Poems, chiefly pastoral By John Cunningham. The second edition. With the Addition of several pastorals and other pieces |
 |
|
|
|
STANZAS
|
|
|
 | Poems, chiefly pastoral |  |
157
STANZAS
Spoken at a Play at the Theatre in Sunderland, for the Benefit of the Corsicans.
I
Who can behold with an unpitying eyeThe glorious few (with patriotic fire)
Distrest—invaded—and resolv'd to die,
Or keep their independant rights entire?
Shackled themselves, the servile Gauls would bind,
In their ignoble fetters, half mankind.
II
The gentle homage that, to-night, you've paidTo Freedom, and her ever sacred laws,
The humble off'ring at her altar made,
Prove that your hearts beat nobly in her cause.
All-gracious Freedom, O vouchsafe to smile,
Thro' future ages, on this favourite isle!
158
III
Far may the boughs of Liberty expand,For ever cultur'd by the Brave and Free!
For ever blasted be that impious hand,
That lops one branch from this illustrious tree!
Britons!—'tis yours to make her verdure thrive,
And keep the roots of Liberty alive.
IV
O, may her rich, her ripening fruits of gold,Britannia! bloom perpetually for thee!
May you ne'er want a Dragon, as we're told
Defended, once, the fam'd Hesperian tree!
A Dragon fix'd, for your imperial sake,
With anxious eyes, eternally awake.
| Poems, chiefly pastoral | |