Poem by Phillis Wheatley

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty. 1768

  YOUR subjects hope, dread Sire—
  The crown upon your brows may flourish long,
  And that your arm may in your God be strong!
  O may your sceptre num’rous nations sway,
  And all with love and readiness obey!
     But how shall we the British king reward!
  Rule thou in peace, our father, and our lord!
  Midst the remembrance of thy favours past,
  The meanest peasants most admire the last*
  May George, beloved by all the nations round,
  Live with heav’ns choicest constant blessings crown’d!
  Great God, direct, and guard him from on high,
  And from his head let ev’ry evil fly!
  And may each clime with equal gladness see
  A monarch’s smile can set his subjects free!

       * The Repeal of the Stamp Act.

1. A Funeral Poem on the Death of C. E. an Infant of Twelve Months
2. A Hymn to the Evening
3. On the Death of a Young Gentleman
4. On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Sewell, 1769
5. To a Lady and Her Children

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