WHAT bishop of Rochester rather would die,
Than with Henry ‘s supremacy basely comply?
What martyr of Antioch yields up his breath,
By Trajan’s command, to a violent death?
What pleasing historian, “Attica’s Bee,”
As a gen’ral conducted the Greeks to the sea,
When lur’d by young Cyrus, to Persia they went,
And their chiefs were betrayed in a base Satrap’s tent?
What learn’d Dutchman’s figure in Rotterdam stands,
With the Bible, the best of all books, in his hands?
And tell me what tyrant of Sicily made
His fair daughters follow a barber’s mean trade?
What ancient philosopher humbly confest
The nature of God he could never attest?
What proud king of Rome was exil’d from his throne,
For his own flagrant vices, and those of his son?
Who taught great Eliza the use of her quill,
And her classical studies directed with skill?
In the reign of James First, whose life was cut short,
To meet the demands of a base Spanish court?
And what brave German duke in battle was slain,
When fighting, that William of Orange might reign?
These persons discovered, their names you must write,
And place their initials directly in sight;
And then I am certain one glance of your eye
Will tell you my riddle refers to the sky.
(Elizabeth Hitchener)
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