University of Virginia Library

TO THE MEMORY OF C. J. FOX.

[_]

AIR,—“Nong tong paw.”

Why heaves Britannia that deep sigh,
And pensive droops her laurell'd head?
Why dims the tear that brilliant eye,
Whose smile could joy o'er Europe shed?
Cries Liberty, “She's reason just,
For Fox now moulders in the dust;
And who, like him, can wield the plan
Which guards the sacred rights of man?”
His was the truly Roman soul,
For virtue, reason, and for wit,
Which burst the chains of base control,
Wreathed round our necks by subtle Pitt.
From Africa, that land woe,
He caused the song of joy to flow,
And waved around her plunder'd coast
The sword of freedom, reason's boast.
Then why indulge in hopeless grief,
Or cloud thy brow with ceaseless gloom,
When forward stand, for thy relief,
Undaunted Brougham, Grey, and Hume?
With many more of noted name,
Who grace the golden roll of fame,
And twine the wreath around his urn,
To bloom till time's remotest bourn.
Peace to the mighty patriot's shade!
The friend of freedom and of man!
Who, in stern reason's mail array'd,
'Gainst power, despotic, led the van;
And ere had set life's glorious sun,
The field of victory had won;
Then, who need dread an en'my's shocks,
When vanquish'd by immortal Fox?