ON

THE FOURTH OF NOVEMBER,

The Anniversary of the Revolution, 1688.

IN IMITATION OF ALCÆUS.

WHAT constitutes the Bard?
Not silver sounds nor numbers that compel
Proud Tyranny's regard;

Not the sweet witchery of Fancy's spell,
That can at will entrance

The captive sense, and bid the charmed soul
To faery measures dance:
No-but an energy that spurns control,
An intellectual fire

That, fann'd by Freedom, to sublimest heights
Impels us to aspire,

And from base earth the spirit disunites:
This constitutes the Bard.

Then in the shouts that 'ring from side to side'
Loud o'er the rest be heard

The Muse's hail! which at this season wide
May pour the patriot rage:

She, Freedom's best ally, whose voice alone,
Through every clime and age

Prevailing, mocks the thunders of the throne!

DR. T. PERCY.

PRINTED BY C. WHITTINGHAM;

FOR CHARLES S. ARNOLD, TAVISTOCK STREET, COVENT GARDEN, LONDON.

1823.

ELEGANT EXTRACTS.

PART VI.

Ballads, Songs, and Sonnets.

THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH.

A Ballad.

ALLUDING TO A STORY RECORDED OF HER WHEN
SHE WAS PRISONER AT WOODSTOCK, 1554.

WILL you hear how once repining
Great Eliza captive lay,

Each ambitious thought resigning,
Foe to riches, pomp, and sway?

While the nymphs and swains, delighted,
Tripp'd around in all their pride;
Envying joys by others slighted,

Thus the royal maiden cried :

'Bred on plains, or born in valleys, Who would bid those scenes adieu?

Stranger to the arts of Malice,

Who would ever courts pursue?

VOL. III.

CC

'Malice never taught to treasure,
Censure never taught to bear;
Love is all the shepherd's pleasure;
Love is all the damsel's care.

'How can they of humble station
Vainly blame the powers above?
Or accuse the dispensation

Which allows them all to love?

'Love, like air, is widely given;

Power nor Chance can these restrain;

Truest, noblest gifts of Heaven!

Only purest on the plain!

'Peers can no such charms discover,
All in stars and garters dress'd,
As on Sundays does the lover,
With his nosegay on his breast.
'Pinks and roses in profusion,

Said to fade when Chloe's near;
Fops may use the same allusion,
But the shepherd is sincere.
'Hark to yonder milkmaid singing
Cheerly o'er the brimming pail;
Cowslips, all around her springing,
Sweetly paint the golden vale.

'Never yet did courtly maiden
Move so spritely, look so fair;
Never breast, with jewels laden,
Pour a song so void of care.

Would indulgent Heaven had granted
Me some rural damsel's part!

All the empire I had wanted

Then had been my shepherd's heart.