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Poetics

Or, a series of poems, and disquisitions on poetry. By George Dyer
Dyer, George (1755-1841)

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VOL. I.
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ODES.
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BOOK THE FIRST.
 I. 
ODE I. VISIONS.
 III. 
ODE III. ON REVISITING THE SCENES OF EARLIER LIFE.
 IV. 
ODE IV. ON THE APPROACH OF SPRING.
 V. 
ODE V. INDEPENDENCE.
 VI. 
ODE VI. TO JOHN HAMMOND, A. M. OF FENSTANTON, HUNTINGDONSHIRE.
 VII. 
ODE VII. THE RECONCILIATION.
 VIII. 
ODE VIII. INVOCATION TO MAY.
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BOOK THE SECOND.
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ODE I. THE RACE OF HEROES.
 I. 
I.
 II. 
II.
 III. 
III.
 II. 
ODE II. PEACE AND FREEDOM.
 III. 
ODE III. TO MRS. OPIE, WHEN MISS ALDERSON,
 IV. 
ODE IV. TO AN INFANT,
 VI. 
ODE VI. ON CONTEMPLATING THE WEALTH AND AGGRANDIZEMENT FLOWING FROM CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS IN INDIA.
 X. 
ODE X. ON THE EVENING.
 XI. 
ODE XI. CUPID'S ADDRESS;
 XII. 
ODE XII. ON SEEING A LADY'S PORTRAIT.
 XIII. 
ODE XIII. LOVE OF PLEASURE.
 XIV. 
ODE XIV. THE MUSIC OF THE GROVES.
 XV. 
ODE XV. GAIA, OR MY OWN HONEST LANDLADY IN A COUNTRY VILLAGE.
 XVI. 
ODE XVI. THE PHILOSOPHY OF EVIL.
 XVII. 
ODE XVII. ADDRESS TO THE CAM.
 XVIII. 
ODE XVIII. TO A LADY, WHO HAD RALLIED THE AUTHOR IN THE MONTHLY MAGAZINE, FOR HIS REJECTION OF TITLES.
 XXI. 
ODE XXI. TO NARCISSA.
 XXII. 
ODE XXII. TO MELANCHOLY.
 XXIII. 
ODE XXIII. MEDITATED IN THE CLOISTERS OF CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.
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BOOK THE THIRD.
 II. 
ODE II. ON THE CLOSE OF AUTUMN, AFTER AN EXCURSION THROUGH HERTFORDSHIRE AND ESSEX.
 III. 
ODE III. THE RANSOM.
 IV. 
ODE IV. ON SCIENCE.
 VI. 
ODE VI. TO AN ENTHUSIAST.
 VIII. 
ODE VIII. ON PEACE.
 IX. 
ODE IX. ON CONSIDERING THE UNSETTLED STATE OF EUROPE, AND THE OPPOSITION WHICH HAD BEEN MADE TO ATTEMPTS FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE SLAVE-TRADE.
 XII. 
ODE XII. WRITTEN ON THE DEATH OF JOHN HOWARD, AT HIS VILLA AT CARDINGTON, IN BEDFORDSHIRE.
 XIII. 
ODE XIII. TO THE NIGHTINGALE.
 XV. 
ODE XV. TO A MINIATURE PAINTER,
 XXI. 
ODE XXI. AN EPITAPH FOR A HUMAN BEING.
 XXII. 
ODE XXII. TO A HUMBLE FRIEND.
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BOOK THE FOURTH.
 II. 
ODE II. AN ENGLISH SAPPHIC, IN PRAISE OF SNUFF AND TOBACCO.
 III. 
ODE III. TO MUSIC.
 IV. 
ODE IV. ON WINE.
 V. 
ODE V. AFTER VISITING DRYBURGH ABBEY, IN BERWICKSHIRE.
 VI. 
ODE VI. THE CHARM OF MUSIC.
 VII. 
ODE VII. HYMN TO CHARITY.
 VIII. 
ODE VIII. THE SAILOR.
 IX. 
ODE IX. THE TRIUMPH OF POETRY.
 X. 
ODE X. A SONG.
 XI. 
ODE XI. ON THE DEATH OF FRIENDS, AND THE HAVOC OF WAR.
 XII. 
ODE XII. HYMN TO HEALTH.
 XIII. 
ODE XIII.
 XIV. 
ODE XIV.

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ODE V. INDEPENDENCE.

Written on some public occasion.

Mark the sun that climbs on high,
Scattering round a golden ray!
It shines amidst the desert sky,
Unrivall'd ruler of the day.
So where Independence reigns,
Wide it spreads a living light,
And soon majestic heights it gains;
While slavery slinks away from sight.
What tho' sinks awhile the sun?
Long it gilds the western skies;
And soon again its course will run;
Again, with double splendor, rise.
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Thus, a light in feeble times,
Independence here shall reign;
Or, soon, if circling distant climes,
With new-born glory rise again.
What tho' Isr'el's tribes so long
Bow'd the knee at Baal's shrine?
A thousand thousand hearts were strong,
Nor durst from honour's course decline:
Well they knew the patriot's part,
Look'd with scorn on idol powers;
Their country's love inspir'd each heart;
And that sweet love shall glow in ours.
What, tho' Grecians now no more
Shine a nation brave and free?
Yet some, while they the loss deplore,
Still love the song, of liberty.
They who have but heard of day,
Freedom's day, revolt at night;
And we—shall Britons basely stray
In darkness, born in glorious light?
Did Columbia strive in vain?
Long in vain oppose our will?
No—great the fight, nor small the gain,
And Britons love Columbia still.
She for Independence bled,
Glorious death, and glorious prize!
Muse, patriots, muse on heroes dead,
And bid a proud ambition rise.
32

Once to Rome did Albion bow?
Still some gallant souls retire,
And high from Cambria's mountain-brow,
In lofty scorn they struck the lyre:
Independence was their theme;
Freedom, purest, noblest cause!
And never may we lightly deem,
Of freedom's claims, of honour's laws!
No—by Alfred's generous name,
No—by Edward's warriors brave;
By lofty Hampden's love of fame,
And noble Sidney's sacred grave;
By those heroes' pains and wrongs,
Who have struggled, fought, and died;
Shall Independence rule our songs;
Shall only freedom be our guide.
Is there who his rights betrays?
Whom not Independence charms?
For him may poet wreathe no lays,
Nor beauty hail him to her arms!
Gold, and state, and splendid name,
Meanly take, nor envy we;
No—yours be pow'r, and pomp, and shame,
And ours all-glorious liberty!
Whilst we view yon lamp of fire,
Whilst we feel its genial ray,
May freedom British hearts inspire,
May honour rule with sovereign sway!
33

Independence, reign supreme,
By thy more than charter'd plan!
And never may we Briton deem,
Who spurns the noblest right of man!
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