Page images
PDF
EPUB

ΤΟ

MRS SIDDONS.

SIDDONS, when first commenc'd thy ardent course, The powers that guard the Drama's aweful shrine, Beauty, and grandeur, tenderness, and force, Silence that speaks, and eloquence divine,

For thee erected that approachless throne
None may or hope to conquer, or to share,
And all our subject passions trembling own
Each various sense subdued and captive there :

Yet the heart says, respect a rival claim,
A claim that rises in unvanquish'd strife;
Behold, dividing still the palm of Fame,
Her radiant Science, and her spotless Life!

1

ODE

ON ENGLAND'S NAVAL TRIUMPHS

IN THE PRESENT WAR. *

SUBLIME to all the rising winds
BRITANNIA's ensigns gaily stream;
From Howe's bright day proud Gallia finds
Her naval strength a vanish'd dream;

"That Britain rules the subject waves,

"And vows her sons shall ne'er be slaves.

When JERVIS, on the Atlantic deep,

Intrepid crush'd Iberia's sails,

He taught St Vincent's rocky steep,

Her torrid hills, and sultry vales,

"That great Britannia rul'd the waves,

"And vow'd her sons should ne'er be slaves.

This Ode was written on receiving intelligence of Admiral Nelson's victory on the Nile.

And when illustrious DUNCAN stood
To France and Holland's blended train,
In tyrant and apostate blood

Afresh he stampt the patriot strain,
"Rule Britannia, rule the waves,
"Britons never shall be slaves.

But hark! from Afric's glowing shores
What sounds exulting Glory brings!
How loud Britannia's Lion roars,
How high her Genius soars—and sings
"Rule Britannia, &c.

The motley flag of France no more
Shall vaunting greet her bloody coast,
Before resistless NELSON's power

It sunk!-appall'd!-o'erwhelm'd !-and lost! "Rule Britannia, &c.

Invaded Egypt, at the sight,

Her grateful shores illumin'd wide;
Old Nile records that wondrous night,
Resounding o'er his purpled tide,
"Rule Britannia, &c.

Ye partners of that matchless hour,
Return, to future ages famed;

Return the charter'd song to pour

When NELSON and the Nile are named,
"Rule Britannia, rule the waves,

"Britons never shall be slaves.

[After the preceding stanzas were written and sung at a music meeting at Birmingham, Admiral Warren's speedily-succeeding Victory was announced.]

THE flag of triumph yet again

Floats from the temple's gilded height!
Gay fires ascend!-the patriot strain
Redoubled rends the vault of night!
"Rule Britannia, rule the waves,
"Britons never shall be slaves!

On green Ierne's menaced strand
Rebellion, darkly cowering, stood,
And heard the charter'd song expand
'Mid skies of flame, o'er seas of blood,
"Rule Britannia, &c.

Saw fell Invasion's routed horde,
Victorious WARREN, strike to thee,
Loud as thy cannon's thunder pour'd,
And hail'd redeem'd Ierne free,

Whose sons, while Britain rules the waves,

To haughty France shall ne'er be slaves.

O SOURCE OF MERCIES! to thy name Shall Praise her grateful notes prolong, That thus ascends, in high acclaim, Thy favour'd nation's hallow'd song, "Rule Britannia, rule the waves, "Britons never shall be slaves."

« PreviousContinue »