 | The poems (1969) |  |
14 Ode, to a Lady on the Death of Colonel Ross in the Action of Fontenoy
457
1
While, lost to all his former mirth,Britannia's Genius bends to earth
And mourns the fatal day;
While stained with blood he strives to tear
Unseemly from his sea-green hair
The wreaths of cheerful May;
2
The thoughts which musing Pity paysAnd fond Remembrance loves to raise,
Your faithful hours attend:
Still Fancy, to herself unkind,
Awakes to grief the softened mind,
And points the bleeding friend.
458
3
By rapid Scheldt's descending waveHis country's vows shall bless the grave,
Where'er the youth is laid:
That sacred spot the village hind
With every sweetest turf shall bind,
And Peace protect the shade.
4
Blest youth, regardful of thy doom,Aerial hands shall build thy tomb,
With shadowy trophies crowned:
459
To sigh thy name through every grove
And call his heroes round.
5
The warlike dead of every age,Who fill the fair recording page,
Shall leave their sainted rest:
And, half-reclining on his spear,
Each wondering chief by turns appear
To hail the blooming guest.
6
Old Edward's sons, unknown to yield,Shall crowd from Crecy's laurelled field,
And gaze with fixed delight:
Again for Britain's wrongs they feel,
Again they snatch the gleamy steel,
And wish the avenging fight.
460
7
But lo! where, sunk in deep despair,Her garments torn, her bosom bare,
Impatient Freedom lies!
Her matted tresses madly spread,
To every sod which wraps the dead
She turns her joyless eyes.
8
Ne'er shall she leave that lowly ground,Till notes of triumph bursting round
Proclaim her reign restored;
Till William seek the sad retreat
And, bleeding at her sacred feet,
Present the sated sword.
9
If, weak to soothe so soft an heart,These pictured glories nought impart
461
If yet, in Sorrow's distant eye,
Exposed and pale thou see'st him lie,
Wild War insulting near;
10
Where'er from time thou court'st relief,The Muse shall still, with social grief,
Her gentlest promise keep:
Even humble Harting's cottaged vale
Shall learn the sad repeated tale,
And bid her shepherds weep.
| The poems (1969) | |