[A Volunteer Song A Collection of Pieces in Verse Numbered I.-XI. By Francis Wrangham] |
 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
 | X. | No X.
EPIGRAMS. |
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| XI. |
 | [A Volunteer Song |  |
No X. EPIGRAMS.
1.
[THERE are who, corkless, may defy]
THERE are who, corkless, may defy
Old Ocean's wildest roar:
The scoundrel, doom'd by hemp to die,
From shipwreck floats ashore.
Old Ocean's wildest roar:
The scoundrel, doom'd by hemp to die,
From shipwreck floats ashore.
So Boney (to his fate in pawn)
May safe reach Britain's strand,
By destiny's strong cable drawn;
But 'tis—to die on land.
May safe reach Britain's strand,
By destiny's strong cable drawn;
But 'tis—to die on land.
2.
[All sciences a fasting Monsieur knows]
Græculus esuriens in cœlum jusseris, ibit.
Juv, Sat. III. 78.
Juv, Sat. III. 78.
All sciences a fasting Monsieur knows;
And, bid him go to hell, to hell he goes.
Johnson's London.
And, bid him go to hell, to hell he goes.
Johnson's London.
Thus Johnson, liberal translator,
Express'd the Roman poet's satire.
Time has a closer version given:—
Invading us, the Gaul scales heaven;
And, should his soul to heaven e'er stray,
By England is its shortest way.
Namque hac aut alia nisi quemque adjuveris arte,
Crede mihi, cœli vix bene scandet iter.
Milt. Epigr. II.
Crede mihi, cœli vix bene scandet iter.
Milt. Epigr. II.
3.
[WITH coward brag the Consul boasts]
WITH coward brag the Consul boasts,
His dext'rous troops can “strike unseen:”
Yes; “strike” they may, ere reach our coasts—
For England's navy rides between.
His dext'rous troops can “strike unseen:”
Yes; “strike” they may, ere reach our coasts—
For England's navy rides between.
But should they, veil'd in moonless night,
Creep darkling from their dens and docks;
Then are they sure, ere morning light,
To “strike unseen”—upon our rocks.
Creep darkling from their dens and docks;
Then are they sure, ere morning light,
To “strike unseen”—upon our rocks.
| [A Volunteer Song | |