11 Our former chiefs, like sticklers of the war,
       First sought to inflame the parties, then to poise: 
     The quarrel loved, but did the cause abhor;
       And did not strike to hurt, but make a noise.

  12 War, our consumption, was their gainful trade: 
       We inward bled, whilst they prolong’d our pain;
     He fought to end our fighting, and essay’d
       To staunch the blood by breathing of the vein.

  13 Swift and resistless through the land he past,
       Like that bold Greek[6] who did the East subdue,
     And made to battles such heroic haste,
       As if on wings of victory he flew.

  14 He fought secure of fortune as of fame: 
       Still by new maps the island might be shown,
     Of conquests, which he strew’d where’er he came,
       Thick as the galaxy with stars is sown.

  15 His palms,[7] though under weights they did not stand,
       Still thrived; no winter could his laurels fade: 
     Heaven in his portrait show’d a workman’s hand,
       And drew it perfect, yet without a shade.

  16 Peace was the prize of all his toil and care,
       Which war had banish’d, and did now restore: 
     Bologna’s walls[8] thus mounted in the air,
       To seat themselves more surely than before.

  17 Her safety rescued Ireland to him owes;
       And treacherous Scotland, to no interest true,
     Yet blest that fate which did his arms dispose
       Her land to civilize, as to subdue.

  18 Nor was he like those stars which, only shine,
       When to pale mariners they storms portend: 
     He had his calmer influence, and his mien
       Did love and majesty together blend.

  19 ’Tis true, his countenance did imprint an awe;
       And naturally all souls to his did bow,
     As wands[9] of divination downward draw,
       And point to beds where sovereign gold doth grow.

  20 When past all offerings to Feretrian Jove,
       He Mars deposed, and arms to gowns made yield;
     Successful councils did him soon approve
       As fit for close intrigues, as open field.

  21 To suppliant Holland he vouchsafed a peace,
       Our once bold rival of the British main,
     Now tamely glad her unjust claim to cease,
       And buy our friendship with her idol, gain.

  22 Fame of the asserted sea through Europe blown,
       Made France and Spain ambitious of his love;
     Each knew that side must conquer he would own;
       And for him fiercely, as for empire, strove.

  23 No sooner was the Frenchman’s cause[10] embraced,
       Than the light Monsieur the grave Don outweigh’d;
     His fortune turn’d the scale where’er ’twas cast,
       Though Indian mines were in the other laid.

  24 When absent, yet we conquer’d in his right: 
       For though some meaner artist’s skill were shown
     In mingling colours or in placing light,
       Yet still the fair designment was his own.