ORATIONS AND IMPASSIONED PIECES. ^29 



of the certain success which BRITISH valour must sain 

 over such enemies, I have led you up these steep and 

 dangerous rocks, only solicitous to shew you the foe 

 within your reach. The impossibility of a retreat makes 

 no difference in the situation of men resolved to CONQUER 

 or DIE : and believe me, my friends, if the conquest could 

 be bought with the blood of your general, he would must 

 cheerfully resign a life which he has long devoted to his 

 country. AIKIN. 



THE BRITISH WARRIOR QUEEN'S ADDRESS TO 

 THE ROMANS. 



Yes,* Roman ! proudly shake thy crested brow. 

 'Tis thine to conquer, thine to triumph NOW ; 

 For thee, lo ! t'ictory lifts her gory hand. 

 And calls the fiends of terror on the land, 

 And flaps, as tiptoe on thy helm she springs, 

 Dripping with British blood her eagle wings. 



Yet,f think not, think not long to thee 'tis given 

 To laugh at Justice and to mock at Heav'n ; 

 Soon shall TH\ hand with blood-stained laurels crown'd 

 Stoop at the feet of VENGEANCE to the ground. 

 1+ see amid the gloom of future days 

 Thy turrets totter and thy temples blaze; 

 I see upon thy shrinking Latium hurl'd, 

 The countless millions of the northern world ; 

 I see, like vultures gathering to their prey, 

 The shades of states that fell beneath thy sway : 

 They leave their fallen palaces and fanes, 

 Their grass-grown streets, and ruin-scatter'd plains, 

 Where lonely long they viewless lov'd to dwell, 

 And mourn the scenes that once they loved so well : 



* Solemn and dignified manner, with a strong expression of indig- 

 nation. 



f Increased degree of solemnity, with a low full tone of voice. 



j During this vision the tone rises gradually, the eye of the speaker 

 being fixed intently on space, the hand at the same time following the 

 eye. 



