Far distant from his friends and native home,

And not one glimpse does glimmer thro' the gloom:
In thought he breathes, each sigh his latest breath,
Present, each meditation, pits of death:
Irregular, wild chimeras fill his soul,

And death, and dying, every step control.

Till from the east there breaks a purple gleam,
His fears then vanish as a fleeting dream.
Hid in a cloud the sun first shoots his ray,
Then breaks effulgent on the illumined day;
We see no spot then in the flaming rays,
Confused and lost within the excessive blaze.

ODE ON THE DUKE OF YORK'S SECOND

DEPARTURE FROM ENGLAND

AS REAR ADMIRAL. WRITTEN ABOARD THE

ROYAL GEORGE.

AGAIN the royal streamers play!

To glory Edward hastes away;
Adieu, ye happy silvan bowers,

Where pleasure's sprightly throng await!
Ye domes, where regal grandeur towers
In purple ornaments of state!

Ye scenes where virtue's sacred strain
Bids the tragic muse complain!

Where satire treads the comic stage,
To scourge and mend a venal age;
Where music pours the soft, melodious lay,
And melting symphonies congenial play!
Ye silken sons of ease, who dwell

In flowery vales of peace, farewell!

In vain the goddess of the myrtle grove
Her charms ineffable displays;

In vain she calls to happier realms of love,
Which Spring's unfading bloom arrays:

In vain her living roses blow,
And ever-vernal pleasures grow;
The gentle sports of youth no more
Allure him to the peaceful shore:
Arcadian ease no longer charms,

For war and fame alone can please.

His throbbing bosom beats to arms,

To war the hero moves, thro' storms and wintry seas.

CHORUS.

The gentle sports of youth no more
Allure him to the peaceful shore,

For war and fame alone can please;

To war the hero moves, thro' storms and wintry seas.

Though danger's hostile train appears
To thwart the course that honour steers;
Unmoved he leads the rugged way,
Despising peril and dismay :

His country calls; to guard her laws,
Lo! every joy the gallant youth resigns;
The avenging naval sword he draws,

And o'er the waves conducts her martial lines:

Hark! his sprightly clarions play;
Follow where he leads the way!

The piercing fife, the sounding drum,
Tell the deeps their master's come.

CHORUS.

Hark! his sprightly clarions play,
Follow where he leads the way!
The piercing fife, the sounding drum,
Tell the deeps their master's come.

Thus Alcmena's warlike son
The thorny course of virtue run,
When, taught by her unerring voice,
He made the glorious choice:
Severe, indeed, the attempt he knew,
Youth's genial ardours to subdue :
For pleasure, Venus' lovely form assumed;
Her glowing charms, divinely bright,

In all the pride of beauty bloom'd,
And struck his ravish'd sight.

Transfix'd, amazed,

Alcides gazed:

Enchanting grace

Adorn'd her face,

And all his changing looks confest
The alternate passions in his breast:

Her swelling bosom half reveal'd,

Her eyes that kindling raptures fir'd,
A thousand tender pains instill'd,

A thousand flatt'ring thoughts inspired:
Persuasion's sweetest language hung
In melting accent on her tongue:
Deep in his heart, the winning tale
Infused a magic power;

She prest him to the rosy vale,

And show'd the Elysian bower:

Her hand, that trembling ardours move, Conducts him blushing to the blest alcove :

Ah! see, o'erpower'd by beauty's charms, And won by love's resistless arms, The captive yields to nature's soft alarms!

CHORUS.

Ah! see, o'erpower'd by beauty's charms,
And won by love's resistless arms,

The captive yields to nature's soft alarms!

Assist, ye guardian powers above!
From ruin save the son of Jove!
By heavenly mandate virtue came,
And check'd the fatal flame:

Swift as the quivering needle wheels,

Whose point the magnet's influence feels,