Valentine Verses or, Lines of Truth, Love, and Virtue. By the Reverend Richard Cobbold |
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WELLINGTON AND BONAPARTE. |
 | Valentine Verses |  |
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WELLINGTON AND BONAPARTE.
Ye Youths of Britain mark the contrast here,
Betwixt two Heroes,—mark their strange career:
See one exalted in his country's eye,
The other humbled for his treachery.
Think ye no Pow'r superior to all,
Commanded this to rise, and that to fall?
Think ye the Hero, who so highly stands,
Admir'd in this, and fear'd in other lands,
Could ever to such pitch of honor rise,
Unless protected from his enemies?
Who gave that eye, the rapid glance to see,
Where best was shewn, the chance of victory?
Who gave that firmness in the battle's hour?
Who made that Spirit mighty with his Power?
Who rais'd thee up for purposes unknown,
And gave thee talents, which have now been shown?
O Wellington! though mighty be thy fame,
I know, thou know'st, a mightier Victor's name!
I do not flatter, 'tis enough for me,
To say I like thee for fidelity!
And ev'ry man (though war oppress my heart,)
Has my esteem, who acts a faithful part.
But who am I! Proud boaster, of what clan?
A humble Christian, and an Englishman;
Nor would I ever for the widest range,
Condition upon earth with any change;
Be sure of this, thou hast the honest truth,
From hand and heart of independent youth.
Betwixt two Heroes,—mark their strange career:
See one exalted in his country's eye,
The other humbled for his treachery.
Think ye no Pow'r superior to all,
Commanded this to rise, and that to fall?
Think ye the Hero, who so highly stands,
Admir'd in this, and fear'd in other lands,
Could ever to such pitch of honor rise,
Unless protected from his enemies?
Who gave that eye, the rapid glance to see,
Where best was shewn, the chance of victory?
Who gave that firmness in the battle's hour?
Who made that Spirit mighty with his Power?
Who rais'd thee up for purposes unknown,
And gave thee talents, which have now been shown?
O Wellington! though mighty be thy fame,
I know, thou know'st, a mightier Victor's name!
I do not flatter, 'tis enough for me,
To say I like thee for fidelity!
128
Has my esteem, who acts a faithful part.
But who am I! Proud boaster, of what clan?
A humble Christian, and an Englishman;
Nor would I ever for the widest range,
Condition upon earth with any change;
Be sure of this, thou hast the honest truth,
From hand and heart of independent youth.
Observe the contrast, youths of any clime,
See Bonaparte humbled in his prime;
With talents keen, a hero in his day,
Without fidelity. Ah! who shall stay,
On lofty pinnacle of this world's fame,
Unless consistency support his name?
Who, who shall dare, to think himself so grand
He's fit to conquer, and the world command?
To mortal man, such strength was never given;
'Tis His alone, who governs Earth and Heaven.
All, all who rule, must own His mighty sway,
And ruling best, His precepts will obey:
Napoleon fell; his advocates will own,
His God was Pride, Ambition was his throne!
How both were humbled, St. Helena shows;
So fall the faithless, to the faithful foes!
Youths, ye have seen how Virtue can abide;
Be sure of this, so falls the dæmon Pride.
See Bonaparte humbled in his prime;
With talents keen, a hero in his day,
Without fidelity. Ah! who shall stay,
On lofty pinnacle of this world's fame,
Unless consistency support his name?
Who, who shall dare, to think himself so grand
He's fit to conquer, and the world command?
To mortal man, such strength was never given;
'Tis His alone, who governs Earth and Heaven.
All, all who rule, must own His mighty sway,
And ruling best, His precepts will obey:
Napoleon fell; his advocates will own,
His God was Pride, Ambition was his throne!
How both were humbled, St. Helena shows;
So fall the faithless, to the faithful foes!
Youths, ye have seen how Virtue can abide;
Be sure of this, so falls the dæmon Pride.
| Valentine Verses | |