Ode VI. the Prophecy of Tweed

What time the speed of terror bore High Edward from the Scotian shore, And Bruce's fatal sword; How fallen from his proud desire! How taught that power and regal tire No shield from Fate afford! Convened in solemn state Each ancient River met, Whose hallowed waters grace the victor land, To gratulate the Tweed From fear of bondage freed. He in his cell received the welcome band: Gems of each ray around his throne, Rich ores, and painted shells, in rural lustre shone.

His hand a pastoral reed possessed; His hoary beard adown his breast In silver mazes flowed: His brows a spangled fillet bound Of flowrets from the verdant mound That holds his fair abode. There kingly Forth was seen, His robe of wavy green With gold embroidered glittered in the gale: There Tay's majestic pride; Stern Dee and gentle Clyde; There the generous lord of Teviot's fertile vale; The ruler wild of Devon's stream, And every brother flood of less resounded fame.

When rising from his lofty seat Their host displayed his front elate, And thus awaked their joy: 'Attend what our indulgent sire, 'Old Ocean, with prophetic fire, 'Late gave me to desery. 'Short space the crime of War 'No more our realm shall mar, 'No more shall blood our crystal eddies stain: 'No more the ghastly gleam 'Of town or castle's flame: 'No more our echoes shrieks of woe detain. 'The shepherd's happy strain alone 'Or maiden's lovelorn plaint our willing ear shall own.

'Tho' long the night, tho' rough the main, 'The ship a happy port shall gain, 'The golden morn arise. 'The cloud with thunder fraught that seems 'And baleful lightning's wasting beams 'The stores of spring supplies. 'Our bowery shades among 'Shall Peace her hymn prolong, 'As with chearful care she guides the woolly breed: 'Or nurse the genial grain 'That gilds each fruitful plain: 'Or thro' the garden our gay fountains lead; 'Where by their winding mirror clear 'Proud domes of Attic art their solemn state shall rear.

'For on my verdant banks shall stand 'The Guardian of each rival land, 'And former deeds disprove: 'To Liberty a shrine shall rise, 'Where both their ire shall sacrifice, 'And vow perpetual love. 'Hail, Britain! hail. Thy reign 'No limits shall restrain. 'Thro' towers of thine shall wondering Ganges roll: 'His elephant and ore 'Shall heap thy wealthier shore. 'Climes yet unknown thy sovereign arms control. 'Hail, mighty Britain! hail. Thy reign 'While Ocean shall assert, no limits shall restrain.