75

Where Orcas howls, his wolfish mountains round

ing;
Till all the banded west at once 'gan rise,
A wide wild storm even nature's self confounding,
Withering her giant sons with strange uncouth

surprise.
This pillar'd earth so firm and wide,

By winds and inward labours torn,
In thunders dread was push'd aside,

And down the shouldering billows borne. And see, like gems, her laughing train,

The little isles on every side,
Mona,' once hid from those who search the main,

Where thousand elfin shapes abide,
And Wight who checks the westering tide,

For thee consenting heaven has each bestow'd, 85 A fair attendant on her sovereign pride:

To thee this blest divorce she owed, For thou hast made her vales thy loved, thy last

80 SECOND EPODE.

90

95

100

Then too, 'tis said, an hoary pile,
'Midst the green navel of our isle,
Thy shrine in some religious wood,
O soul-enforcing goddess, stood !
There oft the painted native's feet
Were wont thy form celestial meet:
Though now with hopeless toil we trace
Time's backward rolls, to find its place;
Whether the fiery-tressed Dane,
Or Roman's self o'erturn'd the fane,
Or in what heaven-left age it fell,
'Twere hard for modern song to tell.
Yet still, if Truth those beams infuse,
Which guide at once, and charm the Muse,
Beyond yon braided clouds that lie,
Paving the light embroider'd sky,
Amidst the bright pavilion'd plains,
The beauteous model still remains.
There, happier than in islands blest,
Or bowers by spring or Hebe drest,
The chiefs who fill our Albion's story,
In warlike weeds, retired in glory,
Hear their consorted Druids sing
Their triumphs to the immortal string.
How
may
the

poet now unfold
What never tongue or numbers told ?
How learn delighted, and amazed,
What hands unknown that fabric raised ?

105

110

115 120

125

130

Even now before his favour'd eyes,
In gothic pride, it seems to rise !
Yet Græcia's graceful orders join,
Majestic through the mix'd design:
The secret builder knew to choose
Each sphere-found gem of richest hues;
Whate'er heaven's purer mould contains,
When nearer suns emblaze its veins;
There on the walls the patriot's sight
May ever hang with fresh delight,
And, graved with some prophetic rage,
Read Albion's fame through every age.

Ye forms divine, ye laureat band,
That near her inmost altar stand !
Now soothe her to her blissful train
Blithe Concord's social form to gain ;
Concord, whose myrtle wand can steep
Even Anger's bloodshot eyes in sleep;
Before whose breathing bosom's balm
Rage drops his steel, and storms grow calm :
Her let our sires and matrons hoar
Welcome to Britain's ravaged shore;
Our youths, enamour'd of the fair,
Play with the tangles of her hair,
Till, in one loud applauding sound,
The nations shout to her around,
O how supremely art thou blest,
Thou, lady-thou shalt rule the west !

135

140

ODE TO A LADY,

ON THE DEATH OF COLONEL ROSS, IN THE ACTION OF

FONTENOY.

Written in May 1745.

WHILE, lost to all his former mirth,
Britannia's genius bends to earth,

And mourns the fatal day:
While stain'd with blood he strives to tear
Unseemly from his sea-green hair

The wreaths of cheerful May:

5

The thoughts which musing Pity pays,
And fond Remembrance loves to raise,

Your faithful hours attend;
Still Fancy, to herself unkind,
Awakes to grief the soften'd mind,

And points the bleeding friend.

10

By rapid Scheld's descending wave
His country's vows shall bless the grave,

VARIATION.

Ver. 4. While sunk in grief he strives to tear

15

Where'er the youth is laid : That sacred spot the village hind With every sweetest turf shall bind,

And Peace protect the shade.

20

Blest youth, regardful of thy doom,
Aërial hands shall build thy tomb,

With shadowy trophies crown'd;
Whilst Honour bathed in tears shall rove
To sigh thy name through every grove,

And call his heroes round.

05

The warlike dead of every age,
Who fill the fair recording page,

Shall leave their sainted rest;
And, half reclining on his spear,
Each wondering chief by turns appear,

To hail the blooming guest :

30

VARIATIONS.

Ver. 19. E'en now regardful of his doom

Applauding Honour haunts his tomb,

With shadowy trophies crown's :
Whilst Freedom's form besi

her roves,
Majestic through the twilight groves,

And calls her heroes round.
19. O'er him, whose doom thy virtues grieve,
Aërial forms shall sit at eve,

And bend the pensive head ;
And, fallen to save his injured land,
Imperial Honour's awful hand

Shall point his lonely bed.