And from their prisonhouse below arise, With all these hideous howlings to the skies, For such a cause, to feel the slightest fear. - But ah! those dreadful yells what soul can hear, Him answer'd then his loving mate and true, Or should the brambles, interpos'd, our fall f In part abate, that happiness were small; And rush those other sounds, that seem by tongues By panting dog, tir'd man, and spatter'd horse, Much wonder'd, that the silly sheep had found So sweet to huntsman, gentleman, and hound. MORAL. Beware of desp'rate steps. The darkest day, BOADICEA. AN ODE. I. WHEN the British warrior queen, Sought, with an indignant mien, II. Sage beneath the spreading oak Full of rage, and full of grief. Princess! if our aged eyes Weep upon thy matchless wrongs, "Tis because resentment ties All the terrours of our tongues. IV. Rome shall perish-write that word V. Rome, for empire far renown'd, Tramples on a thousand states; Soon her pride shall kiss the groundHark! the Gaul is at her gates! VI. Other Romans shall arise, Heedless of a soldier's name; Sounds, not arms, shall win the prize, Harmony the path to fame. VII. Then the progeny that springs From the forests of our land, Arm'd with thunder, clad with wings, Shall a wider world command. VIII. Regions Cæsar never knew Thy posterity shall sway; Where his eagles never flew, None invincible as they. IX. Such the bard's prophetic words, Bending as he swept the chords X. She, with all a monarch's pride, Felt them in her bosom glow: Rush'd to battle, fought, and died; Dying hurl'd them at the foe. XI. Ruffians, pitiless as proud, Heav'n awards the vengeance due; Empire is on us bestow'd, Shame and ruin wait for you, |