The bulwark of a British breast? The steady fires that flash around, Behold th' intrepid column charge the foe! Before its ruthless shock their forces reel; "Till from thick mists emerging to the sight, Gigantic Slaughter glares, then faints amid the fight. O thou for whom the song I raise, What ardours warm'd thy vet'ran-frame, The gallic vultures by their track of blood, Then far was every selfish thought Caution, determinately cool, Maintain'd her calm unalter'd rule, And taught the conflict where to rage; Her keen glance fix'd upon thy bleeding thigh, Though now, ev'n now, illustrious shade, Proud names, of history the splendid boast, Oh! yet, great soul, deliberately wise, Meanwhile, each meed thy country can bestow, Shall flourish o'er thy sacred dust; The pile sepulchral, and the votive bust: But most a pious monarch's grateful tear So the poetic branch, renown'd of old For glitt'ring leaves, and balls of blooming gold, Though torn, appear'd before the Trojan's cycs Still fresh with shining foliage to arise ;* Unchang'd the value of its precious frame, Its radiant hue unchang'd, another and the same. • Uno avulso non deficit alter. VIRGIL. THE BROWN BEAUTY. WHILE flushing o'er thy olive cheek, And those ruddy lips of thine Emulate the bleeding vine ; Think'st thou Celia's languid white Trust me, thy transcendant face Takes from its brown a mellower grace; A ripe autumnal bloom benign, Whence all the Loves exulting shine; As jet emits a glossy light, From its polish'd surface bright. EPIGRAMS. THE PRETTY VIXEN. WHEN foam'd the dashing waves, and winds were high, From ocean surely, Venus-like, you sprung; For I can bear the lightning of your eye, ANOTHER, TO THE SAME. WITH angel face, and faultless form, AN IMITATION OF MARTIAL. My patron lives next street; but, for assistance, We might as well live fourscore miles at distance. |