But they are ever playing, And stands on tiptoe, conscious she is fair, Melt, Principalities, before her melt! Her love ye hailed-her wrath have felt! But She through many a change of form hath gone, 15 And stands amidst you now an armèd creature, II. 20 I marked the breathings of her dragon crest; My Soul, a sorrowful interpreter, In many a midnight vision bowed Before the ominous aspect of her spear; As stretches a blue bar of solid cloud III. So did she daunt the Earth, and God defy! And, wheresoe'er she spread her sovereignty, Pollution tainted all that was most pure. 32 -Have we not known-and live we not to tellThat Justice seemed to hear her final knell? Faith buried deeper in her own deep breast 35 Her stores, and sighed to find them insecure! And hope was maddened by the drops that fell From shades, her chosen place of short-lived rest. Shame followed shame, and woe supplanted woe- Is this the only change that time can show? 40 How long shall vengeance sleep? Ye patient Heavens, how long? -Infirm ejaculation! from the tongue Of Nations wanting virtue to be strong Up to the measure of accorded might, And daring not to feel the majesty of right! 45 IV. Weak Spirits are there-who would ask, Of herbs and lowly flowers, 50 Or seek, from saints above miraculous aid— That Man may be accomplished for a task Which his own nature hath enjoined;-and why? If, when that interference hath relieved him, 55 In worse than former helplessness-and lie The same weak wish returns, that had before deceived him. V. 60 But Thou, supreme Disposer! may'st not speed The course of things, and change the creed Whether, as bards have told in ancient song, And by the power, of wrong. PART II. I. 1816. (?) 64 ON A CELEBRATED EVENT IN ANCIENT HISTORY. 5 A ROMAN Master stands on Grecian ground, Haunts, with sad echoes, musing Fancy's ear: 10 dear: Ah! that a boon could shed such rapturous joys! A gift of that which is not to be given By all the blended powers of Earth and Heaven. 1810. (?) II. UPON THE SAME EVENT. WHEN, far and wide, swift as the beams of morn The tidings passed of servitude repealed, 669 Field, The rough Etolians smiled with bitter scorn. "'Tis known," cried they, "that he, who would adorn His envied temples with the Isthmian crown, Must either win, through effort of his own, The prize, or be content to see it worn 5 By more deserving brows.-Yet so ye prop, As if the wreath of liberty thereon Which, at Jove's will, descends on Pelion's top." 1810. (?) III. TO THOMAS CLARKSON, ON THE FINAL PASSING OF CLARKSON! it was an obstinate hill to climb: 10 A great man's happiness; thy zeal shall find Repose at length, firm friend of human kind! March, 1807. HIGH deeds, O Germans, are to come from you! Thus in your books the record shall be found, "A watchword was pronounced, a potent sound ARMINIUS!—all the people quaked like dew She of the Danube and the Northern Sea, ΙΟ -Woe to them all! but heaviest woe and shame To that Bavarian who could first advance His banner in accursed league with France, First open traitor to the German name! V. COMPOSED BY THE SIDE OF GRASMERE LAKE. 1807. CLOUDS, lingering yet, extend in solid bars Through the grey west; and lo! these waters, steeled By breezeless air to smoothest polish, yield Jove, Venus, and the ruddy crest of Mars 5 At happy distance from earth's groaning field, ΙΟ |