To give you shelter. Haste then, back return, Slowly vanescent, o'er the book of life 421 Cast a dim shadow; gladden'd at the sight 425 And sped it, fated, to the Hero's breast. A life of virtue, and he met his fate, 430 As a true patriot, on honour's bed: 432. A Hampden liv'd, &c.-Dr. Warren (whom lord Shelburne calls " a very great man," Almon, v. 273.) fell at the battle of Bunker's hill, just after the provincials began their retreat from the breastwork. "To the purest patriotism and most undaunted bravery, he added the virtues of domestick life, the eloquence of an accomplished orator, and the wisdom of an able statesman. Within four days after he was appointed a major-general, he fell a noble sacrifice to a cause which he had espoused from the purest principles. Like Hampden he lived, and like Hampden he died, universally beloved, and universally regretted." Ramsay, i. 205. 435 To his great soul; "Surely our ministers 437. with dastard cowardice. Compare above, ver. 379; and book iv. ver. 345. The infatuation of the ministry upon this subject surpassed'all bounds. Lord Sandwich observes; "Suppose the colonies do abound with men, what does that signify? they are raw, undisciplined, cowardly men. I wish instead of 40 or 50,000 of these brave fellows, they would produce in the field, at least 200,000, the more, the better, the easier would be the conquest;-Believe me, my lords, the very sound of a cannon would carry them off as fast as their feet would carry them. This is too trifling a part of the argument, to detain your lordships any longer." Almon, ii. 89-90. Col. Barrè's answer to this vaporous effusion is excellent; "As to cowards, they were certainly the greatest to his knowledge; for the 47th regiment of foot, which behaved so gallantly at Bunker's hill, (an engagement that smacked more of defeat than victory,)-the very corps that broke the whole French column, and threw them into such disorder, at the siege of Quebeck, was three parts composed of these cowards." Almon, iii, 40. See also the duke of Richmond's speech. v. 14; and lord North's, (an. 1778.) viii. 383. "To a mind," said gov. Johnstone, "who loves to contemplate the glorious spirit of Freedom, no spectacle can be more affecting than the action at Bunker's hill. To see an irregular peasantry commanded by a physician; inferior in number; opposed by every circumstance of cannon and bombs, that could terrify timid minds, calmly waiting the attack of the gallant Howe, leading on the best troops in the world, with an excellent train of artillery, and twice repulsing those very troops, who had often chased the chosen battalions of France, and at last retiring for want of ammunition, but in so respectable a manner, that they were not even pursued; who can reflect upon such scenes, and not adore the constitution of government which could breed such men? Who will not pause and examine before he destroys institutions that have reared such elevated spirits? Who is there that can dismiss all doubts on the justice of a cause, which can inspire such conscious rectitude?" &c. Almon, iii. 25. Instant relieve the chief, or all is lost." Nor disobey'd his voice, but instant rush'd Impetuous to the field, to aid his friends. 445 And now, with difficulty, scarce, at length, The many, fresh, and disciplin'd repell'd The raw, undisciplin'd, exhausted, few, From their proud post; but such was Heaven's will, For 't is by labour only, and much toil 450 That Nature grants her richest gifts to man. Nor could the vanquish'd victors boast their deeds, Those deeds by which their number'd dead sur pass'd Their foe's thrice told; and countless miseries, In their worst form, were pour'd upon mankind. 455 END OF THE FIFTH BOOK. |