To the Honourable Mr. Erskine

When British Freedom for an happier land

       &nbspSpread her broad wings, that flutter'd with affright,

       &nbspErskine! thy voice she heard, and paus'd her flight

Sublime of hope, for dreadless thou didst stand

       &nbsp(Thy censer glowing with the hallow'd flame)

       &nbspA hireless Priest before the insulted shrine,

       &nbspAnd at her altar pour the stream divine

Of unmatch'd eloquence. Therefore thy name





Her sons shall venerate, and cheer thy breast

       &nbspWith blessings heaven-ward breath'd. And when the doom

       &nbspOf Nature bids thee die, beyond the tomb

Thy light shall shine: as sunk beneath the West





Though the great Summer Sun eludes our gaze,

Still burns wide Heaven with his distended blaze.