Chapter I: Front Matter (1)

POEMS OF FELICIA HEMANS

MURRAY AND GIBB, EDINBURGH,
PRINTERS TO HER MAJESTY’S STATIONERY OFFICE.

THE POEMS OF FELICIA HEMANS.

_COMPLETE COPYRIGHT EDITION._

WILLIAM P. NIMMO,
LONDON: 14 KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND;
AND EDINBURGH.

1875.

CONTENTS

JUVENILE POEMS. Page On my Mother’s Birthday. Written at the age of eight 1 A Prayer. Written at the age of nine _ib._ Address to the Deity. Written at the age of eleven _ib._ Shakspeare. Written at the age of eleven 2 To my Brother and Sister in the country. Written at the age of eleven _ib._ Sonnet to my Mother. Written at the age of twelve _ib._ Sonnet. Written at the age of thirteen 3 Rural Walks. Written at the age of thirteen _ib._ Sonnet. Written at the age of thirteen _ib._ England and Spain; or, Valour and Patriotism. Written at the age of fourteen 4

THE DOMESTIC AFFECTIONS, &c.

The Silver Locks. Addressed to an Ancient Friend 10 To my Mother 11 To my Younger Brother. On his Return from Spain, after the fatal Retreat under Sir John Moore and the battle of Corunna _ib._ To my Eldest Brother, with the British army in Portugal 12 Lines written in the Memoirs of Elizabeth Smith _ib._ The Ruin and its Flowers 13 Christmas Carol 14 The Domestic Affections 15 To Mr Edwards, the Harper of Conway 19 Epitaph on Mr W----, a celebrated Mineralogist 20 Epitaph on the Hammer of the aforesaid Mineralogist _ib._ Prologue to _The Poor Gentleman_. As intended to be performed by the Officers of the 34th Regiment at Clonmel 21

THE RESTORATION OF THE WORKS OF ART TO ITALY 22

MODERN GREECE 28
Critical Annotations 42

TRANSLATIONS FROM CAMOENS AND OTHER POETS.

Sonnet 70 43 Sonnet 282 From Psalm 137 _ib._ Part of Eclogue 15 44 Sonnet 271 44 Sonnet 186 _ib._ Sonnet 108 44 Sonnet 23 To a Lady who died at Sea 45 Sonnet 19 _ib._ “Que estranho caso de amor!” _ib._ Sonnet 58 _ib._ Sonnet 178 _ib._ Sonnet 80 46 Sonnet 239 From Psalm 137 _ib._ Sonnet 128 _ib._ “Polomeu apartamento” _ib._ Sonnet 205 47 Sonnet 133 _ib._ Sonnet 181 _ib._ Sonnet 278 _ib._ “Mi nueve y dulce querella” _ib._

Metastasio.--“Dunque si sfoga in pianto” _ib._ -- “Al furor d’avversa Sorte” 48 -- “Quella onda che ruina” _ib._ -- “Leggiadra rosa, le cui pure foglie” _ib._ -- “Che speri, instabil Dea, di sassi e spine” _ib._ -- “Parlagli d’un periglio” _ib._ -- “Sprezza il furor del vento” _ib._ -- “Sol può dir che sia contento” _ib._ -- “Ah! frenate le piante imbelle!” 49 Vincenzo da Filicaja.--“Italia! Italia! O tu cui diè la sorte” _ib._ Pastorini.--“Genova mia! se con asciutto ciglio” _ib._ Lope de Vega.--“Estese el cortesano” _ib._ Francisco Manuel.--On ascending a Hill leading to a Convent _ib._ Della Casa.--Venice 50 Il Marchese Cornelio Bentivoglio.--“L’anima bella, che dal vero Eliso” _ib._ Quevedo.--Rome buried in her own Ruins _ib._ El conde Juan de Tarsis.--“Tu, que la dulce vida en tiernas anos”_ib._ Torquato Tasso.--“Negli anni acerbi tuoi, purpurea rosa” _ib._ Bernardo Tasso.--“Quest’ ombra che giammai non vide il sole” 51 Petrarch.--“Chi vuol veder quantunque può natura” _ib._ -- “Se lamentar augelli, o verdi fronde” _ib._ Pietro Bembo.--“O Muerte! que sueles ser” _ib._ Francesco Lorenzini.--“O Zefiretto, che movendo vai” _ib._ Gesner.--Morning Song 52 German Song.--“Mädchen, lernet Amor kennen” _ib._ Chaulieu.--“Grotte, d’où sort ce clair ruisseau” _ib._ Garcilaso de Vega.--“Coyed de vuestra alegre primavera” 52 Lorenzo de Medici.--Violets 53 Pindemonte.--On the Hebe of Canova _ib._

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

Lines written in a Hermitage on the Sea-shore 54 Dirge of a Child _ib._ Invocation 55 To the Memory of General Sir E--D P--K--M _ib._ To the Memory of Sir H--Y E--LL--S, who fell in the battle of Waterloo 56 Guerilla Song. Founded on the story related of the Spanish patriot Mina _ib._ The Aged Indian, _ib._ Evening amongst the Alps 57 Dirge of the Highland Chief in “Waverley” _ib._ The Crusaders’ War-Song 58 The Death of Clanronald _ib._ To the Eye 59 The Hero’s Death, _ib._ Stanzas on the Death of the Princess Charlotte _ib._

WALLACE’S INVOCATION TO BRUCE. 63
Advertisement by the Author, &c. _ib._

TALES AND HISTORIC SCENES.

The Abencerrage 67 The Widow of Crescentius 85 The Last Banquet of Antony and Cleopatra 93 Alaric in Italy 95 The Wife of Asdrubal 97 Heliodorus in the Temple 98 Night-scene in Genoa. From Sismondi’s “Républiques Italiennes” 99 The Troubadour and Richard Cœur-de-Lion 101 The Death of Conradin 103 Critical Annotations 105

THE SCEPTIC 106
Critical Annotations 113

SUPERSTITION AND REVELATION 114

ITALIAN LITERATURE.

The Basvigliana of Monti 118 The Alcestis of Alfieri 121 Il Conte di Carmagnola. A tragedy. By Alessandro Manzoni 125 Caius Gracchus. A tragedy. By Monti 133

PATRIOTIC EFFUSIONS OF THE ITALIAN POETS.
Vincenzo da Filicaja 138
Carlo Maria Maggi _ib._
Alessandro Marchetti _ib._
Alessandro Pegolotti _ib._
Francesco Maria de Conti.--The Shore of Africa _ib._
----
Jeu-d’Esprit on the word “Barb” 139
The Fever-Dream _ib._

DARTMOOR 141

WELSH MELODIES.

The Harp of Wales. Introductory stanzas 145 Druid Chorus on the Landing of the Romans _ib._ The Green Isles of Ocean 146 The Sea-Song of Gafran _ib._ The Hirlas Horn _ib._ The Hall of Cynddylan 147 The Lament of Llywarch Hen _ib._ Grufydd’s Feast 148 The Cambrian in America _ib._ Taliesin’s Prophecy _ib._ Owen Glyndwr’s War-Song 149 Prince Madoc’s Farewell _ib._ Caswallon’s Triumph 150 Howel’s Song _ib._ The Mountain Fires _ib._ Eryri Wen 151 Chant of the Bards before their Massacre by Edward I. _ib._ The Dying Bard’s Prophecy 152 The Fair Isle. For the melody called the “Welsh Ground” _ib._ The Rock of Cader Idris _ib._

THE VESPERS OF PALERMO 153
Critical Annotations 186
----
Stanzas to the Memory of George the Third 187

TALES AND HISTORIC SCENES.

The Maremma 191 A Tale of the Secret Tribunal 194 The Caravan in the Deserts 210 Marius amongst the Ruins of Carthage 212 A Tale of the Fourteenth Century. A Fragment 213 Belshazzar’s Feast 219 The Last Constantine 221 Annotations on the Last Constantine 234 The League of the Alps; or, the Meeting of the Field of Grütli _ib._

SONGS OF THE CID.

The Cid’s Departure into Exile 238 The Cid’s Deathbed _ib._ The Cid’s Funeral Procession 239 The Cid’s Rising 241

GREEK SONGS.

The Storm of Delphi 241 The Bowl of Liberty 242 The Voice of Scio 243 The Spartans’ March _ib._ The Urn and Sword 244 The Myrtle Bough _ib._

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

On a Flower from the Field of Grütli 244 On a Leaf from the Tomb of Virgil 245 The Chieftain’s Son _ib._ A Fragment _ib._ England’s Dead 246 The Meeting of the Bards. Written for an Eisteddvod, or meeting of Welsh Bards, held in London, May 22, 1822 246 The Voice of Spring 247 Elysium 249 The Funeral Genius. An Ancient Statue 250 The Tombs of Platæa 251 The View from Castri _ib._ The Festal Hour 252 Song of the Battle of Morgarten 253 Ode on the Defeat of King Sebastian of Portugal and his army in Africa. Translated from the Spanish of Herrera 254

SEBASTIAN OF PORTUGAL 256

THE SIEGE OF VALENCIA 262
Advertisement by the Author, _ib._
Critical Annotations 292

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

Song. Founded on an Arabian Anecdote 293 Alp-Horn Song. Translated from the German of Tieck 294 The Cross of the South _ib._ The Sleeper of Marathon 295 To Miss F. A. L. on her Birthday _ib._ Written on the First Leaf of the Album of the Same _ib._ To the Same, on the Death of her Mother 296 From the Spanish of Garcilaso de la Vega _ib._ From the Italian of Sannazaro _ib._ Appearance of the Spirit of the Cape to Vasco de Gama. Translated from Camoens 297 A Dirge 298

TRANSLATIONS FROM HORACE To Venus 298 To his Attendant _ib._ To Delius 299 To the Fountain of Bandusia _ib._ To Faunus _ib._

DE CHATILLON; OR, THE CRUSADERS 300
Critical Annotations 315

THE FOREST SANCTUARY 316
Critical Annotations 336

LAYS OF MANY LANDS.

Moorish Bridal-Song 338 The Bird’s Release _ib._ The Sword of the Tomb. A Northern Legend 339 Valkyriur Song 340 The Cavern of the Three Tells. A Swiss Tradition 341 Swiss Song. On the Anniversary of an Ancient Battle 342 The Messenger Bird 343 Answer to The Messenger Bird, by an American Quaker Lady _note_, _ib._ The Stranger in Louisiana _ib._ The Isle of Founts. An Indian Tradition 344 The Bended Bow 345 He never smiled again 346 Cœur-de-Lion at the Bier of his Father _ib._ The Vassal’s Lament for the Fallen Tree 347 The Wild Huntsman 348 Brandenburg Harvest-Song. From the German of La Motte Fouqué 348 The Shade of Theseus. An Ancient Greek Tradition 349 Ancient Greek Song of Exile _ib._ Greek Funeral Chant, or Myriologue _ib._ Greek Parting Song 351 The Suliote Mother 352 The Farewell to the Dead 353

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

I go, Sweet Friends! 354 Angel Visits _ib._ Ivy Song. Written on receiving some Ivy-leaves gathered from the ruined Castle of Rheinfels, on the Rhine _ib._ To one of the Author’s children on his Birthday 355 On a Similar Occasion _ib._ Christ Stilling the Tempest _ib._ Epitaph over the Grave of Two Brothers 356 Monumental Inscription _ib._ The Sound of the Sea _ib._ The Child and Dove. Suggested by Chantrey’s statue of Lady Louisa Russell 357 A Dirge _ib._ Scene in a Dalecarlian Mine _ib._ English Soldier’s Song of Memory. To the air of “Am Rhein! Am Rhein!” 358 Haunted Ground _ib._ The Child of the Forests. Written after reading the Memoirs of John Hunter 359 Stanzas to the Memory of * * * 360 The Vaudois Valleys _ib._ Song of the Spanish Wanderer 361 The Contadina. Written for a Picture _ib._ Troubadour Song _ib._ The Treasures of the Deep _ib._ Bring Flowers 362 The Crusader’s Return 363 Thekla’s Song; or, the Voice of a Spirit. From the German of Schiller 364 The Revellers _ib._ The Conqueror’s Sleep 365 Our Lady’s Well _ib._ The Parting of Summer 366 The Songs of our Fathers _ib._ The World in the Open Air 367 Kindred Hearts _ib._ The Traveller at the Source of the Nile 368 Casabianca 369 The Dial of Flowers _ib._ Our Daily Paths 370 The Cross in the Wilderness 371 Last Rites 372 The Hebrew Mother _ib._ The Wreck 373 The Trumpet 374 Evening Prayer at a Girls’ School _ib._ The Hour of Death 375 The Lost Pleiad _ib._ The Cliffs of Dover 376 The Graves of Martyrs _ib._ The Hour of Prayer 377 The Voice of Home to the Prodigal _ib._ The Wakening 378 The Breeze from Shore _ib._ The Dying Improvisatore 379 Music of Yesterday _ib._ The Forsaken Hearth 380 The Dreamer _ib._ The Wings of the Dove 381 Psyche borne by Zephyrs to the Island of Pleasure 382 The Boon of Memory _ib._ Dramatic scene between Bronwylfa and Rhyllon 383

RECORDS OF WOMAN.

Arabella Stuart 385 The Bride of the Greek Isle 388 The Bride’s Farewell 389 The Switzer’s Wife 391 Properzia Rossi 392 Gertrude; or, Fidelity till Death 394 Imelda _ib._ Edith. A Tale of the Woods 396 The Indian City 398 The Peasant Girl of the Rhone 401 Indian Woman’s Death-Song 402 Joan of Arc in Rheims 403 Pauline 404 Juana 405 The American Forest Girl 406 Costanza 407 Madeline. A Domestic Tale 408 The Queen of Prussia’s Tomb 409 The Memorial Pillar 410 The Grave of a Poetess 411

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

The Homes of England 412 The Sicilian Captive _ib._ Ivan the Czar 413 Carolan’s Prophecy 414 The Lady of the Castle. From the “Portrait Gallery,” an unfinished poem 416 The Mourner for the Barmecides 417 The Spanish Chapel 418 The Kaiser’s Feast 419 Tasso and his Sister 420 Ulla; or, The Adjuration 421 To Wordsworth 422 A Monarch’s Death-bed 423 To the Memory of Heber _ib._ The Adopted Child _ib._ Invocation 424 Körner and his Sister _ib._ The Death-Day of Körner 425 An Hour of Romance 427 A Voyager’s Dream of Land _ib._ The Effigies 428 The Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers in New England 429 The Spirit’s Mysteries _ib._ The Departed 430 The Palm-Tree _ib._ The Child’s Last Sleep. Suggested by a Monument of Chantrey’s 431 The Sunbeam _ib._ Breathings of Spring 432 The Illuminated City _ib._ The Spells of Home 433 Roman Girl’s Song _ib._ The Distant Ship 434 The Birds of Passage _ib._ The Graves of a Household 435 Mozart’s Requiem _ib._ The Image in Lava 436 Christmas Carol 437 A Father Reading the Bible _ib._ The Meeting of the Brothers _ib._ The Last Wish 438 Fairy Favours 439 Critical Annotations 440

SONGS OF THE AFFECTIONS.

A Spirit’s Return 442 The Lady of Provence 446 The Coronation of Inez de Castro 448 Italian Girl’s Hymn to the Virgin 449 To a Departed Spirit _ib._ The Chamois Hunter’s Love 450 The Indian with his Dead Child _ib._ Song of Emigration 451 The King of Arragon’s Lament for his Brother 452 The Return 453 The Vaudois Wife _ib._ The Guerilla Leader’s Vow 454 Thekla at her Lover’s Grave 455 The Sisters of Scio _ib._ Bernardo del Carpio 456 The Tomb of Madame Langhans 457 The Exile’s Dirge _ib._ The Dreaming Child 458 The Charmed Picture _ib._ Parting Words 459 The Message to the Dead _ib._ The Two Homes 460 The Soldier’s Death-bed 461 The Image in the Heart _ib._ The Land of Dreams 462 Woman on the Field of Battle _ib._ The Deserted House 463 The Stranger’s Heart 464 To a Remembered Picture _ib._ Come Home 465 The Fountain of Oblivion _ib._

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

The Bridal-Day 466 The Ancestral Song 467 The Magic Glass 468 Corinne at the Capitol 469 The Ruin _ib._ The Minster 470 The Song of Night 471 The Storm-Painter in his Dungeon _ib._ The Two Voices 472 The Parting Ship 473 The Last Tree of the Forest _ib._ The Streams 474 The Voice of the Wind 475 The Vigil of Arms 476 The Heart of Bruce in Melrose Abbey _ib._ Nature’s Farewell 477 The Beings of the Mind _ib._ The Lyre’s Lament 478 Tasso’s Coronation 479 The Better Land _ib._ The Wounded Eagle 480 Sadness and Mirth _ib._ The Nightingale’s Death-Song 481 The Diver _ib._ The Requiem of Genius 482 Triumphant Music 483 Second-Sight _ib._ The Sea-Bird flying inland 484 The Sleeper _ib._ The Mirror in the Deserted Hall _ib._ To the Daughter of Bernard Barton, the Quaker Poet 485 The Star of the Mine _ib._ Washington’s Statue. Sent from England to America _ib._ A Thought of Home at Sea 486 To the Memory of a Sister-in-Law _ib._ To an Orphan _ib._ Hymn by the Sickbed of a Mother 487 Where is the Sea? Song of the Greek Islander in Exile _ib._ To my own Portrait _ib._ No More 488 Passing Away 489 The Angler _ib._ Death and the Warrior 490 Song. For an air by Hummel _ib._ To the Memory of Lord Charles Murray, son of the Duke of Atholl, who died in the cause and lamented by the people of Greece _ib._ The Broken Chain 491 The Shadow of a Flower _ib._ Lines to a Butterfly resting on a Skull _ib._ The Bell at Sea 492 The Subterranean Stream _ib._ The Silent Multitude 493 The Antique Sepulchre _ib._ Evening Song of the Tyrolese Peasants 494 The Memory of the Dead _ib._ He walked with God 495 The Rod of Aaron _ib._ The Voice of God _ib._ The Fountain of Marah 496 The Penitent’s Offering _ib._ The Sculptured Children _ib._ Woman and Fame 497 A Thought of the Future 498 The Voice of Music _ib._ The Angel’s Greeting 499 A Farewell to Wales _ib._ Impromptu Lines addressed to Miss F. A. L. on receiving from her some Flowers when confined by illness _ib._ A Parting Song 500 We return no more _ib._ To a Wandering Female Singer 501 Lights and Shades _ib._ The Palmer _ib._ The Child’s First Grief 502 To the New-Born _ib._ The Death-Song of Alcestis _ib._ The Home of Love 503 Books and Flowers 504 For a Picture of St Cecilia attended by Angels 505 The Brigand Leader and his Wife. Suggested by a picture of Eastlake’s 506 The Child’s Return from the Woodlands 506 The Faith of Love 507 The Sister’s Dream, _ib._ A Farewell to Abbotsford 508 O’Connor’s Child _ib._ The Prayer for Life 509 The Welcome to Death _ib._ The Victor 510 Lines written for the Album at Rosanna _ib._ The Voice of the Waves. Written near the scene of a recent Shipwreck 511 The Haunted House _ib._ The Shepherd-Poet of the Alps 512 To the Mountain-Winds 514 The Procession 515 The Broken Lute _ib._ The Burial in the Desert 516 To a Picture of the Madonna 517 A Thought of the Rose 518 Dreams of Heaven _ib._ The Wish 519 Written after visiting a Tomb near Woodstock, in the county of Kilkenny _ib._ Epitaph 520 Prologue to the Tragedy of Fiesco _ib._ To Giulio Regondi, the Boy Guitarist _ib._ O ye Hours! _ib._ The Freed Bird 521 Marguerite of France _ib._ The Wanderer 523 The Last Words of the Last Wasp of Scotland _ib._ To Caroline 524 The Flower of the Desert _ib._ Critical Annotations _ib._

HYMNS FOR CHILDHOOD.

Introductory Verses 528 The Rainbow 529 The Sun _ib._ The Rivers _ib._ The Stars 530 The Ocean _ib._ The Thunder-storm 531 The Birds _ib._ The Skylark. Child’s Morning Hymn 532 The Nightingale. Child’s Evening Hymn _ib._ The Northern Spring 533 Paraphrase of Psalm 148 _ib._

NATIONAL LYRICS, AND SONGS FOR MUSIC.

NATIONAL LYRICS.

The Themes of Song 534

Rhine Song of the German Soldiers after Victory. To the air of “Am Rhein! Am Rhein!” _ib._ A Song of Delos 535 Ancient Greek Chant of Victory 536 Naples. A Song of the Syren _ib._ The Fall of D’Assas. A Ballad of France 537 The Burial of William the Conqueror _ib._

SONGS OF A GUARDIAN SPIRIT. Near thee! still near thee! 538 Oh! Droop thou not _ib._

SONGS OF SPAIN. Ancient Battle-Song 539 The Zegri Maid _ib._ The Rio Verde Song _ib._ Seek by the Silvery Darro 540 Spanish Evening Hymn _ib._ Bird that art Singing on Ebro’s Side! _ib._ Moorish Gathering-Song _ib._ The Song of Mina’s Soldiers 541 Mother! Oh, sing me to rest _ib._ There are Sounds in the Dark Roncesvalles _ib._

SONGS FOR SUMMER HOURS. And I too in Arcadia 541 The Wandering Wind 542 Ye are not miss’d, fair Flowers! _ib._ The Willow Song _ib._ Leave me not yet 543 The Orange Bough _ib._ The Stream set Free _ib._ The Summer’s Call _ib._ Oh! Skylark, for thy Wing! 544

SONGS OF CAPTIVITY. Introduction 545 The Brother’s Dirge _ib._ The Alpine Horn _ib._ O ye Voices! _ib._ I Dream of all things Free 546 Far o’er the Sea _ib._ The Invocation _ib._ The Song of Hope _ib._

MISCELLANEOUS LYRICS. The Call to Battle 547 Mignon’s Song. Translated from Goethe _ib._ The Sisters. A Ballad 548 The Last Song of Sappho 549 Dirge _ib._ A Song of the Rose 550 Night-Blowing Flowers 551 The Wanderer and the Night-Flowers _ib._ Echo-Song _ib._ The Muffled Drum 552 The Swan and the Skylark _ib._ The Curfew-Song of England 553 Genius Singing to Love 554 Music at a Deathbed _ib._ Marshal Schwerin’s Grave 555 The Fallen Lime-Tree _ib._ The Bird at Sea 556 The Dying Girl and Flowers _ib._ The Ivy-Song 557 The Music of St Patrick’s _ib._ Keene; or, Lament of an Irish Mother over her Son Far Away 558 The Lyre and Flower 559 Sister! since I met thee last _ib._ The Lonely Bird _ib._ Dirge at Sea _ib._ Pilgrim’s Song to the Evening Star 560 The Meeting of the Ships _ib._ Come Away _ib._ Fair Helen of Kirkconnel 561 Music from Shore _ib._ Look on me with thy cloudless eyes 561 If thou hast crush’d a flower 562 Brightly hast thou fled _ib._ The Bed of Heath _ib._ Fairy Song _ib._ What Woke the Buried Sound 563 Sing to me, Gondolier! _ib._ Look on me thus no more _ib._ O’er the far blue Mountains _ib._ O thou Breeze of Spring! _ib._ Come to me, Dreams of Heaven! 564 Good-Night _ib._ Let her Depart _ib._ How can that Love so deep, so lone 565 Water-Lilies. A Fairy Song _ib._ The Broken Flower _ib._ I would we had not met again _ib._ Fairies’ Recall _ib._ The Rock beside the Sea 566 O ye Voices gone! _ib._ By a Mountain-Stream at rest _ib._ Is there some Spirit sighing _ib._ The Name of England 567 Old Norway. A Mountain War-song _ib._ Come to me, Gentle Sleep! _ib._

SCENES AND HYMNS OF LIFE.

Preface 568 The English Martyrs. A scene of the days of Queen Mary _ib._ Flowers and Music in a Room of Sickness 572 Cathedral Hymn 574 Wood Walk and Hymn 576 Prayer of the Lonely Student 577 The Traveller’s Evening Song 579 Burial of an Emigrant’s Child in the Forests _ib._ Easter-Day in a Mountain Churchyard 581 The Child Reading the Bible 583 A Poet’s Dying Hymn _ib._ The Funeral-Day of Sir Walter Scott 585 The Prayer in the Wilderness 586 Prisoners’ Evening Service. A Scene of the French Revolution 587 Hymn of the Vaudois Mountaineers in times of Persecution 588 Prayer at Sea after Victory 589 The Indian’s Revenge. Scene in the life of a Moravian Missionary 590 Evening Song of the Weary 592 The Day of Flowers _ib._ Hymn of the Traveller’s Household on his Return--in the Olden Time 594 The Painter’s Last Work 595 A Prayer of Affection 596 Mother’s Litany by the Sick-bed of a Child _ib._ Night-Hymn at Sea. The words written for a melody by Felton 597

SONNETS.

FEMALE CHARACTERS OF SCRIPTURE. Invocation _ib._ Invocation continued _ib._ The Song of Miriam 598 Ruth 598 The Vigil of Rizpah _ib._ The Reply of the Shunamite Woman _ib._ The Annunciation _ib._ The Song of the Virgin 599 The Penitent anointing Christ’s Feet _ib._ Mary at the Feet of Christ _ib._ The Sisters of Bethany after the Death of Lazarus _ib._ The Memorial of Mary 599 The Women of Jerusalem at the Cross _ib._ Mary Magdalene at the Sepulchre 600 Mary Magdalene bearing Tidings of the Resurrection _ib._

SONNETS, DEVOTIONAL AND MEMORIAL. The Sacred Harp 600 To a Family Bible _ib._ Repose of a Holy Family. From an old Italian Picture _ib._ Picture of the Infant Christ with Flowers 601 On a Remembered Picture of Christ--an Ecce Homo by Leonardo da Vinci _ib._ The Children whom Jesus Blessed _ib._ Mountain Sanctuaries _ib._ The Lilies of the Field _ib._ The Birds of the Air 602 The Raising of the Widow’s Son _ib._ The Olive Tree _ib._ The Darkness of the Crucifixion _ib._ Places of Worship _ib._ Old Church in an English Park 603 A Church in North Wales _ib._ Louise Schepler _ib._ To the Same _ib._

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

The Two Monuments 604 The Cottage Girl _ib._ The Battle-Field 605 A Penitent’s Return _ib._ A Thought of Paradise 606 Let us Depart _ib._ On a Picture of Christ Bearing the Cross--painted by Velasquez 607 Communings with Thought _ib._ The Water-Lily 608 The Song of Penitence. Unfinished 609 Troubadour Song _ib._ The English Boy _ib._ To the Blue Anemone 610

SCENES AND PASSAGES FROM GOETHE. Scenes from “Tasso” 611 Scenes from “Iphigenia.” A Fragment 616

RECORDS OF THE SPRING OF 1834. A Vernal Thought 617 To the Sky _ib._ On Records of Immature Genius _ib._ On Watching the Flight of a Skylark 618 A Thought of the Sea _ib._ Distant Sound of the Sea at Evening _ib._ The River Clwyd in North Wales _ib._ Orchard-Blossoms 619 To a Distant Scene _ib._ A Remembrance of Grasmere _ib._ Thoughts connected with Trees _ib._ The Same _ib._ On Reading Paul and Virginia in Childhood 620 A Thought at Sunset _ib._ Images of Patriarchal Life _ib._ Attraction of the East _ib._ To an Aged Friend 620 A Happy Hour 621 Foliage _ib._ A Prayer _ib._ Prayer continued _ib._ Memorial of a Conversation 622

RECORDS OF THE AUTUMN OF 1834. The Return to Poetry 622 To Silvio Pellico, on Reading his “Prigione” _ib._ To the Same released _ib._ On a Scene in the Dargle 623 On the Datura Arborea _ib._ On Reading Coleridge’s Epitaph _ib._ Design and Performance _ib._ Hope of Future Communion with Nature _ib._ Dreams of the Dead 624 The Poetry of the Psalms _ib._ Despondency and Aspiration _ib._ The Huguenot’s Farewell 626 Antique Greek Lament 627

THOUGHTS DURING SICKNESS. Intellectual Powers 627 Sickness like Night _ib._ On Retzsch’s Design of the Angel of Death _ib._ Remembrance of Nature _ib._ Flight of the Spirit _ib._ Flowers _ib._ Recovery 629 Sabbath Sonnet. Composed by Mrs Hemans a few days before her death _ib._ ---- Appendix 630 Index 642 Index to first lines 647

CHRONOLOGY OF MRS HEMANS’ LIFE AND WORKS

1793.

Felicia Dorothea Browne, born at Liverpool, Sept 25.

1800, (æt. 7.)

Removes with family from Liverpool to Gwrych, near Abergele, Denbighshire.--Shortly afterwards composes Lines on her Mother’s Birthday.

1804, (11.)

Spends winter in London.--Writes thence letter in rhyme to brother and sister in Wales.

1808, (15.)

Collection of poems printed in 4to.--England and Spain written.--Becomes acquainted with Captain Hemans.

1809, (16.)

Family remove to Bronwylfa in Flintshire.--Pursues her studies in French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese.--Acquires the elements of German; and shows a taste for drawing and music.

1812, (19.)

Domestic Affections and other poems published.--Marries Captain Hemans.--Takes up residence at Daventry, Northamptonshire.

1813, (20.)

Son Arthur born.--Returns to Bronwylfa.

1816, (23.)

Publishes Restoration of the Works of Art to Italy; also Modern Greece.

1818, (25.)

Makes Translations from Camoens and others.--Publishes Stanzas on the Death of Princess Charlotte, (_Blackwood’s Magazine_, April.)

1819, (26.)

Tales and Historic Scenes published.--Gains prize for best poem on the Meeting of Wallace and Bruce.--Captain Hemans takes up residence in Italy.--Family consists of five sons.

1820, (27.)

Publishes poem of Sceptic.--Becomes acquainted with Bishop Heber and his brother Richard.--Corresponds with Mr Gifford.--Contributes papers on Foreign Literature to _Edinburgh Magazine_.--Publishes Stanzas to the Memory of George the Third.--Visits Wavertree Lodge, near Liverpool, (October.)

1821, (28.)

Poem of Dartmoor obtains prize offered by Royal Society of Literature.--Corresponds with Rev. Mr Milman, and Dr Croly.--Writes Vespers of Palermo.--Extends her German studies. Writes Welsh Melodies.

1822, (29.)

Siege of Valencia, and Songs of the Cid written;--also dramatic fragment of Don Sebastian.

1823, (30.)

Contributes to Thomas Campbell’s _New Monthly Magazine_.--Voice of Spring written, (March.)--Siege of Valencia published, along with Last Constantine and Belshazzar’s Feast.--Vespers of Palermo performed at Covent Garden, (Dec. 12.)

1824, (31.)

Composes De Chatillon, revised MS. of which unfortunately lost.--Writes Lays of Many Lands.--Removes with family from Bronwylfa to Rhyllon.

1825, (32.)

Treasures of the Deep, The Hebrew Mother, The Hour of Death, Graves of a Household, The Cross in the Wilderness, and many other of her best lyrics written.

1826, (33.)

The Forest Sanctuary published, together with Lays of Many Lands.--Commences correspondence with Professor Norton of Boston, U.S., who republishes her works there.

1827, (34.)

Mrs Hemans loses her mother (11th January.)--Writes Hymns for Childhood, which are first published in America.--Corresponds with Joanna Baillie, Anne Grant, Mary Mitford, Caroline Bowles, Mary Howitt, and M. J. Jewsbury.--Writes Körner to his Sister, Homes of England, An Hour of Romance, The Palm-Tree, and many other lyrics.--Health becomes impaired.

1828, (35.)

Publishes with Mr Blackwood Records of Woman, and collected Miscellanies, (May.)--Contributes regularly to _Blackwood’s Magazine_.--Visits Wavertree Lodge early in summer.--Removes to village of Wavertree with family in September.

1829, (36.)

Writes Lady of Provence, To a Wandering Female Singer, The Child’s First Grief, The Better Land, and Miscellanies.--Voyages to Scotland, (June,) and visits Mr Henry M’Kenzie, Rev. Mr Alison, Lord Jeffrey, Sir Walter Scott, Captain Hamilton, Captain Basil Hall, and other distinguished literati.--Returns to England, (Sept.)--A Spirit’s Return composed.

1830, (37.)

Songs of the Affections published.--Visits the Lakes and Mr Wordsworth.--Domiciles during part of summer at Dove’s Nest, near Ambleside.--Revisits Scotland, (Aug.)--Returns by Dublin and Holyhead to Wales.

1831, (38.)

State of health delicate.--Quits England for last time, (April,) and proceeds to Dublin.--Visits the Hermitage, near Kilkenny, and Woodstock.--Returns to Dublin, (Aug.)--Writes various lyrics.

1832, (39.)

Health continues greatly impaired.--Writes Miscellaneous Lyrics, Songs of Spain, and Songs of a Guardian Spirit.

1833, (40.)

Feels recruited during spring.--Writes Songs of Captivity, Songs for Summer Hours, and many of Scenes and Hymns of Life.--Composes Sonnets Devotional and Memorial.--Commences translation of Scenes and Passages from German Authors, (December.)

1834, (41.)

Hymns for Childhood published (March;) also National Lyrics and Songs for Music.--Paper on Tasso, published in _New Monthly Magazine_, (May.)--Writes Fragment of Paper on Iphigenia.--Records of Spring 1834 written, (April, May, June.)--Is seized with fever; during convalescence retires into county of Wicklow.--Returns to Dublin in autumn, and has attack of ague.--Composes Records of Autumn 1834.--Writes Despondency and Aspiration, (Oct. and Nov.)--The Huguenot’s Farewell and Antique Greek Lament, (Nov.)--Thoughts during Sickness written, (Nov. and Dec.)--Retires during convalescence to Redesdale, a country-seat of the Archbishop of Dublin.

1835, (42.)

Returns to Dublin, (March.)--Debility gradually increases.--Corresponds regarding Sir Robert Peel’s appointment of her son Henry.--Dictates Sabbath Sonnet, (April 26.)--Departs this life, (16th May.)--Remains interred in vault beneath St Anne’s Church, Dublin.

THE

POETICAL WORKS

OF

MRS HEMANS

JUVENILE POEMS

ON MY MOTHER’S BIRTHDAY.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF EIGHT.

Clad in all their brightest green,
This day the verdant fields are seen;
The tuneful birds begin their lay,
To celebrate thy natal day.

The breeze is still, the sea is calm,
And the whole scene combines to charm;
The flowers revive, this charming May,
Because it is thy natal day.

The sky is blue, the day serene,
And only pleasure now is seen;
The rose, the pink, the tulip gay,
Combine to bless thy natal day.

A PRAYER.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF NINE.

O God! my Father and my Friend,
Ever thy blessings to me send;
Let me have Virtue for my guide,
And Wisdom always at my side.
Thus cheerfully through life I’ll go,
Nor ever feel the sting of woe;
Contented with the humblest lot--
Happy, though in the meanest cot.

ADDRESS TO THE DEITY.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN.

The infant muse, Jehovah! would aspire
To swell the adoration of the lyre:
Source of all good! oh, teach my voice to sing
Thee, from whom Nature’s genuine beauties spring;
Thee, God of truth, omnipotent and wise,
Who saidst to Chaos, “let the earth arise.”
O Author of the rich luxuriant year!
Love, Truth, and Mercy in thy works appear:
Within their orbs the planets dost Thou keep,
And e’en hast limited the mighty deep.
Oh! could I number thy inspiring ways,
And wake the voice of animated praise!
Ah, no! the theme shall swell a cherub’s note;
To Thee celestial hymns of rapture float.
’Tis not for me in lowly strains to sing
Thee, God of mercy,--heaven’s immortal King!
Yet to that happiness I’d fain aspire--
Oh! fill my heart with elevated fire:
With angel-songs an artless voice shall blend,
The grateful offering shall to Thee ascend.
Yes! Thou wilt breathe a spirit o’er my lyre,
And “fill my beating heart with sacred fire!”
And when to Thee my youth, my life, I’ve given,
Raise me to join Eliza,[1] blest in Heaven.

[1] A sister whom the author had lost.

SHAKSPEARE.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN.

[One of her earliest tastes was a passion for Shakspeare, which she read, as her choicest recreation, at six years old; and in later days she would often refer to the hours of romance she had passed in a secret haunt of her own--a seat amongst the branches of an old apple-tree--where, revelling in the treasures of the cherished volume, she would become completely absorbed in the imaginative world it revealed to her. The following lines, written at eleven years old, may be adduced as a proof of her juvenile enthusiasm.--_Memoir of Mrs Hemans by her Sister_, p. 6, 7.]

I love to rove o’er history’s page,
Recall the hero and the sage;
Revive the actions of the dead,
And memory of ages fled:
Yet it yields me greater pleasure,
To read the poet’s pleasing measure.
Led by Shakspeare, bard inspired,
The bosom’s energies are fired;
We learn to shed the generous tear,
O’er poor Ophelia’s sacred bier;
To love the merry moonlit scene,
With fairy elves in valleys green;
Or, borne on fancy’s heavenly wings,
To listen while sweet Ariel sings.
How sweet the “native woodnotes wild”
Of him, the Muse’s favourite child!
Of him whose magic lays impart
Each various feeling to the heart!

TO MY BROTHER AND SISTER IN THE COUNTRY.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF ELEVEN.

[At about the age of eleven, she passed a winter in London with her father and mother; and a similar sojourn was repeated in the following year, after which she never visited the metropolis. The contrast between the confinement of a town life, and the happy freedom of her own mountain home, was even then so distasteful to her, that the indulgences of plays and sights soon ceased to be cared for, and she longed to rejoin her younger brother and sister in their favourite rural haunts and amusements--the nuttery wood, the beloved apple-tree, the old arbour, with its swing, the post-office tree, in whose trunk a daily interchange of family letters was established, the pool where fairy ships were launched (generally painted and decorated by herself,) and, dearer still, the fresh free ramble on the seashore, or the mountain expedition to the Signal Station, or the Roman Encampment. In one of her letters, the pleasure with which she looked forward to her return home was thus expressed in rhyme.--_Mem._ p. 8, 9.]

Happy soon we’ll meet again,
Free from sorrow, care, and pain;
Soon again we’ll rise with dawn,
To roam the verdant dewy lawn;
Soon the budding leaves we’ll hail,
Or wander through the well-known vale;
Or weave the smiling wreath of flowers;
And sport away the light-wing’d hours.
Soon we’ll run the agile race;
Soon, dear playmates, we’ll embrace;--
Through the wheat-field or the grove,
We’ll hand in hand delighted rove;
Or, beneath some spreading oak,
Ponder the instructive book;
Or view the ships that swiftly glide,
Floating on the peaceful tide;
Or raise again the caroll’d lay;
Or join again in mirthful play;
Or listen to the humming bees,
As their murmurs swell the breeze;
Or seek the primrose where it springs;
Or chase the fly with painted wings;
Or talk beneath the arbour’s shade;
Or mark the tender shooting blade:
Or stray beside the babbling stream,
When Luna sheds her placid beam;
Or gaze upon the glassy sea----
Happy, happy shall we be!

SONNET TO MY MOTHER.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF TWELVE.

To thee, maternal guardian of my youth,
I pour the genuine numbers free from art--
The lays inspired by gratitude and truth;
For thou wilt prize the effusion of the heart.
Oh! be it mine, with sweet and pious care,
To calm thy bosom in the hour of grief;
With soothing tenderness to chase the tear,
With fond endearments to impart relief:
Be mine thy warm affection to repay
With duteous love in thy declining hours;
My filial hand shall strew unfading flowers,
Perennial roses, to adorn thy way:
Still may thy grateful children round thee smile--
Their pleasing care affliction shall beguile.

SONNET.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF THIRTEEN.

’Tis sweet to think the spirits of the blest
May hover round the virtuous man’s repose;
And oft in visions animate his breast,
And scenes of bright beatitude disclose.
The ministers of Heaven, with pure control,
May bid his sorrow and emotion cease,
Inspire the pious fervour of his soul,
And whisper to his bosom hallow’d peace.
Ah, tender thought! that oft with sweet relief
May charm the bosom of a weeping friend,
Beguile with magic power the tear of grief,
And pensive pleasure with devotion blend;
While oft he fancies music, sweetly faint,
The airy lay of some departed saint.

RURAL WALKS.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF THIRTEEN.

Oh! may I ever pass my happy hours
In Cambrian valleys and romantic bowers;
For every spot in sylvan beauty drest,
And every landscape, charms my youthful breast.
And much I love to hail the vernal morn,
When flowers of spring the mossy seat adorn;
And sometimes through the lonely wood I stray,
To cull the tender rosebuds in my way;
And seek in every wild secluded dell,
The weeping cowslip and the azure bell;
With all the blossoms, fairer in the dew,
To form the gay festoon of varied hue.
And oft I seek the cultivated green,
The fertile meadow, and the village scene;
Where rosy children sport around the cot,
Or gather woodbine from the garden spot.
And there I wander by the cheerful rill,
That murmurs near the osiers and the mill;
To view the smiling peasants turn the hay,
And listen to their pleasing festive lay.
I love to loiter in the spreading grove,
Or in the mountain scenery to rove;
Where summits rise in awful grace around,
With hoary moss and tufted verdure crown’d;
Where cliffs in solemn majesty are piled,
“And frown upon the vale” with grandeur wild:
And there I view the mouldering tower sublime,
Array’d in all the blending shades of Time.

The airy upland and the woodland green,
The valley, and romantic mountain scene;
The lowly hermitage, or fair domain,
The dell retired, or willow-shaded lane;
“And every spot in sylvan beauty drest,
And every landscape, charms my youthful breast.”

SONNET.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF THIRTEEN.

[In 1808, a collection of her poems, which had long been regarded amongst her friends with a degree of admiration perhaps more partial than judicious, was submitted to the world, in the form (certainly an ill-advised one) of a quarto volume. Its appearance drew down the animadversions of some self-constituted arbiter of public taste,[2] and the young poetess was thus early initiated into the pains and perils attendant upon the career of an author;--though it may here be observed, that, as far as criticism was concerned, this was at once the first and last time she was destined to meet with any thing like harshness or mortification. Though this unexpected severity was felt bitterly for a few days, her buoyant spirit soon rose above it, and her effusions continued to be poured forth as spontaneously as the song of the skylark.]

I love to hail the mild and balmy hour
When evening spreads around her twilight veil.
When dews descend on every languid flower,
And sweet and tranquil is the summer gale.
Then let me wander by the peaceful tide,
While o’er the wave the breezes lightly play;
To hear the waters murmur as they glide,
To mark the fading smile of closing day.
There let me linger, blest in visions dear,
Till the soft moonbeams tremble on the seas;
While melting sounds decay on fancy’s ear,
Of airy music floating on the breeze.
For still when evening sheds the genial dews,
That pensive hour is sacred to the muse.

[2] The criticism referred to, and which, considering the circumstances under which the volume appeared, was certainly somewhat ungenerous, and quite uncalled for, ran as follows:

--“We hear that these poems are the ‘genuine productions of a young lady, written between the ages of eight and thirteen years,’ and we do not feel inclined to question the intelligence; but although the fact may insure them an indulgent reception from all those who have ‘children dear,’ yet, when a little girl publishes a large quarto, we are disposed to examine before we admit her claims to public attention. Many of Miss Browne’s compositions are extremely _jejune_. However, though Miss Browne’s poems contain some erroneous and some pitiable lines, we must praise the ‘Reflections in a ruined Castle,’ and the poetic strain in which they are delivered. The lines to ‘Patriotism’ contain good thoughts and forcible images; and if the youthful author were to content herself for some years with reading instead of writing, we should open any future work from her pen with an expectation of pleasure, founded on our recollection of this publication; though we must, at the same time, observe, that premature talents are not always to be considered as signs of future excellence. The honeysuckle attains maturity before the oak.”--_Monthly Review_, 1809.

ENGLAND AND SPAIN; OR, VALOUR AND PATRIOTISM.

WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF FOURTEEN.

----“His sword the brave man draws,
And asks no omen but his country’s cause.”--Pope.

[New sources of inspiration were now opening to her view. Birthday addresses, songs by the seashore, and invocations to fairies, were henceforth to be diversified with warlike themes; and trumpets and banners now floated through the dreams in which birds and flowers had once reigned paramount. Her two elder brothers had entered the army at an early age, and were both serving in the 23d Royal Welsh Fusiliers. One of them was now engaged in the Spanish campaign under Sir John Moore; and a vivid imagination and enthusiastic affections being alike enlisted in the cause, her young mind was filled with glorious visions of British valour and Spanish patriotism. In her ardent view, the days of chivalry seemed to be restored, and the very names which were of daily occurrence in the despatches, were involuntarily associated with the deeds of Roland and his Paladins, or of her own especial hero, “The Cid Ruy Diaz,” the Campeador. Under the inspiration of these feelings, she composed a poem entitled “England and Spain,” which was published and afterwards translated into Spanish. This cannot but be considered as a very remarkable production for a girl of fourteen; lofty sentiments, correctness of language, and historical knowledge, being all strikingly displayed in it.--_Memoir_, p. 10, 11.]

Too long have Tyranny and Power combined
To sway, with iron sceptre, o’er mankind;
Long has Oppression worn th’ imperial robe,
And Rapine’s sword has wasted half the globe!
O’er Europe’s cultured realms, and climes afar,
Triumphant Gaul has pour’d the tide of war:
To her fair Austria veil’d the standard bright;
Ausonia’s lovely plains have own’d her might;
While Prussia’s eagle, never taught to yield,
Forsook her towering height on Jena’s field!

O gallant Frederic! could thy parted shade
Have seen thy country vanquish’d and betray’d,
How had thy soul indignant mourn’d her shame,
Her sullied trophies, and her tarnish’d fame!
When Valour wept lamented Brunswick’s doom,
And nursed with tears the laurels on his tomb;
When Prussia, drooping o’er her hero’s grave,
Invoked his spirit to descend and save;
Then set her glories--then expired her sun,
And fraud achieved e’en more than conquest won!

O’er peaceful realms, that smiled with plenty gay,
Has desolation spread her ample sway;
Thy blast, O Ruin! on tremendous wings,
Has proudly swept o’er empires, nations, kings.
Thus the wild hurricane’s impetuous force
With dark destruction marks its whelming course,
Despoils the woodland’s pomp, the blooming plain,
Death on its pinion, vengeance in its train!
--Rise, Freedom, rise! and, breaking from thy trance,
Wave the dread banner, seize the glittering lance!
With arm of might assert thy sacred cause,
And call thy champions to defend thy laws!
How long shall tyrant power her throne maintain?
How long shall despots and usurpers reign?
Is honour’s lofty soul for ever fled!
Is virtue lost? is martial ardour dead?
Is there no heart where worth and valour dwell,
No patriot Wallace, no undaunted Tell?
Yes, Freedom! yes! thy sons, a noble band,
Around thy banner, firm, exulting stand;
Once more, ’tis thine, invincible to wield
The beamy spear and adamantine shield!
Again thy cheek with proud resentment glows,
Again thy lion-glance appals thy foes;
Thy kindling eye-beam darts unconquer’d fires,
Thy look sublime the warrior’s heart inspires;
And, while to guard thy standard and thy right,
Castilians rush, intrepid, to the fight,
Lo! Britain’s generous host their aid supply,
Resolved for thee to triumph or to die;
And Glory smiles to see Iberia’s name
Enroll’d with Albion’s in the book of fame!

Illustrious names! still, still united beam,
Be still the hero’s boast, the poet’s theme:
So, when two radiant gems together shine,
And in one wreath their lucid light combine;
Each, as it sparkles with transcendant rays,
Adds to the lustre of its kindred blaze.

Descend, O Genius! from thy orb descend!
Thy glowing thought, thy kindling spirit lend!
As Memnon’s harp (so ancient fables say)
With sweet vibration meets the morning ray,
So let the chords thy heavenly presence own,
And swell a louder note, a nobler tone;
Call from the sun, her burning throne on high,
The seraph Ecstasy, with lightning eye;
Steal from the source of day empyreal fire,
And breathe the soul of rapture o’er the lyre!

Hail, Albion! hail, thou land of freedom’s birth!
Pride of the main, and Phœnix of the earth!
Thou second Rome, where mercy, justice, dwell,
Whose sons in wisdom as in arms excel!

Thine are the dauntless bands, like Spartans brave,
Bold in the field, triumphant on the wave;
In classic elegance and arts divine,
To rival Athens’ fairest palm is thine;
For taste and fancy from Hymettus fly,
And richer bloom beneath thy varying sky,
Where Science mounts in radiant car sublime
To other worlds beyond the sphere of time!
Hail, Albion, hail! to thee has fate denied
Peruvian mines and rich Hindostan’s pride,
The gems that Ormuz and Golconda boast,
And all the wealth of Montezuma’s coast:
For thee no Parian marbles brightly shine,
No glowing suns mature the blushing vine;
No light Arabian gales their wings expand,
To waft Sabæan incense o’er the land;
No graceful cedars crown thy lofty hills,
No trickling myrrh for thee its balm distils;
Not from thy trees the lucid amber flows,
And far from thee the scented cassia blows:
Yet fearless Commerce, pillar of thy throne,
Makes all the wealth of foreign climes thy own;
From Lapland’s shore to Afric’s fervid reign,
She bids thy ensigns float above the main;
Unfurls her streamers to the favouring gale,
And shows to other worlds her daring sail:
Then wafts their gold, their varied stores to thee,
Queen of the trident! empress of the sea!

For this thy noble sons have spread alarms,
And bade the zones resound with Britain’s arms!
Calpè’s proud rock, and Syria’s palmy shore,
Have heard and trembled at their battle’s roar;
The sacred waves of fertilising Nile
Have seen the triumphs of the conquering isle;
For this, for this, the Samiel-blast of war
Has roll’d o’er Vincent’s cape and Trafalgar!
Victorious Rodney spread thy thunder’s sound,
And Nelson fell, with fame immortal crown’d--
Blest if their perils and their blood could gain,
To grace thy hand, the sceptre of the main!
The milder emblems of the virtues calm--
The poet’s verdant bay, the sage’s palm--
These in thy laurel’s blooming foliage twine,
And round thy brows a deathless wreath combine:
Not Mincio’s banks, nor Meles’ classic tide,
Are hallow’d more than Avon’s haunted side;
Nor is thy Thames a less inspiring theme
Than pure Ilissus, or than Tiber’s stream.

Bright in the annals of th’ impartial page,
Britannia’s heroes live from age to age!
From ancient days, when dwelt her savage race,
Her painted natives, foremost in the chase,
Free from all cares for luxury or gain,
Lords of the wood and monarchs of the plain;
To these Augustan days, when social arts
Refine and meliorate her manly hearts;
From doubtful Arthur--hero of romance,
King of the circled board, the spear, the lance--
To those whose recent trophies grace her shield,
The gallant victors of Vimeira’s field;
Still have her warriors borne th’ unfading crown
And made the British flag the ensign of renown.

Spirit of Alfred! patriot soul sublime!
Thou morning-star of error’s darkest time!
Prince of the Lion-heart! whose arm in fight,
On Syria’s plains repell’d Saladin’s might!
Edward! for bright heroic deeds revered,
By Cressy’s fame to Britain still endear’d!
Triumphant Henry! thou, whose valour proud,
The lofty plume of crested Gallia bow’d!
Look down, look down, exalted shades! and view
Your Albion still to freedom’s banner true!
Behold the land, ennobled by your fame,
Supreme in glory, and of spotless name:
And, as the pyramid indignant rears
Its awful head, and mocks the waste of years;
See her secure in pride of virtue tower,
While prostrate nations kiss the rod of power!

Lo! where her pennons, waving high, aspire,
Bold Victory hovers near, “with eyes of fire!”
While Lusitania hails, with just applause,
The brave defenders of her injured cause;
Bids the full song, the note of triumph rise,
And swells th’ exulting pæan to the skies!

And they, who late with anguish, hard to tell,
Breathed to their cherish’d realms a sad farewell!
Who, as the vessel bore them o’er the tide,
Still fondly linger’d on its deck, and sigh’d;
Gazed on the shore, till tears obscured their sight,
And the blue distance melted into light--
The Royal exiles, forced by Gallia’s hate
To fly for refuge in a foreign state--
They, soon returning o’er the western main,
Ere long may view their clime beloved again:
And as the blazing pillar led the host
Of faithful Israel o’er the desert coast,
So may Britannia guide the noble band
O’er the wild ocean to their native land.
O glorious isle!--O sovereign of the waves!
Thine are the sons who “never will be slaves!”
See them once more, with ardent hearts advance,
And rend the laurels of insulting France;
To brave Castile their potent aid supply,
And wave, O Freedom! wave thy sword on high!

Is there no bard of heavenly power possess’d
To thrill, to rouse, to animate the breast?
Like Shakspeare o’er the secret mind to sway,
And call each wayward passion to obey?
Is there no bard, imbued with hallow’d fire,
To wake the chords of Ossian’s magic lyre;
Whose numbers breathing all his flame divine,
The patriot’s name to ages might consign?
Rise, Inspiration! rise! be this thy theme,
And mount, like Uriel, on the golden beam!

Oh, could my muse on seraph pinion spring,
And sweep with rapture’s hand the trembling string!
Could she the bosom energies control,
And pour impassion’d fervour o’er the soul!
Oh, could she strike the harp to Milton given,
Brought by a cherub from th’ empyrean heaven!
Ah, fruitless wish! ah, prayer preferr’d in vain,
For her--the humblest of the woodland train;
Yet shall her feeble voice essay to raise
The hymn of liberty, the song of praise!

Iberian bands! whose noble ardour glows
To pour confusion on oppressive foes;
Intrepid spirits, hail! ’tis yours to feel
The hero’s fire, the freeman’s godlike zeal!
Not to secure dominion’s boundless reign,
Ye wave the flag of conquest o’er the slain;
No cruel rapine leads you to the war,
Nor mad ambition, whirl’d in crimson car.
No, brave Castilians! yours a nobler end,
Your land, your laws, your monarch to defend!
For these, for these, your valiant legions rear
The floating standard, and the lofty spear!
The fearless lover wields the conquering sword,
Fired by the image of the maid adored!
His best-beloved, his fondest ties, to aid,
The father’s hand unsheaths the glittering blade!
For each, for all, for ev’ry sacred right,
The daring patriot mingles in the fight!
And e’en if love or friendship fail to warm,
His country’s name alone can nerve his dauntless arm!

He bleeds! he falls! his deathbed is the field!
His dirge the trumpet, and his bier the shield!
His closing eyes the beam of valour speak,
The flush of ardour lingers on his cheek;
Serene he lifts to heaven those closing eyes,
Then for his country breathes a prayer--and dies!
Oh! ever hallow’d be his verdant grave--
There let the laurel spread, the cypress wave!
Thou, lovely Spring! bestow, to grace his tomb,
Thy sweetest fragrance, and thy earliest bloom;
There let the tears of heaven descend in balm,
There let the poet consecrate his palm!
Let honour, pity, bless the holy ground,
And shades of sainted heroes watch around!
’Twas thus, while Glory rung his thrilling knell,
Thy chief, O Thebes! at Mantinea fell;
Smiled undismay’d within the arms of death,
While Victory, weeping nigh, received his breath!

O thou, the sovereign of the noble soul!
Thou source of energies beyond control!
Queen of the lofty thought, the generous deed,
Whose sons unconquer’d fight, undaunted bleed,--
Inspiring Liberty! thy worshipp’d name
The warm enthusiast kindles to a flame;
Thy charms inspire him to achievements high,
Thy look of heaven, thy voice of harmony.
More blest with thee to tread perennial snows,
Where ne’er a flower expands, a zephyr blows;
Where Winter, binding nature in his chain,
In frost-work palace holds perpetual reign;
Than, far from thee, with frolic step to rove
The green savannas and the spicy grove;
Scent the rich balm of India’s perfumed gales,
In citron-woods and aromatic vales:
For oh! fair Liberty, when thou art near,
Elysium blossoms in the desert drear!

Where’er thy smile its magic power bestows,
There arts and taste expand, there fancy glows;
The sacred lyre its wild enchantment gives,
And every chord to swelling transport lives;
There ardent Genius bids the pencil trace
The soul of beauty, and the lines of grace;
With bold Promethean hand, the canvass warms,
And calls from stone expression’s breathing forms.
Thus, where the fruitful Nile o’erflows its bound,
Its genial waves diffuse abundance round,
Bid Ceres laugh o’er waste and sterile sands,
And rich profusion clothe deserted lands.

Immortal Freedom! daughter of the skies!
To thee shall Britain’s grateful incense rise.
Ne’er, goddess! ne’er forsake thy favourite isle,
Still be thy Albion brighten’d with thy smile!
Long had thy spirit slept in dead repose,
While proudly triumph’d thine insulting foes;
Yet, though a cloud may veil Apollo’s light,
Soon, with celestial beam, he breaks to sight:
Once more we see thy kindling soul return,
Thy vestal-flame with added radiance burn;
Lo! in Iberian hearts thine ardour lives,
Lo! in Iberian hearts thy spark revives!