He, with the generous rustics, sate STROPHE. Arabia's scorching sands he cross'd," To Freedom's adamantine shrine; The' all-cheering hymns of Liberty to sing. Diffused through every baser mould, Ne'er paid that homage which the heart denies. ANTISTROPHE. Those sculptured halls my feet shall never tread, And forge vile shackles for the freeborn mind. And all the flowers of spurious Fancy blow; Full often wreathed around the miscreant's brow; 1 Alluding to the known story of William Tell and his associates, the fathers and founders of the confederacy of the Swiss Cantons. 2 The Arabs, rather than resign their independency, have often abandoned their habitations, and encountered all the horrors of the desert. 3 From the tyranny of Genghis-Khan, Timur-Bec, and other eastern conquerors, whole tribes of Tartars were used to fly into the remoter wastes of Cathay, where no army could follow them. 4 The noble stand made by Pascal Paoli and his associates against the usurpation of the French must endear them to all the sons of Liberty and Independence. Of ample front the portly chief appear'd: And his broad shoulders braved the furious blast. And deeply felt the' impression of her charms: He seized the' advantage Fate allow'd; And straight compress'd her in his vigorous arms. STROPHE. The curlew scream'd, the tritons blew Their shells to celebrate the ravish'd rite; Old Time exulted as he flew; And Independence saw the light. The light he saw in Albion's happy plains, The' auspicious fruit of stolen embrace was horn- The smiling infant to their charge consign'd; He flourish'd bold and sinewy as his sire; ANTISTROPHE. Accomplish'd thus, he wing'd his way, And warm with patriot thoughts the' aspiring soul. Those spires that gild the Adriatic wave, Where Tyranny beheld amazed Fair Freedom's Temple, where he mark'd her grave. He steel'd the blunt Batavian's arms To burst the' Iberian's double chain;2 And cities rear'd, and planted farms, Won from the skirts of Neptune's wide domain. 1 Although Venice was built a considerable time before the era here assigned for the birth of Independence, the republic had not yet attained to any great degree of power and splendour. 2 The Low Countries were not only oppressed by grievous taxations, but likewise threatened with the establishment of the Inquisition, when the Seven Provinces revolted, and shook off the yoke of Spain. He, with the generous rustics, sate STROPHE. Arabia's scorching sands he cross'd,2 To Freedom's adamantine shrine; The' all-cheering hymns of Liberty to sing. Diffused through every baser mould, Ne'er paid that homage which the heart denies. ANTISTROPHE. Those sculptured halls my feet shall never tread, Full often wreathed around the miscreant's brow; 1 Alluding to the known story of William Tell and his associates, the fathers and founders of the confederacy of the Swiss Cantons. 2 The Arabs, rather than resign their independency, have often abandoned their habitations, and encountered all the horrors of the desert. 3 From the tyranny of Genghis-Khan, Timur-Bec, and other eastern conquerors, whole tribes of Tartars were used to fly into the remoter wastes of Cathay, where no army could follow them. 4 The noble stand made by Pascal Paoli and his associates against the usurpation of the French must endear them to all the sons of Liberty and Independence. STROPHE. In Fortune's car behold that minion ride, And hireling minstrels wake the tinkling string; ANTISTROPHE. Nature I'll court in her sequester'd haunts By mountain, meadow, streamlet, grove, or cell, Where the poised lark his evening ditty chants, And Health, and Peace, and Contemplation dwell. There Study shall with Solitude recline; And Friendship pledge me to his fellow-swains; And Toil and Temperance sedately twine The slender cord that fluttering Life sustains: And fearless Poverty shall guard the door; And Taste, unspoil'd, the frugal table spread; And Industry supply the humble store; And Sleep, unbribed, his dews refreshing shed: White-mantled Innocence, ethereal sprite, Shall chase far off the goblins of the night; And Independence o'er the day preside, Propitious power! my patron and my pride. TO MIRTH. PARENT of joy! heart-easing Mirth! So shall each hill, in purer green array'd, And, flower-adorn'd, in new-born beauty glow; And aged Poverty can smile with thee; And on the world doth pour His glories in a golden shower! Lo! Darkness trembling 'fore the hostile ray, Shrinks to the cavern deep and wood forlorn: The brood obscene, that own her gloomy sway Troop in her rear, and fly the' approach of morn. Pale shivering ghosts, that dread the' all-cheering light, Quick as the lightning's flash glide to sepulchral night. But whence the gladdening beam That pours his purple stream O'er the long prospect wide? "Tis Mirth. I see her sit In majesty of light, With Laughter at her side. Bright-eyed Fancy hovering near Nor fear ye aught in evil hour, Save the tardy hand of Age. Now Mirth hath heard the suppliant Poet's prayer; TO SLEEP. SOFT Sleep, profoundly pleasing power, Sweet patron of the peaceful hour, O, listen from thy calm abode, |