace, and Love;

Alas! progressive Increase cannot last.

Soon mourns the encumber'd land it's human load:

Too soon arrives the inauspicious hour;

The Natal Hour of the unhappy Man,

Who all his life goes mourning up and down

That there is neither bough, nor mud, nor straw

That he may take to make himself a hut;

No, not in all his native land a twig

That he may take, nor spot of green grass turf,

Where without trespass he may set his foot.

Now Want and Poverty wage War with Love;

 Prev. P 16/79 next