Br Moscow self-devoted to a blaze
Of dreadful sacrifice; by Russian blood
Lavished in fight with desperate hardihood;
The unfeeling Elements no claim shall raise
To rob our Human-nature of just praise
For what she did and suffered. Pledges sure
Of a deliverance absolute and pure
She gave, if Faith might tread the beaten ways
Of Providence. But now did the Most High
Exalt his still, small voice, to quell that Host
Gathered his power, a manifest ally;
He, whose heaped waves confounded the proud boast Of Pharaoh, said to Famine, Snow, and Frost, "Finish the strife by deadliest victory!"
THE GERMANS ON THE HEIGHTS OF HOCKHEIM.
ABRUPTLY paused the strife;—the field throughout,
Resting upon his arms, each warrior stood,
Checked in the very act and deed of blood,
With breath suspended, like a listening scout.
O Silence! thou wert mother of a shout
That through the texture of yon azure dome
Cleaves its glad way, a cry of harvest-home
Uttered to Heaven in ecstasy devout!
The barrier Rhine hath flashed, through battle
On men who gaze heart-smitten by the view,
As if all Germany had felt the shock!
-Fly, wretched Gauls! ere they the charge renew Who have seen - themselves now casting off the
The unconquerable Stream his course pursue.
Now that all hearts are glad, all faces bright,
Our aged Sovereign sits, to the ebb and flow
Of states and kingdoms, to their joy or woe,
Insensible. He sits deprived of sight,
And lamentably wrapped in twofold night,
Whom no weak hopes deceived; whose mind ensued,
Through perilous war, with regal fortitude,
Peace that should claim respect from lawless Might.
Dread King of kings, vouchsafe a ray divine
To his forlorn condition! let thy grace
Upon his inner soul in mercy shine;
Permit his heart to kindle, and to embrace
(Though it were only for a moment's space)
The triumphs of this hour; for they are THINE!
Si chartæ sileant quod bene feceris,
Mercedem tuleris. - HOR. Car. 8, Lib. 4.
WHEN the soft hand of sleep had closed the latch
On the tired household of corporeal sense,
And Fancy, keeping unreluctant watch,
Was free her choicest favors to dispense;
I saw, in wondrous perspective displayed,
A landscape more august than happiest skill
Of pencil ever clothed with light and shade;
An intermingled pomp of vale and hill,
City, and naval stream, suburban grove,
And stately forest where the wild deer rove;
Nor wanted lurking hamlet, dusky towns,
And scattered rural farms of aspect bright;
And, here and there, between the pastoral downs,
The azure sea upswelled upon the sight.
Fair prospect, such as Britain only shows!
But not a living creature could be seen
Through its wide circuit, that, in deep repose,
And even to sadness, lonely and serene,
Lay hushed; till — through a portal in the sky
Brighter than brightest loop-hole, in a storm,
Opening before the sun's triumphant eye, -
Issued, to sudden view, a glorious Form!
Earthward it glided with a swift descent;
Saint George himself this Visitant must be;
And, ere a thought could ask on what intent
He sought the regions of humanity,
A thrilling voice was heard, that vivified
City and field and flood ; - aloud it cried:
"Though from my celestial home, Like a Champion, armed I come, On my helm the dragon crest, And the red cross on my breast, I, the Guardian of this Land, Speak not now of toilsome duty; Well obeyed was that command, Whence bright days of festive beauty; Haste, Virgins, haste! - the flowers which sum
Have perished in the field;
But the green thickets plenteously shall yield
Fit garlands for the brave,
That will be welcome, if by you entwined;
Haste, Virgins, haste! and you, ye Matrons grave,
Go forth with rival usefulness of mind,
And gather what ye find
Of hardy laurel and wild holly boughs,
To deck your stern Defenders' modest brows!
Such simple gifts prepare,
Though they have gained a worthier meed;
And in due time shall share
Those palms and amaranthine wreaths
Unto their martyred Countrymen decreed,
In realms where everlasting freshness breathes!"
And lo! with crimson banners proudly streaming, And upright weapons innocently gleaming, Along the surface of a spacious plain
Advance in order the redoubted Bands,
And there receive green chaplets from the hands
Maids and Matrons, dight
In robes of dazzling white;
While from the crowd bursts forth a rapturous noise,
By the cloud-capt hills retorted;
And a throng of rosy boys
In loose fashion tell their joys;
And gray-haired sires, on staffs supported,
Look round, and by their smiling seem to say,
Thus strives a grateful Country to display
The mighty debt which nothing can repay!
Anon before my sight a palace rose
Built of all precious substances,
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