ページの画像
PDF
ePub

And long-remember'd features shall return;
Then fhall his generous breast be new inflam'd
To acts of highest worth and honest fame.
Thefe plaintive ftrains, from ALBION far away,
I lonely meditate at even-tide;

Nor fkill'd nor ftudious of the raptur'd lay;
But ftill rememb'ring oft the magic founds,
Well-meafur'd to the chime of Dorian lute
Or paft'ral flop, which erit I lov'd to hear
On ISIS' broider'd mead, where dips by fits
The ftooping offer in her hafty ftream.

Hail WOLSEY's fpacious dome! hail, ever-fam'd
For faithful nurture, and truth's facred lore,
Much honour'd parent! You my duteous zeal
Accept, if haply in thy laureat wreath
You deign to interweave this humble fong.

ON THE SAME.

BY MR. JAMES CLITHEROW OF ALL SOULS COLL.

"T

I.

WAS on the evening of that gloomy day,

When FREDERIC, ever lov'd, and ever mourn'd, (Such heav'n's high will, and who shall disobey?) To earth's cold womb in holy pomp return'd:

II.

With fullen founds the death-denouncing bell
Proclaim'd aloud the difmal tale of woe,
The pealing organ join'd the folemn knell,
In mournful notes, majestically flow.

III.

The full-voic'd choir, in ftoles of pureft white,
With frequent paufe, the foul-felt anthem raise;
While o'er the walls, in darkest sable dight,
A thousand tapers pour'd their holy blaze.

IV.

In high devotion rapt, the mitred fage,
With energy fublime, the rites began;
While tears from ev'ry fex, and ev'ry age,
Bewail'd the prince, the father, and the man.

V.

"Who, when our fov'reign leige to fate shall yield, "Shall prop, like him, Britannia's falling state? "Who now the vengeful fword of Justice wield, "Or ope, like him, fweet Mercy's golden gate? VI.

"Who fhall to Arts their priftine honour bring, "Rear from the duft fair Learning's laurell'd head, "Or bid rich Commerce plume her daring wing? "Arts, Learning, Commerce are in FREDERIC dead.

VII.

"Who now fhall tend, with fond paternal care, "The future guardians of our faith and laws? "Who teach their breafts with patriot worth to dare, "And die, with ardour, in Britannia's caufe?

VIII.

"And who, ah! who, with foft endearing lore, "Shall footh, like him, the royal mourner's breast? "Her lord, her life, her FREDERIC is no more."Deep groans and bitter wailings fpeak the reft.

IX.

Then, when at length the awful scene was clos'd,
And duft to duft in holy hope confign'd;

All to their filent homes their steps difpos'd,
To feed on folitary woe the mind;

X.

All but Lorenzo;-he, with grief dismay'd,
Nor heeding ought but FREDERIC's hapless fate,
Mufing along the cloyster'd temple stray'd,
Till lonely midnight clos'd th' impervious gate.

XI.

But when each lamp by flow degrees expir'd,
And total night affum'd its filent reign,
Sudden he starts, with wild amazement fir'd,
And big with horror traverses the fane.

XII.

The vaulted manfions of th' illuftrious dead
Inspire his fhudd'ring foul with ghaftly fears,
Dire shapes, and beck'ning shades around him tread,
And hollow voices murmur in his ears.

XIII.

There, as around the monumental maze
Darkling he wanders, a refplendent gleam
Shoots o'er th' illumin'd isle a distant blaze,
Pale as the glow-worm's fire, or Cynthia's beam.

XIV.

With glory clad, th' imperial fhrines among, Four royal fhapes on iv'ry thrones were plac'd, High o'er their heads four airy diadems hung, Which never yet their maiden brows had grac'd.

XV.

The first was he, whom CRESSY's glorious plain.
Has fam'd for martial deeds and bold emprize;
Nor lefs his praise in Virtue's milder ftrain,
Juft, humble, learned, merciful and wife.

XVI.

Next ARTHUR fat, at whofe aufpicious birth
In one sweet flow'r the blended roses join'd;
And HENRY next, fair plant of Scotish earth,
The hope, the joy of ALBION and mankind.

XVII.

Yet green in death, the laft majeftic fhade
Wore gracious FREDERIC's mild endearing look;
To him the reft obeyfance courteous paid,
And EDWARD thus the princely form bespoke :

XVIII.

"All hail! illuftrious partner of our fate, "For whom, as once for us, Britannia bleeds, "Hail! to the manfions of the good and great, "Where crowns immortal wait on virtuous deeds.

[ocr errors]

XIX.

The fame our fortune, as our worth the fame,

(To worth like ours fhort date doth heav'n affign) "As one our fortune, one fhall be our fame,

"And long record our deathless names fhall join.

« 前へ次へ »