I have written this poem, as it were, upon
the eve of those memorable occurrences, which
have saved Europe from despotism. Certainly,
under the auspices of His Majesty, and of his
illustrious Son, the Prince Regent, this Country
has attained to an excellence of glory, which
has no precedent in history. The illustrious
Prince, under whose gentle sway we live, is the
Defender of Religion, the Protector of Liberty,
and the Arbiter of the Destinies of the World.
It may appear presumptuous, in the brilliant
prospect, which opens before us (upon which the
minds of men are naturally intent,) to suppose,
that any attention should be paid to so slight a
poem. Undoubtedly, it would have been more
appropriate, to have celebrated the events of
the last year in heroick song: but every man
has not the power of Pindar or Cowley. Whoever
contributes his share, however small, to the
stock of publick amusement, may deserve some
approbation: and now that the sound of the
clarion, and the bugle have ceased to awaken to
war, the ear of Nature may, perhaps, be delighted
with the reed of the shepherd.
I have, however, one allusion to passing
events, in the last page of my poem; which,
although I have noticed it in a work of fiction,
I hope may prove to fulfil the expectation of the
world, with all the real blessing of truth.
London,
May 19, 1814.
