Lord Chatham

By William Cowper (1731–1800)

(Died on May 11, 1778)

IN him Demosthenes was heard again;

Liberty taught him her Athenian strain;

She clothed him with authority and awe,

Spoke from his lips, and in his looks gave law.

His speech, his form, his action full of grace,

And all his country beaming in his face,

He stood as some inimitable hand

Would strive to make a Paul or Tully stand.

No sycophant or slave, that dared oppose

Her sacred cause, but trembled when he rose;

And every venal stickler for the yoke

Felt himself crushed at the first word he spoke.