The patriot enterprize: or an address to Britain. A poem. Inscribed to the Right Hon. William Pitt, ... by Mr. Jones, author of The Earl of Essex. To which is added, The Prussian campaign, a poem. Celebrating the atchievements [sic] of Frederick the Great, in the years 1756-57. By William Dobson, L.L.B.

Table of contents

- [titlepage]

- THE PATRIOT ENTERPRIZE.

- THE PRUSSIAN CAMPAIGN, &c.

- [titlepage]

- [dedication]

- BOOKS just Published by W. WHITESTONE, Book seller, in Skinner-Row.

THE PATRIOT ENTERPRIZE: OR An Address to BRITAIN. A POEM.

Inscribed to the Right Hon. WILLIAM PITT, &c. &c.

By Mr. JONES, Author of the Earl of ESSEX.

To which is added, the PRUSSIAN CAMPAIGN, A POEM.

Celebrating The ATCHIEVEMENTS of FREDERICK the GREAT, in the Years 1756—57.

By WILLIAM DOBSON, L.L.B.

LONDON, Printed, and DUBLIN: Re-printed for WILLIAM WHITESTONE, opposite Dick's-Coffee-House in Skinner-Row. 1758.

THE PATRIOT ENTERPRIZE.

ONE Briton yet asserts that aweful name,

One Patriot yet supports the glorious theme!

Amidst Corruption's flood still spotless seen,

A heart still faithful, and a hand still clean.

Assist him, Seraphs, stoop from heav'n ye few

That once were Patriots, once were firm and true

To Britain's cause, ye kindred Spirits glow,

Descend, and shield him in this storm below;

Your shelt'ring wings around his virtue spread,

Inspire his heart, and crown with wreaths his head;

With gleams of Heav'n's pure light his soul array,

And all the glories of the Just display

Full in his sight; parental Heroes smile;

His virtue aid—O snatch from fate this Isle;

Point out the paths you trod, the arms you bore,

Bid Truth return, and ancient worth restore;

Let Britain lift once more her laurel'd head

Above the waves, and strike the world with dread.

Thou, PITT, this verse with patient soul attend,

Her buckler, sword, her guardian, and her friend;

Whose stedfast heart no virtuous toil can tire,

Whose tongue is touch'd with Heav'n's resistless fire,

In Heav'ns own injur'd cause supreme to shine

With dazzling force, with splendors all divine.

Thou Man belov'd! thy country's boast and choice,

To whom afflicted millions lift their voice,

Thou last remaining champion of the state,

On thee Integrity and Wisdom wait,

Still lift thy dreaded arm, still, still pursue

The monstrous Python, and his pois'nous crew;

Repeat each righteous blow, repeat each wound,

And bring the bloated Hydra to the ground:

Lo earth, and sea, and heav'n shall then rejoice,

In one triumphant Paean lift their voice.

The marks of gratitude, ye Britons, pay,

And strew with thankful wreaths the Patriot's way;

Let breathing brass, let feeling stone confess,

Whilst arches bend, and story'd piles express

To ages yet unborn the glorious Man,

His falling country's prop, whose godlike plan

On curs'd Corruption trod, on Faction fell,

Who drives th' infernal monsters back to hell,

Spurning their gilded bait—who strikes down Fraud,

At home our bosom pest, our bane abroad,

That sap'd the vitals of our sinking pow'r,

When hungry Vengeance urg'd the rip'ning hour:

Then stood forth PITT, unaided and alone,

The People's friend, yet faithful to the Throne;

Trampling on British bribes with Roman scorn,

Another TULLY for his country born,

To counterwork each villain's dark designs,

For Britain too may dread her CATILINES:

He comes exulting in a heart sincere,

A tongue that strikes Corruption's soul with fear;

An arm still ready to redress the cause

Of Majesty oppress'd, or injur'd Laws;

Like CECIL bold in Virtue's sacred might,

Like HAMPDEN glorious, when restrain'd by right,

Like FAULKLAND servid for his country's good,

No pride provokes, no faction fires his blood;

For Britain's lasting weal his wishes glow,

His Patriot heart see pant, his blood see flow:

Embrace him, Britain, to thy bosom press

One Patriot Son, long, long that Son possess.

O quickly come, thou Genius that sustains

Of Britain's ancient worth the small remains,

O quickly come, and kindle up those fires

With Freedom's breath that warm'd our godlike sires;

The bless'd occasion snatch, perhaps the last,

And round your liberties a rampart cast,

That shall, like Nature's laws, remain entire,

Till Virtue darkens and the stars expire;

Th' immortal task begin; see Virtue rise,

And lift her glorious flag to Britain's eyes;

Leaning on PITT her dreaded sword she draws,

Whilst angels trumpet wide th' eternal cause:

See panting millions to her standard crowd;

See Truth assert, see Faith proclaim aloud

The grand behest—from heav'n the sound is spread

(Whilst crush'd Integrity uprears her head.)

Britons, be honest to yourselves, be just,

In this unblemished man repose your trust;

PITT the firm phalanx forms with manly pride,

Integrity his shield, and Truth his guide;

See, see each venal pest before him fly,

Shrink from his voice, and shudder at his eye;

Such heav'n-fraught powers appal the guilty soul,

Where vengeance lightens, and where thunders roll;

Dreadful he marches on, and void of fear,

With Fortitude his front, with Worth his rear;

With every virtue see his soul supply'd,

With Loyalty, with Honour near his side;

Auxiliars worthy of a cause design'd

To rescue Nature's right in human kind:

From venal leprosy to purge the land,

And all the taints of soul Corruption's hand;

To push the barrier back that Freedom braves,

To mark the bounds of subjects, not of slaves,

To call up British honesty once more,

And ev'ry virtue to its reign restore.

Ye Britons join with heart, with voice unite,

'Tis Wisdom calls you forth, and native Right;

Let future deeds your present crimes efface,

Your fleets and armies that bring back disgrace,

Council's o'erthrown by Caution's ghastly dreams,

Orders rejected, unattempted schemes;

O biot—for ever blot the hateful page,

Quick cancel, Time, the ignominious age

From out thy records —See, a train appears!

Of British worthies, and of glorious years!

See Time (by Virtue led) o'er Albion smile,

Returning Justice bless once more the isle;

Exulting Commerce issuing from the main,

And Britain's thunder shake the poles again:

See Truth ascend her adamantine throne,

Despotic Truth, eternal, and alone;

Parent of Wisdom, whose unbounded sway

The Virtues bend to and the Worlds obey;

Great queen of harmony, whence order springs,

Whose moral scepter rules the hearts of kings,

Before thy throne with Concord's emblems grac'd,

See all the Virtues in their order plac'd:

Hail, sacred Truth, O stretch thy ancient reign

O'er Britain's kindred isle, call back again

Her golden age of plenty, pow'r and wealth,

Her honour, temperance, fortitude and health,

Her justice, courage, conquest and renown,

Let tyrants start, and tremble at her frown,

New brace her arm, her trident's strength restore,

Hark! hark! her thunder shakes yon hostile shore;

Around the globe her dreaded flag display,

Let ocean's utmost bounds her flag obey;

Her crimson cross invincible let fly

Above the waves, triumphant in the sky.

'Tis done; see direful Fraud, see Discord bound,

See hell-born Faction gasping on the ground,

See bloated Luxury with famish'd jaws,

See curs'd Corruption with her gilded claws,

See pois'nous Perfidy with patriot air,

See venal Villainy, see mad Despair,

A ghastly groupe! in fell confusion lie

Beneath thy aweful frown, O Truth, and die.

The caverns yawn, the rocky bars give way,

See Genius burst her bands, and spring to day,

Spurning the cave, accurs'd Corruption's cell,

Where Envy broods, where venal vapours dwell,

Thy bane, O Truth; see, see, she joyful soars,

She drinks th' etherial ray, she high explores

Her native heav'n, by Virtue's hand set free

She gains new strength, her piercing eye shall see

With tenfold force where Wisdom's secrets lie

Beneath th' abyss, above the starry sky;

Through Nature's works her mimic hand shall play

Where Freedom prompts, where Virtue points the way:

Ambition there to blameless heights shall rise,

There guiltless Glory gain th' immortal prize;

See Sculpture rear her life-creating hand,

See thinking stone on story'd basis stand;

There classic piles attract the wond'ring ken,

Here Genius dips the pencil and the pen;

In kindred lights with friendly ray shall shine

A MASON's muse, a HAYMAN's groupe divine,

Unrival'd lov'd; see HOGARTH's fancy reign

In BUTLER's rich, unborrow'd matchless vein;

Through blissful scenes the raptur'd mind shall rove,

New POPES shall sing, new LAMBERTS paint the grove:

Did PHIDIAS there indent the magic steel?

Did ROUBILIAC instruct the rocks to feel?

A HUDSON's teint, by beauty's beam refin'd,

Shall through th' expansive features call the mind;

Nature and Art their utmost pow'r shall shew,

And SHAKESPEARS yet unborn, and GARRICKS glow.

The Arts exult at Virtue's great command

With Taste, with Liberty in either hand;

Triumphant Britain smiles, near, near each side

See native Honesty, see native Pride,

With Grecian worth, with Roman bent to vye,

Fame at her heart, and Glory in her eye,

With ancient Rome in her MAECENAS' days,

When Judgment gave, when Genius wore the bays,

With both shall Britain now maintain the strife,

To lift up nature and to polish life.

Be hence thy high concern, be hence thy care,

From Gallia's haughty brow provok'd to tear

The rival wreaths; a twofold empire gain,

Science at land, and conquest on the main.

By both MINERVAS crown'd, O Britain, shine,

Let learning still, let conquest still be thine;

Let courage, taste, and truth thy sons adorn,

Let BACONS yet, let MARLBOROUGHS yet unborn,

For arts and arms above mankind rever'd,

By Europe honour'd, and by Europe fear'd,

Expand the circles of thy vast renown;

Let PITT, let Virtue wear the immortal crown.

THE PRUSSIAN CAMPAIGN, A POEM: CELEBRATING The ATCHIEVEMENTS OF FREDERICK the GREAT, In the Years 1756—57.

By WILLIAM DOBSON, LLB.

LONDON: Printed, and DUBLIN Re-printed for WILLIAM WHITESTONE, in Skinner-Row.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, Lord Viscount CHARLEMONT, PATRON Of Literature, Sciences, and Arts, This Poem is Inscribed: An unworthy Testimony Of truly affectionate and indeliable Gratitude From his Sincerest Friend WILLIAM DOBSON.

THE PRUSSIAN CAMPAIGN, &c.

A PRINCE, unrival'd in puissant deeds,

Of noblest prowess and unconquer'd soul,

I sing; and with ambition lyre this verse

Attune the mighty FRED'RICK's honour'd name.

Bless'd, while my CHARL'MONT his propitious ear

Inclines, attentive to the glorious theme:

How amply bless'd, if, by the Bard invok'd

So oft, descending Health her genial balm

Would round thee pour benign, rekindling fair

Thy roseate bloom, thou amiable Youth,

Crown'd with each virtue, with each grace adorn'd!

O that a ray of the celestial flame,

That erst illum'd the animated Bard,

(Who sung of Eden, and o'er Eden's bow'rs

High-soaring, trac'd th' embattel'd Seraphim

In fiery conflict on th' ethereal plains,)

Beam'd on this breast: that I might swift pursue

Thro' every vast design, thro' every high

Emprize, the great, th' inimitable Chief.

The Muse, in various raptures sweetly lost,

This shining path, and that, by turns surveys,

Bewilder'd; unresolv'd, th' advent'rous task

Where to begin; which splendor first, which last,

To celebrate in song: his matchless might,

His martial discipline exact, or kind

Indulgence to the Brave; his active soul

Rapt with fierce fury, thro' the glorious field,

Or steddiest counsels, and deliberate care.

But hark! the trumpet's clangor rends the sky,

And the loud clarions sound the voice of war.

Forth issue Prussia's troops, in various bands;

While these to Leipsic's walls their rapid march

Direct, those to proud Dresden's royal tow'rs.

When lo, th' impetuous monarch in just ire

Arose, and with unerring clue pursued

The wily labyrinths of th' ambitious foe,

By keen perception trac'd: and all their dark

Device, and machinations dire, disclos'd.

Near thrice three circling years his generous Soul

Had cultivated peace, whose studious arts

Of peace, and martial deeds alike expert.

When rous'd at length his wrath, with various clouds

From various climes beset, the perilous storm

Soon as he saw concentring from afar,

Furious he flew; and borne on swiftest wing,

Pierc'd the perfidious Saxon's inmost realms.

At FREDERICK'S dread advance, the tim'rous Pole

Instant the court, the capital deserts,

Leaves his afflicted consort, bath'd in tears,

Disconsolate; and speeds with eager course

His martial pow'rs to Pirna's close retreats:

Pirna, whose strong-fenc'd camp access defy'd,

Proud of high battlements and ramparts vast,

Fort above fort, impenetrably firm.

As when the tow'ring Eagle soars the skie,

Sublime, in numerous flocks th'aerial train

Speed their swift flight to many a winding cell

Deep in the caverns of some craggy rock,

Cleft by Time's rigid hand; there pant immur'd,

With shuddring wings.—Mean time the vigilant Chief

Three several hosts their several charge assign'd;

There to secure Silesia's plains, and here

His native realms defend, should Russia pour

Th' unnumber'd legions from her fertile loins.

Himself the Saxon troops, as couch'd they lay

Wrapt in the bosom of their shelt'ring camp,

Nor daring to the field, with pow'rful force

Invests, on every hand environ'd round.

Yet still the generous Prince his ire repress'd:

And while th' avenging sword his arm display'd,

That stretch'd the gentle olive forth, fair pledge

Of amicable peace. The Pole that pledge

Disdain'd, thro' Austrian's vaunted aid, secure.

Forthwith, from every circle, stem decrees,

Loud-echoing mandates, comminations dire,

Fraught with each pompous circumstance of wrath,

Pour through the Empire, levelling their rage

At mighty Brandenburgh. In furious tides

Russia rolls down her thund'ring menaces:

Whom thy vain insolence, superb Versailles,

Thy haughty taunts succeed. He unappall'd

With ample breast receives th' united storm:

Firm, as the stately promontory's height

Erect, by surges lash'd on every side,

Foaming redundant on the big-swoln main:

His elevated brow o'er the mad waves

Rears it's dread honors, and disdains their roar.

Now while the Saxons with their hapless Prince

Clung to the trenches, and the fort embrac'd,

In deep despair involv'd' no succour nigh,

Exhausted, spiritless, by Prussian troops

Encompass'd sore: at length th' auxiliar host

From Austria's land in numerous squadrons move,

Led by their mightiest Chieftain[*]. Swift they march.

As swift great FREDERICK (whose quick-darting eye

No hostile motion scap'd) his troops to join

Hastes, where experienc'd KEITH his standard rear'd

All in a moment tow'ring in the van,

Of choice battalions form'd, to Tournitz's walls

He drives his rapid way. Thither anon

March his whole host, in two main columns rang'd,

Obsequious to his high behests. Nor staid

Th' impatient Heroe, till Welmina's plains

He reach'd: thence to his view at once appear'd

Austria's vast pow'rs, from wing to wing display'd.

E'er yet the parting Sun his western goal

Attain'd, light's scant remains the vigorous Chief

Seiz'd, and explor'd the plains, whence to assail

The foe at earliest dawn. The night's long stage

His troops the rigour of th' inclement sky

With hearts unchill'd endure. He in the front,

Pre-eminent in danger and in toil,

Unmindful of repose, his list'ning bands

Incessant animates: with liveliest cheer,

And with endearing accents fires their souls.

"My glorious partners in the bold emprize

On many a well-fought field: in me your friend,

In me your fire behold. The morning sun,

(Or my presages err) shall see the plains

With Austrian corses strown. Myself shall share

Each perilous attempt, each brave exploit

Witness, and amply recompence. Pursue

Yon path, where glory, where your country's love

Invites, and Pruassia's still unsullied fame.

Thus while he spake, th'invigorated troops

Glow with fresh fire, and feel the gen'rous flame

Glance thro' their thrilling veins: the loit'ring Sun

They chide, impatient, panting for the field.

Scarce blush'd the morn with streaks of orient day;

FREDERICK up-sprung: with his attendant Chiefs

Led forth the valiant troops: their various bands

In strong battalions regularly ranged;

Line after line, and file succeeding file;

Here the right wing display'd, and there the left,

Each on a tow'ring hill. In order due

Onward they march: when in broad front appear

Austria's equestrian bands, array'd for war.

"Advance (said mighty Brandenburgh) advance;

Rush to the plains, and Horse to Horse oppose.

Swift they descend, and with impetuous force

Burst on the foe: when from the hostile rear

Sudden the latent enginry disgorge,

Hurl'd from their brazen throats, the flaming balls

Innumerable: at the dire din alarm'd

And storms of thund'ring metal, back they bend

Their not imprudent steps: then form'd afresh,

To the brisk charge return. Now nor the roar

Of bellowing cannon, nor incessant fire,

Nor wide-extended dyke, nor obvious mound

Retard: with furious onset the fierce steeds

And their dismounted warriors down they trod,

In groans expiring, welt'ring in their gore,

In heaps on mangled heaps o'erthrown: nor ceas'd,

Till undistinguish'd sunk th' imperial Horse,

All sunk, in universal ruin whelm'd.

Forthwith, down-rushing from the mountain's brow,

FREDERICK's fierce Infantry, with furious speed

Thro' iron tempests and thro' floods of fire,

To Low' schatz's walls intrepid flew, assail'd

With unresisted force, th' astonied foe

Repell'd, and from their boasted fortress drove,

With rout on rout confounded. The fell stroke

Vienna's General mourns, his scattered host

Driving precipate to Budin's plains.

FREDERICK, triumphant on the foughten field

Stands, and surveys the soil, with thousands slain,

And thousands wide o'erspred whose nobler doom

The captive warriors envy and admire.

Amid the ill-star'd train, gall'd at his fate,

Undaunted Lobkowitz' superior tow'rs

With clouded aspect and indignant mien.

Hail, mighty Prussia, hail! With eagle wing,

Hov'ring around thee, Victory attend

They every march! — Beneath the hallow'd shade

Rest thee awhile: thy noble toil suspend:

Deign o'er thy brows to bind this laurel wreath,

Th'ambitious Muse with pleasing labour wove.

How did thine heart exult, when thou surveyd'st

Thy daring legions, by thy conduct fir'd,

And all thy emulous Chiefs: above those Chiefs

High-blazing, as the peerless Star, that leads

Th'ethereal host o'er the wide azure pour'd,

Resplendent train! Next thee, great BEVERN shone

Sublime, and darted terror on the foe,

Reflecting his illustrious Monarch's rays.

Nor, valiant MULLER, shall thy prowess pass

Unsung; who with resistless might dispers'd

Th'embattel'd ranks, like clouds of sleeting sand

Driv'n by th'impetuous whirlwind's rapid wing.

With these, the tribute of th'applauding bard

Unnumber'd heroes claim, whose various deeds

Were long to trace. The gen'rous FREDERICK's love

Shall crown their merits, and their glorious names

Live in the records of immortal fame.

Thence to the Saxon bands, in Pirna's fort

Immur'd, he wings his way, bent to subdue

That treach'rous foe. Nor long, e'er from the camp

Th'imprison'd squadrons start, o'er Egra's streams

From the bridg'd path, while sable Night resum'd

Her reign alternate, and th'incumbent mists

Spred o'er heaven's face impenetrable gloom,

Deep'ning the wonted shades. How vain th'attempt!

Their wiles how frustrate! The vast summit's height,

Fronting thy turrets, Koningstein, with march

Laborious as they climb, th'uprising sun

Shew'd them to PRUSSIA's view; whose strong defiles

Enclos'd them round. What gleam of hope remains?

Where shall they fly? how force th'obstructed way?

Aghast, and thunder-struck, th'obdurate King

His high-swoln pride submits, in suppliant terms

Sues for that peace he insolently scorn'd.

Thus quell'd proud Austria, and th'ambitious Pole

Flung from his tow'ring hopes, the wint'ry storms,

On blustring Boreas and bleak Eurus' wings

Rushing impetuous, with malignant blasts

Warn to retire from forth the tented field.

His troops th' indulgent Chief, albeit inur'd

To each severe extreme, his well-lov'd troops

Withdraws, and to his Saxon camp retires.

Soon as the balmy Zephyrs' earliest gales

Led on the genial spring, great FREDERICK's breast

Fraught with deep counsels in still silence form'd,

Sudden unfolds. His ev'ry valiant band

Instant he summons: at his great command

Their tacit march they speed; and swift attain

Bohemia's realm, three formidable hosts.

This the fam'd BEVERN, that brave SCHWERIN led;

The third their Monarch's fav'rite conduct boasts.

War soon resumes his flaming torch. — Again

Imperial Austria's congregated pow'rs.

Appear, in numerous squadrons firmly rang'd,

A mighty host: and KONINGSEGG commands.

Deep was their rear entrench'd; by village walls

Their right was shelter'd, by impervious woods

Encompass'd the left wing. Yet not the less

BEVERN impetuous drove his rapid bands,

By every valiant Chieftain well sustained;

Storm'd the strong cover, thro' th' intrenchments rush'd,

And pierc'd their dense array. In sudden rout

All their vast cavalry involv'd the Foe

Astonish'd views: while gallant LESWITZ springs

Fierce and undaunted 'mid the hostile fire,

Swift flies thro' many a perilous defile,

And with dread chase pursues the timorous host,

(Havoc and ruin marching in their rear)

From hill to hill in wild confusion driv'n.

To join thee, BEVERN, bends his eager course

Intrepid SCHWERIN, to thy soul endear'd

By kindred Virtue's ever sacred tie.

Him to ensnare, within cover'd dale

Lurks the secreted foe, a numerous band!

Soon their insidious wiles the wary chief

Espied; encounter'd, and discomfited.

Thence his impetuous progress onward rolls

Wide o'er the land, unbounded, uncontroll'd,

With torrent force. Before his fiery sword

On every hand they scour, nor dare confront

His mighty rage: inactive, down they throw

Their unavailing arms. The regions round

Bend to the victor, and confess his sway.

Now mighty FRED'RICK with observant ken

Saw, where the foe their various squadrons drew

From the tow'rd fortress, and each banner'd host;

Rang'd in proud pomp beneath their mightiest Chief,

Who from the terror of dread PRUSSIA's arm

So late retreated, with sad overthrow

Gall'd on Welmina's memorable plains:

Yet dares again, by conscious valour fir'd.

Again his thundring arm dread PRUSSIA rears.

Impatient of delay, with instant march

O'er Moldaw's streams he pass'd: when lo! in camp.

High-fenc'd, by nature's favour and by art

Strong-cover'd, deep-entrench'd, proudly deem'd

Impregnable, th' imperial Army lay,

Much glorying in their strength, in numbers far

Superior. Still undaunted his bold march

FRED'RICK pursues: He nor their 'vantag'd ground,

Nor high-fenc'd camp, nor trenches deep regards,

Nor numbers far superior. On he leads

To the fierce combat his courageous bands.

They, by their Monarch's voice, (that fav'rite voice,)

Enliven'd, joyous spring, with sweet presage

Of victory; their standards wide unfurl'd

In awful pomp, with rich emblazonry

Of vivid colours, streaming to the wind:

And o'er the horrent plain of glitt'ring steel

A wavy Harvest formidably gleam'd,

Innumerable faulchions, the sun's blaze

(Oft as his radiant beams from fleecy cloud

Emerg'd) reflecting fierce with burnish'd sheen;

E'er long to be imbru'd in Austrian gore.

E'er long to be imbru'd in Austrian gore.

Nigh to the foe advanc'd, each Warrior brave,

Commanders, and Commanded, with like zeal

Inflam'd, and emulation high, contend,

Who first shall the untrodden path explore,

Who tempt the marish, who the threat'ning mound

Clime hazardous, plunge thro' the hostile fire

Foremost, and burst their serried files. Now 'gan

The onset dire, enkindled at th' alarm

Of drums loud-thundring, and the trumpet's clang

Sonorous. Fierce the conflict rag'd 'twixt host

And host: The field throughout, was seen no glimpse

Of dastard fear: each nobly signaliz'd

Their valorous ardor. Front to front they met,

Warrior with warrior clos'd, and steed with steed

In stern encounter. The hoarse cannon's voice

Echoes with bellowing roar: redundant smoke

Pours o'er the envelop'd sky, with horrid flash

Pierc'd frequent, and quick glance of sulph'rous flames.

Swift thro' the ranks undaunted FRED'RICK sprung,

High brandishing his faulchion, Austria's dread,

From wing to distant wing unwearied flew,

Now in the Van, now Rear: on ev'ry part,

Thro' each vicissitude, each varying scene,

With splendid conduct, animating sounds,

And brave example, his obsequious bands

Inspir'd, directed, instigated, cheer'd,

And all his various pow'rs by turns display'd:

Fervid, yet vigilant; with temper'd fire

Guiding the rapid war's alternate reins.

On every part his victor arm prevails.

At length o'erpow'r'd, discomfited, recede

Austria's faint troops, abandoning the field

Drench'd in their slaughter'd friends' commingled blood.

How shall the Muse the wondrous havoc paint,

The various images of horror trace

O'er the wide champain? Now fierce-issuing balls

Swept mighty numbers: now th'impetuous sword

Clove with keen edge the tortur'd foe in twain.

Thro' many a valiant breast with adverse stroke

Pierc'd the sharp wound, and fix'd a glorious scar.

Here from the quiv'ring trunk the sever'd head

Swift flies: here the lop'd limb their lord desert,

His agonizing groans, and fruitless plaint

In the rude clamour drown'd. With giant strides

Death travers'd the dread plain, with all his pomp

Of terrors, and each ghastly form, enclos'd.

What multitudes, great FRED'RICK, by thy arm,

Thy just avenging arm, what crouds on crouds

Descended to the baleful realms of night,

E'erwhile with Austrian's throng'd! of adverse stars

There jointly they complain, their mutual woe

Sooth with condolence bland, and enterchange

Sad gratulation: soon with gloomy joy

Hailing their mightiest Chieftain, new arriv'd,

Thy great Antagonist; who gor'd with wounds

On the same fatal plain (heart-piercing wounds,

That barr'd each glorious prospect of renown)

At length groan'd forth indignant his high soul,

In Prague's vain shelt'ring walls—Th' illustrious Shade

Stalks on, nor deigns return th' unwelcome Hail.

Pass we these dolorous regions, chearful Light

Revisiting; with wonder to survey

The living monuments of PRUSSIA's fame:

The thousands foil'd, who yet this vital air

Breathe, and in thraldom grace the Conqueror's train,

Lo what unnumber'd Trophies, what rich Spoils

Torn from the grasping foe, the solemn pomp

Attend: their ravish'd Ensigns, wav'd sublime,

With splended painture sloating thro' the air,

Display puissant FREDERICK's ample fame.

See how th' imperial Cannon, many a row,

Move in slow pageantry; the brazen throats

Silenc'd, till FREDERICK bid them the dire roar

Renew, and on their late Possessors proud

Pour the retorted rage.—Yet 'mid this Scene,

In all thy height of lustre, matchless Prince,

To check thy triumph with th' ingenious tear

Due to the mighty slain, on the dread plains

Where grasp'd whole squadrons of th' expiring Foe,

Fell valiant SCHWERIN, by each virtuous breast

Lov'd and lamented: gloriously he fell,

With many a Chieftain of exalted name

Accompanied; who prodigal of life,

Pour'd in their Country's cause their generous blood.

Austria's deep consternation and dismay,

(Of every aid, of her whole camp bereft)

What tongue can utter? Or what pow'r describe

FREDERICK's vast victory?—But other Scenes

Arise, of different hue. O hadst thou ne'er

Deserted Prague's 'sieg'd wall, to charge the foe

High-posted on th' aerial mountain's brow,

With legions heap'd on legions, firm array'd

Beneath th' imperial DAUN! Forgive the Muse,

Great Chief, who with thy sundry glories charm'd,

Yet void of adulation, while she strives

With faintest pencil to delineate

Shadowy thy godlike virtues, paints thee man;

The wisest of whose race, discreetest, best,

'Mid all his shining faculties betrays

Some tincture of th' impure alloy, deriv'd

From his frail Ancestor.—Sagacious DAUN

With skill th' important situation chose;

And look'd disdainful down. Tho' fierce defiles,

Tho' thund'ring batteries intercept the way,

Undaunted FREDERICK with his furious host,

Thro' thund'ring batteries and thro' fierce defiles,

Up the steep cliff his arduous road maintain'd.

Thrice he assay'd the Austrian's pow'rful wing

To burst; repell'd them thrice; yet thrice return'd.

Then calm receding with serene retreat

Soft he descends to the subjacent vale,

(Where Elbe her liquid course obliquely rolls

Meand'ring) unretarded, unpursu'd.

Soon Russia's legions (from her populous clime

With tardy steps advanc'd) their ling'ring march

Accelerate, and FREDERICK'S realms invade.

Thus tho' insulted, the considerate Chief

With terms of mild composure deigns invite

Moscow's imperial Queen his plan t' embrace,

Surceasing hostile rage; and war's dire flames

Extinguishing, o'er harrass'd Europe pour

The salutary boon of prosp'rous Peace.

His generous terms disdain'd, his pow'r defy'd,

His territories spoil'd, war he declares

Immediate; trusting in his righteous Cause,

And Heav'n's protecting Arm. LEWHALD led on

The squdrons, and encounter'd more than twice

His force, entrench'd on tow'ring hill secure.

Nathless he vigorous charg'd; their foremost lines

Burst, and on every hand destruction dealt

Wide-wasting. Yet, lest the superior Foe

Crush his brave host, by the unfriendly site

Disfavour'd, by enormous multitudes

Oppress'd, to Velau's camp the Chief mature

Retreated, unrepulsed. The Moscovites

Dismay'd, nor studious of pursuit, lament

Their thousands slaughter'd and, their[*] General thrall'd.

Now in their several camps each Host enwrapt

Retire; and War's tremendous thunder rests

Suspended: when at once, their sudden flight

Assaying, Russia's troops with rapid speed

Scud as precipitant, as slow they advanc'd

E'erwhile.—But lo! the fierce confed'rate Pow'rs

Vaunting united terrors, onward move

Under their gallant Leaders, great SOUBISE

And HILDBURGHAUSEN. Their proud threats t'oppose

FREDERICK delay'd not: his assembled troops

He rang'd in just array, and thus address'd:

"My Friends, my Warriors brave!—The Foe's advanc'd;

PRUSSIA shall meet them. Haste we to the field.

With you your FREDERICK conquers or expires.

Think how we've fought! what glorious laurels won!

Think on the equitable plea, that drew

These valiant swords, and vindicate the cause:

God be our Guardian, Confidence and Shield.

He ended; on he led his valiant files

Dauntless, and bid them storm the the adverse wing:

But on the edge of onset (his quick eye

Determining) instant as lightning's glance,

Invert they their position, lest the foe

Surround them unnaware. Now Prussia's Horse

Spring furious on the Gaul, in front direct

Oppos'd, of vast immeasurable depth;

The Gaul as furious, the brisk charge receive

With equal brav'ry. Long in dubious scale

Hung the fierce conflict: till the Gallic bands

Swerv'd; to the neighbouring summit's resuge flew,

And recent form'd. FREDERICK their rallied force

Soon disarray'd, and with pursuit severe

Drove, as the Lion drives his trembling chace.

Then from each host the Cannon's bellowing voice

Incessant roar'd. Prussia's bold infantry

Rush forth, and battery after battery gain,

With storms impetuous and unwearied fire

Rage their artillery, on either wing

The foe sore galling: till, constrain'd, they speed

Their ignominious flight, with soul defeat

Confounded, and in ruin dire involv'd.

And, but the Sun now prone descended swift

To th' Ocean waves; and all-involving night

Threw her deep-shaded mantle o'er the plains,

Fav'ring their trepid flight; of that vast host,

Who spread at morning dawn their vaunted files

So proud, how few had from the deathful field

Return'd, to tell the melancholy tale.

Thou Miracle of Chiefs! and will our Sons

Believe, by storied Chronicles inform'd

How Brandenburgh's illustrious Prince, with force

Immensely disproportionate, subdu'd

Thousands on thousands of confederate Hosts!

What numerous squadrons of the slaughter'd foe

Fell in their prime of Youth: Of Prussian blood

How slight th' effusion: what redundant tides

Of captiv'd troops the Victor's camp o'erflow'd.

The generous FREDERICK his triumphant joy

Attempers sweet with piety humane

For guiltless Widows and for Orphan babes,

Thus multiplied by his victorious arm.

Nobly compassionate to the fallen foe,

With blandest treatment he beguiles their pain,

Pours the soft balm in their fresh-bleeding wounds;

And bids Captivity her dejected head

Rear, and unbend her brow with grateful smile.

Now shall the humbled Gaul his vaunts suspend;

And Moscow tremble at the Prussian name.

Austria has felt, by oft repeated scourge,

What martial discipline effects; what the wise Chief's

Assiduous Care: how fires each manly breast

To bold emprizes FREDERICK'S generous Soul,

His fond Affection and paternal Love,

In boundless streams impartially diffus'd.

And thou, ambitious POLE, thy lawless pride

Repress; nor with vain arrogance aspire,

Grasping at alien realms: with wiser aim

Guard well thy own, and to fair Truth adhere.

Hark how the Sons of Albion's glorious Isle

Tune in harmonic choir the Conqueror's praise!

Thee, FREDERICK, all her glist'ning cliffs resound,

Thee her gay vallies, thee her mossy caves;

And grove to grove repeats the pleasing song

Britannia, resting on her ported spear,

Majestic smiles; and with the pleasing song

Enraptur'd, venerates the Prince, so bright

Resembling her lov'd Lord; to valorous GEORGE

In magnanimity, as in blood, allied.

Still other wars, still other triumphs rise.

The muse, unequal to the arduous task,

Breathless pursuing her unwearied Chief

From plain to tented plain, at length retires.

O could she from the turmoils of the field,

The clang of trumpets and the cannon's roar,

Convey thee, FREDERICK, to thy dear Retreat,[*]

Wrapt in the arms of Peace! In sweet repose

There would the royal Bard thro' echoing shades

With other notes than these, with loftier strains

To his resounding lyre, hymn the great POW'R,

Whom ever he adores with filial love,

And reverential awe: Whose out-stretch'd arm

Bows down th' obdurate fierceness of the proud,

Th' un-ambitious rears; who with a breath

Wields all the thunder of the various war,

OMNIPOTENT; and with his sovereign nod

The sate of mightiest Monarchies decides.

FINIS.

Notes

*
Count Brown.
↵

*
General Lapuchin.
↵

*
POTSDAM.
↵

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Information about this book

Title statement

The patriot enterprize: or an address to Britain. A poem. Inscribed to the Right Hon. William Pitt, ... by Mr. Jones, author of The Earl of Essex. To which is added, The Prussian campaign, a poem. Celebrating the atchievements [sic] of Frederick the Great, in the years 1756-57. By William Dobson, L.L.B.

Jones, Henry, 1721-1770.

Publication

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University of Oxford Text Archive
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ID [ota]

http://ota.ox.ac.uk/id/5441

ID [isbn10]

1106024400

ID [isbn13]

9781106024404

ID [TCP]

K121574.000

ID [BIBNO]

CW3314807644

ID [ECLL]

0874900200

Availability

Distributed by the University of Oxford under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Source

— The patriot enterprize: or an address to Britain. A poem. Inscribed to the Right Hon. William Pitt, ... by Mr. Jones, author of The Earl of Essex. To which is added, The Prussian campaign, a poem. Celebrating the atchievements [sic] of Frederick the Great, in the years 1756-57. By William Dobson, L.L.B., Jones, Henry, 1721-1770., Dobson, William, b. 1714 or 15.. 27,[1]p. ; 8⁰. [Dublin] :: London, printed, and Dublin: re-printed for William Whitestone,. 1758.. [Reproduction of original from the Bodleian Library (Oxford).] [English Short Title Catalog, ESTCT178537.] [Electronic data. Farmington Hills, Mich. : Thomson Gale, 2003. Page image (PNG). Digitized image of the microfilm version produced in Woodbridge, CT by Research Publications, 1982-2002 (later known as Primary Source Microfilm, an imprint of the Gale Group).]

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