The Works of William Mason | ||
53
ODE X. FOR MUSIC. IRREGULAR.
I.
Lo! where incumbent o'er the shadeRome's rav'ning eagle bows his beaked head;
Yet, while a moment fate affords,
While yet a moment freedom stays,
That moment, which outweighs
Eternity's unmeasured hoards,
Shall Mona's grateful bards employ
To hymn their god-like hero to the sky.
II.
Radiant Ruler of the day,Pause upon thy orb sublime,
Bid this awful moment stay,
Bind it on the brow of time;
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To strains, that thrill when heroes die.
III.
Hear our harps, in accents slow,Breathe the dignity of woe,
Solemn notes that pant and pause,
While the last majestic close
In diapason deep is drown'd:
Notes that Mona's harps should sound.
IV.
See our tears in sober shower,O'er this shrine of glory pour!
Holy tears by virtue shed,
That embalm the valiant dead;
In these our sacred song we steep:
Tears that Mona's bards should weep.
V.
Radiant Ruler, hear us callBlessings on the god-like youth,
Who dared to fight, who dared to fall,
For Britain, freedom, and for truth.
His dying groan, his parting sigh
Was music for the gods on high;
'Twas Valour's hymn to Liberty.
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VI.
Ring out, ye mortal strings!Answer, thou heavenly harp, instinct with spirit all,
That o'er Andrastes' throne self-warbling swings.
There where ten thousand spheres, in measured chime,
Roll their majestic melodies along,
Thou guidest the thundering song,
Poised on thy jasper arch sublime.
Yet shall thy heavenly accents deign
To mingle with our mortal strain,
And heaven and earth unite in chorus high,
While freedom wafts her champion to the sky.
The Works of William Mason | ||