In gallant trim the gilded vessel goes; Youth on the prow, and Pleasure at the helm; Regardless of the sweeping whirlwind's sway, That, hush'd in grim repose, expects his ev'ning prey. II. 3. "Fill high the sparkling bowl, The rich repast prepare, Reft of a crown, he yet may share the feast: Close by the regal chair Fell Thirst and Famine scowl A baleful smile upon their baffled guest. Heard ye the din of battle bray, Lance to lance, and horse to horse? Long years of havoc urge their destined course, And thro' the kindred squadrons mow their way. Ye towers of Julius, London's lasting shame, With many a foul and midnight murder fed, Revere his consort's faith, his father's fame, And spare the meek usurper's holy head. Above, below, the rose of snow, Twined with her blushing foe, we spread : The bristled boar in infant-gore Wallows beneath the thorny shade. Now, brothers, bending o'er the accursed loom, Stamp we our vengeance deep, and ratify his doom. III. I. "Edward, lo! to sudden fate (Weave we the woof. The thread is spun.) Stay, oh stay! nor thus forlorn Leave me unbless'd, unpitied, here to mourn : In yon bright track, that fires the western skies, But oh what solemn scenes on Snowdon's height Ye unborn ages, crowd not on my soul! No more our long-lost Arthur we bewail. All hail, ye genuine kings, Britannia's issue, hail! III. 2. "Girt with many a baron bold In the midst a form divine ! Her eye proclaims her of the Briton line; What strings symphonious tremble in the air, They breathe a soul to animate thy clay. Bright Rapture calls, and soaring as she sings, Waves in the eye of heav'n her many-colour'd wings. III. 3. "The verse adorn again Fierce war, and faithful love, · And truth severe, by fairy fiction drest. In buskin'd measures move Pale grief, and pleasing pain, With horror, tyrant of the throbbing breast. A voice, as of the cherub-choir, Gales from blooming Eden bear; And distant warblings lessen on my ear, That lost in long futurity expire. Fond impious man, think'st thou yon sanguine cloud, Raised by thy breath, has quench'd the orb of day? To-morrow he repairs the golden flood, And warms the nations with redoubled ray. Enough for me; with joy I see The diff'rent doom our fates assign. Be thine despair, and sceptred care, To triumph, and to die, are mine." He spoke, and headlong from the mountain's height Deep in the roaring tide he plunged to endless night. ODE FOR MUSIC. (Irregular.) I. AIR. "HENCE, avaunt ('tis holy ground), And Ignorance with looks profound, Servitude that hugs her chain, Nor in these consecrated bowers Let painted Flatt'ry hide her serpent-train in flowers. CHORUS. Nor Envy base, nor creeping Gain, Dare the Muse's walk to stain, While bright-eyed Science watches round: Hence, away, 'tis holy ground!" |