Poems on Several Occasions | ||
109
Address'd to the laudable Association of ANTI-GALLICANS,
At the Lebeck's Head in the Strand.
By pride impuls'd, with wild ambition fraught,
Kingdoms in view, and triumph in her thought,
Behold how Gallia lifts her tow'ring crest!
Leads on to war, and bids the world attest:
While Britons, by neglect, her arms insure;
Too bold to dread; too brave to be secure:
Inactive wonder sees th'expected blow,
And glory's wreath presented to the foe.
Kingdoms in view, and triumph in her thought,
Behold how Gallia lifts her tow'ring crest!
Leads on to war, and bids the world attest:
While Britons, by neglect, her arms insure;
Too bold to dread; too brave to be secure:
Inactive wonder sees th'expected blow,
And glory's wreath presented to the foe.
Ye patriot spirits, now in realms of light!
Whom earth ador'd, once nationally bright,
Your backward sons with sense of wrongs inflame,
And while they blush, impel them to reclaim!
Let honour's glow weak indolence controul,
Impow'r the arm, and animate the soul.
And You, in whom the mighty truth's confest,
That Roman tenets warm the British breast;
Who dare assert your Anti-Gallic fire,
Join each with each, and burn with one desire;
Oh, spread your pow'r, your attributes expand,
And rise the founders of a patriot land!
Methinks ev'n now I see the wish'd advance;
Lo, others call to tame imperious France!
You, you were born to rouse the gen'ral flame!
Thus heav'n said, Be there Light! and forth it came.
How great, to wake such principles abroad,
As Gods can smile on, and your king applaud!
Whom earth ador'd, once nationally bright,
Your backward sons with sense of wrongs inflame,
And while they blush, impel them to reclaim!
110
Impow'r the arm, and animate the soul.
And You, in whom the mighty truth's confest,
That Roman tenets warm the British breast;
Who dare assert your Anti-Gallic fire,
Join each with each, and burn with one desire;
Oh, spread your pow'r, your attributes expand,
And rise the founders of a patriot land!
Methinks ev'n now I see the wish'd advance;
Lo, others call to tame imperious France!
You, you were born to rouse the gen'ral flame!
Thus heav'n said, Be there Light! and forth it came.
How great, to wake such principles abroad,
As Gods can smile on, and your king applaud!
111
Go, Foster!
go, ev'n on the faithless shore,
Our glorious motto let thy thunders roar;
Think on thy vow, assert thy country's claim,
And home return, with honour, wealth, and fame:
If skies befriend, who doubts the happy day?—
Success is sure; for Justice led the way.
Our glorious motto let thy thunders roar;
Think on thy vow, assert thy country's claim,
And home return, with honour, wealth, and fame:
If skies befriend, who doubts the happy day?—
Success is sure; for Justice led the way.
Poems on Several Occasions | ||