P O E T II Y. 605 



MR. CAMPBELL'S ODE ON THE RETIREMENT :F 

 MR. J. P. KEMBLE. 



Pride of the British stage, 



A long and last Adieu ! 

 Whose image brought th' heroic age 



Reviv'd to fancy's view. 



Like fields refresh'd with dewy light. 



When the Sun smiles his last. 

 Thy parting presence makes more bright 



Our memojy of the past. 



And memory conjiu'es feelings up. 



That wine or music need not swell. 

 As high we lift the festal cup. 



To " Kemble, fare thee well." 



His waa the spell o'er hearts. 



Which only acting lends — 

 The youngest of the sister arts 



Where all their beauty blends. 



For ill can Poetry express 

 Full many a tone of thought sublime ; 



And Painting, mute and motionless. 

 Steals but one glance from Time. 



But, by the mighty Actor brought. 



Illusion's wedded triumphs come — 

 Verse ceases to be airy thought. 



And Sculpture to be dumb. 



Time may again revive. 



But ne'er efface the charm. 

 When Cato spoke in him alive. 



Or Hotspur kindled warm. 



What soul was not resign'd entire 



To the deep sorrows of the Moor ! 

 What English heart was not on fire. 



With him at Agincourt ? 



And yet a majesty possess'd 



His transports most imjietuous tone. 

 And to each passion of his breast 



The Graces gave their zone. 



High 



