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1796.11
Political Integrity
Anon
The Gentleman's Magazine, LXVI (December 1796), p. 1038
Decipimur specie recti.[1]
O Britain! first in Freedom's train,
And fairest of her chosen few,
How has Ambition burst the chain
Of friendship you believ'd so true!
Prussia, with false usurping pride,
An Empire's rights would overturn;
And, were his wishes gratify'd,
Vienna would like Warsaw mourn.
Batavia,[2]
too, long fam'd for guile,
And whom no bond of honour awes,
First deep involv'd us in the broil,
Then, coward like, forsook the cause.
And now, priest-ridden, dastard Spain
Flies from the solemn vows she made;
And would, perfidious, from the Main
Sweep all our naval power and trade.
Such were our great and good Allies!
Just Heav'n! their jealous arms defeat,
The worst of evils ever rise
From Friendship veil'd in base deceit.