The poetical works of John Nicholson ... Carefully edited from the original editions, with additional notes and a sketch of his life and writings. By W. G. Hird |
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 | The poetical works of John Nicholson |  |
Then rose the bard, his harp aside was lain,
And gravely spoke in this prophetic strain:
“These towers shall fall, and bury deep in earth
The floors where once was seen the dance of mirth;
But there shall rise a mansion richer far,
When England rests secure from civil war,
Whose lords shall be respected by their kings;
And here shall other minstrels touch the strings.
Below shall patriotic troops appear,
Led by commanders to the monarch dear;
True British valour firmly shall unite
The throne to guard, and every Briton's right.
A finer dance, a richer sight shall be,
Than all thy ancient masks and revelry;
A better chase, when these the fox pursue,
And fleeter hounds than ever Redman knew
Shall cross the hills, and in the valleys sing,
Till woods and vales with cheerful echo ring.
But what are all the trifling things of earth,
The highest pleasures, or the greatest mirth,
The fairest scenes, where ev'ry beauty is,
And all that can compose terrestrial bliss,
The love of sport, the finest dance or song?
All quickly fade, and cannot please us long.
The short-lived pleasures which this earth affords,
To poorest paupers or the greatest lords,
Are all but shadows, or like passing showers,
Transient their sweetness as night-blowing flowers;
While Virtue is more lasting than the sun,
And pleasure yields when earthly joys are gone.”
And gravely spoke in this prophetic strain:
“These towers shall fall, and bury deep in earth
The floors where once was seen the dance of mirth;
But there shall rise a mansion richer far,
When England rests secure from civil war,
Whose lords shall be respected by their kings;
And here shall other minstrels touch the strings.
Below shall patriotic troops appear,
Led by commanders to the monarch dear;
True British valour firmly shall unite
The throne to guard, and every Briton's right.
A finer dance, a richer sight shall be,
Than all thy ancient masks and revelry;
A better chase, when these the fox pursue,
And fleeter hounds than ever Redman knew
Shall cross the hills, and in the valleys sing,
Till woods and vales with cheerful echo ring.
89
The highest pleasures, or the greatest mirth,
The fairest scenes, where ev'ry beauty is,
And all that can compose terrestrial bliss,
The love of sport, the finest dance or song?
All quickly fade, and cannot please us long.
The short-lived pleasures which this earth affords,
To poorest paupers or the greatest lords,
Are all but shadows, or like passing showers,
Transient their sweetness as night-blowing flowers;
While Virtue is more lasting than the sun,
And pleasure yields when earthly joys are gone.”
| The poetical works of John Nicholson | |