NOVEMBER, 1813. [flow OCCASIONED BY THE BATTLE OF Inscription.) FEBRUARY, 1816. Now that all hearts are glad, all faces (The last six lines are intended for an mind ensued, Through perilous war, with regal fortitude, (Though were it only for a moment's The triumphs of this hour; for they are the day: "When the Austrians took Hockheim, in one part of the engagement they got to the brow of the hill, whence they had their first view of the Rhine. They instantly halted-not a gun was fired-not a voice heard: they stood gazing on the river, with those feelings which the events of the last fifteen years at once called up. Prince Schwartzenberg rode up to know the cause of this sudden stop: they then gave three cheers, rushed after the enemy, and drove them into the water." INTREPID Sons of Albion! not by you Heroes! for instant sacrifice prepared, Of past events,-to whom, in vision clear, away: Nor wanted lurking hamlet, dusky towns, Assoiled from all incumbrance of our time,*The azure sea upswelled upon the sight. He only, if such breathe, in strains devout Beholding, welcomed with a choral shout. Fair prospect, such as Britain only shows! Yea, even to sadness, quiet and serene! storm Opening before the sun's triumphant eye, 'Though from my celestial home, summer gave Have perished in the field; [yield Maids and matrons-dight In robes of dazzling white, And ye, Pierian sisters, sprung from Jove And sage Mnemosyne,-full long debarred While from the crowd bursts forth a From your first mansions,-exiled all too rapturous noise By the cloud-capt hills retorted, - In loose fashion tell their joys,--- to say, Thus strives a grateful country to display The mighty debt which nothing can repay! Anon before my sight a palace rose, With starry lustre; and had power to throw No sooner ceased that peal, than on the And, though some tears the strain attended, In peace of spirit, and sublime content! But garlands wither, -festal shows depart, Like dreams themselves; and sweetest Albeit of effect profound, [sound, It was--and it is gone! Victorious England! bid the silent art Reflect, in glowing hues that shall not fade, These high achievements, even as she arrayed With second life the deed of Marathon, Upon Athenian walls: So may she labour for thy civic halls; Of consecrated places, As nobly graced by sculpture's patient toil; As changeful ages flow, long And give the treasure to our British tongue! So shall the people gather and believe And to the like aspiring, [miring, 'THANKSGIVING ODE. JANUARY 18, 1816. ADVERTISEMENT. WHOLLY unworthy of touching upon the momentous subject here treated would that poet be, which this kingdom labours could interpose a before whose eyes the present distresses under veil sufficiently thick to hide, or even to obscure, the splendour of this great moral triumph. If the author has given way to exultation, unchecked by these distresses, it might be sufficient to protect him from a charge of insensibility, should he state his own belief that the sufferings will be transitory. On the wisdom of a very large majority of the British nation rested that generosity which poured out the treasures of this country for the deliverance of Europe: and in the same national wisdom, presiding in time of peace over an energy not inferior to that which has been displayed in war, they confide, who encourage a firm hope, that the cup of our wealth will be gradually replenished. There will, doubtless, be no few ready to indulge in regrets and repinings; and to feed a morbid satisfaction, by aggravating these burthens in imagination, in order that calamity so confidently prophesied, as it has not taken the shape which their sagacity allotted to it, may appear as grievous as possible under another. But the body of the nation will not quarrel with the gain, because it might have been purchased at a less price and, acknowledging in these sufferings, which they feel to have been in a great degree unavoidable, a consecration of their noble efforts, they will vigorously apply themselves to remedy the evil. tion; and, by permitting, they invite her to give way to the courageous instincts of human nature, and to strengthen and to refine them by culture. But some have more than insinuated that a design exists to subvert the civil character of the English people by unconstitutional applications and unnecessary increase of military power. The advisers and abettors of such a design, were it possible that it should exist, would be guilty of the most heinous crime, which, upon this planet, can be committed. The author, trusting that this apprehension arises from the delusive influences of an honourable jealousy, hopes that the martial qualities he venerates will be fostered by adhering to those good old usages which experience has sanctioned: and by availing ourselves of new means of indisputable promise: particularly by applying, in its utmost possible extent, that system of tuition whose master-spring is a habit of gradually enlightened subordination ;-by imparting knowledge, civil, moral, and religious, in such measure that the mind, among all classes of the community, may love, admire, and be prepared and accomplished to defend that country under whose protection its faculties have been unfolded, and its riches acquired ;-by just dealing towards all Nor is it at the expense of rational patriotism orders of the state, so that no members of it or in disregard of sound philosophy, that the being trampled upon, courage may everywhere author hath given vent to feelings tending to continue to rest immovably upon its ancient encourage a martial spirit in the bosoms of his English foundation, personal self-respect;-by countrymen, at a time when there is a general adequate rewards, and permanent honours, conoutcry against the prevalence of these disposi-ferred upon the deserving; by encouraging athtions. The British army, both by its skill and letic exercises and manly sports among the valour in the field, and by the discipline which peasantry of the country;-and by especial care has rendered it much less formidable than the to provide and support institutions, in which, armies of other powers to the inhabitants of the during a time of peace, a reasonable proportion several countries where its operations were car- of the youth of the country may be instructed ried on, has performed services that will not in military science. allow the language of gratitude and admiration to be suppressed or restrained (whatever be the temper of the public mind) through a scrupulous dread lest the tribute due to the past should prove an injurious incentive for the future. Every man deserving the name of Briton adds his voice to the chorus which extols the exploits of his countrymen, with a consciousness, at times overpowering the effort, that they transcend all praise.-But this particular sentiment, thus irresistibly excited, is not sufficient. The nation would err grievously, if she suffered the abuse which other states have made of military power, to prevent her from perceiving that no people ever was, or can be, independent, free, or secure, much less great, in any sane application of the word, without martial propensities and an assiduous cultivation of military virtues. Nor let it be overlooked, that the benefits derivable from these sources are placed within the reach of Great Britain, under conditions peculiarly favourable. The same insular position which, by rendering territorial incorporation impossible, utterly precludes the desire of conquest under the most seductive shape it can assume, enables her to rely, for her defence against foreign foes, chiefly upon a species of armed force from which her own liberties have nothing to fear. Such are the privileges of her situa The author has only to add, that he should feel little satisfaction in giving to the world these limited attempts to celebrate the virtues of his country, if he did not encourage a hope that 3 subject, which it has fallen within his province to treat only in the mass, will by other poets be illustrated in that detail which its importance calls for, and which will allow opportunities to give the merited applause to PERSONS as well as to THINGS. This Ode was published along with other pieces, now interspersed through this Volume. ODE. THE MORNING OF THE DAY APPOINTED JANUARY 18, 1816. HAIL, universal source of pure delight! Cheer'st the low threshold of the peasant's cell! Not unrejoiced I see thee climb the sky Or cloud approaching to divert the rays, Thy power and majesty, Dazzling the vision that presumes to gaze. Report of storms gone by Do with the service of this day accord. And for thy bounty wert not unadored By pious men of old; [hail! Once more, heart-cheering sun, I bid thee Bright be thy course to-day, let not this promise fail! 'Mid the deep quiet of this morning hour, All nature seems to hear me while I speak, By feelings urged, that do not vainly seek Apt language, ready as the tuneful notes That stream in blithe succession from the Of birds in leafy bower, [throats Warbling a farewell to a vernal shower. There is a radiant but a short-lived flame, That burns for poets in the dawning east ; And oft my soul hath kindled at the same, When the captivity of sleep had ceased; But he who fixed immovably the frame Of the round world, and built, by laws as A solid refuge for distress, [strong, The towers of righteousness; He knows that from a holier altar came The quickening spark of this day's sacrifice; Knows that the source is nobler whence doth rise The current of this matin song; Than aught dependent on the fickle skies. Have we not conquered ?-By the vengeful sword? Ah, no, by dint of magnanimity; Along a track of most unnatural years, Whose memory, spotless as the crystal beads He with enraptured voice will tell Of one whose spirit no reverse could quell'; Of one that 'mid the failing never failed: Who paints how Britain struggled and prevailed Shall represent her labouring with an eye Of circumspect humanity; Shall show her clothed with strength All martial duties to fulfil; [and skill, Firm as a rock in stationary fight: In motion rapid as the lightning's gleam; Fierce as a flood-gate bursting in the night To rouse the wicked from their giddy dream Woe, woe to all that face her in the field! Appalled she may not be, and cannot yield. And thus is missed the sole true glory That can belong to human story! At which they only shall arrive [dive. Who through the abyss of weakness The very humblest are too proud of heart : And one brief day is rightly set apart To Him who lifteth up and layeth low; For that Almighty God to whom we owe, Say not that we have vanquished--but that we survive. How dreadful the dominion of the impure ! Why should the song be tardy to proclaim That less than power unbounded could not tame That soul of evil-which, from hell let loose, [abuse, Had filled the astonished world with such As boundless patience only could endure? Wide-wasted regions - cities wrapt in flame[eye Who sees, and feels, may lift a streaming To heaven,-who never saw may heave a sigh; But the foundation of our nature shakes, And with an infinite pain the spirit aches, |