 | Song for the Amicable Fraternity of Felpham |  |
Song For the Amicable Fraternity of Felpham
1817
With the pleasures, that Providence loves to bestow,
There wisely is blended some portion of wo;
For bounty would injure, if always profuse:
Sweet (as Shakespeare has said) is adversity's use.
There wisely is blended some portion of wo;
For bounty would injure, if always profuse:
Sweet (as Shakespeare has said) is adversity's use.
That adversity, mortals would eagerly shun,
Is a vapour, that softens too scorching a sun:
And distress, so much dreaded, is ill understood,
Since it frequently turns to a permanent good.
Is a vapour, that softens too scorching a sun:
And distress, so much dreaded, is ill understood,
Since it frequently turns to a permanent good.
'Tis a foil, that of virtue irradiates the gem;
'Tis a source of exertion; of talents a stem;
'Tis a flood, that impregnates the soil, it o'erflows;
'Tis a briar that bears the Jerusalem rose.
'Tis a source of exertion; of talents a stem;
'Tis a flood, that impregnates the soil, it o'erflows;
'Tis a briar that bears the Jerusalem rose.
Ye daughters of Britain! this island for you
Was formed, as a paradise, sweet to the view;
And your charms, when displayed in their own native worth,
Are darlings of nature, the pride of the earth!
Was formed, as a paradise, sweet to the view;
And your charms, when displayed in their own native worth,
Are darlings of nature, the pride of the earth!
While our graces domestic with honor declare,
Love and modesty shine in the true British fair;
While to catch foreign follies ye wish not to roam,
Duties, made your delight, will endear your blest home.
Love and modesty shine in the true British fair;
While to catch foreign follies ye wish not to roam,
Duties, made your delight, will endear your blest home.
Whatever afflictions may flow o'er this land,
They flow, but to bid her quick virtues expand;
And to prove to the world, while her fame she maintains,
As the Lord of her bosom, beneficence reigns.
They flow, but to bid her quick virtues expand;
And to prove to the world, while her fame she maintains,
As the Lord of her bosom, beneficence reigns.
So she speaks to her sons, with that powerful voice,
In which she has taught their warm hearts to rejoice,
When she says with a force, that no perils can smother,
“'Tis the glory of Britons to succour each other.”
In which she has taught their warm hearts to rejoice,
When she says with a force, that no perils can smother,
“'Tis the glory of Britons to succour each other.”
With the love of the soul may thy dignified race,
Brave Britain! their parent for ever embrace;
In their age may they bless thee, as blest by their youth,
Thou dear land of delight! thou fair temple of truth!
Brave Britain! their parent for ever embrace;
In their age may they bless thee, as blest by their youth,
Thou dear land of delight! thou fair temple of truth!
| Song for the Amicable Fraternity of Felpham | |