If yet your thoughts are loose from state affairs, <br />Nor feel the burden of a kingdom's cares; <br />If yet your time and actions are your own; <br />Receive the present of a Muse unknown: <br />A Must that, in adventurous numbers, sings <br />The rout of armies,a nd the fall of Kings, <br />Britain advanc'd, and Europe's peace restor'd, <br />By Somers' counsels, and by Nassau's sword. <br />To you, my Lord, these daring thoughts belong <br />Who help'd to raise the subject of my song; <br />To you the hero of my verse reveals <br />His great designs, to you in council tells <br />His inmost thoughts, determining the doom <br />Of towns unstorm'd, and battles yet to come. <br />And well could you, in your immortal strains, <br />Describe His conduct, and reward his pains: <br />But, since the state has all your cares ingross'd <br />And poetry in higher thoughts is lost, <br />Attend to what a lesser Muse indites,, <br />Pardon her faults, and countenance her flights. <br />On you, my Lord, with anxious fear I wait, <br />And from your judgment must expect my fate, <br />Who, free from vulgar passions, are above <br />Degrading envy, or misguided love: <br />If you, well pleas'd, shall smile upon my lays, <br />Secure of fame, my voice I'll boldly raise, <br />For next to what you write, is what you praise.<br /><br />Joseph Addison<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-poem-to-his-magesty-presented-to-the-lord-keeper-to-the-right-hon-sir-john-somers-lord-keeper/
