Iii

Have we not conquered?--by the vengeful sword? Ah no, by dint of Magnanimity; That curbed the baser passions, and left free A loyal band to follow their liege Lord, Clear-sighted Honour, and his staid Compeers, Along a track of most unnatural years;[AS] In execution of heroic deeds Whose memory, spotless as the crystal beads Of morning dew upon the untrodden meads, Shall live enrolled above the starry spheres. He, who in concert with an earthly string Of Britain's acts would sing, He with enraptured voice will tell Of One whose spirit no reverse could quell; Of One that 'mid the failing never failed[AT]-- Who paints how Britain struggled and prevailed Shall represent her labouring with an eye Of circumspect humanity; Shall show her clothed with strength and skill, All martial duties to fulfil; Firm as a rock in stationary fight; In motion rapid as the lightning's gleam; Fierce as a flood-gate bursting at mid night To rouse the wicked from their giddy dream-- Woe, woe to all that face her in the field! Appalled she may not be, and cannot yield.