Abettors of massacre! dare ye deplore That the death-shriek is silenced on Hellas's shore? And that stretch'd on yon billows distain'd by their gore Prouder scene never hallow'd war's pomp to the mind, Not a sea-boy that fought in that cause, but mankind Nor grudge, by our side, that to conquer or fall That star of thy day-spring, regenerate Greek! LINES ON REVISITING A SCOTTISH RIVER. AND call they this Improvement ?—to have changed, And for the daisied green-sward, down thy stream Speak not to me of swarms the scene sustains; The hunger and the hope of life to feel, And Childhood's self as at Ixion's wheel, From morn till midnight task'd to earn its little meal. Is this Improvement ?-where the human breed To gorge a few with Trade's precarious prize, Nor call that evil slight; God has not given For Earth's green face, th' untainted air of Heaven, For not alone our frame imbibes a stain From fœtid skies; the spirit's healthy pride Fades in their gloom-And therefore I complain, That thou no more through pastoral scenes shouldst glide, My Wallace's own stream, and once romantic Clyde ! THE "NAME UNKNOWN;" IN IMITATION OF KLOPSTOCK. PROPHETIC pencil! wilt thou trace Or wilt thou write the "Name Unknown," Ordain'd to bless charmed soul, my And all my future fate control, Unrivall'd and alone? Delicious Idol of my thought! Though sylph or spirit hath not taught Yet musing on my distant fate, To charms unseen I consecrate Thy rosy blush, thy meaning eye, Thy virgin voice of melody, Are ever present to my heart; Thy murmur'd vows shall yet be mine, Then fly, my days, on rapid wing, While I, like conscious Athens, own And bless the "Name Unknown!" LINES ON THE CAMP HILL, NEAR HASTINGS. In the deep blue of eve, Ere the twinkling of stars had begun, Of the skies and the sweet setting sun, I climb'd to yon heights, Where the Norman encamp'd him of old, With his bowmen and knights, And his banner all burnish'd with gold. At the Conqueror's side There his minstrelsy sat harp in hand, In pavilion wide; And they chaunted the deeds of Roland. Still the ramparted ground With a vision my fancy inspires, And I hear the trump sound, As it marshall'd our Chivalry's sires. |