What arms, what regal pride, what priestly rage, Which now resound Where Scarsdale's cliffs the swelling pastures bound, Bear witness: there, oft let the farmer hail Of papal snares and lawless arms, They plan'd for Freedom this her noblest reign. VI. 1. This reign, these laws, this public care, Could Fear have silenced Freedom's claim: * At Whittington, a village on the edge of Scarsdale, in Derbyshire, the Earls of Devonshire and Danby, with the Lord Delamere, privately concerted the plan of the Revolution. The house in which they met is at present a farm-house, and the country people distinguish the room where they sat by the name of the Plotting Parlour. But Fear in vain attempts to bind Which social good inspires: Where men, for this, assault a throne, Each adds the common welfare to his own; And each unconquer'd heart the strength of all acquires. VI. 2. Say, was it thus, when late we view'd Our fields in civil blood imbru'd? When Fortune crown'd the barb'rous host, And half th' astonish'd isle was lost? Did one of all that vaunting train, Durst one in counsels pledge his life? Or lend his boasted name his vagrant friends to cheer ? VI. 3. Yet, Hastings! these are they Who challenge to themselves thy country's love; The true, the constant, who alone can weigh What glory should demand, or liberty approve! But let their works declare them. Thy free pow'rs, The gen'rous pow'rs of thy prevailing mind, Not for the tasks of their confed'rate hours, Lewd brawls, and lurking slander, were design'd. Ingenuous youth: But sought from cowards and the lying mouth Dispose of honour and of scorn; AN ODE IN IMITATION OF ALCEUS. [SIR W. JONES.] WHAT constitutes a state? Not high rais'd battlement or labour'd mound, Thick wall or moated gate; Not cities proud with spires and turrets crown'd, Not bays and broad-arm'd ports, Where, laughing at the storm, rich navies ride, Not star'd and spangled courts, Where low-brow'd baseness wafts perfume to pride. NO:-MEN, high-minded MEN, With pow'rs as far above dull brutes endu❜d, In forest, brake, or den, As beasts excel cold rock, and brambles rude; Men, who their duties know, But know their rights, and knowing, dare maintain, Prevent the long-aim'd blow, And crush the tyrant while they rend the chain : These constitute a state, And sov'reign Law, that state's collected will, Sits Empress, crowning good, repressing ill: The fiend, Discretion, like a vapour sinks, Hides his faint rays, and at her bidding shrinks. Than Lesbos fairer and the Cretan shore! Shall Britons languish, and be MEN no more? Those sweet rewards which decorate the brave, And steal inglorious to the silent grave. Was it for this my gentle brother's heart Bore in our growing loves so warm a part! That soft indulgence deck'd his open brows, That smiles fraternal hail'd our mutual vows! And, as he kindly breath'd the parting sigh, Love's crystal fluid rushing to his eye, Was it for this our blooming hopes he blest, What energy would nerve his rising hate! And thou, vain bride! enjoy the meteor-ray, Bleed, faithless, bleed!-Louisa's wrongs explored, Eugenio, pale, and bleeding on the plain? |