Had he but kept in view the glorious goal,

He ne’er had prov'd a poor unworthy tool ; Nor lost th' allegiance and supreme control Of a most warlike race, of manly soul !

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XVII.

In these portentous days, may I demand

And Raymond asks with no presumptuous tongueWho has for ages humbled that bright land

The Bard of Memory 1 late so sweetly sung?

O'er sacred truth let no dark veil be flung"Tis Austria ! Yea, and well may Austria blush, ,

For she has reckless, oft, and deeply stung ? The heart of weeping Italy) !—but, hush ! We can, alas ! but sigh, and hope, and wish !

2

1 Rogers, in his beautiful poem entitled “ Italy.”

2 Raymond must not be here misunderstood. He would by no means imply that Italy had suffered either tyranny or oppression from Austria, but certainly repeated disappointment, in not having obtained national freedom.

3 Since writing this poem, no less than seven of the Italian states have risen and proclaimed independence, under the name of Il Federacione Italica. What will be the policy of Austria under such circumstances, is for the world at this time a question of vital importance. Will she interfere to save her Italian dominions from the contagion ? Or will the other powers of Europe permit her to do so ?

XVIII.

A prince belov’d, with realm sufficient, large

And where is one more civiliz'd or great ?
How comes it that those blust'ring bands—that barge,

Are sent to overawe a neighbouring state ?

Pray, “ Wise-ones," can you calculate the rate At which thy country pays for deeds so done ?

In truth a round per-centage of black hate From every conscious kingdom ’neath the sun.Take head, a liberal era has begun.

Hope fo:
Italy.

XIX.

Nor is this said in haste, or heartless ire !

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For we would rate full high that gallant race From whom, as hath been sung, we would aspire, Through many a distant age, to track and trace

, Those choicest virtues, which so nobly grace Our own sweet land. No ! we would not correct

Nor prince nor people; yet would we displace A bad Machine, with which they ne'er can act In safety in these turmoild times—A fact.

Good materials.

But a bad machine.

XX.

But Raymond has a sigh for other realms,

Where some choice spirits admirably reign;
The query is how best to guide the helms-

How far to yield—where safer to restrain,
Great Peter's patriot virtues still remain
Midst the mild manners of the ruling Czar,
Free from the furious passion which did stain
The lofty purpose of the Northern Star,
Who made his people wise, and woo'd not war.

XXI.

Emperor.

Death of an Scarce dry the tears which so profusely fell,

When, worn with anguish, Alexander 1 died.

1

1 It is by no means generally known, but quite appalling in fact, the account given of the revolutionary principles which agitated Russia towards the latter end of the life of Alexander the late Emperor, 1825; also in the first period of Nicholas's reign; a full and very interesting account of which is given in the United Service Journal for July, August, and September 1830. It would appear that Alexander, just as he was about to set out for the Crimea in June, was first made acquainted with the actual state of discontent in Russia, and of an organized conspiracy, extending all

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What fiend less frightful than the fiends of hell

Could plan the murder of a nation's pride ?

Yet cursd Yakoobovick would madly guide
To rank rebellion, rapine, and dismay.

Dread tidings, which, no sooner heard, than hied
The gentle spirit of the saint away,
Amaz’d to find he'd e'en one enemy!

XXII.

And thou, too, Nicholas, humane and just,

Shall midnight ruffians league against thy life? And seek to make that hero kiss the dust,

Whom Heaven had sent, with balm to heal the strife; Thy Roman brow scarce crown'd, 'twas strange the knife

over the empire; the object of which was a complete revolution, the preliminary step to which was his own death. Of all this he was informed by an Englishman of the name of Sherwood, and it is said to have had such an effect on him (who supposed that he was universally beloved, from a conviction that he did all in his power to be so), that, added to the fever with which he was soon after attacked, it brought him to the grave. Amongst others who vowed the death of Alexander at that time, was Yakoobovick, a captain in the army, and belonging to a regiment of Georgia.

Of brute Kahoffshi ever could be meant

For thy kind heart ? When feuds come fell and rife, Clemency of Give me the man, like Nicholas", not content an Emperor.

With being just, but must be lenient !

Born amidst broils , and won by strenuous hands,
Begirc by many a warlike, rival power,

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1 After the death of Alexander, the same horrid and organized machinations were carried on against the life of Nicholas, one of the chief promoters and leaders of which was a person named Kahoffsky, who undertook to murder Nicholas. It is well known, how, by timely acts of prudence and decision, the thunderclap was prevented. The commission of inquiry found 120 persons guilty, among whom was Prince Trabetskoi, who was banished to Siberia. Only five suffered death, and of these was Kahoffski. The whole proceedings were most creditable to the justice and humanity of Nicholas, whose amiable disposition was clearly evinced on this trying occasion. These turbulent acts have by some been ascribed to a general wish in the nation to make Constantine emperor; but others, better informed, are of a different opinion, and rather attribute them to a de. sire amongst some discontented persons to have a republican governmentIt is a singular fact, and an interesting one, that Constantine put with his own hands the crown on Nicholas's head.

2 Il faudrait à l'Empire Russe des grands hommes, comme à l’Empire Romain, pour le maintenir dans sa dangereuse etendue; et aussi comme l'Empire Romain, il n'a que lui-même à redouter. Des Destinées futures de l'Europe, page 258.

3 The first King of Prussia was Frederick I., and had the title of king

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