No. XXVIII. May 21. We have received the following Letter with the Poem that accompanies it, from a Gentleman whose political opinions have hitherto differed from our own ; but who appears to feel, as every man who loves his country must, that there can be but one sentiment entertained by Englishmen at the present moment. Were we at liberty, we should be happy to do justice to the Author, and credit to ourselves, by mentioning his name. TO THE EDITOR OF THE ANTI-JACOBIN. SIR, However men may have differed on the political or constitutional questions which have of late been brought into discussion-whatever opinions they may have held on the system or conduct of administration -there can surely be now but one sentiment as to the instant necessity of firm and strenuous union for the preservation of our very existence as a people; and if degrees of obligation could be admitted, where the utmost is required from all, it should seem, that in this cause the Opposers of Administration stand doubly pledged: for with what face of consistency can men pretend to stickle for points of Constitutional Liberty at home, who will not be found amongst the foremost at their posts, to defend their Country from the yoke of Foreign Slavery? That there should be any set of men so infatuated, as not to be convinced that the object of the Enemy must be the utter destruction of these countries, after making the largest allowance for the effects of prejudice and passion, it is not easy to conceive. Such however, we are told there are. They believe then, that after a long series of outrage, insult, and injury, in the height of their animosity and presumption, these moderate, mild, disinterested Conquerors will invade us in arms, out of pure love and kindness, merely for our good, only to make us wiser, and better, and happier, and more prosperous than before! Future events lie hid in the volume of Fate, but the intentions of men may be known by almost infallible indications. Passion and interest, the two mighty motives of human action, determine the Government of France to attempt the abolition of the British Empire ! and if, abandoned by God and our right arm, we should flinch in the conflict, that destruction will be operative to the full of their gigantic and monstrous imaginations!-Harbours filled up with the ruins of their towns and arsenals-the Thames rendered a vast morass, by burying the Imperial City in her bosom-but I will not proceed in this horrible picture Are we then, it may be asked, to wage eternal war? -No; a glorious resistance leads to an honourable peace. The French people have been long weary of the war; their spirit has been forced by a system which must end in the failure of the engagement to give them the plunder of this Country. They will awake from their dream, and raise a cry for peace, which their government will not dare to resist. The monarchs of Europe must now begin clearly to perceive, that their fate hangs on the destiny of England; they will unite to compel a satisfactory peace on a broad foundation; and Peace, when War has been tried to the utmost, will probably be permanent. A few years of wise economy and redoubled industry, will place us again on the rising scale; and if the pressure of the times may have rendered it necessary sometimes to have cast a temporary veil over the Statue of Liberty, she may again safely be shewn in an unimpaired lustre. Of the following Verses I have nothing to say: if. it should be decided that the greatness of the object cannot bear out the mediocrity of the execution, I will not appeal from the decision. ODE TO MY COUNTRY. MDCCXCVIII. S. 1. BRITONS! hands and hearts prepare ; Lightnings thwart the livid sky; Throned upon the winged storm, A. 1. "Drive, my Sons, the storm amain! "Lo, the hated envied Land, "Where PIETY and ORDER reign, "And Freedom dares maintain her stand! "Have ye not sworn, by night and hell, "These from the earth for ever to expel? "Rush on, resistless, to your destined prey, “Death and Rapine point the way." E. 1. Britons! stand firm! with stout and dauntless heart Meet unappall❜d the threatening boaster's rage; Yours is the great, the unconquerable part For your loved hearths and altars to engage, And sacred LIBERTY, more dear than lifeYours be the triumph in the glorious strife. Shall Theft and Murder braver deeds excite Than honest scorn of shame and heavenly love of right? S. 2. Turn the bright historic page! Still in Glory's tented field Albion's arms for many an age Have taught proud Gallia's Bands to yield. Are not WE the Sons of those Whose steel-clad Sires pursued the insulting foes A. 2. Kings in modest triumph led, Graced the SABLE VICTOR's arms;t His conquering lance, the battle's dread His courtesy the conquer'd charms. The lion-heart soft pity knows, To raise with soothing cares his prostrate foes; *Henry VI. crowned at Paris. |