And be it deem'd not wrong that name to give, In festive hours, which prompts the patriots' sigh! Who would not envy such as Moore to live? And died he not as heroes wish to die? Yes, tho' too soon attaining glory's goal, To us his bright career too short was giv'n; Yet in a mighty cause his phoenix soul Rose on the flames of victory to Heav'n! How oft (if beats in subjugated Spain One patriot heart) in secret shall it mourn For him!-How oft on far Corunna's plain Shall British exiles weep upon his urn! Peace to the mighty dead!—our bosom-thanks In sprightlier strains the living may inspire! Joy to the chiefs that lead old Scotia's ranks, Of Roman garb and more than Roman fire! Triumphant be the thistle still unfurl'd, Dear symbol wild! on freedom's hills it grows, Where Fingal stemm'd the tyrants of the world, And Roman eagles found unconquer'd foes. Joy to the band this day on Egypt's coast, Whose valour tam'd proud France's tricolor, And wrench'd the banner from her bravest host, Baptiz'd Invincible in Austria's gore! 5 The 42d Regiment. Joy for the day on red Vimeira's strand, When bayonet to bayonet oppos'd, First of Britannia's hosts her Highland band Gave but the death-shot once, and foremost clos'd! Is there a son of generous England here Or fervid Erin ?-he with us shall join, To pray that in eternal union dear, The rose, the shamrock, and the thistle twine! Types of a race who shall th' invader scorn, As rocks resist the billows round their shore, Types of a race who shall to time unborn Their country leave unconquer'd as of yore! LINES WRITTEN ON VISITING A SCENE IN ARGYLESHIRE. AT the silence of twilight's contemplative hour, I have mus'd in a sorrowful mood, On the wind-shaken weeds that embosom the bower, Where the home of my forefathers stood. All ruin'd and wild is their roofless abode, And travell'd by few is the grass-cover'd road, Yet wandering, I found on my ruinous walk, One rose of the wilderness left on its stalk, Like a brotherless hermit, the last of its race, All wild in the silence of Nature, it drew, From each wandering sun-beam, a lonely embrace; For the night-weed and thorn overshadowed the place, Where the flower of my forefathers grew. |