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The Shamrock

or, Hibernian Cresses. A Collection of Poems, Songs, Epigrams, &c. Latin as well as English, The Original Production of Ireland. To which are subjoined thoughts on the prevailing system of school education, respecting young ladies as well as gentlemen: with practical proposals for a reformation [by Samuel Whyte]

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ODE, to PEACE, On the NEW YEAR, 1771.
  
  
  
  
  
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65

ODE, to PEACE, On the NEW YEAR, 1771.

Written in the Country, by a very young Lady of Quality.

Inscribed to the Rev. Dr. HENRY CLARKE.
[_]

Set to Music by Mr. JOHN BIRD.

Descend, sweet Peace, and gild the Year;
Preside o'er every Scene;
All Hearts with grateful Influence chear;
And charm the sportive Green.
To thee we all our Blessings owe;
On thee our Thoughts are bent;
Thy soothing Voice calms every Woe;
Thy Smiles ensure Content.
In vain, thy Presence if deny'd,
Abundance opes the Door;
No longer Health our Steps will guide,
And Joy we feel no more.

66

O haste, sweet Peace, and crown the Morn;
Auspicious Power, appear;
From every Breast pluck every Thorn,
And dry up every Tear.
From hostile Swords, and War's Alarms,
Our distant Coast protect;
And, tho' the Trumpet sound to Arms,
Thy favourite Isle respect.
O come, sweet Peace, with gentle Sway
Thy hallow'd Rites maintain;
Come, ever chearful, ever gay,
With Virtue in thy Train.
For thee the Muses tune their Lyres;
By thee are taught to sing;
Fair Commerce lives, and Art aspires,
Beneath thy fostering Wing.
Then haste, and here for ever reign;
And to our Prayers be kind;
For Happiness can ne'er remain
Where Peace forsakes the Mind.
 

This Ode is here printed exactly according to the Original. In disposing it for Music, the first, and second Stanza, only, were taken into the Recitative; the third omitted, as 'twas thought it would make it too long; the fourth and fifth Stanza were given to the Air; the two following composed a Duet; the last, the Chorus.