Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, JOHN DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, by MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

JOHN DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When the proud frenchman's strong rapacious hand
Last Line: In private hours by all who knew him lov'd.
Alternate Author Name(s): Montagu, Mary Wortley; Pierrepont, Mary
Subject(s): Churchill, John (1650-1722); Louis Xiv, King Of France (1638-1715); Marlborough, 1st Duke Of


When the proud Frenchman's strong rapacious hand
Spread o'er Europe ruin and command,
Our sinking temples and expiring law
With trembling dread the rolling tempest saw;
Destin'd a province to insulting Gaul,
This genius rose, and stopp'd the ponderous fall.
His temperate valour form'd no giddy scheme,
No victory ras'd him to a rage of fame;
The happy temper of his even mind
No danger e'er could shock, or conquest blind.
Fashion'd alike by Nature and by Art,
To please, engage, and int'rest ev'ry heart.
In public life by all who saw approv'd,
In private hours by all who knew him lov'd.






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