234 ORATIONS AND IMPASSIONED PIECES. 



Close as coil'd aspics, still as tigers crouch'd, 



But furious as them roused. Let me fill ROME 



With civil tumult, hate, conspiracy, 



All dissolution of all holy ties, 



Till she has outraged Heaven, while / unseen, 



Move like a spectre round a murderer's bed, 



To start upon her DYING AGONY. 



CROLY. 



THE DOWNFALL OF POLAND. 



Oh !* sacred Truth ! thy triumphs ceas'd awhile, 

 And Hope, thy sister, ceas'd with thee to smile, 

 When leagued Oppression pour'd to northern wars 

 Her whisker'd pandoors and her fierce hussars, 

 Wav'd her dread standard to the breeze of morn, 

 Peal'd her loud drum, and twang' d her trumpet horn ; 

 Tumultuous horror brooded o'er the van, 

 Presaging wrath to POLAND and to MAN ! 



Warsaw's last champion from her height surveyed, 

 Wide o'er the fields a waste of ruin laid : 

 " Oh t heaven !" he cried, " my bleeding country save, 

 Is there no hand on high to shield the brave ? 

 Yet though destruction sweep those lovely plains, 

 Rise, I fellow men! our country yet remains ! 

 By that dread name we wave the sword on high, 

 And swear for her to LIVE ! with her to DIE !" 



He said, and on the rampart heights array'd 

 His trusty warriors,/<?; but undismay'd; 

 Firm paced and slow, a horrid front they form, 

 Still as the breeze, but dreadful as the storm ; 

 Low murmuring sounds along their banners fly, 

 REVENGE || or DEATH ! the watchword and reply ; 

 Then peal'd the notes omnipotent to charm, 

 And the loud tocsin tolled their last alarm ! 

 In ^[ vain, alas ! in vain, ye gallant few ! 

 From rank to rank, your volley'd thunders flew. 



* Solemn manner. f slrdent, enthusiastic manner, rising 



into J Vehemence. Narrative, with much solemnity. 



|| Strong emphasis, with a low tone, ^f Plaintive tone and manner. 



