the author has given way to exultation, unchecked by these distresses, it might be sufficient to protect him from a charge of insensibility, should he state his own belief that the sufferings will be transitory. On the wisdom of a very large majority of the British nation rested that generosity which poured out the treasures of this country for the deliverance of Europe: and in the same national wisdom, presiding in time of peace over an energy not inferior to that which has been displayed in war, they confide, who encourage a firm hope, that the cup of our wealth will be gradually replenished. There will, doubtless, be no few ready to indulge in regrets and repinings; and to feed a morbid satisfaction, by aggravating these burthens in imagination, in order that calamity so confidently prophesied, as it has not taken the shape which their sagacity allotted to it, may appear as grievous as possible under another. But the body of the nation will not quarrel with the gain, because it might have been purchased at a less price: and, acknowledging in these sufferings, which they feel to have been in a great degree unavoidable, a consecration of their noble efforts, they will vigorously apply themselves to remedy the evil.

Nor is it at the expense of rational patriotism or in disregard of sound philosophy, that the author hath given vent to feelings tending to encourage a martial spirit in the bosoms of his countrymen, at a time when there is a general outcry against the prevalence of these dispositions. The British army, both by its skill and valour in the field, and by the discipline which has rendered it much less formidable than the armies of other powers to the inhabitants of the several countries where its operations were carned on, has performed services that will not allow the language of gratitude and admiration to be suppressed or restrained (whatever be the temper of the public mind through a scrupulous dread lest the tribute due to the past should prove an injurious incentive for the future. Every man deserving the name of Briton adds his voice to the chorus which extols the exploits of his countrymen, with a consciousness, at times overpowering the effort, that they transcend all praise-But this particular sentiment, thus irresistibly excited, is not sufficient. The nation would err grievously, if she suffered the abuse which other states have made of military power, to prevent her from perceiving that no people ever was, or can be, independent, free, or secure, much less great, in any sane application of the word, without martial propensities

tion; and, by permitting, they invite her to give way to the courageous instincts of human nature, and to strengthen and to refine them by culture. But some have more than insinuated that a design exists to subvert the civil character of the English people by unconstitutional applications and unnecessary increase of military power. The advisers and abettors of such a design, were it possible that it should exist, would be guilty of the most heinous crime, which, upon this planet, can be committed. The author, trusting that this apprehension arises from the delusive influences of an honourable jealousy, hopes that the martial qualities he venerates will be fostered by adhering to those good old usages which experience has sanctioned: and by availing ourselves of new means of indisputable promise: particularly by applying, in its utmost possible extent, that system of tuition whose master-spring is a habit of gradually en lightened subordination-by imparting knowledge, civil, moral, and religious, in such measure that the mind, among all classes of the community, may love, admire, and be prepared and accomplished to defend that country under whose protection its faculties have been unfolded, and its riches acquired :—by just dealing towards all orders of the state, so that no members of it being trampled upon, courage may everywhere continue to rest immovably upon its ancient English foundation, personal self-respect;-by adequate rewards, and permanent honours, conferred upon the deserving; by encouraging athletic exercises and manly sports among the peasantry of the country-and by especial care to provide and support institutions, in which, during a time of peace, a reasonable proportion of the youth of the country may be instructed in military science.

The author has only to add, that he should feel little satisfaction in giving to the world these limited attempts to celebrate the virtues of his country, if he did not encourage a hope that a subject, which it has fallen within his province to treat only in the mass, will by other poets be illustrated in that detail which its importance calls for, and which will allow opportunities to give the merited applause to PERSONS as well as to THINGS.

This Ode was published along with other pieces, now interspersed through this Volume.

ODE.

FOR A GENERAL THANKSGIVING.

JANUARY 18, 1816.

w lear

Cheer'st the low threshold of the peasant's

cell!

Not unrejoiced I see thee climb the sky
In naked splendour, clear from mist or
haze,

Or cloud approaching to divert the rays,
Which even in deepest winter testify

Thy power and majesty,
Dazzling the vision that presumes to gaze.
Well does thine aspect usher in this day;
As aptly suits therewith that timid pace
Submitted to the chains
[dains
That bind thee to the path which God or-
That thou shalt trace,
[away!
Till, with the heavens and earth, thou pass
Nor less, the stillness of these frosty plains,
Their utter stillness, and the silent grace
Of yon ethereal summits white with snow,
(Whose tranquil pomp, and spotless purity,

Report of storms gone by To us who tread below) Do with the service of this day accord. Divinest object, which the uplifted eye Of mortal man is suffered to behold; Thou, who upon yon snow-clad heights hast poured [vale, Meek splendour, nor forget'st the humble Thou who dost warm earth's universal mould,

And for thy bounty wert not unadored

By pious men of old; [hail ! Once more, heart-cheering sun, I bid thee Bright be thy course to-day, let not this promise fail!

'Mid the deep quiet of this morning hour,
All nature seems to hear me while I speak,
By feelings urged, that do not vainly seek
Apt language, ready as the tuneful notes
That stream in blithe succession from the
Of birds in leafy bower, [throats
Warbling a farewell to a vernal shower.
There is a radiant but a short-lived flame,
That burns for poets in the dawning east;
And oft my soul hath kindled at the same,
When the captivity of sleep had ceased;
But he who fixed immovably the frame
Of the round world, and built, by laws as
A solid refuge for distress, [strong,
The towers of righteousness;
He knows that from a holier altar came
The quickening spark of this day's sacrifice;
Knows that the source is nobler whence doth
rise

The current of this matin song;
That deeper far it lies

Than aught dependent on the fickle skies.

Have we not conquered ?-By the venge
ful sword?

Ah, no, by dint of magnanimity;
That curbed the baser passions, and left free
A loyal band to follow their liege lord,
Clear-sighted honour-and his staid com-
peers,

Along a track of most unnatural years,
In execution of heroic deeds;

Whose memory, spotless as the crystal beads
Of morning dew upon the untrodden meads,
Shall live enrolled above the starry spheres
Who to the murmurs of an earthly string.
Of Britain's acts would sing,
He with enraptured voice will tell
Of one whose spirit no reverse could quell;
Of one that 'mid the failing never failed:
Who paints how Britain struggled and pre-
vailed

Shall represent her labouring with an eye

Of circumspect humanity; Shall show her clothed with strength All martial duties to fulfil; [and skill, Firm as a rock in stationary fight: In motion rapid as the lightning's gleam; Fierce as a flood-gate bursting in the night To rouse the wicked from their giddy dream

Woe, woe to all that face her in the field! Appalled she may not be, and cannot yield.

When desolated countries, towns on fire,

Are but the avowed attire
Of warfare waged with desperate mind
Against the life of virtue in mankind;
Assaulting without ruth

The citadels of truth;
While the whole forest of civility
Is doomed to perish, to the last fair tree!

A crouching purpose-a distracted willOpposed to hopes that battened upon scorn, And to desires whose ever-waxing horn Not all the light of earthly power could fill Opposed to dark, deep plots of patient And to celerities of lawless force (skill, Which, spurning God, had flung away redress? What could they gain but shadows of So bad proceeded propagating worse; And discipline was passion's dire excess. Widens the fatal web, its lines extend,* And deadlier poisons in the chalice blend— When will your trials teach you to be wise?

remorse

Oh, prostrate lands, consult your agonies!

No more-the guilt is banished,
And, with the guilt, the shame is fled;
And, with the guilt and shame, the woe
hath vanished,

Shaking the dust and ashes from her head!
No more-these lingerings of distress
Sully the limpid stream of thankfulness.
What robe can gratitude employ
So seemly as the radiant vest of joy?
What steps so suitable as those that move
In prompt obedience to spontaneous mea-
Of glory-and felicity-and love, [sures
Surrendering the whole heart to sacred
pleasures?

That bade him hope, and to his hope
cleave fast!
[length
The nations strove with puissance ;-at
Wide Europe heaved, impatient to be cast,
With all her living strength,
With all her armed powers,
Upon the offensive shores.
The trumpet blew a universal blast!
But thou art foremost in the field;-there
stand:

Receive the triumph destined to thy hand!
All states have glorified themselves: their
Are weighed by Providence, in balance
claims
[names,
To thee the exterminating sword is given.
And now, in preference to the mightiest
Dread mark of approbation, justly gained.!
Exalted office, worthily sustained!

even,

Imagination, ne'er before content,
But aye ascending, restless in her pride,
From all that man's performance could
present,

Stoops to that closing deed magnificent, And with the embrace is satisfied. Fly, ministers of fame, Whate'er your means, whatever help ye claim, [delight! Bear through the world these tidings of Hours, days, and months, have borne them, in the sight [shower, Of mortals, travelling faster than the That landward stretches from the sea, The morning's splendours to devour ; But this appearance scattered ecstasy, And heart-sick Europe blessed the healing power.

The shock is given-the adversaries bleed

Lo, justice triumphs! Earth is freed! Such glad assurance suddenly went forth--It pierced the caverns of the sluggish north

Of Andes-frozen gulfs became its bridge-
It found no barrier on the ridge
The vast Pacific gladdens with the freight-
Upon the lakes of Asia 'tis bestowed--
The Arabian desert shapes a willing road,
Across her burning breast,
For this refreshing incense from the west!
Where snakes and lions breed,
Where towns and cities thick as stars
appear,

Wherever fruits are gathered, and where'er The upturned soil receives the hopeful seed

Preserve, O Lord! within our hearts
The memory of thy favour,
That else insensibly departs,
And loses its sweet savour!
Lodge it within us!-as the power of light
Lives inexhaustibly in precious gems,
Fixed on the front of eastern diadems,
So shine our thankfulness for ever bright!
What offering, what transcendent monu-
Shall our sincerity to thee present? [ment
Not work of hands; but trophies that may
reach

To highest heaven--the labour of the soul;
That builds, as thy unerring precepts teach,
Upon the inward victories of each,
Her hope of lasting glory for the whole.
Yet might it well become that city now,
Into whose breast the tides of grandeur
flow,

To whom all persecuted men retreat;
If a new temple lift her votive brow
Upon the shore of silver Thames-to greet
The peaceful guest advancing from afar.
Bright be the distant fabric, as a star
Fresh risen-and beautiful within !-there

Within the circuit of those Gothic walls,
Shall be performed at pregnant intervals;
Commemoration holy, that unites
The living generations with the dead;
By the deep soul-moving sense
Of religious eloquence,—

By visual pomp, and by the tie
Of sweet and threatening harmony;
Soft notes, awful as the omen
Of destructive tempests coming,
And escaping from that sadness
Into elevated gladness;
While the

tendant,

white-robed choir at

His drought consumes, his mildew taints with death;

He springs the hushed volcano's mine; He puts the earthquake on her still design, Darkens the sun, hath bade the forest sink, And, drinking towns and cities, still can [Thine! Cities and towns-'tis Thou-the work is The fierce tornado sleeps within thy

drink

courts

He hears the word-he flies-
And navies perish in their ports;
For thou art angry with thine enemies!
For these, and for our errors
And sins, that point their terrors,
We bow our heads before Thee, and we
laud

And magnify thy name, Almighty God!
But thy most dreaded instrument
In working out a pure intent,

Is

man-arrayed for mutual slaughter,