But the storm was beginning to lower, Adversity clouded his beam, And honour and faith were the brag of an hour, And loyalty's self but a dream : To him thou hadst banished thy vows were restored,— And the first that had scoffed, were the first that adored! What tumult thus burthens the air? What throng that encircles his throne? 'Tis the shout of delight, 'tis the millions that swear His sceptre shall rule them alone! Reverses shall brighten their zeal, Misfortune shall hallow his name, And the world that pursues him shall mournfully feel, That Frenchmen will breathe, when their hearts are on fire, Their hero has rushed to the field; His laurels are covered with shade But where is the spirit that never should yield, The loyalty never to fade? In a moment, desertion and guile Abandoned him up to the foe; The dastards that flourished and grew at his smile, And the millions that swore they would perish to save, Beheld him a fugitive, captive, and slave! Is nobler and better than thou; Thou standest a wonder, a marvel to men,- At once from thy arms would I sever; And thinking of thee, in my long after-years, Oh, shame to thee, land of the Gaul! Oh, shame to thy children and thee! A mockery that never shall die; Shall burthen the winds of thy sky; And, proud o'er thy ruin, for ever be hurled Byron. UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE. Man like a flower at morn appears, It soon takes wings and flies away. Oft things which promise passing fair, Must still our fallen race pursue; See pleasure with bewitching charms, A better hope the Christian cheers, Firm on a rock his hope he builds, He looks to heaven, where every joy Though heaven and earth should both decay. Though worldly pleasures here should fail, And sorrows for a while prevail; For those whom Christ the Lord has blest. And shall the world's deceitful smile, Anon. END OF VOLUME FIRST. The enjoyment of poetry demands no laborious intellectual intensity. It is upon the hours of our pleasure she descends,-it is our recreation she exalts. Thus, she makes our relaxations become the most dignified moments of our existence.' Rev. C. Wolfe. IN THREE VOLUMES. VOL. II. EDINBURGH: PUBLISHED BY GEORGE A. DOUGLAS, AND SOLD BY CHARLES TILT, LONDON; AND W. CURRY JUN. AND COMPANY, DUBLIN. MDCCCXXVIII. |