Or heard we that tremendous bray alone, That, life to save, we leap into the pit. Him answer'd then his loving mate and true, But more discreet than he, a Cambrian ewe. How? leap into the pit our life to save? Of peace or ease to creatures clad as we. And rush those other sounds, that seem by tongues Of dæmons utter'd, from whatever lungs, Sounds are but sounds, and, till the cause appear, We have at least commodious standing here. Come fiend, come fury, giant, monster, blast From Earth or Hell, we can but plunge at last. While thus she spake, I fainter heard the peals, For Reynard, close attended at his heels By panting dog, tir'd man, and spatter'd horse, Through mere good fortune, took a diff'rent course. The flock grew calm again, and I, the road Foll'wing, that led me to my own abode, Much wonder'd, that the silly sheep had found Such cause of terrour in an empty sound So sweet to huntsman, gentleman, and hound. } MORAL. Beware of desp'rate steps. The darkest day, BOADICEA. AN ODE. I. WHEN the British warrior queen, H. Sage beneath the spreading oak III. Princess! if our aged eyes Weep upon thy matchless wrongs, Tis because resentment ties All the terrours of our tongues. IV... Rome shall perish-write that word V. Rome, for empire far renown'd, Soon her pride shall kiss the ground- VI. Other Romans shall arise, Heedless of a soldier's name; Sounds, not arms, shall win the prize, Harmony the path to fame. VII. Then the progeny that springs Arm'd with thunder, clad with wings, VIII. Regions Cæsar never knew Thy posterity shall sway; Where his eagles never flew, IX. Such the bard's prophetic words, X. She, with all a monarch's pride, Felt them in her bosom glow: Rush'd to battle, fought, and died; Dying hurl'd them at the foe. XI. Ruffians, pitiless as proud, Heav'n awards the vengeance due; Empire is on us bestow'd, Shame and ruin wait for you. |