The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop ... To Which are Prefixed, Memoirs of the Life of the Author By the Rev. Thomas Clare |
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| II. | ODE II. TO THE QUEEN ON HER BIRTH-DAY. |
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 | The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop |  |
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ODE II. TO THE QUEEN ON HER BIRTH-DAY.
WRITTEN 1764.
I
From all the bliss a Queen can feel,When a whole grateful Nation pays
(Ardent in duty, bold in zeal)
The annual tribute of it's praise,
II
The Royal Dame a moment stole—Laid down the wreaths her people wrought,
And, wrapt in sweet suspence of soul,
Indulged a Mother's tenderest thought.
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III
Where, sooth'd by Slumber's lenient hand,Two Boys, her infant offspring lay,
Intent she took her silent stand;
And gave each rising passion way.
IV
By turns Complacence smooth'd her brow,And Care all-anxious flush'd her cheek;
Now glow'd Remembrance; Fondness now
Inspir'd what utterance could not speak.
V
Oft Fancy prompted by concern,To urge an half-form'd tear began;
And Hope, that made her bosom burn,
Finish'd the pearl, and down it ran.
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VI
While thus she stood, and look'd, and lov'd,And fonder still, and happier grew,
(For every look her love improv'd,
And love still sweeten'd every view,)
VII
Unseen the Cherubs hover'd near,Whom Fate to guard her sons ordain'd;
They mark'd each joy she felt, each tear,
And thus alternate speech maintain'd:
VIII
“See” (said the Heav'n-born Form, whose careBritannia's elder hope employ'd)
“What thoughts the Parent's bosom share,
“While Majesty is unenjoy'd.
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IX
“Yet know, O Queen! 'tis but begun“The strong sensation thou must prove;
“Each year, that waits its course to run,
“Will bring new ecstasy of love.
X
“How will the soul, that scarce sustains“Ev'n now the dear employ to trace
“Features, where silent beauty reigns,
“Mere infant innocence and grace!
XI
“How will it throb, beneath th' excess,“The pangs, the agony of bliss,
“When from those lips soft sounds shall press
“To greet another day like this!
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XII
“How will the blood, thro' every vein“Run thrilling to the Mother's heart;
“When she shall see her Boy maintain,
“In the Boy's sport, the Prince's part!
XIII
“How will her bosom pant, to read“In every part some likeness caught;
“Some semblance of his Father's deed,
“Some copy of his Mother's thought!
XIV
“What will she say, when Reason's voice“Calls the young powers of action forth,
“Prompts him to choose; and founds his choice
“On plans of dignity and worth!
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XV
“How will she dread each vice she sees,“Each gay temptation Courts display,
“The charms of pleasure, grandeur, ease,
“The snares that glitter to betray!
XVI
“What bliss will intercept her fear,“Whene'er she sees her Hero rise,
“Tender to act, yet still severe
“To scorn, what virtue should despise!
XVII
“What genial warmth will raise her mind,“When any purpose seems to say,
“He knows what service to mankind
“The Great must owe, the Good must pay!
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XVIII
“When Echo dwells upon his name,“And gives it to the nations round,
“How will her heart enjoy th' acclaim,
“And beat and spring to every sound!”
XIX
So said th' angelic Spirit; and ceas'd:—And thus his Fellow-guardian cry'd:
“By all these joys, and all increas'd,
“The Mother's fondness must be try'd.
XX
“While forward, thro' each coming year,“Maternal care her eyes shall cast,
“My younger Boy, that slumbers near,
“Will give her back again the past:
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XXI
“Will show her every charm renew'd,“Each native charm his Brother bore;
“Or with peculiar pow'rs endu'd,
“Awake a joy unfelt before.
XXII
“That while the hopes her First-born gave“Are crown'd by every future deed;
“Her equal love may see as brave,
“As dear a progeny succeed.”
XXIII
Scarce had he spoke, when shouts and songClaim'd in the Queen her Britain's part;
She heard—and tow'rd th' applauding throng
Turn'd all the fullness of her heart.
| The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | |