Ev'n now, to Fancy's retrospective eyes, Fix'd on the triumphs of his Patriot-Reign; Majestic seems the Hero's shade to rise, With Commerce, Wealth, and Empire, in his train.
Undimm'd his[43] Eagle-eye, serene his air, Of Soul heroic, as in Fields of Death; See! Britain's Weal employs his latest care, Her Liberty and Laws his latest breath.
"Visions of Glory! crouding on his sight," With your still-growing lustre gild the day, When Britons, worthy of their Sires, unite Their Orisons at Freedom's Shrine to pay.
To eternize the delegated hand, That seal'd their great forefathers' fields their own; Rais'd ev'ry art that decks a smiling land, And Laws that guard the Cottage as the Throne.
That to the free, unconquerable mind Secur'd the sacred Rights of Conscience, given To Man, when tender Mercy first design'd To raise the Citizen of Earth to Heaven.
And hark! the solemn Pæans grateful rise From rural Whittington's o'erflowing fane; And, with the heart's pure incense to the skies, Its venerable Shepherd's[44] hallow'd strain.
See! pointing to the memorable scene, He bids that Heath[45] to latest times be known, Whence her three Champions[46], Freedom, heaven-born Queen, Led with fresh glories to the British Throne.
Oh, Friend! upon whose natal morn[47] 'tis given, When seventeen Lustres mark thy letter'd days, To lead the Hymn of Gratitude to Heav'n, And blend the Christian's with the Briton's praise.
Like hoary Sarpis[48], patriot Sage, thy pray'r With Life shall close in _his_ emphatic Strain; "As on _this_ day, may Freedom, ever fair, In Britain flourish, and for ever reign!"
[43] Sir John Dalrymple's "Continuation of Memoirs of Great Britain."
[46] Earl of Devon, Earl of Danby, and Mr. John D'Arcy.
[47] Birth-day of the Rev. Samuel Pegge, 1704.
When lawless Power his iron hand, When blinded Zeal her flaming brand O'er Albion's Island wav'd; Indignant freedom veil'd the sight; Eclips'd her Son of Glory's light; Her fav'rite Realm enslav'd.
Distrest she wander'd:--when afar She saw her NASSAU'S friendly star Stream through the stormy air: She call'd around a Patriot Band; She bade them save a sinking land; And deathless glory share.
Her cause their dauntless hearts inspir'd, With ancient Roman virtue fir'd; They plough'd the surging main; With fav'ring gales from Belgia's shore Her heaven-directed Hero bore, And Freedom crown'd his Reign.