VII.
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s if some angel had been sentTo lengthen out his government,And to foretel as many years again,As he had numbered in his happy reign;So cheerfully he took the doomOf his departing breath,Nor shrunk nor stept aside for death;But, with unaltered pace, kept on,Providing for events to come,When he resigned the throne.Still he maintained his kingly state,And grew familiar with his fate.Kind, good, and gracious, to the last,On all he loved before his dying beams he cast:Oh truly good, and truly great,For glorious as he rose, benignly so he set!All that on earth he held most dear,He recommended to his care,To whom both heavenThe right had given,And his own love bequeathed supreme command:[52]He took and prest that ever-loyal hand,Which could, in peace, secure his reign;Which could, in wars, his power maintain;That hand on which no plighted vows were ever vain.Well, for so great a trust, he choseA prince, who never disobeyed;Not when the most severe commands were laid;Nor want, nor exile, with his duty weighed:[53]A prince on whom, if heaven its eyes could close,The welfare of the world it safely might repose.
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