4001 . THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES INVASION; A DESCRIPTIVE K SATIRICAL POEM. BY J. AMPHLETT. ■ 11a ! thou hast rous'd The Lion in his den ; lie stalks abroad, And ihe wide forest trembles at his roar ! Wolverhampton : PRINTED BY GOWER & SMART, AND SOLD BY MESSRS. LONGMAN AND REES, AND MR. HURST, PATER-NOSTER-ROW, LONDON. r\ • ■ PRE FA C.E, The delay of the publication of the fol- lowing poem has arisen from a variety of causes, which would appear frivolous, if not impertinent, were they detailed to the public ; and if those ladies and gentle- men, who have done me the honour of putting down their names for copies of the work, will be pleased to accept of this general excuse, I do not consider myself accountable to any others on this point. Had it not been for the solemn promise I had made to them, those causes which so long deferred its publication, might probably for ever have prevented its ap- pearance, R!Y2te'?;i II It is too late in the day of enthusiasm ; every bookseller's shop is loaded with works of a similar nature, which may be traced from the first wits of the time down to the most illiterate bellman. — History, ancient and modern, has been ransacked for examples, and every " petty pelting" pamphleteer has danced on the plains of Marathon, and disputed the straits of Thermopylae; it is even impos- sible to bring forward any quotation, that breathes a spark of public spirit, but what has been exhibited to every eye and sounded on every ear. The poor Corsican has been opposed and exposed ; Csesared, Cromwelled, and Alexandered, till it is impossible to attach anything more to his picture that is abhorrent, or add any- thing that is contemptible. Ill Some objection may be made to a work of this kind, as describing an event that lias not taken place, but which the evi- dence of every day continues to render more probable. I am not going to en- force, or combat this opinion — it is too wide a field to be beaten in a preface : were I to wait until the event actually j transpired, I might wait a longer time than would be suitable with the impa- tience of a voung author, or I might fall in the Jield of honour, unknown and unsung ! On this view, chances are against me, and with due deference to the goddess of egotism, the numerous readers of this writing and jighting is- land might be robbed of a poem, with the merits of which, probably half the world will never be acquainted ! Again, of the probabilities or improbabilities of this Corsican and his train crossing' ilia IV channel, I have little to do : let it be re- membered I land them in poetry, by way of giving them a fair trial ; as many at least as would be consistent, without re- newing the age of miracles. It is not expected that a work of this kind should develope every military ma- noeuvre that might be practised in an in- vasion ; in this case all the rant of rhyme and vision of verse, might have dwindled into one see-saw of eternal technicals. Those who are of the Darwinian school, may lament this absence of science; but perhaps it would not be characteristic; John Bull is a straight forward fellow in these matters, and an entire subjection to rule might repress the ardour it di- rected. Perhaps there never Mas a stronger instance of unanimity in a nation, than this threatened invasion has given rise to: it has awakened the energies and de- veloped the genius of our isle; it has eclipsed the parade of our enemies; it has strengthened our confidence in our- selves. The few solitary instances of in- dividual depravity and intellectual de- basement, discover the ardour which prevails in all ranks, by the abhorrence they excite; and will remain a conspi- cuous remembrancer of the degree to which the force of prejudice can arise, and the hatred of party descend. There are some men, in all professions, who seem to live but in extremes, and when anything is going forward, they must be the "all-directing" hand, or no .hand at all. There is another class of VI men that presents a fastidious cast of character, which approves of nothing to which am} objection can be made ; and who, in proportion as their aid is solicit- ed, rise in their own importance, and therefore are not to be entrapped by courtesy, nor hoped for from correctness. The opinion of the French nation on this mighty enterprize, is not to be col- lected from the contemptible clamour of its senate, nor the vapid and distempered boasting of its journals : it is silence, in a despotic state, which speaks its grief I and France must behold, with pain she dure not express, her heroes about to be rifieed, in a mad and undigested at- tempt of invasion, in which, before it succeed, she must lose that power which would be necessary to defend the acces- sion of territory the was about to gain. VI* Let their hero come : let him attempt the conquest, but let him pay the price; he has engaged in no common enterprize. We might apply an old proverb, which the French make use of when any body attempts a great undertaking, to him perhaps with more justice than it was ever applied before — ■ 11 a la mer a hoire. Napoleone will excuse the liberty I have taken of conquering him in verse, before he has actually made the descent; I am satisfied so far as having done my duty as a poet; and if he make the at- tempt, and is not treated nearly in the same manner which I have predicted, let him say / am no conjurer ! The poem, in other respects, can have no claims, except to rank among the ob- Vlll livion- winged productions of the times, being oppressed with a subject winch must cease to be interesting with the noise that 2'ave it birth. &* As a faint sketch of the ardour and animation of the times, the author sub- mits it to the public perusal; without either the whine of affected modesty, or the defiance of arrogant conceit. INVASION. BOOK I. ARGUMENT. Different humours of the muse — Invasion — French legislature — Specimens of French eloquence. — French fops — French heroes — French dreams — Morning — Proclamation— Pros- pects of peace — English volunteers — Glance at the last war — Proceedings of France during the last war — Parallel of this country and France. Her varied lyre the muse has often strung, And, as by different humours bent, has sung; By turns her ever-varying numbers flow, In endless themes of whim, and wit, and woe. Whim be my choice, with here and there a shade Of graver thought, to give its moral aid: For wit, I own it not, and have not time To leash it in the hue-and-cry of rhyme ; I yield it all to you, ye prosing elves ; Those who expect it here have none themselves. Invasion ! in that word what prospects break ! Glow in the brave, and tremble in the weak: Forbid it freedom, for the spot is thine, And soft humanity with mien divine ; And private virtue that life's clamour shuns ; And population with her thousand sons ; And nature, true to her unerring plan, And e~Sr\j virtue that is dear to man ! Giant conception ! wonder not that France, Swell'd at the thought, delirious should advance j Wave her proud streamers to the wanton Avind, And leave her shores and common sense belli nd. Big with debate, behold her councils meet, And in unwonted haste each other sircet : Tremendous works without delay began, As through the tribe the wild infection ran ; Danger and death in ev'ry sentence broke, Destruction in a thousand voices spoke ; Glow'd in each phrase asdiff'rent members rose, Opcn'd each speech and rounded in its close, - At length the Consul, rising from his chair, With thoughtful brow and eye bedimm'd with care, Waving his hand, each busy tongue restrain'd, And death-like silence in his presence reign'd. " The die is cast! and England is no more ; She trembles from her centre to her shore ; Her flag, that hurl'd defiance o'er the seas, Waves its last honours to the idle breeze ; In peace profound her former hirelings lie, Or with resentment round our standards fly ; Alone she stands her vassal lines to form, Nor dreams of foul defeat, nor heeds the storm. Ill-fated pow'r! by blind ambition led To dare the threaten'd thunder o'er her head. Still in her mem'ry do no actions rise — • Marengo's feats! yet dazzling in her eyes; B 2 And alpine deeds, by beardlessyouths attain'd, Distinguish' d as the heights that saw them gain'd ; And will she still, in bold contempt of right, Unheeding dare us to th' unequal fight? Then by herself her future fate is sign'd, And be the mischief to its cause assign'd. Her tow'ring cities, that invade the sky, Prone at their feet a shapeless mass shall lie ; And where the hum of commerce led its train, Shall dark despair and hateful silence reign ; Oblivion o'er the scene her shroud shall throw, And reptiles there shall live, and grass shall grow ; The trav'ler there shall stand in musing' state. And learn some moral lesson from her fate ; Justice, with even hand, now marks her doom, And commerce on her ruins long shall bloom." The mighty consul then resum'd his chair, And peals of thund'ring plaudits rent the air; Quick through the senate ran the ardent flame, Which, if not courage, something much the same : Great deeds they plann'd, as o'er the world they stalk'd, And much they threaten' d and still more they talk'd ; Scurrility in low and witless gibe, Smiling with self-conceit, harang'd the tribe ; HurPd at John Bull, his bluntness to traduce, Her string of epithets and quaint abuse. And declamation in a heat arose, Whose eloquence a rapid torrent flows ; Bursts o'er the bounds of argument and sense, And scorns the sordid rule and critic fence. " What,'* in a rage she cries, while round her clung, Fanatics wild in wrapt attention hung, " Shall this rude northern isle of doubtful line, On which the sun scarce condescends to shine>* Delirious with vain-glory, madly boast Her wither'd honours and her puny host ; I am indebted lor this pretty conceit to one of the French legislators; — nobody cbe would ever have thought of it. And, in the effervescence of her pride, Our countless troops and boundless sway deride? And shall not France to shield her glory arm, Draw her indignant sword and break the charm ?'* Applause impatient bellow'd from the crew ; The clamour thro' the crowd like light'ning flew, Which now dispersing, spread th* electric fire; Their leaders to digest their plans retire. War is the word that sounds from ev'ry part, Glows on the tongue, but flutters in the heart; Each fopling, on young cupid's wars intent, Thickens his rouge and talks of a descent; The beau must now, to please his warlike fair, Sigh his sweet things in letters " d'Angleterre ;" But much I fear, before he win his dame, Some sad mishap may chance to damp his flame. Each dashing belle promotes the cause of arms, And, with sweet .promises, reserves her charms, For those who bear, the treach'rous ocean o'er, Tiie " destinies" of France to Britain's shore ; But those who bear them, prophetlings will say, Unwittingly may leave them on the way. The sun, now o'er the western world took flight, Ting'd with his faintest red the cheek of night ; As though she blush' d for deeds her empire knew, Which gloom and midnight silence only view. Parisian wits now o'er their bottles meet, And, brave with wine, the British navies beat ; Here, war they make, and mighty kings de- throne, Upheld by rage, and spirits not their own ; Here let them burn and sink us to their fill, This is the only way they ever will ! Woe to Britannia ! when she fears the hit Of foolscap fighting and Parisian wit; Her sons, unrivall'd as her tow'ring oaks, Regard alike their cannon and their jokes. Dazzled by prospects of alluring shape, Hot with vain-glory and the " Tuscan grape,*' Homewards at length they reel by Morpheus led, And stagg'ring with their honours, creep to bed. Sleep to their heated brains her respite throws, From drowsv day-dreams to disturbed repose ; Fancy, her visionary aid t' impart, Led to the subject at each Frenchman's heart ; And straight, as though she'd caught, at Bacchus' call, The giddy spirit of the ev'ning's brawl, Sketch'd, with her nervous pencil dipp'd in wine, The curve ungraceful, and disjointed line, Of broken masts and slaughter-crimson'd decks, Of broken battlements and shapeless wrecks, With British standards bow'd to Gallic might, And ocean's tyrant tumbled from his height. These are the conquests Frenchmen oft devise. And here they always bear away the prize : Half this world's glory is an idle dream ; Bright in imagination all tilings seem: Fair rise our future prospects to the view, Chang'd their dark bound'ries and their earthly hue ; Hope points enchanted to her fav'rite scene, And fancy paints it in eternal green. Here, Gauls, ye build your castles in the air, That live in fancy's eye, and only there ; 9 Reason disowns the plan of your descent, The hateful motive, and abhor'd intent: A dream, conceiv'd in mad ambition's brain, For which must France yet mourn her heroes slain ; A dream for which her future sons shall weep, A dream that's rounded by eternal sleep.* Aurora now with cheek of rosy red, Threw back the crimson curtains of her bed ; Like a new bride, whose deep'ning tints adorn The rising honours of the blushing morn. Each Gaul who revel? d in th' illusive fight, With doubtful courage gazes on the light ; And as new rays upon his visions beam, E'en shakes with fear at what he dar'd to dream. The sun, as though the mists of doubt t' absorb, Untented, now roll'd on his darning orb ; * The reader will remember that " eternal ileep" is the du«- trine and death of Frenchmen, C 10 And with all-seeing splendor, far and wide Pour'd o'er the scene his life-renewing tide: His heat again their dubious projects form'd, Dispell'd their fears, their yielding valour warni'd ; Keviv'd ambition o'er her half- form'd breed, Brooding in thought on many a daring deed ; Fann'd the chill fires that youthful heroes claim, And rais'd their smoke quick kindling into flame ; Ardour, which day-light only can supply, When ev'ry spark can see his road to fly ! Hark ! 'tis the drum that beating calls to arms, And spreads around its tremulous alarms ; *Tis the loud cry of war the fiends renew, And France proclaims it to her vassal crew. " Heroes of deathless actions, sons of fame, Your chief (and England trembles at his name) Calls yon again to scenes where glory stands, And smiling woos your ever-conq'ring bands : So shall the wreath her golden fingers twine, Snatch from the wreck of things your deeds divine ; 11 Give to the self-proclaiming scroll of fame, Each gallant action and its hero's name. England, the scourge of freedom and of right, Dares, single-handed, to sustain the fight; She, who the faith of nations holds as nought, She, who your country's subjugation sought ; Whose arms your infant liberties appall'd ; Who from his gloom each petty tyrant call'tl ; Rous'd in each state the foul invading foe, And at the heart of freedom aim'd the blow : She 'tis with whom you're destin'd to contend, And heaven and justice shall your arms befriend j Fortune for you reserves th' immortal deed, And truth and virtue shall award the meed. To her own shores our vengeance you will bear, And her own sons in her own empire dare ; Snatch her proud banners from their boasted height, Now waving on the verge of endless night ; Eclipse at once her glory and her fame, And from the list of nations strike her name. The task is great and great be the reward, Which love shall give and gratitude record : c 2 12 Here shall the toil of war and peril cease ; Here ye shall give the wearied world to peace ; A peace that Britain's haughty kino- shah seek; A peace, lie shall not have the pow'r to break ! To arms then Frenchmen, to your glory true, Europe's insulted sons appeal to you ; Our fee no more their purchas'd vows receives; The weak no more 1 er ,'ily art deceives ; Each state indignant spurns her iron reign; Old ocean groans beneath her galling chain. Her tyrant arm extends to either pole, Far as the lands arise ,tt p-renr* re ! : 'Tis yours her to v'rinp; tyv. m ' date, And in time's annals mart her a-. fid fate. The world with g"'i • heboid;* your roils renew, Yet tut \;> its h< pe-;:iuifjiii'd eves on you ; The hearts of thousands who the strife abhor, And beauty's pra^'rs go with you to the war; Mikl peace, whose blessings all benignant bless, ]•<<■;.! i licr pure empire on vour wish'd success : 13 Tiic meek, humane, whose hearts for others bleed, Ween the dire means, but smiling hail the deed. What though your foe her countless navy boast, And her troop'd gentlemen, aperfumM host; Science and art the former may defy, The latter at your glitt'ring arms will fiy ; Nor dare the rude encounter to withstand, With their begikled gingerbread-like band. Be this your guide, when blows th' eventful wind, And bear th' impressive lesson in each mind ; Your flag once planted on her boasted shore, Her empire ceases and her reign is o'er ; Her fiecls, that long at France defiance hurFd, Shall bear you back, the monarchs of the world." Thus ends th' inflated word-beridden call ; A spur to ev'ry greedy gaping Gaul ; Who, as 'lis tempted flaming fancy led, Head, and in vision conquer'd as he read. With death familiar, and inur'd in guile, These hungry sons of plunder view our isle; 14 In fancy, strew with patriot bones our soil, And calculate in greedy mood their spoil. O ! blind to reason, and to int'rest deaf, Prompt they obey their giant-minded chief ; Adopt his wily arts, time-serving creeds, And madly follow where the despot leads. O ! mortals blind to ev'ry future woe, That oft from visionary conquest How. The mind thus by conjectures wild impell'd^ Against its sov'reign reason has rebell'd ; And by delusive hopes of glory hail'd, Has rush'd on deeds where valour's self had fail'd. Frenchmen be wise, nor further dare to roam, But if you'd keep your glory, keep at home; Life is a turnstile, push'd around by pride, On which with school-boy vanity we ride; But he that's by ambition's current blown, Must by his own velocity be thrown. In her own strength her weakness France may see, What her own sons have conquer'd to be free; 15 When round her press' d the proud insulting foe, Prepar'd to strike th* annihilating blow: Whose triple banner, waving to the sky, Menac'd a death more dreadful than to die. Down drops the nerveless arm of patient toil ; Th 1 indignant swain forsakes th' uncultur'd soil ; Aghast he stands, revolving in his mind The thousand blissful cares he leaves behind : Yet pants his heart th' invader to oppose ; Quick through his veins the crimson current flows ; Awakes the daring soul that heeds not rest, And nature (sacred power) in his breast ; Kindles the glow her faithful fires supply. Lights up defiance in his rolling eye ; As o'er his native fields, from plunder free, Fields that, alas, he never more may see ; Erect and thoughtful, but without dismay^ Silent he bends his ruminating way. The wav'ring sceptic and the devotee, ijlere, and here only, for awhile agree j \6 Discordant politics -will here unite, And wrangling Jesuits forget their spite : Th' inspiring call bids lesser int 1 rests cease, And jarring passions stills awhile to peace ; Dispels suspicion, — man in man confides, One motive prompts them, and one int'rest guides : Their wives, their homes, they rally to defend, And in the gen'rous deed alone contend ; Hush where grim death his thirsty poignard laves, And carnage Avilcl his crimson banner waves ; Fill the devoted ranks where thousands fall, With courage terror's self cannot appal ; Till fell invasion sees his baffled train, Enfeebled, rally o'er their comrades slain; And viewing round no prospect but defeat, Reluctant sounds the signal for retreat. Now like a torrent bursts the patriot band, And pours resistless o'er the blood-stain' d land; With manv a. mangled corse the prospect strews, As slaughter, vcngcancc-wing'd, the foe pursues; 17 Nor yield the warm pursuit, nor cease their toil, While their foul banner waves upon the soil. The horde dispersed, and o'er eacli fertile plain, Sweet peace again extends her heav'nly reign ; The stripling bold that dar'd the doubtful fight, Thinks on his distant home with new delight : Each friend belov'd with open arms shall fly, And gratitude shall greet him in each eye: His blushing fair preserv'd, devoid of guile, A thousand tender meanings in her smile, Shall hail the martial youth, and well repay The toils and dangers of th,' eventful day. The wit, the churl, the fribble and the beau, The times had organiz'd, — a motley show j Their ire appeas'd, with keener zest return To laugh, to snarl, to babble, and to burn : And party's Avatchful slaves, — a wrangling crew* Their wonted sports resume, their toils renew ; Enjoy the task their rulers to arraign, Their right, hereditary,— to complain! IB So conquerM France wheti nature's force prevail'd, And man the heav'n-decided conquest hail'd ; And shall Britannia, when her foes advance, In virtue or in valour yield to France ? With cow'ring spirit, her lov'd laws resign To alien hands, at power's bloody shrine ? Accept with sunken eye, from discord's crew-, The changeling codes that blood and rapine drew ? Accurs'd the tongue that tells the damnincr sound, And spreads the doubtful influence around ; Has she forlorn yet left no guardian friend, No sons to fight, no daughters to defend ? Yes ! and while freedom one lone corner gives, Or aught of virtue or of valour lives ; No foid invader here his sway shall boast, No foreign banner wave upon our coast ; No tongue th' usurper's praises here shall sound, No venal bards nor perjur'd priests be found, To hail in abject strains a tyrant's birth y Insulting heaven and enslaving earth. 19 O ! who that's cheer' d by reason's radiant beam, Did e'er of Gauls and subjugation dream ? Yield our lov'd native isle and beauty's charms, To fell misrule, and servile Frenchmen's arms? Bow to a realm of fops in valour's field } To mere politeness and pomatum yield ? Yes! when fell slaughter through our ranks lias hewn, And our lov'd fields with bleeding heroes strewn ; When, faithful to their soil, our bones remain ; Rot in the sea, or whiten on the plain ; And nought awaits the victor's eye to cheer, But hills of crimson hue and valleys drear ; One joyless waste that mute to Ileav'n com- plains, Where silence, wrapt in gloom, fur ever reigns. Then may proud France her hateful banner rear, And, unresisted, wield the sceptre here; Tell to the weeping world, her ruffian crew Hud slain the heroes they could not subdue ! 21 BOOK II. ARGUMENT. General state of Europe — Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Prussia, Russia — England — Her warlike atti- tude — Parties — Glance at the preparations of France — Re- view of the army of England — French generals — Bonaparte —Council of Officers — Alarm — Glance at the gun-boats— Forebodings — Eastern winds — Muster — French lovers — > Embarkation — Voyage — Imagination — Bonaparte and his attendants — Sound of cannon — Morning — The left wing en- gaged with a British squadron — Disembarkation — Recep- tion — Alarm. A fatal peace o'er trembling Europe reigns, And silent thought sits brooding on her plains ; Germannia, yet with recent struggles warm, Views with desponding eye th'impending storm . 22 Coop'd in the straggling forts her victors fell, Remorseless left of other times to tell ; Sad she awaits from Heav'n its fix'a decree, Her chains to rivet or her sons to free. Batavia, hapless pow'r ! that sore opprest, 'Mid the dread clangor sighs in vain for rest. Helvetia brave, in numbers only weak, Views, with the blush yet decp'ningon her cheek, The foe stride onwards with resistless might, Colossus-like, o'er reason and o'er right. The proud Castilian sees his haughty king The knee incline, the servile off 'ring bring ; Pause to comply, refusing but to yield, And his own sceptre's shade supinely wield : And Home, that once her matchless legions train'd, Where polish'd arts and radiant science reign'd ; By sloth unnerv'd, in night profound reclines, Where hope ne'er flatters, reason' never shines; Save with it's faintest gleam, that dimly shows The darkling clouds that fate around her throws: And Frcd'rick's martial sons, a pow'rfu] band, In mystic policy observant stand. : Nor aught the hungry tyrant vails, arraign ; Nor boldly threat, nor peacefully complain ; Unmov'd spectators of each trembling throne; Of kingdoms conqucr*d and of states o'erthrown. The northern Bear in hoary mantle sleeps, Where civil life, like sol, but faintly peeps; Secure 'mid barrenness, despotic reigns, And views with sated eye his broad domains* Extending from Livonia's chilly shores, Where the imprison' d Baltic ceaseless roars; To where the Kamtsehadale. in wint'ry glooa* Inhales thick volumes of celestial fume:* * The Kamtsehadale has no idea of any pleasure superior t<* that of smoking; he has therefore given this amusement tu his deity, whom lie is taught to consider as a squat, jolly old lean, who smokes his pipe, sits in his traineau, and employs himself in hunting beavers and martins. He looks forward to a future life as a consummation of all earthly delights, — • the enjoyment of a sledge tluit never wants mending, and a. pipe that is never out. Vide — Description des peuplcs soumis a la Ru.«sty 24- From where the weary winding Wolga strays, And tribute to the lonely Caspian pays ; To Zembla's glitt'ring hills and icy straits, Where solitude on desolation waits ; One chequer'd waste of faintly culturM fields^ That nought for pleasure or for plunder yields; That no invader tempts, aught to forego For icy-vested vales or hills of snow. One pow'r alone her standard dares to rear, And check the tyrant in his mad career ; To call her sons from peace and beauty's arms, To Avar's tremendous din of dread alarms. Britain ! sole barrier of Gallic sway ! Britain, whom rude and polisli'd clinics obey ; Sun of this sad, and else-benighted world, Round whose bar'd arm and banner yet unfurl'd, Earth's mournful sons in wild confusion press, And- cheering hail, as though from Heav'n, redress ; Of smiling peace and freedom yet the seat ; Of arts and civil life the last retreat. 25 Arm\l at all points she dares the threaten' d blow, Tells the world's tyrant " hither shall thou go." Her glitt'ring arms that seem to woo the fight, Dazzle the day and scare the silent night ; Her warlike port and plume that greets the sky, The fire indignant flashing from her eye, Inspire, while guarding freedom's sacred dome, Terror abroad and confidence at home. See from his task the rustic hero start, Like the young tiger on his prey to dart ; From ev'ry city pours the daring host, And ev'ry village too its train can boast ; In ev'ry breast the gen'rous ardour glows, In ev'ry vein the. kindling current flows ; Save, where fell scowling prejudice presides. Or reason wanders 'neath the lunar tides; Or sordid principles usurp the reign, Or wild ambition tempts his meagre train ; Or where unblushing party rears her crest, Scaring each happier feeling from the breast, 26 Shame on the mind that listless courts its ease. And the world's foe with frigid calmness sees ; Views with insulting unconcern, the strife That threatens all that gives or gladdens life. Avaunt ye slaves of party's fretful crew, Who pow'r and rule through thick and thin pursue ; And who, to gain the toys that pow'r bestows, Will truth and falsehood, right and wrong- oppose : Who, 'gainst the torrent of the patriot storm, Would senseless stem the cock-boat of reform ; Yield with remorseless hand what valour gave, Your country barter and yourselves enslave. Hence ye unholy crew from honour's post, And with you, affectation's saintly host ; With philosophic witchery posscss'd, Doom'd on this goodly earth to hunt for rest ; A prey to fancied woes and real fears ; Mocking humanity with lady tears : Who turn with swelling heart and moistcn'd eye, From snail unhous'd, or persecuted fly ; 27 Yet view, with nerves compos'd, through op'ra glass, "Weary and faint the exil'd negro pass. A vaunt affected foe and frigid friend ; On her own sons let freedom's cause depend, Hail heav'nly nymph, of -cheering mien divine, Thine be the danger, and the glory thine. Britons unaw'd, unaided, guard thy throne, Prepar'd, with Europe's fate, to risk their own ; Snatch its lost glories from destruction's brink, Or with it's sinking liberties to sink ! Meanwhile the foe the mighty task pursues, And dim-eyed care his thousand plans reviews i Big with the enterprizc that fame has blown, Her forests echo and her rivers groan. The tempting contest, plunder-yielding strife, Puts by the lesser offices of life ; The deed immortal ev'ry mind enflames, And ev'ry heart the trembling hope proclaims; E 2 28 O'er the wide scene the giant labour swells, Where lynx-eyed circumspection watchful dwells ; Ambition lank, that toil nor clanger fcar'd, Sits trembling at the monsters he has rear'd ; Thinks, how those honours that the world amazM, May perish in the tempest he has rais'd. Gaunt genius bending o'er the midnight oil, The means devises and directs the toil ; Acts and reacts the drama's great events In sham obstructions and in mock descents ; Rehearsal of a farce, yclept " The Doubt," As surely to be damn'd as to come out. And now the destin'tl troops, a chosen host, Bv various thoughts employ'd, approach the coast • And ev'ry passing town their fate can tell, And ev'ry village gives its sad farewell ; And manv a maid that pride had made unkind, .And jrave her bosom 5 1> sorrows to the wind, 29 With heart quick beating, and with downcast e 3' c > Her passion swelling in the rising sigh, Beholds the favour'd youth, her chilling slight Had driv'n to seek his fortune in the fight. Th' appealing eye upbraids the stubborn heart, That bade him from each happier scene depart, To dare the rude encounter of the foe, And danger in a thousand shapes to know : On the cold earth a heedless corse to lie, Or wounded, 'mid the happier dead to sigh; To draw, in noisome swamps, unwholesome breath, 'Mid blood, and bones, and rottenness, and death ! As o'er the dreadful scene his fancy strays, And mis'ry in its direst shape portrays, The tear that rlow'd, as nature's force prevail'd, The burning honour in his cheek exhal'd. The blushing maid no more the sigh supprest, Nor kept the smother 1 d passion in her bre.ist j 30 She bade the hero many a sweet adieu, And fondly smiling bade the youth be true : Wish'd, -while condemn'd o'er foreign lands to roam, His conquest there as easy as at home. Clad in their costly robes of dread attire, Death-nodding plumes and helmets all on fire, The plund'ring band their *' doubtful fate'* pursue, And tremblingly await their — last review \ Now evYy oar the trump's shrill clangor fills_, And echo tells it to the distant hills ; The frightful blast heard many a maiden shriek, And scar'd the blood from many a soldier's cheek ; [ll-onicn'd note! remindful of the sound, When the last trump shall call the nations round ; Give to the sons of man t!i' allotted state, Approval by heaven and decreed by fate. 1 The listening drums th' expected signal beat, And the four winds of hcav'n the sound repeat ; The busy troops the fatal call obey, And thoughtful to the field direct their way; And many a vet 1 ran there whom vict'ry elaimM, Foreboding, trembled when the task was nam'd. Quick from all sides the glitt'ring legions throng, And music answers as they move along ; The sun, that in his cloudless chariot shines, Pours his effulgence on the dazzling lines ; Which proud, as tho' disdainful of his beam, To heav'n return the deeply blushing stream- Hark ! the hoarse trumpet tells their generals nigh, The distant bugle and the drums reply: Mild truth that vainly stemm'd th 1 overbearing flood, Has told their deeds in characters of blood ; Mere fragments, that to ruling parties clung, From revolution's fest'ring hot-bed sprung; A motley train of patch' d and perfum'd knaves; \ band of ruffians 'mid a realm of slaves : 32 bubbles, the times have into beinf blown, That neither heaven nor earth distinctly own ; Farrago vile, by Frenchmen only fear'd, Who blindly boast the wooden gods they rear'd. And now the deep-mouth' d thund'ring can- non's roar, Cleaves the wide air, and rolls along the shore ; The deaf 'ning peal loud o'er the valley flies, And mutt'ring'mong the distant mountains, dies : Their God's inspiring presence it denotes, And round the whisp'ring information floats ; He whom surrounding states contend t' obey, Whose very name spreads terror and dismay ; Strikes from the maiden's cheek the mantling hue, And turns the dimly burning taper blue. Dread visitant of visionary woe, That nightly scares the silken sinew' d beau ; Tremendous shade, exorcist ne'er could lay ; Goblin, to whom in vain the priests may pray; That stalks terrific with its ghostly pow'r, And harrows those with fear it can't devour. 33 The nurse that garrulous, in wint*ry night, Intent her noisy bantling to affright ; With threat' tiing look the ill-ton' d monster bawls, And loud raw-head and bloody Bony calls ! Mammoth of men 1 opposing nature's law, The earth before ne'er bore, the heav'ns ne'er saw. On milk-white steed of liquid flowing mane, Impatient foaming 'neath th' oppressive rein ; Which bred in Nubian sands outstripp'd the wind, And left the light'ning-wingM Simoon behind, The stately Consul rides, with thoughtful air, And wrinkled brow, the seat of endless care ; Suspicion scowling in the pensive eye, No cheerful tints illume, no fires supply : His plain affected vest of simple blue, No silver beam reflects, no golden hue ; Sad rayless emblem of the darkling sin, That reigns, and everlasting reigns, withi*, 34 Now round the gloomy God, their banc- and boast, Gen'rals and aide-dc-camps, a glitt'ring host, Bending to pow'r, that fashion's fools caress, In flatt'ry's honied mood officious press ; With impious praise the worship' d idol ply, Troul the false tongue and bend til' insidious eye. Attention, watchful of his \vav'ring mind, Catches the rising wish yet undefin'd : His darting eye directs the heralds round, And o'er the lield the panting coursers bound; Th' obedient troops the patient ear incline, And form, in graceful show, th' embattled line; Or slow with music-mcasur'd* step advance, Point the "dread bayonet or gleaming lance. The horn's shrill blast th' enliv'ning clangor swells, And to the drums the flying signals tells; The drums,' quick echoing, the orders beat, Sound the dread charge or slowly mov'd retreat ; While the bright swords in mimic battle clash, And streaming light'nings from th 1 encounte flash. 35 Tli' inspiring din the hero's heart inclin'd, And stirr'd to action his stupendous mind ; His fiery steed inhales the kindling life, And prancing pants to join the glorious strife. Swift o'er the trembling turf he bounds along, j^nd neighs in answer to th' adjacent throng. Meanwhile the gen'ral, rousing by the pace, The martial ardour bright'ning in his face, Bends o'er the scene the quick correcting glance ; Halts the throng' d rear, or bids the front advance ; While at his heels a motley mantled crew, Which, like the comet's tail, their orb pursue : Of divers kinds the public clamour claim'd, For art profound, or bright invention fam'd : A plunder-prompted horde who tempt their fate, Unpcnsion'd priests, and counsellors of state ; Who leave a power, reluctant they obey, In other realms to pilfer and to pray : And bishops, that from duty never swerve, But, the great pow'r who made the.m i faithful serve ; With long et-cet'ra's train of paltry slaves, Geu'rals unpaid ami office-himiirig knayu<> F 2 36 The sun, now glancing towards his Thetis' breast, Sigh'd to .the crimson clouds that skirt the west ; And straight, as tho' his. glowing sides to lave, Sank in the bosom of the western wave. The wearied troops the darkening skies disperse, Who, on their dusky way, in thought converse; In hungry mood on promis'd pleasures dream, Scar'd by th 1 avenging sword's terrific gleam. Their leaders, whom desponding thoughts appal, In fearful haste th' important council call ; Proclaim the orders to their care consign'd, That only w ait the dread eventful wind, Which plants their ensign o'er the captive deep, Or gives them to the arms of endless sleep. O'er the long coast where swift the signals fly, Dread apprehension sits, with open eye ; Alarm with frightful mien expands his lungs, And rumour answers with her thousand tongues ; On tiptoe expectation trembling stands, And terror musters up his ghostly bands. 37 From the proud shores of fleet-encircled Brest, That veils her bosom from the am'rous west; Where Gallia's boasted navy doubtful rides, And scarce in home security confides ; To where the Hollander, 'mid ceaseless gloom, Envelop'd in the thought-provoking fume ; Panting dear smoky peace again to see, Sighs to the rippling of the Zuyder Zee; — - The destin'd boats the dreaded sign await,* Which, to the faithless sea, commits their fate: It is a common opinion, that Bonaparte will contrive his flo- tillas along the wlioltt extent of coast, to embark the same night and at the same hour, by the aid of beacons that are erected j but the difference of the tides and currents must prove a lei tul obstruction to the execution of this plan, par- ticularly on so irregular a coast as that of France, where •here are so many head-lands and indentations. The time of high tide at Ostend is 12h. 1m. Boulogne lOh. 4.*> m. the bay of Brest 3h. 3m. so that the centre and right wing divi- sions may sail nearly the same time — the left whig must t4uc its cliance. 38 And oft upon the rugged-bosom'd storm, Each future destin'd motion they perform ; Save that, from which, e'en Gallic heroes shrink, The fatal evolution, — how to sink ! . Now ev'ry morning's sun the Gaul surveys, And marks which way th' inconstant zephyr strays ; And ev'ry neighboring vane awakes his fears, As round the fickle-minded symbol veers : Now evening mild, with cheek of saintly hue, On which the sun his mildest radiance threw, Tempts his apt mind iil-omen'd thoughts to try, As o'er the sol.tr path ho bends his eye ; And views the orb, his last faint glories shed, Sink rayless in the deep and wavy bed ; While round the darkling scene, in sickly bloorn, A doubtful radiance hovers o'er his tomb. On the wild beach, in sad and cheerless mood, The trembling Gaul the scene foreboding vicv/'d ; 39 And man}' a dread conclusion thence would draw ; And many a soldier's fate he plainly saw ; And curs'd, as homewards sad he bent his way, The fell ambition nations oft obey. Th' eventful hour to action calls the foe ; Straight from the east the steady breezes blow ; Drive from their troublous post each watchful fleet, And pelt the heavy air with hissing sleet. The weary sun with faint and gloomy eye, Drives lab'ring through the thick and murky sky ; And scarcely, through the mists which cloud h'is way, Emits a beam to note that it is day ; But swiftly down his western road he wheels, With night impatient breathing at his heels ; While glooms, more thick than round fell Pluto reign, * Dwell brooding o'er the dark and restless main ; As though old ocean, conscious of the blow, Shrunk from the chain the tyrant would bestow. 40 By telegraphic aid, the fatal sign, From the strong centre spread along the line ; And many a soldier hung his drooping, head, And many a bitter tear was vainly shed ; And many a mother wip'd her moisten'd eye; And many a maid supprest the rising sigh. Meanwhile the mustering troops approach the strand, And quit, with doubtful step, their native land ; And many a youth of sad misgiving mind, Found some excuse for loitering behind ; Some maid with fond deceitful hopes to cheer, And sighing check the half-averted tear ; A hasty kiss the youthful warrior takes, While the sad maid with dire forebodings shakes ; And straight the bounding hero fearless runs, Nor more the death-directing navy shuns. Sweet maid ! forbid the lingering passion weak, To steal the damask from thy lovely cheek ; 41 The youth for whom tlius flow those streaming eyes,' Shall never see the morning's sun arise ; His strong arm vainly shall the foe assail, Nor shall the Iesson'd cutlass aught avail ; Prone in the hidden caverns of the deep, His mangled corse shall m oblivion sleep ; Unconscious of the solitary sigh, That dims the radiance of thy youthful eye ; Then weeping maid the pleasing hope forego, And dry the fountains of thy fruitless woe ; Nor let the fondly lingering passion weak, Steal the fresh damask from thy lovely cheek. Where the strong centre of th' embattled host, Waves its proud streamers to the shouting coast, The shrill-ton' d horn, as conscious of the sound, Striking attention 'mong the myriads round, Tells to the warrior crew, and list'ning gales, Their bone, their sinew, Bonaparte sails! And straight the liceus'd wave bears off the throng • The freshening breeze the burden wafts along ; a 42 The darkling coast soon mocks the aching sight, Wrapt in the gloom of silence and of night ; Yet some fond youth, though light its aid denies, StiJl towards Ins slighted soil directs his eyes ; In thought some musing mournful maiden sees, Sigh her sweet wishes to the passing breeze. While far from land th' advent'rous squadron rides, Nought, save the signal shrill, or dashing tides Steals on the list'ning ear, — and ev'ry mind, Alike for battle as for sleep inclin'd, Thinks on the morrow's dawn in fearful mood, While fancy with her visionary brood Peoples the darkling void, and round them throws, Imagiifd dangers and ideal foes. Silence enchains each tongue, each thought- ful eye, Marks the dread billows bounding wildly by; [ndiff'rent som^ affecting to appear, And some with cold are shaken, some with fear. 43 On gilded couch reclin'd, the Consul grave, Lists to the rolling of each passing wave ; And counts each rapid hour's successive flight, And hopes, yet fears for morn's returning light. Th' advent'rous host that croud around his throne, And Avith their hero's fate pursue their own ; Their life, or death, or fame and fortune trace, As change the varied passions in his face. Elated now he seem'd, his sparkling eye Lit up the fires his bright'ning looks supply ; Yet ever and anon the tempest stole O'er the faint sunshine of his mighty soul ; The cheerless gloom around its influ'nce threw, And damp'd the ardour of the wav'ring crew; And rougher rose the angry swelling seas, And swifter blew the battlc-hast'ning breeze. Ere yet the fleecy morn with doubtful light, Scared the drear visions of the drowsy night 5 _ r G 2 44 The distant din of cannon struck the ear ; Aw*d the bold front and shook the thoughtful rear: The streaming fire illumes night's dusky cheek ; Athwart the gloom the vivid lightnings streak. Each mind suspended listened to the roar, And woo'd the breeze, and panted for the shore. And now th' impatient morn in shadowy shroud, Brcath'd on the borders of the eastern cloud : And faintly peeping, o'er the ocean threw Her mantle pale and beam of sickly hue. See the left wing embattled with the foe, Shrinks vainly from the death denouncing blow: Some bow their captive ensigns to the brave, And some descending drink the bitter wave. And now to leeward of the centre's seen TV evaded foe, with little sea between j 45 .And now th* avenging squadron onward steers, Ami now the misty-niantled land appears ';* And nearer peals the threat'ning cannons ro;rr; : Snd shallower roll the surges tow'rds the shore. Already sec the front approach tin* strand. And pour its practis'd legions on the Lmd ; The lighten' d boats in mamhalPd lines recede^ Nor aught the quiclc succeeding throng impede. Secure the rear, where gentler billows flow, Now proudly fires defiance to tlie for : Whose deeper keels the envious shallows scare. And doom to witness sport they cannot share. 8 "Trente six heures et un bun vent, les drapeau.t Francois tout plante eis Angleterre." This se?itonce, that Las beea written on every wall in Caini-S and alorjE; thf eon'ft, roust include tlie tune of lauding the whale divisions from Brest io Qstend. Ii certainly is not iliirty six hours sailing, witu e "good wind," from JBulougne to the opposite English coast > at least il is more prooahie lhat they should Q>me is' le$=, than that (.hey should come at all, if they arc io be &ii time upon the water. 46 Now on the must'ring beach the patriot host, Annoys the foul invader of its coast ; And press' d by tenfold force, disdain defeat, But like the lion, fighting they retreat. Than lightening swifter ran the ardent flame, And gun, bell, pistol, squib, the news proclaim; The foaming steeds in all directions fly', The valleys thunder, and the hills reply — Invasion! labour redden' d at the sound, And dash'd th' unfinish'd bauble to the ground. Nature! O pow'r divine, thy sacred fire Still warms the stripling and his hoary sire; Long may Britannia's sons thy gifts retain, And worlds may threat, and nations arm in vain. Th' insidious foe, now swelling o'er the coast, Pour'd on the thick'ning plain their vet'ran host ; And wav'd their streaming ensigns to the air, And straight for battle and for toil prepare. Meanwhile, where sullen northern billows wave, And Albion's rocky cliffs submissive lave; 47 From sad Batavia's drain' d resources wrung, A made-up mass, from different nations sprung, The dawning light disclos'd; ill fated band, Where many a hero never reach' d the land; Where many a vet' ran vict'ry own'd before, Resign'd his honours to th' indignant shore. At length by dint of numbers still supplied, Through crimson waves their comrades' blood had dyed, The fatal shore they gain, with limbs bestrewn, Where slaughter's murd'ring sword a pass had hewn ; And wave their guilty banners to the sun, And thank their stars and deem their labour done. Misguided host ! in vain th' opposing flood Drank the rich current of your vet'ran blood; Your numbers treble told let worlds recruit, With all the science of the earth to boot; And ev'ry art that thrifty time reveals, With fifty Europ.es dancing at your heels; 48 'Twill nought avail agaiisst a nation arafel, Xhat looks on death «r?aw\! and unalairm'd ; Wanned with one soul, by one resolve upheld, Bound by one tie and by one pow'r impelFd ; 17 en as a man prepar'd, unmov'd by fears, To yield with life what life alone endears. Sk)on shall your countless bands, to murder train' d, Bite the red surface of the soil they stain'd; And each pale corse, o'er which no tear is shed,, Xso diree is sung, no holy rites are read, Manure the land, to heav'nly freedom true, 'Twas destin'd to impov'rish and subdue. Hist'ry indignant shall tlie warfare trace And stamp eternal odium on your race ; And long shall France the hateful contest moura, The shame she's smTer'd and the wrongs she r s borne ; And curse the wretch she idolized before, And rue the hour ye left her parent shore. nw «. I mko m " » » nM» i ii< vi i » i>«a.i t> i« 1 m >i j ti mi iiiii m 49 BOOK III. ARGUMENT. General movement of the English forces — Engagement without advantage on either side — Night — Reflection — State of the northern armies — Glance at the general disposition of the English — A peep at the Consul — His reflections — Sarcastic speech — Inducements to conquest — Skirmishing — Daybreak — An English prisoner — Formidable state of the English—' General engagement — Result — Conclusion. The sullen sun scarce gain'd his wint'ry height, Obliquely glancing "with his sickly light ; Ere, must'ri.ng up a last and brief farewell, In which a thousand strii££liii£ feelings swell : OO © © * Full many a distant troop its home resign'd, Yielding all lesser int'rests to the wind j II .50 And onward bent to meet tit' insulting foe, And strike, with heav'n-instructed arm, the blow, Tliat shields, with filial care, its parent isle, From foreign chains and subjugation vile. Impatient for the fight, each pressing throng Seems as 'twould chide the tardy hours along. And now th' increasing host tli* invader dares, Where Gallia's chief his vet' ran bands prepares : Fell art ! that many a muse has taught to flow, In all the liquid luxury of woe ; Now rattling with the battle's clang sublime, In rough inverted verse or pomp of rhyme ; And now, with sweetly sympathizing sigh, Rend o'er the soldier's fate the streaming eye. The busy troops th' appointed ground define, Their thunder fix, and form the fatal line. The bustling din that through the legions runs, The bray of trumpets and the glare of guns, Fright sweet reflection from the human mind 3 And mad revenge and passion leave behind. 5\ Already bear the cannon's hideous roar Sound the dread onset to the trembling share; The panting troops tlicir burnish'd weapons ply, And through the air the volley M thunders fly ; Dread devastation hungry marks his prey. And hews through crowded ranks bis crimson way ; While at bis lieels stalks death in breathless haste, His victims clainaingfrom th* ensangumM waste ; No common cause the patriot's ardour guides, No common vengeance in the tempest rides. A rock of adamant the heroes form, And brave the fury of the thickest storm ; immortal courage fires each daring sour, Which fearless bears the threat'uiug thunder roll ; Imparting to tFie scene its dreadful charms, SubiimM by danger and the clans* of anas. And now the death -defying charge they sound, And o'er the field the conscious coursers bound , H 2 52 In fatal preparation rcr.id t':!ey wheel, And bare thejr bosom. 3 io the beaming steel ; While on each wine, arranged in dread design, The -'earning pike terrific break- the line ; When rushing through the ranks, the prancing train The living slay and trample on the slain. A thousand arts the routed legions try ; Again they rally and again they fly ; Their vet* ran front the Britons still defied, Again was weaken'd and again supplied ; Till slaughter, sick'ning at the waste of woes, Pans' d o'er the ruins that around him rose ; And sated carnage o'er his banquet breath'd ; And war awhile his reeking hanger sheath'd. The setting sun, with ev'ning blushing beam, Seem'd to reflect the deep ensanguinM stream ; And many an anguish' d eye that met his ray, Then clos'd for ever with the closing day ; And many an exil'd hero there was doom'd, To fall unwept, unhonourM, and untomb'd; 53 And many a summer's sun, with joyous train, Shall sec Lis white bones gleaming on the plain ; And many a vacant swain shall thither wend, Inmem jy-must'ringmood, with curious friend ; And pointing to the relieks, proudly cite Some oral legend of th>i bloody fight. The day with equal contest mark'd each side, Which no advantage gain'd, and none denied; Each wearied pow'r its fainting bands withdrew, And welcome night and rest devoutly woo; And on th' eventful morrow anxious wait, The light of conquest and the dawn of fate. Meanwhile the horde that dar'd the northern strand, In deep entrenchments sunk th* insulted land ; And rais'd the shielding mounds with fearful care ; And fix'd their cannon frowning on the air: While many a little troop their toils annoy'd, And half their fruitless labours still destroy "d ; From ev'ry side their aid new legions pour, And ev'ry point with triple force secure ; 5* Militia, Regular, and Volunteer, Throng'd in the front and thickeri'd in the rear: And wait another sun's decisive light, To lead to glory and direct their might. "Night rests with all her clouds upon the scene, As chough, from human eye, the view to sereeii j And nature, jealous of her menae'd laws, Seems as in silent watchfulness to pause! A thousand wings the rumour wide has sprea< , O r er dales remote and distant mountains tied ; AnJ ev'ry wind the rousing tale has told, And muskets charge- and flags themselves unfolii " The French are come" distends each mortal' lungs, Faulters in age and Ksps on infant tongttes ; Strings the strong; arm of health, revives th r : weak, And brings the colour in consumpcion*; chec! And ev'ry heart that beats and tongue that t :> 5 TJs' inspiring sound impels; while armies moot, And clubs and congregations crowd flic street. Unhous'd, the rich and poor, alike inclined, Live in the bustle of the public mind. The sinewy smith at crowded hatchway (lands, The fancied centinel of house and lands ; Communing with his neighbour, high in glee, Or lay lor lank or barber spruce be he : In vain old time the passing hours had told, On drowsy. night her heavy optics rolPd; In vain the downy god, in opiates skill'd, His poppies shed or balmy dews distili'd ; No drooping soul he hushes to repose, Nor finds one weary winking eye to close ; As though each mind, in sympathetic care, Disdain' d the rest that others cannot share. Now where the thoughtful Gauls, to danger brcti, Their wings had strengthened, and their tents had spread, 1 6 The darkling hours pass on with evil flight ; Cold damps hang trembling on the brow of night; And lights portentous slant the milky way, Where destin'd battles gleam, and meteors play. On costly couch, in labour' d texture wrought, Where pictur'd knights their silken combats fought, Their musing chieftain lay ; — his eye's dim beam Bent on himself the intellective stream ; Soft music pourM its sweetly soothing sound ; Arabia breath'd her thousand odours round ; And aught that painful thought could e'er control, And hush to peace the sadly swelling soul, The languid hero wooM ; alas in vain ! Nopow'r could reach his rank deep-seated pain : His half-determin'd, half-relenting mind, Sigh'd for St. Cloud and safer joys behind. Hope, fickle maid, awhile her charms withdrew j Glory no more her cheering clarion blew ; 57 Reflection bent her golden eye between, Glancing obliquely at the sunny Seine ; Where with each rising morn new incense rose, And mirth alone disturb' d his sound repose. There plenty pours with lavish hand the wine, And nerveless ease and sated joys recline ; There pleasure, with her thousand charms, invites To languid leisure and to new delights ; And laughing love, with wanton floAving vest, That half unveils her rosy-nippled breast, Leads on, in silken chain, the rosy hours, And strews the rugged path of life with flow'rs. Dread contrast ! now rude danger mocks the mind, Moves in each sound and breathes in ev'ry wind. Where'er he bend, determin'd foes await, Whose bosoms bear him everlasting hate. No tardy pow'r, disputing but to yield, Drags its reluctant armies to the field ; i 58 'Tis Britain! empress of the boundless main, With pow'r and will, her empire to maintain ; Defying nought, except to be defied ; That neither dares, nor fears the world beside ; Unus'd, when threat'ning clouds around her low'r, To wink at insult or to crouch to pow'r : She 'tis that braves him to the sinolc fio-ht, With gleaming lance and eye for ever bright ; The toil of war and rival pow'r to date ; To rise with glory or to sink with fate. The thoughtful chief, thus musingly inclin'd, Revolv'd her hist'ry in his doubtful mind ; When, starting from his couch, with hideous look, The growing weaknefs from his soul he shook, And call'd " to arms," — his puppet slaves with- draw, His eye their signal and his word their law. In hurried pace he measures o'er his tent, By adverse views and difFrent passions bent. 59 And now the servile chiefs attend his will, And wait his views they live but to fulfil. With doubtful to»gue, and eyes that dimly tell The lab'ring woes that in his bosorn swell, The hero thus his gall would fain impart, In airy phrases, from a heavy heart. ii Ere yet another sun, with crimson dye t Shall streak the curtains of the eastern sky, Yon puny host their parent earth must bite, Or seek their safety in inglorious flight. Their choicest troops already press the soil, Fall'n 'neath the ardour of your recent toil. Their comrades, nought in number, or in mind, In dreams decamp or tremble at the wind ; A realm of drapers or a band of boj's-, By fashion drawn, or come to hear the noise ; Mere remnants of the ware they're wont to sell, That learnt by day to wheel, at night to spell ; With tactics glean'd from ancient corp'ral's croak, Who heard the battle or who smelt the smoke j i 2 60 Whose heroes danc'd attendance on his skill, In shops to eounterraaxch, or attic drill ! These are the warriors that the palm dispute, Which gentlemen and shopkeepers recruit.* One shout shall, from your daring vet'ran hosts, Slay them with fear, or scare them from their posts. Her few train'd bands the doubtful foe divides, To splice some knowledge in on diff'rent sides; Thus are her legions equahz'd for fight, Strengthen'd in numbers but decreas'd in might. Ere eve again, in robes of ling'ring light, With dusky fingers draws the veil of night, London ! the mart of commerce, goal of fate ; Swol'n with her wealth, and weak with her own weight ; Whose spires, that vainly would the skies invade, Wrap their proud columns in the clouds she made ; • As the French have; termed us a nation of shopkeepers, they trill excuse us if we wish to keep our ?hops • 61 London shall greet your tents, reward your toil ; Cheering memento of the morrow's spoil. Her haughty dames shall round your legions press, With charms more beauteous in the soft distress; And sighing woo, with love's attemper' d pride, That shelter which her dastard sons denied. Dear sacred sex ! that still, the soldier's dow'r, Tenders to valour's form its soothing pow'r; Pleasures divine that from the gods descend, Heroes alone can merit or defend." " Our comrades, that the northern coasts have dar'd, Perhaps, ere now, the glorious sport have shar'd ; Quick, and be this the watchword of our posts, London our quarters, and its dames our hosts ! Draw your bright swords," — and quick his own he drew, And straight the weapons from their scabbards flew ; 62 " Awhile its tame inglorious case disown." And round the tent the peaceful sheaths were thrown. " Whatever may betide our fate to day, Or toil await, or force obstruct our way ; Sure-as to-morrow's sun shall rise, 'twill shine On our pale mangled corses, or our wine. If there be aught among ye, let him speak, Whose doubtful blood deserts his martial cheek ; Of selfish youth who dreads the glorious strife, With clam'rous organs craving loud for life : Or plodding age, whose callous nerve denies The thrilling flame that through the hero flies; Whose prudent soul has lost, in youth's high flood, The fire of fancy with its flow of blood ; I blame ye not, — to safer posts retire, Bring up the rear and listen to the fire. And, if against us, fate the day should doom, Let not your hands unholy raise our tomb ; Let each brave soldier's sacred corse remain, Prone on the spot that saw the hero slain. 63 Long, to the heav'ns expos'd, our bones shall dwell, And you shall joyous Jive the place to tell ; And warriors shall your company entreat, And make you still our noble deeds repeat ; And you shall see, while heroes' tears shall flow, The deep'ning blush that in the cheek shall glow. Quick! 'tis your safety urges, join the rear — What ! have we then no prudent heroes here ? Then heav'n our enterprizc has kindly view'd; Proud islanders, you are indeed subdued ! Swear Gauls to follow me, 'twas all I sought ; In fate already is the battle fought; Swear, and be each triumphant sword the book." And straight the oath each glowing hero took. " High heav'n it's seal has giv'n ; — quick to your posts ; London our quarters and its dames our hosts!** And straight the tent th' inspired destroyers fled, And instant action through tlTc ranks was spread. 64 With cautious steps along the darkling waste, The trembling troops pass on in fearful haste ; In ev'ry tree some fancied danger stirr'd ; In ev'ry breeze some doubtful sound was heard; And still no watchful out-post gave th' alarm ; And still no dreadful volley broke the charm. The foe, no doubt, a further contest flew, And bolder now the Gallic legions grew ; With firmer step the unknown ground they tread, By devious road or glimm'ring pole-star led. And now the ambush'd foe, with hidden fires, Flanks the proud legions and unseen retires ; Now dimly through the dusky air, they spy Aerial bands and glitt'ring squadrons fly ; And now at hand their vollies strike the car ; And silence follows, and no foes appear : And now at distance gleam their weapons bright; Again invisible, again in sight. Like will-o-whisps they dance as Gauls pursue; Like will-o-whisps they lead to danger too ; And now more numerous their bands arise, And louder thunder through the valley fiies c 65 The Gallic host returns the brisk salute, And thronging legions join in the pursuit ; The British troops th' unequal field resign'd, But left one wild and blasted heath behind. Through smoking towns, their hands had fired, they bend, Nor fled while aught was worthy to defend. O'er the dread scene where slow the Britons fly, The foul invader rolls his scowling eye ; And sees no vestige of its fruits remain ; Nor aught of human-kind, except the slain. The conflagration sheds a hideous light ; That streams terrific o'er the brow of night ; And Boreas rude the blazing ruin blows ; And wider round the spreading horror grows ; The mounting flames their fell assistance threw, And partially diselos'd the dreadful view; While cheerless Gauls bent musing o'er their^ dead, And disappointed plunder droop'd its head. K 66 And now the misty morn, with dewy eye, Hung her pale mantle in the eastern sky ; .And solemn night, her lung and sable vest Trail'd o'er the dusky mountains of the west. And dimly now the trembling beams disclos'd Their real ills, and fancied ones expos'd. The gallic chief, in sadly musing mood, The smoky waste and mangled prospect view'd ; And difFrent cares his mighty soul annoy 'd ; And varying views his troubled mind employ' d ; When thronging round, his duteous slaves present An English captive to the hero's tent ; Who promis'd much of moment to unfold, If e'er alone their chief he could behold. With scrup'lous care their hands had search'dhis dress, And nought of danger could the foe possess ; And now they wait, submissive, his reply, The pri.s'ner's boon to grant, or to deny. The consul wav'd his hand, in silent awe, And straight his slave*, their abject train with- draw ; 67 And oil the couch his languid form he threw, The captive hero more at ease to view. Erect he stood, and from his eye's; dread beam , The workings of his soul appear'd to stream ; To tod and want his frame had been inur*d, And fitted for the labour it endur'd. His nervous arm by nature seem'd design* J, To work the de-jd suggested by his mind ; Dread on his sunny brow decision reign'd, And Gallic ecore his dingv vestments itain'd. His blood, the fight bade to his cheek repair, In crimson glow still faintly lingerM there\ As, into words, his daring purpose broke, And to th' intrepid chieftain thus he spoke* " The god of war, who dooms with orders wise The high to sailer or the low to rise. Directs my fate ; and never yet the brave Abus'd the pow'r the god of battles, gave, K 2 6$ What brought me here, can ne'er degrading show Me as an Englishman, and you my foe. You know our nation not, if e'er you thought Our isle was to be conquer' d or be bought : Your state has thus its weak resources drain'd, And ev'ry nerve to dang'rous tightness strain'd, To raise this giant armament, design' d To tame the ocean and enchain the wind. O! labour lost ! go build on Afric's sand Th' inverted pyramid, and bid it stand ; A lion tempt, and bid him be at play \ Dive in Charybdis and ascend to day ; The virgin's fame forbid to be aspcrs'd ; A bubble Woav and bid it not to burst : Do tins, and even then, d;tre not to dream Of that which yet m e difficult must seem, To conquer Britain — O ! what blood must flow Ere this small i>ie shall crouch to foreign foe ; Wou.d blur the face of heav'n with hideous glare, And damn its victor to eternal care, 69 Our grounds of war, or just or not be they, This is no time for learn'd dispute to sway ; Britons ne'er stop, when danger takes the lead, To causes scan, or proclamations read. You'll find in us, no Dutchman to control, Of foggy courage and of vap'ry soul ; IndifFrcnt who decides his earthly doom, So round him wreathes the idly curling fume : No Spaniard here retreats before the tide, And purchases his freedom with his pride ; Whose lordly soul, still sparring with its foe, Resents a wink and overlooks a blow. Should your fell legions half o'errun our isle, And conquest on your wolfish armies smile ; Accurs'd the Briton who would meanly treat, While his lov'd soil's polluted by your feet." " Bend o'er this goodly scene your careful eye, And mark yon light'ning playing in the sky; 'Tis the bright glimni'vins of unnumbcr'd sruns* Which mock the .splendor of a thousand suns. 70 A realm of heroes now your bands empale, Swell o'er yon hill and thicken in the vale V* (t Your northern hosts, some taken and some slain, In prisons groan, or press th* ensanguin'd plain. With quick resolve, ere night's oppressive air In slumbers seal'd the heavy eye of care ; Th' impatient Britons, by their ardour led y Th' intrenchments storm' d which hid each cow- ard's head ; And scuttling to their boats th' invaders flew, And death and slaughter at their heels pursue. TIi' untimber'd barks recciv'd the crowding throng, And danger nodded as they rock'd along : Some with their weight were sunk, the rest, the wave And pouring cannon to the bottom gave. And now th' indignant troops, wingM with their rage, Press onward Gallia's chieftain to engage." 71 • — -^ * c When drowsy night her dark meridian gain'd , .And stillest silence o'er the rallies reign' d ; Our wakeful hand withdrew its little host, To draw your dreaming plund'rcrs from the coast ; And ere again the fatal spot they gain, Your straggling out-skirts doubtfully maintain, These fruitful fields shall bleeding Gauls bestrew, And yon bright sky reflect the crimson hue. This day, that Britons long shall name with pride, The doctrine of invasion shall decide ; The name a word of scorn shall now appear, At which grey age shall smile, and children sneer ; And this, than others more, absurd shall rise ; The theme of fools and laughter of the wise : A field, where learned pedants shall contend, And satire snarl, and wit his arrows bend : A sea of bubbles that a breath gave birth, And which a breath again dissolved to earth ; A bugbear, that the wond'ring few amaz'd; Unworthy of the energies it rais'd." rz ii Rouse, Corsican ! thy drowsy troops pre- pare, Lis'. ! 'tis thy enemy that beats the air ; The fight that round thee woos thy vet 1 ran bands, Now in the scale of action trembling stands ; Bow thy long-boasted banners to the brave, Or carve thy passage to a speedy grave 1" The Gallic chief, as though by instinct rose, And heard, or thought he heard his shouting foes : He bade the captive hero free retire, Whither and when inclin'd his own desire : And straight he mounts his ardent breathing steed, And life and action in his troops succeed. " To arms" the chiefs read in his kindling eye, And o'er the field in all directions fly. Th' approaching foe now seeks the fatal fight, And skirts the distant plain v. it!) glimm'ring light, An awful silence in the Gauls appears ; F.ach hero trembles with unwonted fears ; 73 Some pious raise to heav'n th' appealing eye ; In whisper' d pray'r some break the rising sigh -, As o'er the scene th* embattled line they form, And wait, with sinking kearts, th' impending storm. Dread prelude of accurs'd and helLborn war, The brave must still condemn, the good abhor. Already hear the cannon, loud and low, Give the dread challenge to th' invading; foe : Echo repeats in lower'd tone the sound, Which quick again the neighb'ring hills rebound. The Gallic host the gallant sign replies, And back the compliment' ry thunder flies ; As though gaunt death and hungry war, at play, Would try their hands, ere fate commene'd the fray. And nearer now the swelling vengeance roar'd ; Slaughter impatient eyed his gleaming sword; Till in one deaf'ning din the fires confound, And lesser ills in greater ones are drown'd ; L 74 And havoc, in the smoke that round him blew, Conceal'd the victims that his anger .Jew. And now some daring band, in dread design, hounds the rash charge and rushes on the line ; And carnage mark'd, with bloody hand, the ground j Where valour's noble form a grave had found. Now in the centre rag'd the battle most, And fickle conquest flew from host to host ; And now the Gauls receding doubt the day ; And now the Britons in their turn give way ; Agaia each steady line its foe defied, And war with equal hand maintain'd each side: And now the Gallic chief rode through the ranks, And gave to some his council, some his thanks ; And quicker on the foe descends his ire, And back the foe returns the deep'nhig fire Till faint with toil, their rage the Gauls restraint! ; A slacken' d fire their weaken' d lines maintain'd : 75 The chieftain saw, and with a warrior's eve, The fates against his cause the day deny. Like lightning o'er the field his orders flew ; A doubtful rage his drooping bands renew ; And, in obedience to the wish'd relief, Slowly concentrate round their gallant chief, A chosen band around the hero clos'd, But still a show of strength their front oppos'd; And cheerless towards the shore the consul drew, And saw behind his slowly yielding crew*. Tii' observant Britons marlc'd the Gauls' design, And pour'd their angled thunders on their line'. Cut from their centre, some despairing stray, And bend, by diff'rent routes, their doubtful way. Through ev'ry village where a straggler Mies, New foes lie finds of Jiff' rent sex and size; Who seize with ardent and insulting joy, Aught that the fell invader can annoy ; And stones and dirt fiy pelting through the air, While grandanies through their elassy optic*, stare : The blind, who nothing else could do, would roar, And damsels throw, who never threw before ; And rustic youths their sturdy stakes displav'd; And dogs instinctively the monsters bay'd : Some yield their honours to the clownish crew, While others still their devious course pursue ; And join their comrades in the scene of blood, Cover'd with glory less I ween than mud ! Slowly retreating see the Gauls appear, And dreadful carnage preys upon their rear; Their gen'ral, guarded with his vet'ran host, With heavy heart now gain'd the wish'd lor coast ; Where a few chosen bands maintain their ground, Though danger in a thousand shapes surround; While waiting fleets their watchful crewsdispose, Their short career of misery to close ! See, Gauls, the sun declines in bloody steam Oi rrhnsor; clouds winch shade his ev'ning beam ; 77 And hideous night comes scowling o'er the main, That opes its hungry caverns for your slain ; YY r hile at your heels th' avenging Britons press, Hot with their rage and glowing with success. The Consul now his waiting vessel sought, Assail'd by billows and devour' d by thought ; And heard the scrcamings of his murdcr'd crew, Which, to the list'ning heav'ns, accusing flew. The distant cries now fainter rose behind, Lost in the dismal howling of the wind. His weakly bark, the bounding billows bear from fleeting danger to eternal care ; And night, the parent, pilot of his fame, The hero guides to safety and to shame. Go, valiant chief, thy envied story tell ; Say how thy legions fought, and how they fell ; Say how subdu'd Britannia's sons remain; Her armies crippled and her heroes slain ; And send some ruffian Gaul, some fav'ritc son, The work to finish thou hast nearly done. 78 Steer, happy- chieftain, to thy favoured laud, And hail thy shouting- vassals on the strand ; And long their gen'ral live, their foes destroy; And long thy fame endure, thy pow'r enjoy. •£ -ip i& ^ %■ Jjf # rjf ■% rji- v£ -Hf Night flaps her jealous wings with broken rest, And cow'rs with troubled pinions o'er the west; The blushing morn with tim'rous beam advane'd, And o'er the hideous prospect trembling 'd his country's death. Kcst, sacred shad -s! and holy be the ground Where'er each bleeding patriot corse be found; 79 For you a grateful nation long shall mourn, And nought but solemn sable weeds be worn: A nation shall your fun'ral rites prepare ; A nation's sighs shall steal upon the air; And where your sacred relieks peaceful sleep, Its sons shall musing bend, its daughters weep ; And dear shall be the spot where rests your clay, Though empires totter and though states decay! Uest holy manes — ever honour'd brave ; Still be the guardians of the fame ye gave ; And when insulting tyrants throat our coast, Your sacred names shall animate oar host. Wolverhampton : FRINTED BY COWER AND SMART. J*j*^Jj . fr ****** /fro %. .jr'-f^yi-iy '"* ^ ^ / y /^. ,?-//'#< ><<■ i £-'/'■#£ Z^Z-S^e. PR Amphlett i;005 Invasion A526i PR 2iOO£ A526i UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY AA 000 141722 9