XLVI. ODE.
THE MORNING OF THE DAY APPOINTED FOR A GENERAL
THANKSGIVING. JANUARY 18, 1816.
Wholly unworthy of touching upon the momentous subject
here treated would that Poet be, before whose eyes the present
distresses under which this kingdom labours could interpose a
veil sufficiently thick to hide, or even to obscure, the splendour
of this great moral triumph. If I have given way to exultation,
unchecked by these distresses, it might be sufficient to protect
me from a charge of insensibility, should I state my own belief
that the sufferings will be transitory. Upon the wisdom of a
very large majority of the British nation rested that generosity
which poured out the treasures of this country for the deliverance
of Europe: and in the same national wisdom, presiding in time
of peace over an energy not inferior to that which has been displayed
in war, they confide, who encourage a firm hope, that the
cup of our wealth will be gradually replenished. There will,
doubtless, be no few ready to indulge in regrets and repinings;
and to feed a morbid satisfaction, by aggravating these burthens
in imagination; in order that calamity so confidently prophesied,
as it has not taken the shape which their sagacity allotted to it,
may appear as grievous as possible under another. But the body
of the nation will not quarrel with the gain, because it might
have been purchased at a less price: and, acknowledging in
these sufferings, which they feel to have been in a great degree
unavoidable, a consecration of their noble efforts, they will vigorously
apply themselves to remedy the evil.
Nor is it at the expense of rational patriotism, or in disregard
of sound philosophy, that I have given vent to feelings tending
to encourage a martial spirit in the bosoms of my countrymen,
at a time when there is a general outcry against the prevalence of
these dispositions. The British army, both by its skill and valour
in the field, and by the discipline which rendered it, to the inhabitants
of the several countries where its operations were carried
on, a protection from the violence of their own troops, has performed
services that will not allow the language of gratitude and
admiration to be suppressed or restrained (whatever be the temper
of the public mind) through a scrupulous dread lest the tribute
due to the past should prove an injurious incentive for the future.
Every man deserving the name of Briton adds his voice to the
chorus which extols the exploits of his countrymen, with a consciousness,
at times overpowering the effort, that they transcend
all praise. But this particular sentiment, thus irresistibly
excited, is not sufficient. The nation would err grievously, if
she suffered the abuse which other states have made of military
power to prevent her from perceiving that no people ever was or
can be, independent, free, or secure, much less great, in any sane
application of the word, without a cultivation of military virtues.
Nor let it be overlooked, that the benefits derivable from these
sources are placed within the reach of Great Britain, under conditions
peculiarly favourable. The same insular position which,
by rendering territorial incorporation impossible, utterly precludes
the desire of conquest under the most seductive shape it
can assume, enables her to rely, for her defence against foreign
foes, chiefly upon a species of armed force from which her own
liberties have nothing to fear. Such are the privileges of her
situation; and, by permitting, they invite her to give way to the
courageous instincts of human nature, and to strengthen and
refine them by culture.
But some have more than insinuated that a design exists to
subvert the civil character of the English people by unconstitutional
applications and unnecessary increase of military power.
The advisers and abettors of such a design, were it possible that
it should exist, would be guilty of the most heinous crime, which,
upon this planet, can be committed. Trusting that this apprehension
arises from the delusive influences of an honourable
jealousy, let me hope that the martial qualities which I venerate
will be fostered by adhering to those good old usages which
experience has sanctioned; and by availing ourselves of new
means of indisputable promise: particularly by applying, in its
utmost possible extent, that system of tuition whose master-spring
is a habit of gradually enlightened subordination;—by
imparting knowledge, civil, moral, and religious, in such measure
that the mind, among all classes of the community, may love,
admire, and be prepared and accomplished to defend, that country
under whose protection its faculties have been unfolded, and its
riches acquired;—by just dealing towards all orders of the state,
so that, no members of it being trampled upon, courage may
everywhere continue to rest immoveably upon its ancient English
foundation, personal self-respect;—by adequate rewards, and
permanent honours, conferred upon the deserving;—by encouraging
athletic exercises and manly sports among the peasantry
of the country;—and by especial care to provide and support
institutions, in which, during a time of peace, a reasonable proportion
of the youth of the country may be instructed in military
science.
I have only to add, that I should feel little satisfaction in
giving to the world these limited attempts to celebrate the virtues
of my country, if I did not encourage a hope that a subject, which
it has fallen within my province to treat only in the mass, will
by other poets be illustrated in that detail which its importance
calls for, and which will allow opportunities to give the merited
applause to persons as well as to things.
The ode was published along with other pieces, now interspersed
through these volumes.
I.
Hail, orient Conqueror of gloomy Night!
Thou that canst shed the bliss of gratitude
On hearts howe'er insensible or rude;
Whether thy punctual visitations smite
The haughty towers where monarchs dwell;
Or thou, impartial Sun, with presence bright
Cheer'st the low threshold of the peasant's cell!
Not unrejoiced I see thee climb the sky
In naked splendour, clear from mist or haze,
Or cloud approaching to divert the rays,
Which even in deepest winter testify
Thy power and majesty,
Dazzling the vision that presumes to gaze.
—Well does thine aspect usher in this Day;
As aptly suits therewith that modest pace
Submitted to the chains
That bind thee to the path which God ordains
That thou shalt trace,
Till, with the heavens and earth, thou pass away!
Nor less, the stillness of these frosty plains,
Their utter stillness, and the silent grace
Of yon ethereal summits white with snow,
(Whose tranquil pomp and spotless purity
Report of storms gone by
To us who tread below)
Do with the service of this Day accord.
—Divinest Object which the uplifted eye
Of mortal man is suffered to behold;
Thou, who upon those snow-clad Heights has poured
Meek lustre, nor forget'st the humble Vale;
Thou who dost warm Earth's universal mould,
And for thy bounty wert not unadored
By pious men of old;
Once more, heart-cheering Sun, I bid thee hail!
Bright be thy course to-day, let not this promise fail!
II.
'Mid the deep quiet of this morning hour,
All nature seems to hear me while I speak,
By feelings urged that do not vainly seek
Apt language, ready as the tuneful notes
That stream in blithe succession from the throats
Of birds, in leafy bower,
Warbling a farewell to a vernal shower.
—There is a radiant though a short-lived flame,
That burns for Poets in the dawning east;
And oft my soul hath kindled at the same,
When the captivity of sleep had ceased;
But He who fixed immoveably the frame
Of the round world, and built, by laws as strong,
A solid refuge for distress—
The towers of righteousness;
He knows that from a holier altar came
The quickening spark of this day's sacrifice;
Knows that the source is nobler whence doth rise
The current of this matin song;
That deeper far it lies
Than aught dependent on the fickle skies.
III.
Have we not conquered?—by the vengeful sword?
Ah no, by dint of Magnanimity;
That curbed the baser passions, and left free
A loyal band to follow their liege Lord
Clear-sighted Honour, and his staid Compeers,
Along a track of most unnatural years;
In execution of heroic deeds
Whose memory, spotless as the crystal beads
Of morning dew upon the untrodden meads,
Shall live enrolled above the starry spheres.
He, who in concert with an earthly string
Of Britain's acts would sing,
He with enraptured voice will tell
Of One whose spirit no reverse could quell;
Of One that 'mid the failing never failed—
Who paints how Britain struggled and prevailed
Shall represent her labouring with an eye
Of circumspect humanity;
Shall show her clothed with strength and skill,
All martial duties to fulfil;
Firm as a rock in stationary fight;
In motion rapid as the lightning's gleam;
Fierce as a flood-gate bursting at mid night
To rouse the wicked from their giddy dream—
Woe, woe to all that face her in the field!
Appalled she may not be, and cannot yield.
IV.
And thus is missed the sole true glory
That can belong to human story!
At which they only shall arrive
Who through the abyss of weakness dive.
The very humblest are too proud of heart;
And one brief day is rightly set apart
For Him who lifteth up and layeth low;
For that Almighty God to whom we owe,
Say not that we have vanquished—but that we survive.
V.
How dreadful the dominion of the impure!
Why should the Song be tardy to proclaim
That less than power unbounded could not tame
That soul of Evil—which, from hell let loose,
Had filled the astonished world with such abuse
As boundless patience only could endure?
—Wide-wasted regions—cities wrapt in flame—
Who sees, may lift a streaming eye
To Heaven;—who never saw, may heave a sigh;
But the foundation of our nature shakes,
And with an infinite pain the spirit aches,
When desolated countries, towns on fire,
Are but the avowed attire
Of warfare waged with desperate mind
Against the life of virtue in mankind
Assaulting without ruth
The citadels of truth;
While the fair gardens of civility,
By ignorance defaced,
By violence laid waste,
Perish without reprieve for flower or tree
VI.
A crouching purpose—a distracted will—
Opposed to hopes that battened upon scorn,
And to desires whose ever-waxing horn
Not all the light of earthly power could fill;
Opposed to dark, deep plots of patient skill,
And to celerities of lawless force;
Which, spurning God, had flung away remorse—
What could they gain but shadows of redress?
—So bad proceeded propagating worse;
And discipline was passion's dire excess.
‘Discipline the rule whereof is passion.’
Lord Brooke.
Widens the fatal web, its lines extend,
And deadlier poisons in the chalice blend.
When will your trials teach you to be wise?
—O prostrate Lands, consult your agonies!
VII.
No more—the guilt is banish'd,
And, with the guilt, the shame is fled;
And, with the guilt and shame, the Woe hath vanish'd,
Shaking the dust and ashes from her head!
—No more—these lingerings of distress
Sully the limpid stream of thankfulness.
What robe can Gratitude employ
So seemly as the radiant vest of Joy?
What steps so suitable as those that move
In prompt obedience to spontaneous measures
Of glory, and felicity, and love,
Surrendering the whole heart to sacred pleasures?
VIII.
O Britain! dearer far than life is dear,
If one there be
Of all thy progeny
Who can forget thy prowess, never more
Be that ungrateful Son allowed to hear
Thy green leaves rustle or thy torrents roar.
As springs the lion from his den,
As from a forest-brake
Upstarts a glistering snake,
The bold Arch-despot re-appeared;—again
Wide Europe heaves, impatient to be cast,
With all her armèd Powers,
On that offensive soil, like waves upon a thousand shores.
The trumpet blew a universal blast!
But Thou art foremost in the field:—there stand:
Receive the triumph destined to thy hand!
All States have glorified themselves;—their claims
Are weighed by Providence, in balance even;
And now, in preference to the mightiest names,
To Thee the exterminating sword is given.
Dread mark of approbation, justly gained!
Exalted office, worthily sustained!
IX.
Preserve, O Lord! within our hearts
The memory of thy favour,
That else insensibly departs,
And loses its sweet savour!
Lodge it within us!—as the power of light
Lives inexhaustibly in precious gems,
Fixed on the front of Eastern diadems,
So shine our thankfulness for ever bright!
What offering, what transcendent monument
Shall our sincerity to Thee present?
—Not work of hands; but trophies that may reach
To highest Heaven—the labour of the Soul;
That builds, as thy unerring precepts teach,
Upon the internal conquests made by each,
Her hope of lasting glory for the whole.
Yet will not heaven disown nor earth gainsay
The outward service of this day;
Whether the worshippers entreat
Forgiveness from God's mercy-seat;
Or thanks and praises to His throne ascend
That He has brought our warfare to an end,
And that we need no second victory!—
Ha! what a ghastly sight for man to see;
And to the heavenly saints in peace who dwell,
For a brief moment, terrible;
But, to thy sovereign penetration, fair,
Before whom all things are, that were,
All judgments that have been, or e'er shall be;
Links in the chain of thy tranquillity!
Along the bosom of this favoured Nation,
Breathe Thou, this day, a vital undulation!
Let all who do this land inherit
Be conscious of thy moving spirit!
Oh, 'tis a goodly Ordinance,—the sight,
Though sprung from bleeding war, is one of pure delight;
Bless Thou the hour, or ere the hour arrive,
When a whole people shall kneel down in prayer,
And, at one moment, in one rapture, strive
With lip and heart to tell their gratitude
For thy protecting care,
Their solemn joy—praising the Eternal Lord
For tyranny subdued,
And for the sway of equity renewed,
For liberty confirmed, and peace restored!
X.
But hark—the summons!—down the placid lake
Floats the soft cadence of the church-tower bells;
Bright shines the Sun, as if his beams would wake
The tender insects sleeping in their cells;
Bright shines the Sun—and not a breeze to shake
The drops that tip the melting icicles.
O, enter now his temple gate!
Inviting words—perchance already flung
(As the crowd press devoutly down the aisle
Of some old Minster's venerable pile)
From voices into zealous passion stung,
While the tubed engine feels the inspiring blast,
And has begun—its clouds of sound to cast
Forth towards empyreal Heaven,
As if the fretted roof were riven.
Us, humbler ceremonies now await;
But in the bosom, with devout respect
The banner of our joy we will erect,
And strength of love our souls shall elevate:
For to a few collected in his name,
Their heavenly Father will incline an ear
Gracious to service hallowed by its aim;—
Awake! the majesty of God revere!
Go—and with foreheads meekly bowed
Present your prayers—go—and rejoice aloud—
The Holy One will hear!
And what, 'mid silence deep, with faith sincere,
Ye, in your low and undisturbed estate,
Shall simply feel and purely meditate—
Of warnings—from the unprecedented might,
Which, in our time, the impious have disclosed;
And of more arduous duties thence imposed
Upon the future advocates of right;
Of mysteries revealed,
And judgments unrepealed,
Of earthly revolution,
And final retribution,—
To his omniscience will appear
An offering not unworthy to find place,
On this high Day of Thanks, before the Throne of Grace!
