Madly exulting in their victim's doom
They heap with fiendish haste her fiery tomb-
Clash the loud cymbals, wake the trumpet's note,
Roll the deep drum, and raise the deafening shout,
Till in dread discord through the startled air
Rise the mixt yells of triumph and despair!
Britain, whose pitying hand is stretch'd to save
From despot's iron chain the writhing slave;
Where freedom's sons, at wild oppression's shriek,
Feel the hot tear bedew the manly cheek-
Where the kind sympathies of social life
Sweeten the cup to one no more a wife,
Where mis'ry never pray'd nor sigh'd in vain--
Shall India's widow'd daughters bleed again?
Let wreaths more glorious deck Britannia's head
Than theirs, who fiercely fought, or nobly bled,
Wreaths such as happy spirits wear above,
Gemm'd with the tears of gratitude and love,
Where palm and olive, twined with almond bloom,
Tell of triumphant peace and mercy's rich perfume;
And ye, whose young and kindling hearts can feel
The prayer of pity fan the flame of zeal,
Trace the blest path illustrious Heber trod,
And lead the poor idolator to God!
Thus, in that happy land, where nature's voice
Sings at her toil, and bids the world rejoice,
No guiltless blood her paradise shall stain,
No demon rites her holy courts profane,
No howl of superstition rend the air,
No widow's cry, no orphan's tear, be there—
India shall cast her idol gods away,
And bless the promise of undying day.
A CARMEN SECULARE FOR CHRISTIAN ENGLAND.
ON THE PATTERN AND IN THE METRE OF THAT FOR HEATHEN ROME BY HORACE.
HOLY Creator, ruler of the kingdoms,
Glory of earth and heaven, the Almighty,
Thou to be praised and worshipp'd never ceasing,
Hear us, Jehovah!
While, as in days of innocence aforetime,
We with the choral voice of supplication
Cry to the one great Spirit who beholds us,
Save, we beseech Thee!
May the bright sun, thy day-bestowing servant,
And at whose setting blushes modest even,
Still as he beams successive o'er the nations,
Favour old England:
Kindly may nature, providence approving,
Bless our homes with increase, and the matrons,
Gently relieving, give us noble sons and
Virtuous daughters.
Rivet the golden links of happy wedlock,
And be the social sympathies unbroken,
While on her lord the wedded wife depending,
Smiles for him only.
Still against sect and heresy protesting,
Nursing her babes with motherly affection,
Loving to all, and tender, may the Church be
Faithful and holy:
And if Omniscience, never to be altered
In its decrees, be destiny presiding,
May Britain, by that destiny protected,
Prosper in greatness.
Pour on us kindly seasons, that abundant
Be the rich fruits of mother-earth, and healthy
Still be the gale that wafts us o'er the ocean
Conquerors ever!
Hear us, Redeemer, hear us, ever-blessed!
Hear, thou that dwellest infinite in splendour,
Hear, thou that always lovest to be gracious,
Rise and be with us!
If yet thou smilest favouring on England,
If yet the rose, the thistle, and the shamrock,
Form a sweet garland offer'd on thine altar,
Keep us united.
Let not the thief or murderer infest us,
Let not the base incendiary be near us,
Let not the foul adulterer pollute us—
Spare us from evil:
Bring up the youth in modesty and virtue,
Grant to old age tranquillity and wisdom,
Give the glad sons of Britain health and honour,
Greatness and plenty.
May British mercy more than British valour
Gain from the world its laurel and its olive,
Till over all her enemies triumphant
Help her to rule her own rebellious children,
That the wide West may honour and uphold her,
Aid her to spread the banner of protection
Over her conquests:
Save from intestine murmurings and discord,
Criminal sloth, and infidel compliance,
Scatter the curse of national rejection
Brooding above us;
Let open faith, integrity, and firmness,
Primitive truth, and piety, and prudence,
Loyal content, and patriotic virtue,
Crown us with blessings, though we be unworthy, Fill us with mercies forfeited, and rescue
From bitter hate and scorn among the Gentiles Protestant Zion.
Friend of the needy, pity and relieve them:
Prosper our arts, and sciences, and commerce:
All that can bless and beautify a nation,
Ever be Britain's!
Long as the world rejoices in thy favour,
Holding it up Omnipotent-let England,
Let Caledonia, with her sister Erin,
Queen of the nations,
Reign, and be strong, acknowledging thy mercy;
Hear us in choral voice of supplication,
Who now invoke thy succour and thy blessing,
Father Almighty!
Yes, we accept the promise of thine answer,
Yes, we depend on pity for protection,
And upon God our confidence reposes,
Through the Redeemer.
A PRAYER FOR THE LAND.
ALMIGHTY Father! hearken,
Forgive, and help, and bless,
Nor let thine anger darken
The night of our distress;
A sin, and shame, and weakness,
Are all we call our own,
We turn to thee in meekness,
And trust on Thee alone.
O God, remember Zion-
And pardon all her sin!
Thy mercy we rely on,
To rein thy vengeance in;
Though dark pollution staineth
The Temple thou hast built,
Thy faithfulness remaineth-
And that shall cleanse the guilt!
To Thee then, Friend All-seeing, Great source of grace and love, In whom we have our being,
In whom we live and moveJerusalem, obeying
Thy tender word, "draw near," Would come securely, praying In penitence and fear.
Thou knowest, Lord, the peril
Our ill deserts have wrought,
If earth for us is sterile,
And all our labour naught!
Alas! our righteous wages
Are famine, plague, and sword,
Unless Thy wrath assuages
In mercy, gracious Lord!
For lo! we know Thy terrors Throughout the world are rife, Seditions, phrensies, errors, Perplexities, and strife!
Thy woes are on the nations,
And Thou dost scatter them
Yet, heed the supplications
Of thy Jerusalem!
Truth, Lord, we are unworthy,
Unwise, untrue, unjust,
Our souls and minds are earthy,
And cleaving to the dust;
But pour thy graces o'er us,
And quicken us at heart; Make straight Thy way before us, And let us not depart!
Turn us, that we may fear Thee, And worship day by day— Draw us, that we draw near Thee, To honour and obey;
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