III.
1.
Lo quickly speeds the word divine;
Zeal to adventure led;
Wisdom held out a cheering light to shine,
And wide the vivid glory spread.
Ye northern climes, unknown to fame,
Whence else have sprung your souls of noble name?
Ye hills, whence living waters pour,
From east to west their mingled store,
Whence else your bards, and many a sage
Gods amongst men, and masters of the age;
Hence Anacharsis, and each Eastern sire,
And Cadmus' lore, and Orpheus' heavenly lyre.
2.
And thou, oh! Britain, isle so blest,
Whom valour gives the glory of a name,
Have generous fires ne'er warm'd thy breast,
Or were your fires but wild ambition's flame?
No—Britain heroes boasts, and still her pride,
Alfreds who rul'd, and Nelsons who have died.
See Bacon, nature's laws unfold!
From world to world see Newton soar!
In mercy's cause see Howard hold
His patient course from shore to shore!
Enough—lo! fancy now
Conducts the muse along,
The azure robe and golden lyre well show
The queen of song:
And did she vainly lift the heroic lays?
Rich were her songs, and breath of praise;
And dear is still her sweetly-warbled lyre,
As wing'd with zeal divine, she breathes the ennobling fire.
3.
“Know, Genius is a light,
“Guiding millions on their way;
“A friendly moon, which gilds the deep of night,
“A sun, which rules the day;
“And science, flowing thro' the vast of time,
“A stream which cheers each clime.
“Hence well-directed plans and counsels sage,
“Which guide, exalt, and harmonize an age.
“Hence art, and taste, and wealth, and power,
“The charm and bliss of life inhale,
“The bees, which rifling every flower,
“On their treasur'd sweets regale.
“I come! this wreath (the task to me assign'd)
“Pensive on sacred brows to bind—
“For more is still to worth and genius due;
“And lo! the task of love I leave to you:
“Poor are the muse's lays,
“But oh! be yours the heroes' praise:
“While thro' the skies their merits I resound;
“Yours be the nobler task to raise them from the ground.”
