Occasional Poems by Mr Colvill. The Second Edition |
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 | Occasional Poems |  |
III.
III. 1.
Unequal strife; resistance vain!What shall the dogs of hell control,
What charm their barb'rous rage enchain
What can fell envy's pow'r with-stand,
That dar'd assail the starry pole,
Blasting malignant the angelic band.
Her summer friends, false traitors, fled,
And captive Nors in fetters led;
The savage rout with vengeful fangs deface
The sacred shrine of her unsullied fame;
Tread in the dust each princely grace,
Her scepter'd right, and regal diadem.
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Justice deride, and Heaven defy,
While the high-arching dome and trembling shore,
Resound with howling Murder's horrid cry.
III. 2.
Hark! Ransa comes; the rebel band,With shouts of violence, demand
Their Sov'reign's sacred blood.
See! in the front, with haggard eyes,
Wild with usurped state,
Fierce Julian bursts the regal dome;
Her Furies' torch toss'd to the skies
Appals with dire annoy,
Rousing the treasons of the night,
Like Sinon, curs'd with stedfast hate,
Amid the massacre of Troy:
Hell in her train, and Murder's brood,
She hies with brand of parricide, to light
Pale slaughter'd Virtue to the tomb.
III. 3.
Lo! there, by ruffian traitors bound,The beauteous victim lies,
With festive wreaths and garlands crown'd,
Proud Julian's sacrifice,
No pitying eye devotes a tear,
Nor kind relief nor welcome hopes appear;
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The axe of Faction roaring for her prey.
“I come, rough ministers of Fate;
“True virtue shrinks not from the ruthless steel:
“Now, Julian, satiate thine ambitious hate;
“Mine innocence thou canst not kill:
“But, ah! the bitter, bitter smart,
“That drinks my soul, and tears my rending heart;
“My harmless infants! must they bleed,
“Ah! horrid, murd'rous deed!
“See Julian drains their honey'd breath;
“Their quivering limbs forsaking life,
“Gash'd by the guilty Furies' knife,
“Ah! hide convuls'd in death,
“Vengeance just Heaven!” she cry'd aloud,
Then swoon'd in agony amid the barb'rous croud.
| Occasional Poems | |