Be this my Pattern — As becomes a King,
Let me fly all abroad on Reason's wing,
Let mine eye, like the Light'ning, thro' the Earth
Run to and fro, nor let one deed of Worth,
In any Place and Time, nor let one Man
Whose actions may enrich Dominion's plan,
Escape my Note; be all, from the first day
Of Nature to this hour, be all my prey.
From those, whom Time at the desire of Fame
Hath spar'd, let Virtue catch an equal flame;
From those, who not in mercy, but in rage,
Time hath repriev'd to damn from age to age,
Let me take warning, lesson'd to distill,
And, imitating Heav'n, draw Good from Ill.
Nor let these great researches in my breast
A monument of useless labour rest,
No — let them spread — th' effects let GOTHAM share,
And reap the harvest of their Monarch's care,
Be other Times, and other Countries known,
Only to give fresh Blessings to my own.