BAXTER'S POEMS. 43 Two hundred thousand they surprised and slew ~, Not that their will so small a measure knew. But here God check'd their power, and heard thee.ries Of dying innocents, which pierce the skies: England affrighted by her neighbour's harm, Threatened to be the next, takes the alarm; As citizens that see a raging flame Threaten the neighbours houses with the same, Do leave their trades, and altogether run, Trying to quench the fire where it begun; And then pull do~n the houses which adjoin: Some seek to save the goods, some to purloin; The well-built piles, and curious rooms must down, To buy the safety of the fearful town, A neighbour's house is used like a foe's, Because the fire, the hook, no diff'rence knows, Fear pulleth down the next, to save the most, And mins more than needs lest all be lost. Smoke and confused crowds do blind nien's eyes, All are amazed, with hideous flames and cries ; So England, too combustible before, Seeing so great a flame so riear her door, Was frighted into such convulsion-fits, As first did break her peace, and next her wits. Dangers breed fears, and fears more dangers bring . The bees to save their honey use their sting ; Roused in angry swarm they seek their foe, - The next they meet must feel the smarting blow. C<etera desunt, prresunt, adsunt. • Earl of Orrery's answer to a Petition.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=