| Phillis Wheatley (1753–1784). Poems on Various Subjects. 1773. | | | | To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty. 1768 |
| | | YOUR subjects hope, dread Sire— | |
| The crown upon your brows may flourish long, | |
| And that your arm may in your God be strong! | |
| O may your sceptre num’rous nations sway, | |
| And all with love and readiness obey! | 5 |
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| But how shall we the British king reward! | |
| Rule thou in peace, our father, and our lord! | |
| Midst the remembrance of thy favours past, | |
| The meanest peasants most admire the last. 1 | |
| May George, belov’d by all the nations round, | 10 |
| Live with heav’ns choicest constant blessings crown’d! | |
| Great God, direct, and guard him from on high, | |
| And from his head let ev’ry evil fly! | |
| And may each clime with equal gladness see | |
| A monarch’s smile can set his subjects free! | 15 |
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