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ure by a prelate[3] raised, Whitehall, Built with the fortune of Rome's capitol; Both, disproportion'd to the present state Of their proud founders, were approved by Fate. 90 From hence he does that antique pile[4] behold, Where royal heads receive the sacred gold; It gives them crowns, and does their ashes keep; There made like gods, like mortals there they sleep; Making the circle of their reign complete, Those suns of empire! where they rise, they set. When others fell, this, standing, did presage The crown should triumph over popular rage; Hard by that House,[5] where all our ills were shaped, Th' auspicious temple stood, and yet escaped. 100 So snow on Aetna does unmelted lie, Whence rolling flames and scatter'd cinders fly; The distant country in the ruin shares; What falls from heaven the burning mountain spares. Next, that capacious Hall[6] he sees, the room Where the whole nation does for justice come; Under whose large roof flourishes the gown, And judges grave, on high tribunals, frown. Here, like the people's pastor he does go, His flock subjected to his view below; 110 On which reflecting in his mighty mind, No private passion does indulgence find; The pleasures of his youth suspended are, And made a sacrifice to public care. Here, free from court compliances, he walks, And with himself, his best adviser, talks; How peaceful olives may his temples shade, For mending laws, and for restoring trade; Or, how his brows may be with laurel charged, For nations conquer'd and our bounds enlarged. 120 Of ancient prudence here he ruminates, Of rising kingdoms, and of falling states; What ruling arts gave great Augustus fame, And how Alcides purchased such a name. His eyes, upon his native palace[7] bent, Close by, suggest a greater argument. His thoughts rise higher, when he does reflect On what the world may from that star expect Which at his birth appear'd,[8] to let us see Day, for his sake, could with the night agree; 130 A prince, on whom such diff'rent lights did smile, Born the divided world to reconcile! Whatever Heaven, or high extracted blood Could promise, or foretell, he will make good; Reform these nations, and improve them more, Than this fair park, from what it was before. [1] See 'Macaulay.' [2] Pall Mall derived its name from a particular game at bowls, in which
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