Page images
PDF
EPUB

X.

Nor life is long,

But soon we throng,

Like autumn leaves, Death's pallid shore;

We make at least,

Of bad the best,

If in life's phantom, Fame, we soar.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

"Justice sincere,

"And courage clear,

"Rise the two columns of his throne..

"How form'd for sway!

"Who look obey,

XIII.

"They read the monarch in his port :

"Their love and awe

"Supply the law,

"And his own lustre makes the court,"

60

70

On yonder height

What golden light

XIV.

Triumphant shines? and shines alone.
Unrivall'd blaze!

The nations gaze!

'Tis not the sun; 'tis Britain's throne.

[blocks in formation]

Fair Albion, like an am'rous maid;

While interest wings

[blocks in formation]

Immortal nourishment supplies;

Thence wealth and state,

And pow'r and fate,

Which Europe reads in George's eyes.

Volume IV.

B

80

90

104

XVIII.

From what we view

We take the clue

Which leads from great to greater things:

Men doubt no more,

But gods adore,

When such resemblance shines in kings.

OCEAN.

AN ODE.

Let the sea make a noise, let the floods clap their hands.

1.

SWEET rural scene

Of flocks and green!

At careless ease my limbs are spread;

All Nature still

But yonder rill,

And list'ning pines nod o'er my head.

In prospect wide

The boundless tide!

11.

Waves cease to foam, and winds to roar;

Without a breeze

The curling seas

Dance on in measure to the shore.

Psal. xcviii.

10

Who sings the source
Of wealth and force ?

Vast field of commerce and big war,

Where wonders dwell!

Where terrors swell!

And Neptune thunders from his car

Where? where are they,

Whom Pœan's ray

IV.

Has touch'd, and bid divinely rave ?-----

What! none aspire?

I snatch the lyre,

And plunge into the foaming wave.

The wave resounds!

V.

The rock rebounds!

The Nereids to my song reply!

I lead the choir,

And they conspire,

With voice and shell, to lift it high.

[blocks in formation]

20

30

[blocks in formation]

Her strength, her glory, is her fleet:
The main! the main!

Be Britain's strain;

As Tritons strong, as Syrens sweet.

Thro' Nature wide

IX.

Is nought descry'd

So rich in pleasure or surprise;

When all-serene,

How sweet the scene ?

How dreadful when the billows rise!

And storms deface

The fluid glass,

In which erewhile Britannia, fair,

Look down with pride,

Like Ocean's bride,

Adjusting her majestic air!

60

« PreviousContinue »