If hush'd the loud whirlwind that ruffled the deep, <br /> The sky, if no longer dark tempests deform; <br />When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep? <br /> No!--Here's to the Pilot who weather'd the storm! <br /> <br /> <br />At the foot-stool of Power let flattery fawn, <br /> Let Faction her idols extol to the skies; <br />To virtue in humble resentment withdrawn, <br /> Unblam'd may the merits of gratitude rise. <br /> <br /> <br />And shall not His memory to Britain be dear, <br /> Whose example with envy all nations behold; <br />A Statesman unbiass'd by int'rest or fear, <br /> By pow'r uncorrupted, untainted by gold? <br /> <br /> <br />Who, when terror and doubt thro' the universe reign'd, <br /> While rapine and treason their standards unfurl'd, <br />The heart and the hopes of his Country maintain'd, <br /> And one kingdom preserv'd 'midst the wreck of the world. <br /> <br /> <br />Unheeding, unthankful, we bask in the blaze, <br /> While the beams of the sun in full majesty shine; <br />When he sinks into twilight, with fondness we gaze, <br /> And mark the mild lustre that gilds his decline. <br /> <br /> <br />Lo! Pitt, when the course of thy greatness is o'er, <br /> Thy talents, thy virtues, we fondly recall! <br />Now justly we prize thee, when lost we deplore; <br /> Admir'd in thy zenith, but lov'd in thy fall! <br /> <br /> <br />O! take, then--for dangers by wisdom repell'd, <br /> For evils, by courage and constancy brav'd-- <br />O take! for a throne by thy counsels upheld, <br /> The thanks of a people thy firmness has sav'd! <br /> <br /> <br />And O! if again the rude whirlwind should rise! <br /> The dawning of Peace should fresh darkness deform, <br />The regrets of the good, and the fears of the wise, <br /> Shall turn to the Pilot that weather'd the storm!<br /><br />George Canning<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-pilot-that-weath-d-the-storm/
