The Works of Richard Owen Cambridge Including several pieces never before published: with an account of his life and character, by his son, George Owen Cambridge |
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ON THE MARRIAGE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS FREDERICK PRINCE OF WALES:
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 | The Works of Richard Owen Cambridge |  |
1
ON THE MARRIAGE OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS FREDERICK PRINCE OF WALES:
PUBLISHED AMONG THE OXFORD CONGRATULATORY VERSES, 1736.
I
Fast by the banks of Isis silver-stream'd,In those sweet vales (who knows not those sweet vales?)
From whence are kenn'd Oxonia's tow'rs far-fam'd,
Whilom I walk'd to catch the noon-tide gales:
The murm'ring stream, so gently gliding on,
And awful solitude, did thought inspire;
Verseless myself I conn'd not blithsom song;
No lute had I, nor harp, nor tuneful lyre;
Thoughtful, adown I laid me by the stream,
That thought brought with it sleep, sleep brought with it a dream.
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II
The scene erst fair to fairer still did yield,Such scenes did never waking eye behold;
Nor Enna was so gay, nor Tempe's field,
Nor yet Elysium's fabled meads of old.
In admiration lost, I raptur'd gaz'd,
When, to the sound of dulcet symphonies,
A dome, by heav'nly workmanship uprais'd,
Forth like a vapour from the earth did rise;
No brick nor marble did compose the wall,
Transparent 'twas throughout, for it was crystal all.
III
Forthwith two folding-doors disclosing wideDiscover'd to the eye a gorgeous throne,
A venerable Pers'nage on each side;
Majestic this, that soft and beauteous shone:
Upheld by turtles sat this happy Pair,
Eternal Peace and loves did sport around;
Flutt'ring above did Hymen joyous bear
The links in which their mutual hearts were bound,
Betok'ning long they'd worn this easy chain,
Betok'ning thus they'd long, O! very long remain.
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IV
On either side the throne a glorious bandOf Pers'nages were rang'd: in the first place
And nearest to the King, did Wisdom stand,
And Honour, unacquainted to the Base;
Next Justice, never known to err though blind;
Vengeance and Clemency on either side;
And Pow'r, his eyes on Justice still inclin'd;
And Peace, spurning Ambition, Death, and Pride:
Well is, I weet, the King who 's thus upheld,
Well is the Land whose sceptre such a King doth wield.
V
Nor did there on the other side, I ween,Forms though more soft, less heav'nly appear;
Conjugal Love and Concord still were seen,
Becoming Meekness and Submission near;
Next Truth, a window in her naked breast,
Modesty and Prudence ever judging right,
Piety, adding lustre to the rest,
And heav'n-born Charity appear'd in sight;
Blest is the Maid whose paths these virtues guide,
Happy! thrice happy He possess'd of such a Bride!
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VI
While on this venerable Pair I gaz'dEnter'd a band of Youth, joyous and gay,
One 'bove the rest most worthy to be prais'd,
Who follow'd still where Virtue led the way,
Oft-times he tow'rd the waters cast his eye,
Which big with Hope and Expectation seem'd,
Nor long ere he a vessel did descry,
Which fraught with all his wishes tow'rd him stemm'd,
An heav'nly Maiden on the deck was plac'd,
With ev'ry virtue blest, with ev'ry beauty grac'd.
VII
White were her robes, which so divinely shin'dAs snow and gold together had been wove,
Expressive emblem of the purest mind,
Expressive emblem of the chastest love;
Alternate on the Damsel and the Youth
A band of loves pour'd most propitious darts,
Which tipt with Pleasure, Constancy, and Truth,
Found free admission to their inmost hearts;
Swift flew the Youth, with eager haste convey'd,
To his own happy shore, the much-lov'd, loving Maid.
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VIII
And now advance in hospitable guiseThe Royal Pair; with welcome salutation
They greet the Maid; joy sparkles in her eyes,
Promise of future blessings on the Nation:
Nor now did Hymen unemploy'd appear,
Their hearts in chains of adamant he bound,
Loud shouts of mirth and joy invade the ear,
Each echo pleas'd repeats the blithsom sound;
I, sleeping as I lay, in rapture cry'd
Long live the happy Prince! long live the beauteous Bride!
IX
In flowing robes and squared caps advance,Pallas their guide, her ever-favour'd band;
As they approach they join in mystic dance,
Large scrolls of paper waving in their hand;
Nearer they come, I heard them sweetly sing,
But louder now approach the peals of joy,
The gladsome sounds which from each quarter ring,
Dispel my slumbers, and my trance destroy,
Waking, I heard the shouts on ev'ry side
Proclaim Augusta fair the happy Frederick's Bride!
| The Works of Richard Owen Cambridge | |