Tremble and be amaz'd at thine escape, 160 165 Did not his eye rule all things, and intend The least of our concerns; (since from the least The greatest oft originate ;) could chance 170 175 Denies the power that wields it. God proclaims 180 And putrefy the breath of blooming Health. 185 Blows mildew from between his shrivell'd lips, And taints the golden ear. He springs his mines, Forth steps the spruce Philosopher, and tells Of homogeneal and discordant springs, 190 And principles; of causes how they work And bids the world take heart and banish fear. 195 Thou fool will thy discov'ry of the cause 200 Still wrought by means since first he made the world? Go, dress thine eyes with eye-salve; ask of Him, And learn, though late, the genuine cause of all. 205 210 215 My country! and, while yet a nook is left, 220 How in the name of soldiership and sense, 225 Should England prosper, when such things, as smooth And tender as a girl, all essenc'd o'er With odours, and as profligate as sweet; Who sell their laurel for a myrtle wreath, And love when they should fight when such as these Presume to lay their hand upon the ark 231 Of her magnificent and awful cause? Time was when it was praise and boast enough In every clime, and travel where we might, That Chatham's language was his mother-tongue, 240 And Chatham heart-sick of his country's shame! They made us many soldiers. Chatham, still 245 Consulting England's happiness at home, Secur'd it by an unforgiving frown, If any wrong'd her. Wolfe, where'er he fought, Put so much of his heart into his act, That his example had a magnet's force, 250 And all were swift to follow whom all lov'd. Those suns are set. O rise some other such? Or all that we have left is empty talk Of old achievements and despair of new. Now hoist the sail, and let the streamers float 255 Upon the wanton breezes. Strew the deck With lavender, and sprinkle liquid sweets, That no rude savour maritime invade The nose of nice nobility! Breathe soft, Ye clarionets; and softer still, ye flutes; 260 That winds and waters, lull'd by magick sounds, May bear us smoothly to the Gallic shore. True, we have lost an empire-let it pass. 265 270 And sham'd as we have been, to th' very beard 275 Brav d and defied, and in our own sea prov'd To those that need it. Folly is soon learn'd: To which the mind resorts, in chase of terms, The mirror of the mind, and hold them fast, 285 290 That each may find its most propitious light, 295 And shine by situation, hardly less Than by the labour and the skill it cost; Are occupations of the poet's mind So pleasing, and that steal away the thought, With such address from themes of sad import, 300 He feels the anxieties of life denied Their wonted entertainment; all retire. Such joys has he that sings. But ah! not such, 305 Fastidious, or else listless, or perhaps 4 Their least amusement where he found the most 310 I would not trifle merely, though the world The freaks of fashion, regulate the dress, But where are its sublimer trophies found? 315 What vice has it subdued? whose heart reclaim'd 320 By rigour, or whom laugh'd into reform? Alas! Leviathan is not so tam'd: Laugh'd at, he laughs again; and stricken hard, That fear no discipline of human hands. The pulpit, therefore-(and I name it fill'd With solemn awe, that bids me well beware With what intent I touch that holy thing)-The pulpit (when the sat'rist has at last, Strutting and vap'ring in an empty school, Spent all his force, and made no proselyte)— I say the pulpit (in the sober use Of its legitimate peculiar pow'rs) 325 330 Must stand acknowledg'd, while the world shall stand, The most important and effectual guard, Support, and ornament, of Virtue's cause. There stands the messenger of truth; there stands 335 The legate of the skies!-- His theme divine, His office sacred, his credentials clear. By him the violated law speaks out : Its thunders and by him, in strains as sweet 340 345 |