Sonnet on Peace

O Peace! and dost thou with thy presence bless
The dwellings of this war-surrounded Isle ;
Soothing with placid brow our late distress,
Making the triple kingdom brightly smile?
Joyful I hail thy presence ; and I hail
The sweet companions that await on thee ;
Complete my joy — let not my first wish fail,
Let the sweet mountain nymph thy favourite be,
With England's happiness proclaim Europa's Liberty.
O Europe ! let not sceptred 'tyrants see
That thou must shelter in thy former state ;
Keep thy chains burst, and boldly say thou art free ;
Give thy kings law — leave not uncurbed the great ;
So with the horrors past thou'lt win thy happier fate !