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 Through perilous war, with regal fortitude, The triumphs of this hour; for they are ON THE DISINTERMENT OF THE REMAINS DEAR reliques! from a pit of vilest mould In a blind worship; men perversely bold So often tie the thunder-wielding hands 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, To guard the fallen, and consummate the OCCASIONED BY THE SAME BATTLE. THE bard, whose soul is meek as dawning 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. Laudes, quam clarius indicant Pierides; neque On the tired household of corporeal sense, Of pencil ever clothed with light and shade; "From all this world's encumbrance did himself assoil."-Spenser, 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, Have perished in the field; Lyield But the green thickets plenteously shall That will be welcome, if by you entwined! 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 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, But garlands wither,-festal shows depart, 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 From many a hallowed stream and grove, Now, (for, though truth descending from above The Olympian summit hath destroyed for aye Your kindred deities, ye live and move Or top serene of unmolested mountain, What ye, celestial maids! have often sung Of Britain's acts,-may catch it with rapt ear, 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, un- tion; and, by permitting, they invite her to give checked by these distresses, it might be suffici-way to the courageous instincts of human nature, ent to protect him from a charge of insensibility, and to strengthen and to refine them by culshould he state his own belief that the sufferings ture. But some have more than insinuated will be transitory. On the wisdom of a very that a design exists to subvert the civil characlarge majority of the British nation rested that ter of the English people by unconstitutional generosity which poured out the treasures of applications and unnecessary increase of military this country for the deliverance of Europe: and power. The advisers and abettors of such a in the same national wisdom, presiding in time design, were it possible that it should exist, of peace over an energy not inferior to that would be guilty of the most heinous crime, which has been displayed in war, they confide, which, upon this planet, can be committed. The who encourage a firm hope, that the cup of our author, trusting that this apprehension arises wealth will be gradually replenished. There from the delusive influences of an honourable will, doubtless, be no few ready to indulge in jealousy, hopes that the martial qualities he regrets and repinings: and to feed a morbid venerates will be fostered by adhering to those satisfaction, by aggravating these burthens in good old usages which experience has sanctioned: imagination, in order that calamity so confi- and by availing ourselves of new means of indently prophesied, as it has not taken the shape disputable promise: particularly by applying, in which their sagacity allotted to it, may appear its utmost possible extent, that system of tuition as grievous as possible under another. But the whose master-spring is a habit of gradually enbody of the nation will not quarrel with the lightened subordination :-by imparting knowgain, because it might have been purchased at a ledge, civil, moral, and religious, in such measure less price and, acknowledging in these suffer- that the mind, among all classes of the commuings, which they feel to have been in a great de-nity, may love, admire, and be prepared and gree unavoidable, a consecration of their noble accomplished to defend that country under whose efforts, they will vigorously apply themselves to protection its faculties have been unfolded, and remedy the evil. its riches acquired ;-by just dealing towards all orders of the state, so that no members of it being trampled upon, courage may everywhere continue to rest immovably upon its ancient English foundation, personal self-respect;-by adequate rewards, and permanent honours, conferred upon the deserving; by encouraging athletic exercises and manly sports among the peasantry of the country;-and by especial care to provide and support institutions, in which, during a time of peace, a reasonable proportion of the youth of the country may be instructed in military science. Nor is it at the expense of rational patriotism or in disregard of sound philosophy, that the author hath given vent to feelings tending to encourage a martial spirit in the bosoms of his countrymen, at a time when there is a general outcry against the prevalence of these dispositions. The British army, both by its skill and valour in the field, and by the discipline which has rendered it much less formidable than the armies of other powers to the inhabitants of the several countries where its operations were carried on, has performed services that will not 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 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 ǝ 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. FOR A GENERAL THANKSGIVING, JANUARY 18, 1816. and an assiduous cultivation of military virtues. THE MORNING OF THE DAY APPOINTED 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 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. Well does thine aspect usher in this day; As aptly suits therewith that timid pace Submitted to the chains [dains That bind thee to the path which God orThat thou shalt trace, [away! Till, with the heavens and earth, thou pass Nor less, the stillness of these frosty plains, Their utter stillness, and the silent grace Of ethereal summits white with snow, yon (Whose tranquil pomp, and spotless purity, Report of storms gone by To us who tread below) Do with the service of this day accord. Divinest object, which the uplifted eye Of mortal man is suffered to behold; Throu, who upon yon snow-clad heights hast poured [vale, Meek splendour, nor forget'st the humble Thou who dost warm earth's universal mould, 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, 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, He with enraptured voice will tell 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 |