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POETRY. 



ODE for the New Year, 1794. % Henry James Pye, esq. 

 Poet Laureat. 



I. 



NURTUR'D in storms the infant year, 

 Comes in terrific glory forth ; 



Earth meets him \vrapp'd in mantle drenr. 

 And the loud tempest sings his birth. 



Yet 'mid the elemental strife 



Brood the rich germs of vernal life, 



Frore January's iron reign. 



And the dark months succeeding train, 



The renovated glebe prepare 



For genial May's ambrosial air. 



For fruits that glowing Summer yields. 



For laughing Autumn's golden fields ; 



And the stout swain whose frame defies 



The driving storm, the hostile skies. 

 While his keen plowshare turns the stubborn soil, 

 JCnows plenty only springs the just reward of toil. 



II. 



Then if fell War's tempestuous sound 



Swell far and wide with louder roar. 

 If stern th' avenging nations round 



Threaten yon fate-devoted shore, 

 Hope points to gentler hours again 

 When Peace shall re-assume her reign — 

 Yet never o'er his timid head 

 Her lasting olive shall be spread. 

 Whose breast inglorious woos her charms 

 When Fame, when Justice, calls to arms. 

 While Anarchy's infuriate brood 

 Their garments dy'd with guiltless blood. 

 With Titan rage blaspheming try 

 "Their impious battle 'gainst the sky, 



Say 



