In one great <br />now <br />, superior to an age, <br />The full extremes of nature's force we find: <br />How heavenly virtue can exalt, or rage <br />Infernal how degrade the human mind. <br /> <br />While the fierce monk does at his trial stand, <br />He chews revenge, abjuring his offence: <br />Guile in his tongue, and murder in his hand, <br />He stabs his judge, to prove his innocence. <br /> <br />The guilty stroke and torture of the steel <br />Infix'd, our dauntless Briton scarce perceives: <br />The wounds his country from his death must feel, <br />The patriot views; for those alone he grieves. <br /> <br />The barbarous rage that durst attempt thy life, <br />Harley, great counsellor, extends thy fame; <br />And the sharp point of cruel Guiscard's knife, <br />In brass and marble carves thy deathless name. <br /> <br />Faithful assertor of thy country's cause, <br />Britain with tears shall bathe thy glorious wound; <br />She for thy safety shall enlarge her laws, <br />And in her statutes shall thy worth be found. <br /> <br />Yet 'midst her sighs she triumphs on the hand <br />Reflecting, that diffused the public wo; <br />A stranger to her altars, and her land; <br />No son of hers could meditate this bow, <br /> <br />Meantime thy pain is gracious Anna's are: <br />Our queen, our saint, with sacrificing breath, <br />Softens thy anguish: in her powerful prayer <br />She pleads thy service, and forbids thy death. <br /> <br />Great as thou art, thou canst demand no more, <br />O breast bewail'd by earth, preserved by Heaven? <br />No higher can aspiring virtue soar: <br />Enough to thee of grief and fame is given.<br /><br />Matthew Prior<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/to-mr-harley-wounded-by-guiscard/
