Sonnet to the Prince Regent. on the Repeal of Lord Edward Fitzgerald's Forfeiture

To be the father of the fatherless,

To stretch the hand from the throne's height, and raise

_His_ offspring, who expired in other days

To make thy Sire's sway by a kingdom less,--

_This_ is to be a monarch, and repress

Envy into unutterable praise.

Dismiss thy guard, and trust thee to such traits,

For who would lift a hand, except to bless?

Were it not easy, Sir, and is't not sweet

To make thyself belovéd? and to be

Omnipotent by Mercy's means? for thus

Thy Sovereignty would grow but more complete,

A despot thou, and yet thy people free,

And by the heart--not hand--enslaving us.