ODE II. INTENDED FOR THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY, 1808. STROPHE. AMID the savage yell of War Ambition mounts her iron car, The reeking sword, the wasteful brand, While nations groan, and cities flame; ANTISTROPHE. And shall the savage yell of war— While deeds of Mercy lose their name? EPODE. No, Britain, no!-tho firm of heart, Thy mailed bosom glow ;- And crush the vauntful foe;— Tho long, in high heroic strain, Shall every tongue employ ; Yet shall thy bounding heart proclaim, How dearer-nobler is the fame To save than to destroy. Then stay, awhile, thy vengeful hand, Unhelm thy threatening brow, While high to heaven a grateful band Prefer the fervid vow ; The fervid vow for life renew'd, By Hawes's pious care ; Pale victims once, by Fate pursu'd, Behold the Sire-the Husband dear, To kindred bliss restor'd! The Wife-the babe, whom many a tear The agile Youth-the Maid belov'd- All, all, (to holy rapture mov'd!) That grateful chorus, heard on high, Advance the dauntless breast! For Heaven's own arm shall guard the land That Charity has blest, ODE III. TO EDWARD RUSHTON,. OF LIVERPOOL, On his Restoration to Sight, after a Blindness of upwards of Thirty Years, by a series of Operations performed by Mr. Gibson, of Manchester. 1. AND does again the orient day, And gild the vernal scene? Does Nature, in her Iris vest, And wave her robe of green? 2. Does she, in linear pomp array'd And varied charm of light and shade, Her pictur'd world renew? And joys of long extinguish'd sense, As from the bursting grave, dispenseRe-kindling to his view? 3. How beats my heart in transport high, How swell the dew-drops of the eye, The joyful tale to hear! Oh! as the visions round thee roll, That cheer'd thy once accustom'd soul In daily pomp array'd,— Say, if not now, with keener zest, They glad thy long benighted breast? Re-merging from the shade! |