Then safely come-in one so low, 375 That "yet imperial hope;" 385 We leave thee no confederate band, To be a dagger in the hand, From which we wrench'd the sword. XVIII. Yet, even in yon sequester'd spot, Such waits thee, when thou shalt control That marr'd thy prosperous scene : 870. End.-Conclude, come to the conclusion. 374. Gifted bard.-Lord Byron, in his Ode to Napoleon, fifth stanza. 380. Allusion to the sovereignty of Elba, conferred on Napoleon after the first peace of Paris 1814. 886. Yon sequester'd spot.-St. Helena. 390. Foreign.-The English language lacks an adjective to express the Latin alienus, which we must render by the Genitive another's. The word foreign, which here takes its place, is too much restricted to denote that which belongs to other countries, to be quite clear, at first sight, in this passage. 395 Hear this-from no unmoved heart, Which sighs, comparing what THOU ART With what thou MIGHT'ST HAVE BEEN! XIX. Thou too, whose deeds of fame renew'd 400 To thine own noble heart must owe 410 And, such was rightful Heaven's decree, XX. Look forth, once more, with soften❜d heart, 415 And joy oft melts into a tear. Alas! what links of love that morn 399. Bankrupt.-Thy renewed deeds of fame bankrupt, i.e., exhaust our power of showing thee gratitude as a nation. 403. The hail of fame.-A rather strained expression, meaning the acclamation with which the fame of Europe greets the hero. Here rests the sire, that ne'er shall strain The son, whom on his native shore The husband, whom through many a year 430 Thou canst not name one tender tie, Oh! when thou see'st some mourner's veil Shroud her thin form and visage pale, Or mark'st the Matron's bursting tears 135 Stream, when the stricken drum she hears; Or see'st, how manlier grief, suppress'd, Is labouring in a father's breast,— With no inquiry vain pursue The cause, but think on Waterloo ! XXI. 440 Period of honour as of woes, What bright careers 'twas thine to close !Mark'd on thy roll of blood, what names To Briton's memory, and to Fame's, Laid there their last immortal claims ! 445 Thou saw'st in seas of gore expire Redoubted PICTON'S Soul of fireSaw'st in the mingled carnage lie All that of PONSONBY Could die DE LANCEY change Love's bridal-wreath 450 For laurels from the hand of DeathSaw'st gallant MILLER'S failing eye Still bent, where Albion's banners fly, And CAMERON, in the shock of steel, Die like the offspring of Lochiel ; 455 And generous GORDON, 'mid the strife, Fall, while he watch'd his leader's life.Ah! though her guardian angel's shield Fenced Britain's hero through the field, Fate not the less her power made known, 460 Through his friends' hearts to pierce his own! XXII. Forgive, brave Dead, the imperfect lay! From your cold couch of swamp and clay 470 The bed, that morning cannot know.- Till time shall cease to run; And ne'er beside their noble grave ? XXIII. Farewell, sad Field! whose blighted face 480 Long shall my memory retain Thy shatter'd huts and trampled grain, Though on thy shatter'd beeches fell 495 But still in story and in song, 500 505 510 515 CONCLUSION. STERN tide of human Time! that know'st not rest, Stern tide of Time! through what mysterious change Was to one race of Adam's offspring given. Such fearful strife as that, where we have striven, Until the awful term, when Thou shalt cease to flow! |