POETRY. 905 



Yet by her rocks secure from harm, 



Securer by her patriot arm, 



Iberia turns the battle's tide, 



Resists the injurious Tyrant's pride. 



While freely Boating in the ambient sky, 



Sacred to Freedom's cause, their mingled ensigns fly. 



ODE FOR HIS MAJESTY'S BIRTH-DAY— June 4. 



[By the same.] 



WHILE Europe with dejected eye 

 Beholds around her rural reign 

 Whilom of Peace the fair domain 

 The scene of desolation lie ; 



Or if with trembling hope she cast 

 Her looks on hours of glory past: 

 And burn again with virtuous fame 

 Her ancient honours to reclaim, 

 And brace the corslet on her breast, 

 And grasp the spear and wave the crest ; ^ 

 Yet lies her course through war's ensanguin'd flood ; 

 Yet must she win her way through carnage and thro' blood 



Ah 1 happier Britain, o'er thy plain 



Still smiling Peace and Freedom reign. 



And while thy sons with pitying eye 

 Behold the fields of ruin round them lie; 

 The storms that shake each neighbour-realm with fear. 

 Like distant thunder die upon the ear ; 



They bless the halcyon hours that gave, 



To rule a people free and brave, 



A patriot Monarch all their own, 

 Their swords his bulwark, and their hearts his throne, 



And while to this auspicious day 



The Muse devotes her tributary lay, 



A nation's vows in choral Paean join, 

 And consecrate to Fame a * verse as mean as mine.' 



Yet not to selfish thoughts confin'd, 

 Are the warm feelings of a virtuous mind : 

 The Royal Patriot, while he views. 

 Peace o'er his realms her bliss diffuse. 

 Mourns for the sorrows that afl3ict mankind. 

 Go forth, my sons, he cries ; my Britons, go, 

 And rescue Europe from her ruthless foe. 

 Behold, in arms, Austria's Imperial Lord ; 

 Behold Iberia draw the avenging sword ;— 



Olel, 



