1.

Let no unmanly plaint presume
To vex the Manes of the Brave;
No fond tear taint the laureate bloom,
That waves upon the warrior's grave;
The softness of a sighing verse
May breathe o'er some inglorious herse,
Plum'd with the idle pomp of Pride;
But Fame herself anneals in blood,
The records of the Great and Good,
Who boldly for a Nation died!

2.

Hush'd be each weaker voice of woe;
The hoarse drum's military sound,
The solemn ordnance, pealing slow —
The martial horse, with trophies crown'd,
And marching in sad state along,
With downcast look, the soldier-throng,
Shall more the Hero's worth declare,
Than aught the weeping Muse could bring,
Tho' Rapture, soothing cold Despair,
Should smite the animated string.

3.

Oh! as the mourning war, triumphant, moves,
To lodge thy chieftain with the mighty dead,
B RITANNIA ! whom th' unwilling world approves,
Yet, yet sublimer, lift thine aweful head;
Let no dim cloud obscure thy radiant brow,
For, still, unnumber'd godlike Sons remain,
To bid each foreign host before thee bow,
And scatter to the winds their tinsel train,
To sweep the envious spoiler, far away
From thy imperial breast, and vindicate thy sway!

4.

Blest Isle! the forest-oak is thine,
And thine, the iron-hearted steed;
Still foremost in th' embattled line,
Thy dauntless offspring dare to bleed;
Of hardy frame, and generous soul,
Whom no degrading fears control,
Nor less for milder graces known;
The liberal thought, the melting mind,
By sweet humanity refin'd,
And beauteous Arts are all thy own!
While at the helm sage A DDINGTON presides,
Protects thy Commerce, and to Glory guides!

5.

When fiercest the hot contest glows,
What alien courage shall oppose
The bulwark of a B RITISH breast?
The steady fires that flash around,
And yon deep groan's expiring sound,
Its genuine fortitude attest:
Behold th' intrepid column charge the foe!
Hark! the harsh closure of the strident steel!
Exanimate, they fly the furious blow;
Before its ruthless shock their forces reel;
'Till, from thick mists emerging to the sight,
Gigantic Slaughter glares; — then faints amid the fight.

6.

Oh, T HOU ! for whom the song I raise,
Ambitious to bestow my praise,
What ardors warm'd thy vet'ran-frame,
Tho' pierc'd with many a wound severe,
When, cloath'd in wide-consuming flame,
Thy little, wond'rous band, pursu'd
The G ALLIC Vultures by their track of blood,
And thunder'd desolation on their rear!

7.

Then, far was every selfish thought
Of life, with loss of honor bought;
Then every tie that holds the heart,
For ever doom'd from home to part,
Was lost to thy collected breast,
By patriot-zeal alone possest;
Caution, determinately cool,
Maintain'd her calm, unalter'd rule.
And taught the conflict where to rage;
While bright V ICTORIA , hov'ring nigh,
Her keen glance fix'd upon thy bleeding thigh,
Scarce more admir'd the Soldier, than the Sage.

8.

Tho' now, ev'n now, illustrious Shade!
Yet recent from the memorable fray,
In blissful bow'rs, unconscious of decay,
Thy wearied limbs, at length, are laid;
And thronging round, an airy swarm!
Heroic Spectres eye thy form;
Proud names! of History the splendid boast,
Solicitous who shall applaud thee most;
Oh! see the gallant Y OUTH thy Genius led
O'er F LANDRIA ' well disputed plain,
See princely F REDERICK droop the head,
With all a Pupil's tender pain;
Oh! yet, great Soul, deliberately wise!
Temper his daring heat, and fit him for the Skies!

9.

Meanwhile, each meed thy Country can bestow,
Dissolv'd in universal woe,
Shall flourish o'er thy sacred dust;
The pile sepulchral, and the votive bust:
But most, a pious Monarch's grateful tear,
Proclaim thy fortunate rememb'rance dear,
Dear to Himself, and to his People, too; —
For, ev'ry pompous rite of rev'rence past,
That tribute, to long faithful service due,
In other chiefs thy virtue shall renew,
And, still, in emulous succession, last!

10.

So the poetic branch, renown'd of old,
For glitt'ring leaves, and balls of blooming gold,
Tho' torne, appear'd before the T ROJAM 's eyes,
Still fresh with shining foliage to arise,
Unchang'd the value of its precious frame,
Its radiant hue unchang'd, another and the same!