It was ten of April morn by the chime: There was silence deep as death; And the boldest held his breath For a time. But the might of England flush'd To anticipate the scene; And her van the fleeter rush'd O'er the deadly space between. "Hearts of oak!" our captains cried, when each gun From its adamantine lips Spread a death-shade round the ships, Like the hurricane eclipse Of the sun. Again! again! again! And the havoc did not slack, Till a feeble cheer the Dane To our cheering sent us back ; Their shots along the deep slowly boom : Then ceased-and all is wail, As they strike the shatter'd sail; Or in conflagration pale Light the gloom. Out spoke the victor then As he hail'd them o'er the wave, But yield, proud foe, thy fleet With the crews, at England's feet, To our King." Then Denmark blest our chief As death withdrew his shades from the day: O'er a wide and woeful sight, Where the fires of funeral light Died away. Now joy, old England, raise ! Whilst the wine-cup shines in light; Brave hearts! to Britain's pride On the deck of fame that died With the gallant good Riou: Soft sigh the winds of heaven o'er their grave! And the mermaid's song condoles Of the brave! T. CAMPBELL. 208. ODE TO DUTY. Stern Daughter of the voice of God! Thou who art victory and law With empty terrors overawe ; From vain temptations dost set free, And calm'st the weary strife of frail humanity! There are who ask not if thine eye Be on them; who, in love and truth Oh! if through confidence misplaced They fail, thy saving arms, dread Power! around them cast. Serene will be our days and bright And happy will our nature be When love is an unerring light, And they a blissful course may hold Live in the spirit of this creed ; Yet find that other strength, according to their need. I, loving freedom, and untried, The task, in smoother walks to stray; But thee I now would serve more strictly, if I may, Q Through no disturbance of my soul Or strong compunction in me wrought, But in the quietness of thought: Me this uncharter'd freedom tires; I feel the weight of chance desires : My hopes no more must change their name; I long for a repose which ever is the same. Stern lawgiver! yet thou dost wear Flowers laugh before thee on their beds, Thou dost preserve the Stars from wrong; And the most ancient Heavens, through thee, are fresh and strong. To humbler functions, awful Power! I call thee: I myself commend The confidence of reason give; And in the light of Truth thy bondman let me live. W. WORDSWORTH. 209. ON THE CASTLE OF CHILLON. Eternal Spirit of the chainless Mind! And when thy sons to fetters are consign'd, Chillon thy prison is a holy place Worn as if thy cold pavement were a sod, LORD BYRON. 210. ENGLAND AND SWITZERLAND. 1802. Two Voices are there; one is of the Sea, There came a tyrant, and with holy glee Thou fought'st against him,-but hast vainly striven: Thou from thy Alpine holds at length art driven -Of one deep bliss thine ear hath been bereft ; Then cleave, O cleave to that which still is leftFor, high-soul'd Maid, what sorrow would it be That Mountain floods should thunder as before, 211. ON THE EXTINCTION OF THE Once did She hold the gorgeous East in fee Venice, the eldest child of liberty. |