Page images
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small]
[ocr errors]

Now on Atlantic waves he rides afar?

Where Andes, giant of the western star :

J. Stewart. sculp

With meteor-standard to the winds unfurld, Looks from his throne of clouds ver half the world.

Published as the Act directs by Longman & C.Jan 1808.

What viewless forms th' Eolian organ play,

And sweep the furrow'd lines of anxious thought away!

Angel of life! thy glittering wings explore

Earth's loneliest bounds, and Ocean's wildest shore.

Lo! to the wintry winds the pilot yields

His bark careering o'er unfathom'd fields;

Now on Atlantic waves he rides afar,

Where Andes, giant of the western star,

With meteor-standard to the winds unfurl'd,

Looks from his throne of clouds o'er half the world.

Now far he sweeps, where scarce a summer smiles, On Behring's rocks, or Greenland's naked isles; Cold on his midnight watch the breezes blow, From wastes that slumber in eternal snow;

And waft, across the wave's tumultuous roar,

The wolf's long howl from Oonalaska's shore.

Poor child of danger, nursling of the storm,

Sad are the woes that wreck thy manly form!

Rocks, waves, and winds, the shatter'd bark delay;

Thy heart is sad, thy home is far away.

But Hope can here her moonlight vigils keep,

And sing to charm the spirit of the deep:

Swift as yon streamer lights the starry pole,

Her visions warm the watchman's pensive soul.

His native hills that rise in happier climes

The grot that heard his song of other times,

His cottage home, his bark of slender sail,

His glassy lake, and broomwood-blossom'd vale,

Rush on his thought; he sweeps before the wind,

Treads the lov'd shore he sigh'd to leave behind;

Meets at each step a friend's familiar face,

And flies at last to Helen's long embrace;

Wipes from her cheek the rapture-speaking tear,
And clasps, with many a sigh, his children dear!
While, long neglected, but at length caress'd,
His faithful dog salutes the smiling guest,
Points to the master's eyes (where'er they roam)
His wistful face, and whines a welcome home.

Friend of the brave! in peril's darkest hour, Intrepid virtue looks to thee for power; To thee the heart its trembling homage yields, On stormy floods, and carnage-cover'd fields,

« PreviousContinue »