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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| IV. | ODE IV. ON ELOQUENCE. |
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 | The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop |  |
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ODE IV. ON ELOQUENCE.
1
Auspicious influence marks th' important hour,When conscious sympathy owns th' august controul,
Which, strong to triumph in Persuasion's power,
Alarms, arrests, impels, commands the soul.
Accordant Passions recognise it's sway;
Convinced, applaud it; or subdued, obey;
The vocal Magic quells them, as they rise;
It calls, and Reason hears; it blames, and Folly dies.
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2
'Twas thus of old the Man of Athens spoke,When valour languish'd at the crush it fear'd;
While Philip form'd for Greece th' opprobrious yoke;
Now lull'd, now brav'd, the Spirit once rever'd:
“Awake,” he cry'd, “repel the Intruder's blow!
“Distrust the subtle, meet the daring Foe!
“'Tis sloth, not Philip, that disarms your rage;
“Success will crown the war, which Honour's champions wage.”
3
Silent, awhile, the crowd attend,Thro' gradual energies ascend,
From Shame to Hope, Revenge, Disdain:
They blush, reflect, resolve, unite;
Defy the attack; demand the fight;
And spurn th' insulting Traitor's chain:
Their throbbing breasts exalted impulse show;
And all their Sires in all their bosoms glow!
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1
Yet not to rouse alone th' emasculate mind,Or nerve the warrior's arm, does Speech display
Resistless rule:—all-various, unconfin'd,
It brings the soft sensations into day;
It gives the meliorated heart to feel
New joy from pity, and from joy new zeal;
Smooths the stern Front, which hard Resentments strain,
And bends tumultuous Will to Candour's mild domain.
2
Such was the bland effect, when Cæsar's earTo Tully's plea devout attention gave;
And check'd, in Indignation's mid career,
The World's Proprietor stood th' Orator's slave:
“I show thee, Cæsar,” said the Sage, “I show
“A Prize, no Conquest ever could bestow:
“Thyself must give it to thyself alone,—
“'Tis Mercy's hallow'd Palm!—O make it all thine own!”
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3
The mighty Master of mankind,Lur'd by the potent spell, resign'd
Each purpose of severer thought;
Forgot the wrongs, the toils he bore;
Indulged vindictive Wrath, no more;
And was, whatever Tully taught:
When Tully urg'd the convict Suppliant's prayer,
'Twas Pride to assent; 'twas Luxury to spare!
1
Britain! for thee, each emulous Muse has wroughtSome votive Wreath, some Trophy of Renown;
Some Meed of Excellence, Sons of thine have caught,
Where'er Exertion strove for Merit's Crown:
Where then more aptly can the Power divine
Of Classic Speech with genuine vigour shine,
Than where the Virtues live, whose genial fire
Could Rights like thine assert, and Laws like thine inspire?
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2
Methinks I see a land of Patriots riseSublime in native Eloquence! around
Th' astonish'd Nations fix their eager eyes;
And wonder, while they tremble at the sound.
They learn what labours fill the Hero's life,
What stedfast dignity, what generous strife!
What efforts best adorn him, and improve,
Justice, and bold Emprize, Benignity, and Love!
3
Rival of Deeds in annals old,By Greek and Roman Genius told,
O justify another claim!
With all their splendid Praise in view,
Preserve their manly Eloquence too,
To grace thy more illustrious Name!
The long records of British Glory swell
With Worth, which only British Tongues can tell!
| The Poetical Works of The Rev. Samuel Bishop | |