ODE XXIII.

FOR

THE ENCOENIA,

HELD AT OXFORD, JULY, 1773.

AT THE RECEPTION OF

THE RIGHT HON. FREDERIC LORD NORTH,

(Chancellor of the University.)

BY DR. WHEELER, Professor of poetRY.

SET TO MUSIC BY DR. HAYES.

RECITATIVE.

DAUGHTERS of Beauty, who enraptur'd hail
The Virgin Quire, in that romantic vale
Where Isis down her green enamel'd edge
Glides in soft eddies o'er the waving sedge;
And Cherwell from his osier'd bed
Oft hears the fairies' printless tread,
When misty night with silent pace
Steals gradual o'er their circling chace :
And you, illustrious Chiefs, who glow
With ardor for your country's weal,
Yet, 'mid the call of patriot zeal,
At Phoebus' shrine with transport bow:

AIR.

From busy scenes to these embower'd retreats
Your step auspicious mitred Sheldon greets;
While Peace, attendant at her hallow'd fane,
Parent of Science, swells your solemn train.

RECITATIVE.

Mark, where the fiend of War, on havock bent, Gigantic ranges o'er Moldavia's land,

And Warsaw's sons, by feuds remorseless rent, Reluctant own the Victor's stern command! Hesperia views the gathering cloud

From Gallia rise, and lowering Spain; While floating bulwarks with their thunders loud Affright the Naiads of th' Egean main.

RECITATIVE.

Britannia sits inthron'd in awful state,

Sole Arbitress serene; and what she wills, is Fate.'.

AIR.

Heroes in the ghastly fight

Vainly vaunt achievements brave;
Check, O check your lawless might!
Valour conquers but to save.
Happier they, whom Wisdom's lore
Prompts to frame the social plan;
Fraught with Science' richest store,
Call'd to bless and perfect man.

Da Capo.

RECITATIVE.

What martial sons, once proud of thy behest,
O Rhedycina, blazon wide the page

By Memory mark'd! full many a royal guest
Here mus'd attentive to the hoary sage.
Lion-hearted Richard's spear

Glitter'd first in Beaumont's shade;
Here he couch'd his lance, and here

Panted for the bold Crusade.

Henry, thunder-bolt of war,

Here plann'd his hardiest deeds; here learnt to wield

His maiden sword, and hurl the massy bar;

Here grasp the mimic shield.

RECITATIVE.

Enough, heroic souls, of cruel fight;

Forgive, if milder arms invite

The grateful muse for social worth to twine

The wreath of Honour snatch'd from Virtue's shrine.

SYMPHONY.

RECITATIVE.

Heard ye, while echoing from yon azure sphere
Prophetic accents struck th' astonish'd ear?

AIR.

I see the sovereign form descend,

And wrapt in stole majestic, downward bend.

RECITATIVE.

Britons, if aught ye boast of Cressy's field,

[ACCOMPANIED.]

Where many a crimson'd helm and batter'd shield,
By delving plowmen turn'd, recals the name
Of Edward, high enroll'd by deathless Fame;
That praise be mine. But better far
The peaceful sway, than spoils of savage war
To Me, or Bolingbroke's undaunted son,
On Poictou's tented plains by valour won.
With crowded canvas wing'd, 'tis yours to sweep
Golconda's shores, and darken all the deep.

AIR.

But stay, you bold advent'rers stay;
Nor, blithsome o'er the briny surge,
With madd'ning speed misguided urge
To pearly Ind' your heedless way.
What boots it that my Edward led
In Freedom's cause his eagar van;
If you, relentless foes to man,
O'er fruitful climes dire famine spread?

RECITATIVE.

Yet haply shall a Brunswick's rule benign,

By sapience counsell'd, prune your daring wing, And distant tribes with haste consign

Their wav'ring homage to a guardian King.

Asia, no more thy guiltless natives mild,
By ruthless hand despoil'd,

Frantic their fabled Genii shall invoke

With wizard rites, and curse their galling yoke.

AIR.

Ye chiefs, who near your liege's throne
Attendant, hold the helm of state;
As Edward's tilting barons shone

In royal Windsor's trophied gate;
O think, while on your puissant thigh
The mystic garter firm you bind,
From that quaint badge what lessons high
Reflecting warm each op'ning mind.
The gen'rous youths near Isis' stream,
Who joyous hail a sovereign's choice,
Crown'd by Rhedycina's voice,

With rival ardor catch th' instructive theme.

RECITATIVE. [Accompanied.]

'Goodness deck'd with glory, wide
Darts her lustre, heav'nly bright;
Fame, to Virtue unally'd,

Shines-the meteor of a night.'

CHORUS.

The generous youths near Isis' stream,
Who joyous hail a sovereign's choice,
Crown'd by Rhedycina's voice,

With rival ardor catch the instructive theme.