Blenheim, a Poem

FRom low and abject Themes the Grov'ling Muse Now mounts Aerial, to sing of Arms Triumphant, and emblaze the Martial Acts Of Britain’s Heroe; may the Verse not sink Beneath His Merits, but detain a while Thy Ear, O Harley, (thô thy Country's Weal Depends on Thee, thô mighty ANNE requires Thy hourly Counsels) since with ev'ry Art Thy self adorn'd, the mean Essays of Youth Thou wilt not damp, but guide, wherever found, The willing Genius to the Muses Seat: Therefore Thee first, and last, the Muse shall Sing.

Ong had the Gallic Monarch uncontrol'd Enlarg'd his Borders, and of Human Force Opponent slightly thought, in Heart elate, As erst Sesostris, (proud Ægyptian King, That Monarchs harness'd to his Chariot yok't, (Base Servitude!) and his dethron'd Compeers Lasht furious; they in sullen Majesty Drew the uneasie Load.) Nor less he aim'd At Universal Sway: For WILLIAM’s Arm Could naught avail, however fam'd in War; Nor Armies leagu'd, that diversly assay'd To curb his Pow'r enormous; like an Oak, That stands secure, thô all the Winds employ Their ceaseless Roar, and only sheds its Leaves, Or Mast, which the revolving Spring restores: So stood he, and Alone; Alone defy'd The Europæan Thrones combin'd, and still Had set at Naught their Machinations vain, But that Great ANNE, weighing th'Events of War Momentous, in Her prudent Heart, Thee chose, Thee, CHURCHILL, to direct in nice Extreams Her banner'd Legions. Now their pristin Worth The Britons recollect, and gladly change Sweet Native Home for unaccustom'd Air, And other Climes, where diff'rent Food and Soil Portend Distempers; over dank, and dry, They journey toilsome, unfatigu'd with Length Of March, unstruck with Horror at the sight Of Alpine Ridges bleak, high stretching Hills, All White with Summer Snows. They go beyond The Trace of English Steps, where scarce the Sound Of Henry’s Arms arriv'd; such Strength of Heart Thy Conduct, and Example gives; nor small Encouragement Godolphin, Wise, and Just, Equal in Merit, Honour, and Success To Burleigh, (fortunate alike to serve The Best of Queens:) He, of the Royal Store Splendidly frugal, fits whole Nights devoid Of sweet Repose, Industrious to procure The Soldiers Ease; to Regions far remote His Care extends, and to the British Host Makes ravag'd Countries plenteous as their own.

And now, O CHURCHILL, at thy wisht Approach The Germans, hopeless of Success, forlorn, With many an Inroad gor'd, their drooping Cheer New animated rouse; not more rejoice The miserable Race of Men, that live Benighted half the Year, benumm'd with Frosts Perpetual, and rough Boreas keenest Breath, Under the Polar Bear, inclement Sky, When first the Sun with New-born Light removes The long incumbent Gloom; gladly to thee Heroic Laurel'd Eugene yeilds the Prime, Nor thinks it Diminution, to be rankt In Military Honour next, althô His deadly Hand shook the Turchestan Throne Accurs'd, and prov'd in far divided Lands Victorious; on thy pow'rful Sword alone Germania, and the Belgic Coast relies, Won from th'encroaching Sea: That Sword Great ANNE Fix'd not in vain on thy puissant Side, When Thee Sh'enrolled Her Garter'd Eiiights among, Illustrating the Noble List; Her Hand Assures good Omens, and Saint George’s worth Enkindles like Desire of high Exploits. Immediate Sieges, and the Tire of War Rowl in thy eager Mind; thy Plumy Crest Nods horrible, with more terrific Port Thou walk'st, and seem'st already in the Fight. What Spoils, what Conquests then did Albion hope From thy Achievements! yet thou had surpast Her boldest Vows, exceeded what thy Foes Could fear, or fancy; they, in Multitude Superior, fed their Thoughts with Prospect vain Of Victory, and Rapine, reck'ning what From ransom'd Captives would accrue. Thus One Jovial his Mate bespoke; O Friend, observe, How gay with all th'Accoutrements of War The Britons come, with Gold well fraught they come Thus far, our Prey, and tempt us to subdue Their recreant Force; how will their Bodies stript Enrich the Victors, while the Vultures sate Their Maws with fuII Repast! Another, warm'd With high Ambition, and Conceit of Prowess Inherent, arrogantly thus presum'd; What if This Sword, full often drench'd in Blood Of base Antagonists, with griding Edge Should now cleave sheer the execrable Head Of CHURCHILL, met in Arms! or if This Hand, Soon as his Army disarray'd 'gins swerve, Should stay Him flying, with retentive Gripe, Confounded, and appal'd! no trivial Price Should set Him free, nor small should be My Praise To lead Him shackl'd, and expose to scorn Of gath'ring Crowds the Briton’s boasted Chief.

Thus They, in sportive mood, their empty Taunts And Menaces exprest; nor could their Prince In Arms, vain Tallard, from opprobrious Speech Refrain; Why halt ye thus, ye Britons? why Decline the War? shall a Morass forbid Your easie March? Advance; we'll bridge a Way, Safe of Access. Imprudent, thus t'invite A furious Lion to his Folds! that Boast He ill abides, captiv'd in other Plight He soon revisits Britanny, that once Resplendent came, with strech't Retinue girt, And pompous Pageantry; O Hapless Fate, If any Arm, but CHURCHILL's, had prevail'd!

No need such Boasts, or Exprobations false Of Cowardice; the Mound The British Files transcend, in evil Hour For their proud Foes, that fondly brav'd their Fate. And now on either Side the Trumpet blew, Signal of Onset, Resolution firm Inspiring, and pernicious Love of War. The adverse Fronts in rueful Conflict meet, Collecting all their Might; for on th'Event Decisive of this bloody Day depends The Fate of Kingdoms: With less Vehemence The great Competitors for Rome engag'd, Cæsar, and Pompey, on Pharsalian Plains, Where stern Bellona, with one final Stroke, Adjudg'd the Empire of this Globe to One. Here the Bavarian Duke his Brigades leads, Gallant in Arms, and Gaudy to behold, Bold Champion! brandishing his Noric Blade, Best temper'd Steel, successless prov'd in Field! Next Tallard, with his Celtic Infantry Presumptuous comes: Here CHURCHILL, not so prompt To Vaunt, as Fight, his hardy Cohorts joins With Eugene's German Force. Now from each Van The brazen Instruments of Death discharge Horrible Flames, and turbid streaming Clouds Of Smoak sulphureous; intermix't with these Large globous Irons fly, of dreadful Hiss, Singeing the Air, and from long Distance bring Surprizing Slaughter; on each side they fly By Chains connex't, and with destructive Sweep Behead whole Troops at once; the hairy Scalps Are whirl'd aloof, while numerous Trunks bestrow Th'ensanguin'd Field; with latent Mischief stor'd Show'rs of Granadoes rain, by sudden Burst Disploding murd'rous Bowels, fragments of Steel, And Stones, and Glass, and nitrous Grain adust A Thousand Ways at once the shiver'd Orbs Fly diverse, working Torment, and foul Rout With deadly Bruise, and Gashes furrow'd deep. Of Pain impatient, the high prancing Steeds Disdain the Curb, and flinging to and fro, Spurn their dismounted Riders; they expire Indignant, by unhostile Wounds destroy'd.

Thus thrô each Army, Death in various Shapes, Prevail'd; here mangled Limbs, here Brains and Gore Lye clotted; lifeless Some: With Anguish These Gnashing, and loud Laments invoking Aid, Unpity'd, and unheard; the louder Din Of Guns, and Trumpets clang, and solemn Sound Of Drums o'ercame their Groans. In equal Scale Long hung the Fight, few Marks of Fear were seen, None of Retreat: As when two adverse Winds, Sublim'd from dewy Vapours, in mid Sky Engage with horrid Shock, the ruffled Brine Roars stormy, they together dash the Clouds, Levying their Equal Force with utmost Rage; Long undecided lasts the Airy Strife. So they, incens'd: 'Till CHURCHILL, viewing where The Violence of Tallard most prevail'd, Came to oppose His slaught'ring Arm; with speed Precipitant He rode, urging His Way O'er Hills of gasping Heroes, and fall'n Steeds Rowling in Death: Destruction, grim with Blood, Attends His furious Course. Him thus enrag'd Decrying from afar some Engineer, Dextrous to guide th'unerring Change, design'd By One nice Shot to terminate the War. With Aim direct the levell'd Bullet flew, But miss'd her Scope (for Destiny withstood Th'approaching Wound) and guiltless Plough'd her Way Beneath His Courser; round His Sacred Head The glowing Balls play innocent, while He With dire impetuous Sway deals Fatal Blows Amongst the scatter'd Gauls. But O! Beware Great Warrior, nor too prodigal of Life Expose the British Safety: Hath not Jove Already warn'd Thee to withdraw? Reserve Thy self for other Palms. Ev'n now Thy Aid , with Regiments unequal prest, Awaits; This Day of all His Honours gain'd Despoils Him, if Thy Suocour opportune Defends not the sad Hour: Permit not Thou So Brave a Leader with the Vulgar Herd To bite the Ground unnoted —Swift, and Fierce As wintry Storm, He flies, to reinforce The yielding Wing ; in Gallic Blood again He dews His reeking Sword, and strows the Ground With headless Ranks; (so Ajax interpos'd His Sevenfold Shield, and skreen'd Laertes’s Son, For Valour much, and Warlike Wiles Renown'd When the insulting Trojans urg'd Him sore With tilted Spears:) Unmanly Dread invades The French astony'd; straight Their useless Arms They quit, and in their swift Retreat confide, Unseemly Yelling; distant Hills return The hideous Noise. What can They do? Or how Withstand His Wide-destroying Sword? or where Find Shelter thus repuls'd? behind with Wrath Resistless, th'Eager English Champions Press, Chastising tardy Flight; Before them rowls His Current swift the Danube, Vast, and Deep Supream of Rivers; to the frightful Brink, Urg'd by compulsive Arms, soon as they reacht, New Horror chill'd Their Veins; devote They saw Themselves to wretched Doom: with Efforts vain, Encouraged by Despair, or Obstinate To Fall like Men in Arms, Some dare renew Feeble Engagement, meeting Glorious Fate On the firm Land; the Rest discomfited, And pusht by MARLEBOROUGH's avengeful Hand, Leap plunging in the wide extended Flood: Bands, numerous as the Memphian Soldiery That swell'd the Erythræan Wave, when Wall'd The Unfroze Waters marvelously stood, Observant of the Great Command. Upbore By frothy Billows Thousands float the Stream In cumbrous Mail, with love of farther Shore; Confiding in their Hands, that sed'lous strive To cut th'outragious Fluent: In this Distress, Ev'n in the fight of Death, Some, Tokens shew Of fearless Friendship, and their sinking Mates Sustain; vain Love, thô laudable! absorpt By a fierce Eddy, They together found The vast Profundity; their Horses paw The swelling Surge, with fruitless Toil: Surcharg'd, And in his Course obstructed by large Spoil, The River flows redundant, and attacks The lingring Remnant with unusual Tide; Then Rowling back, in His Capacious Lap Ingulfs Their whole Militia, quick immerst. So when some swelt'ring Travellers retire To leafy Shades, near the cool Sunless Verge Of Paraba, Brasilian Stream; Her Tail Of vast Extension, from Her watry Den, A grisly Hydra suddenly shoots forth, Insidious, and with curl'd invenom'd Train Embracing horridly, at once the Crew Into the River whirles; th'unweeting Prey Entwisted roars, the parted Wave rebounds.

Nor did the British Squadrons now surcease To gall their Foes o'erwhelm'd; full many felt In the moist Element a scorching Death, Pierc'd sinking; Shrouded in a dusky Cloud The Current flows, with livid missive Flames Boiling, as once Pergamean Xanthus boil'd, Inflam'd by Vulcan when th'Swift-footed Son Of Peleus to his baleful Banks pursu'd The straggling Trojans: Nor Iess Eager drove Victorious CHURCHILL His desponding Foes Into the deep Immense, that many a League Impurpl'd ran, with gushing Gore distain'd.

Thus the Experience'd Valour of One Man, Mighty in Conflict, rescu'd harrast Pow'rs From Ruin impendent, and th’ afflicted Throne Imperial, that once Lorded o’er the World, Sustain’d. With prudent Stay, he long deferr’d The rough Contention, nor would deign to rout An Host disparted; when, in Union firm Embody’d, They Advanc’d, collecting All Their Strength, and worthy seem’d to be subdu’d; He the proud Boafters sent, with stern Assault, Down to the Realms of Night. The British Souls, (A Lamentable Race!) that ceas'd to breathe, On Landen-Plains, this Heav’nly Gladsome Air, Exult to see the crouding Ghosts descend Unnumber'd; well aveng’d, they quit the Cares Of Mortal Life, and Drink th’ Oblivious Lake. Not so the New Inhabitants; They roam Erroneous, and disconsolate, Themselves Accusing, and their Chiefs, improvident Of Military Chance; when-lo! They see, Thrô the Dun Mist, in Blooming Beauty fresh, Two Lovely Youths, that Amicably walkt O'er Verdant Meads, and pleas'd, perhaps, revolv'd ANNAs late Conquests; One, to Empire Born, Egregious Prince, whose Manly Childhood shew'd His mingled Parents, and Portended Joy Unspeakable; Thou, His Associate Dear Once in this World, nor now by Face disjoin'd, Had thy presiding Star propitious shone, Shouldst CHURCHILL be! But Heav'n severe cut short Their springing Years, nor would, this Isle should boast Gifts so Important! Them the Gallic Shades Surveying, read in either radiant Look Marks of excessive Dignity and Grace, Delighted; 'till, in One, their Curious Eye Discerns the Great Subduer's Awful Mien, And Corresponding Features Fair; to Them Confusion! Straight the Airy Phantomes fleet, With Headlong Haste, and Dread a new Persuit; The Image pleas'd with Joy Paternal Smiles.

Enough, O Muse; the sadly-pleasing Theme Leave, with these Dark Abodes, and Re-ascend To breathe the upper Air, where Triumphs wait The Conqu'ror, and sav'd Nations joint Acclaim. Hark, how the Canon, inoffensive Now, Gives Sighs of Gratulation; struggling Crouds From ev'ry City flow; with ardent Gaze Fixt, they behold the British Guide, of Sight Insatiate; whilst His Great Redeeming Hand Each Prince affects to touch respectful. See, How Prussia’s King transported Entertains His Mighty Guest; to Him the RoyaI Pledge, Hope of his Realm, commits, (with better Fate, Than to the Trojan Chief Evander gave Unhappy Pallas) and intreats to shew The Skill and Rudiments austere of War. See, with what Joy, Him Leopold declares His Great Deliverer; and courts t'accept Of Titles, with superior Modesty Better refus'd. Mean while the Haughty King Far humbler Thoughts now learns; Despair, and Fear Now first he feels; his Laurels all at once Torn from his Aged Head, in Life's extream, Distract his Soul; nor can Great Boileau’s Harp Of various sounding Wire, best taught to calm Whatever Passion, and exalt the Soul With highest Strains, his languid Spirits cheer: Rage, Shame, and Grief, alternate in his Breast. But who can tell what Pangs, what sharp Remorse Torment the Boian Prince? From Native Soil Exil'd by Fate, torn from the dear Embrace Of weeping Consort, and depriv'd the Sight Of his young guiltless Progeny, he seeks Inglorious Shelter, in an Alien Land; Deplorable! but that his Mind averse To Right, and Insincere, would violate His plighted Faith: Why did he not accept Friendly Composure offer'd? or well weigh, With Whom he must Contend? Encount'ring fierce The Solymæan Sultan, he o'erthrew His Moony Troops, returning bravely smear'd With Painim Blood effus'd; nor did the Gaul Not find him once a baleful Foe: But when, Of Counsel rash, new Measures he persues, Unhappy Prince! (no more a Prince) he sees Too late his Error, forc'd t' implore Relief Of Him, he:once defy'd. O Destitute Of Hope, unpity'd! Thou should'st first have thought Of persevering stedfast; now upbraid Thy own inconstant lll-aspiring Heart. Lo! how the Noric Plains, thrô Thy Default, Rise hilly, with large Piles of slaughter'd Knights, Best Men, that Warr'd still firmly for their Prince, Thô Faithless, and Unshaken Duty shew'd; Worthy of Better End. Where Cities stood, Well Fenc'd, and Numerous, Desolation Reigns, And Emptiness, dismay'd, unfed, unhous'd, The Widow, and the Orphan Strole around The Desart wide; with oft retorted Eye They view the Gaping Walls, and Poor Remains Of Mansions, once their own (now loathsome Haunts Of Birds obscene), bewailing loud the Loss Of Spouse, or Sire, or Son, e'er Manly Prime Slain in sad Conflict, and complain of Fate As Partial, and too Rigorous; nor find Where to Retire themselves, or where Appease Th'afflictive keen Desire of Food, expos'd To Winds, and Storms, and Jaws of Savage Beasts.

Thrice Happy Albion! from the World disjoin'd By Heav'n Propitious, Blissful Seat of Peace! Learn from Thy Neighbour's Miseries to Prize Thy Welfare; Crown'd with Nature's Choicest Gifts, Remote Thou hear'st the Dire Effect of War, Depopulation, void alone of Fear, And Peril, whilst the Dismal Symphony Of Drums and Clarions other Realms annoys. Th’Iberian Scepter undecided, here Engages mighty Hosts in wasteful Strife; From diff'rent Climes the Flow'r of Youth descends Down to the Lusitanian Vales, resolv'd With utmost Hazard to Enthrone their Prince, Gallic, or Austrian; Havoc dire ensues, And wild Uproar: The Natives, dubious whom They must Obey, in Consternation wait, 'Till rigid Conquest will pronounce their Liege. Nor is the Brazen Voice of War unheard On the mild Latian Shore; what Sighs and Tears Hath Eugene caus'd! How many Widows curse His cleaving Faulchion! Fertile Soil in vain! What do thy Pastures, or thy Vines avail, Best Boon of Heav'n! or huge Taburnus, cloath'd With Olives, when the Cruel Battel mows The Planters, with their Harvest immature? See, with what Outrage from the frosty North, The early Valiant Swede draws forth his Wings In Battailous Array, while Volga’s Stream Sends Opposite, in shaggy Armor clad, Her Borderers; on mutual Slaughter bent, They rend their Countries. How is Poland vext With Civil Broils, while Two Elected Kings Contend for Sway? Unhappy Nation, left Thus free of Choice! The English, undisturb'd With such sad Privilege, submiss Obey Whom Heav'n ordains Supream, with Rev'rence due, Not Thraldom, in fit Liberty secure. From Scepter'd Kings, in long Descent derived, Thou ANNA Rulest, Prudent to promote Thy People's Ease at home, nor Studious less Of Europe’s Good; to Thee, of Kingly Rights Sole Arbitress, declining Thrones, and Pow'rs Sue for Relief; Thou bid'st Thy CHURCHILL go, Succour the Injur'd Realms, Defeat the Hopes Of Haughty Louis, unconfin'd; He goes Obsequious, and the dread Command fulfils, In One Great Day. Again Thou giv'st in Charge To Rook, that He should let that Monarch know, The Empire of the Ocean wide diffus'd Is Thine; behold! with winged Speed He rides Undaunted o'er the lab'ring Main, t' assert Thy liquid Kingdoms; at his near Approach The Gallic , impotent to bear His Volly'd Thunder, torn, dissever'd, scud And bless the friendly interposing Night. Hail, Mighty QUEEN, reserv'd by Fate, to Grace The New-born Age; what Hopes may we conceive Of future Years, when to Thy Early Reign Neptune submits his Trident, and Thy Arms Already have prevail'd to th'utmost Bound Hesperian, Calpe, by Alcides fixt, Mountain Sublime, that crafts a Shade of Length Immeasurable, and Rules the Inland Waves! Let Others, with Insatiate Thirst of Rule, Invade their Neighbours Lands, neglect the Ties Of Leagues, and Oaths; this Thy peculiar Praise Be still, to Study Right and Quell the Force Of Kings Perfidious; let them learn from Thee, That neither Strength, nor Policy refin'd Shall with Success be Crown'd, where Justice fails. Thou with Thy own Content, not for Thy Self, Subduest Regions; Generous to Raise The Suppliant Knee, and Curb the Rebel Neck. The German Boasts Thy Conquests, and Enjoys The Great Advantage; nought to Thee redounds But Satisfaction from Thy Conscious Mind.

Auspicious QUEEN, since in Thy Realms secure Of Peace, Thou Reign'st, and Victory attends Thy distant Ensigns, with Compassion view Europe Embroil'd; Still Thou (for Thou Alone Sufficient art) the jarring Kingdoms Ire, Reciprocally ruinous; Say Who Shall weild th’Hesperian, Who the Polish Sword, By Thy Decree; the trembling Lands shall hear Thy Voice, Obedient, lest Thy Scourge should bruise Their Stubborn Necks, and CHURCHILL in his Wrath Make Them Remember Bleinheim with Regret.

Thus shall the Nations, Aw'd to Peace, Extol Thy Pow'r, and Justice; Jealousies and Fears, And Hate Infernal banish'd shall retire To Mauritania or the Bactrian Coasts, Or Tartary, Engend'ring Discords fell Amongst the Enemies of Truth; while Arts Pacific, and Inviolable Love Flourish in Europe. Hail Saturnian Days Returning! In perpetual Tenor run Delectable, and Shed your Influence Sweet On Virtuous ANNA’s Head; ye Happy Days, By HER restor'd, Her Just Designs compleat, And, mildly on HER Shining, Bless the World. Thus from the Noisy Croud exempt, with Ease, And Plenty blest, amid the Mazy Groves; (Sweet Solitude!) when Warbling Birds provoke The Silent Muse, delicious Rural Seat Of , English Memmius, I presum'd To Sing Britannic Trophies, inexpert Of War, with mean Attempt; while He intent (So ANNA's Will Ordains) to Expedite His Military Charge, no Leisure finds To String His Charming Shell; But when Return'd Consummate Peace shall Rear Her Chearful Head, Then shall His CHURCHILL in Sublimer Verse For Every Triumph; latest Times shall learn From Such a Chief to Fight, and Bard, to Sing.