And swept with wild hand the Tyrtæan lyre: Red from the Tyrant's wound I shook the lance, And strode in joy the reeking plains of France! Fallen is the oppressor, friendless, ghastly, low, If these demand the impassioned Poet's care— SONNET I. Content, as random Fancies might inspire, BOWLES. Y heart has thanked thee, Bowles! for those MY soft strains Whose sadness soothes me, like the murmuring Of wild-bees in the sunny showers of spring! went: And when the mightier throes of mind began, A mingled charm, such as the pang consigned As the great Spirit erst with plastic sweep A SONNET II. S late I lay in slumber's shadowy vale, With wetted cheek and in a mourner's guise, I saw the sainted form of Freedom rise: She spake! not sadder moans the autumnal gale"Great Son of Genius! sweet to me thy name, Ere in an evil hour with altered voice Thou bad'st Oppression's hireling crew rejoice TH SONNET III. HOUGH roused by that dark Vizir Riot rude Have driven our Priestley o'er the ocean swell; Though Superstition and her wolfish brood Bay his mild radiance, impotent and fell; Calm in his halls of brightness he shall dwell! For lo! Religion at his strong behest Starts with mild anger from the Papal spell, And flings to earth her tinsel-glittering vest, Her mitred state and cumbrous pomp unholy; And Justice wakes to bid the Oppressor wail Insulting aye the wrongs of patient Folly: And from her dark retreat by Wisdom won Meek Nature slowly lifts her matron veil To smile with fondness on her gazing son! W SONNET IV. HEN British Freedom for a happier land Erskine thy voice she heard, and paused her flight Of unmatched eloquence. Therefore thy name Of Nature bids thee die, beyond the tomb IT SONNET V. T was some Spirit, Sheridan! that breathed O'er thy young mind such wildly various power! My soul hath marked thee in her shaping hour, Thy temples with Hymettian flow'rets wreathed: And sweet thy voice, as when o'er Laura's bier Sad music trembled through Vauclusa's glade; Sweet, as at dawn the love-lorn Serenade That wafts soft dreams to Slumber's listening ear. Now patriot rage and indignation high [dance Swell the full tones! And now thine eye-beams Meanings of Scorn and Wit's quaint revelry! Writhes inly from the bosom-probing glance The Apostate by the brainless rout adored, As erst that elder Fiend beneath great Michael's sword. SONNET VI. WHAT a loud and fearful shriek was there, Ah me! they saw beneath a hireling's sword The dirge of murdered Hope! while Freedom pale A SONNET VII. S when far off the warbled strains are heard That soar on Morning's wing the vales among, Within his cage the imprisoned matin bird Swells the full chorus with a generous song: He bathes no pinion in the dewy light, No Father's joy, no Lover's bliss he shares, Yet still the rising radiance cheers his sight: His fellows' freedom soothes the captive's cares! Thou, Fayette! who didst wake with startling voice Life's better sun from that long wintry night, Thus in thy Country's triumphs shalt rejoice, And mock with raptures high the dungeon's might: For lo! the morning struggles into day, And Slavery's spectres shriek and vanish from the ray! SONNET VIII. HOU gentle look, that didst my soul beguile, Why hast thou left me? Still in some fond Revisit my sad heart, auspicious Smile! [dream As falls on closing flowers the lunar beam: What time, in sickly mood, at parting day I lay me down and think of happier years; |