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 THE C 
 
 I S I 
 
 A POEM.
 
 l.^
 
 THE 
 
 C 
 
 OR THE 
 
 BRITISH MUSE 
 
 TO THE 
 
 BRITISH MINISTER 
 
 AND 
 
 NATION. 
 
 BY THE AUTHOR OF INDIAN ANTIQUITIES. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, AND SOLD BY R. FAULDER, NEW 
 
 BOND-STREET. 
 
 1798. 
 l^Price Half-a-Crown.]
 
 TO THE 
 
 NOBLEMEN and GENTLEMEN 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LONDON and WESTMINSTER 
 LIGHT-HORSE VOLUNTEER TROOP, 
 
 THIS 
 
 POEM, 
 
 intended to promote 
 
 throughout the kingdom 
 
 the same spirit of patriot zeal 
 
 and undaunted fortitude 
 
 that gave birth to their institution, 
 
 is respectfully inscribed by 
 
 The author.
 
 A D V E R TISEMENT. 
 
 A I aHE following verfes were written, without 
 A much attention to method, during the 
 Ihort intervals allowed from more laborious and 
 important ftudies. They breathe, it is pre- 
 fumed, the fentiments and language of every 
 reflecting indignant Briton at this awful crisis! 
 The adoption by the fucceffive rulers of France 
 of a fyftem of government marked by more 
 atrocious outrages againft fociety than ever dif- 
 graced the reign of the moft fanguinary tyrant 
 of Afia, under the fpecious pretence of difFufing 
 the principles of liberty among mankind, ap- 
 peared
 
 ( VI ; 
 
 peared to the author to demand that decided 
 language of reprobation, which, in the fubfe- 
 qucnt pages, is by no means lefs fmcerely be- 
 ftovvcd than it is richly merited by thofe who 
 provoked it. It was once the ardent hope of 
 feme men of enlarged and enlightened minds in 
 this country, that, with its ancient defpotifm, 
 the deep-rooted animofity that has fo long fub- 
 iifted between France and England would have 
 terminated. Recent events have proved that 
 animofity to be unextingui(hable. That, hence- 
 forth, nationally, it (hould be fo in a certain de- 
 gree, fo as not to exclude the operations of 
 ChriRian chanty and candour, is the firm opi- 
 nion of the author of this Poemj and under 
 thatconvicl:ioii ii was principally written. 
 
 The
 
 ( vii ) 
 
 The Author embraces this opportunity of in- 
 forming the Patrons and Friends of his Hiftory 
 of Ancient India, that he flatters himfelf he 
 (hall be able to have his iecond volume of that 
 work ready for delivery to the Subfcribers early 
 in the enfuing winter. He takes permilTion, 
 alfo, refpeftfully to add, that the fubfcription, 
 commenced for the kind purpofe of obviating 
 the diflSculties which have hitherto retarded its 
 completion, and which are not yet entirely re- 
 movedj ftill continues open at the banking- 
 houfe of Meflrs Walwyn, Petrie, and Co. 
 No. 150, New Bond-Street, 
 
 No. 19, Princes-Street, Cavendifh- Square, 
 June I, 1798. 
 
 THE
 
 THE 
 
 CRISIS. 
 
 VJ' H ! Thou, whofe laurels through each circling year, 
 
 As long as Time rolls on his vaft career, 
 
 While public Virtue fires th'admiring foul, 
 
 Or Genius awes it with her ftrong controul, 
 
 Shall brighter bloom, — Britannia's early pride, 
 
 Whofe talents charm her, and whofe counfels guide ; — 
 
 If the dark florms, that ftill o'er Europe lower, 
 
 For letter'd eafe allow one tranfient hour ; 
 
 If yet thy foul the heav'n-born Mufe delight, 
 
 Sublime, of potent voice, and eagle flight; 
 
 When, fir'd in virtue's caufe, fhe pours along 
 
 The thund'ring torrent of Tyrtaean fong : 
 
 B Immortal
 
 ( 10 ) 
 
 Immortal Son of an immortal Sire, 
 
 To Thcc that Mufe awakes the patriot lyre. 
 
 For others let the fragrant incenfe burn, 
 \\^aftcd from adulation's flaming urn; 
 Unaw'd by menaces, unwarp'd by praife, 
 Proud fterling Virtue feeks no borrow'd bays ; 
 While Genius, tow'ring on its throne of light, 
 Shines in its own tranfcendent luftre bright ; 
 The Hame it feels through kindred bofoms fpreads, 
 And wide the intellectual radiance flieds : 
 As yon bright orb that lights the diflant pole, 
 And warms the glittering fpheres that round it roll, 
 Exhaudlcfs, flames with undiminifli'd beam, 
 Nor milles from its fount th'immortal flreara. 
 
 Glowing in youth with freedom's holy fire, 
 Arm'd with the fpirit of thy daundefs fire, 
 Exulting Britain call'd thee to the helm. 
 And haird thee Guardian of the fmking realm. 
 Taught thee to grafp the bolt that father hurl'd. 
 Her own dread bolt that awes the fubjeft world ; 
 
 At
 
 ( H ) 
 
 At the fierce Gaul th'avenging fliaft to aim, 
 And blaft her foes with its devouring flame. 
 
 o 
 
 When o'er her late^' the black'ning tempeft fprcad, 
 Threat'ning to burft on her devoted head ; 
 When Faftion wav'd on high her flaming brand, 
 And lawlefs Uproar rag'd around the land ; 
 While ruffian bands combined to trample down 
 Her ruin'd altars and her plunder'd crown ; 
 In that dread CRISIS of her darkefl: hour, 
 How nobly did thy daring genius tow'r ! 
 Well fkill'd Britannia's fl:ately bark to guide, 
 Thou fteerd'il her fafely through the boifl'rous dde ; 
 The madnefs of the raging billows brav'd, 
 And with thy pow'rful arm an empire sav'd: 
 Firm as the rocks that gird her fea-beat fliore, 
 While round their t)afe the deaf'ning furges roar. 
 
 Let the ferocious Gaul, with blood defil'd, 
 Stalk the firft favage of the boundlefs wild ; 
 
 * Alluding to the anarchical period immediately preceding the paffing of die Ads for the 
 better preventing Sedition and Treafon. - ,,r. , 
 
 B 2 With
 
 ( 12 ) 
 
 Whh bold impiety his God blafphemc, 
 
 And brand religion as the bigot's dream ; 
 
 Let him, too faithful to his barb'rous creed, 
 
 And from the burning goad of confcience freed. 
 
 Rend all the facred moral ties that bind, 
 
 In chains of focial intercourfe, mankind ; 
 
 With fire and fword the ravag'd globe deface, 
 
 The fcourge and hoiTor of the human race ! 
 
 While the dire guillotine in fecret gleams, 
 
 *Mid beauty's piercing ihrieks and infant fcreams, 
 
 And countlefs vi61:ims, in the whelming wave 
 
 Plung'd headlong, make the frighted Soane their grave ; — 
 
 But Britons, faithful to the altar's fire, 
 
 Oh ftill, with fervent zeal, to heav'n afpire. 
 
 Clofe by that altar tow'rs a flirine fublime, 
 
 Whofe adamant defies the rage of time; 
 
 To Liberty that flirine your fathers rais'd, 
 
 And, while the radiant flames of incenfe blaz'd, 
 
 And while they clafli'd aloft the brandifli'd fword. 
 
 To heav'n's high throne their ardent vows they pour'd ; 
 
 Ccafclcfs to watch thofe facred fires they fwore, 
 
 To Freedom burning on her fav'rite fhore ; 
 
 And
 
 ( 13 ) 
 
 And with the nobleft blood that warm'd their veins 
 
 From infult guard Religion's hallow'd fanes. 
 
 Ever may Britons at thofe altars bend, 
 
 And with the Patriot's fire the Chriftian's blend ; 
 
 Alike for virtue as for freedom glow, 
 
 And burft in vengeance on the ruffian foe. 
 
 Who, with envenom'd rage thofe flirines furround, 
 
 Altars and thrones would level with the ground ; 
 
 And on their fmoaking ruins rear on high 
 
 Far diff 'rent fanes to brave th'infulted (ky ; 
 
 Fanes where dark Hecat, with her rav'ning brood, 
 
 Shall nightly quaff rich ftreams of infant blood ; 
 
 Atheifts their Maker curfe ; dire murderers yell ; 
 
 And licens'd daemons a6k the rites of hell! 
 
 Oh ! born the guardian of our finking ftate. 
 
 Born to fnatch Europe from the jaws of fate, 
 
 With firmnefs, PITT, undaunted, perfevere. 
 
 While righteous Heav'n applauds and men revere ; 
 
 From Ufurpation wreft her ill-got pow'r, 
 
 Chain down her vultures, burning to devour ; 
 
 Bid Liberty the toiling flave illume, 
 
 And chafe the horrors of the dungeon's gloom. 
 
 Britons,
 
 ( 14 ) 
 
 Britons, the CRISIS of your fate draws near, 
 Exalt your Ibnclards, grafp th'avenging fpear ; 
 III radiant arms indilfolubly join'd, 
 Be firm, — and brave the ix)w'rs of earth combined. 
 
 Spirit of Robcrfpierre ! that lov'fl: to rove 
 The deathful cavern and funereal grove, 
 What wide deftru6lion hath thy fury hurl'd, 
 How thinn'd the nations of the ravag'd world ! 
 And thou, whofe fable pinions, wide outfpread, 
 O'er all the well Cimmerian darknefs Ihed, 
 Known by thy phrenzy'd eye, thy blood-ftain'd veft, 
 The Gorgon horrors gleaming on thy creft, 
 Dkmocracy ! than whom no direr fiend 
 Did e'er from hell's deep gloom to earth afcend : 
 Oh ! gcnder'd when priniceval darknefs reign'd, 
 And lawlcfs anarchy her throne maintain'd ; 
 Tliat lov'ft to mount the rapid whirlwind's wing, 
 And hear the favage midnight tempeft fing ; 
 Or, balking in the lightning's fearful blaze, 
 On the wrcck'd globe to dart thy raptur'd gaze ; 
 
 On
 
 ( 15 ) 
 
 On burning towns and palaces o'erthrown, 
 
 And hear'ft, unmov'd, expiring Nature groan ; 
 
 Dragg'd to thine altars, what a countlefs throng, 
 
 Slaughter' d like beails, the ihriek of death prolong ! 
 
 Nor thefe of vulgar fame, or humble birth, 
 
 But of the nobleft line, the proudeft worth ; 
 
 All that in virtue, talents, genius, (hine, 
 
 Swell the dire carnage round thy gory flirine ! 
 
 Or, urg'd by favage tendernefs to fave 
 
 From the dire horrors of an inftant grave, 
 
 What ling'ring tortures Ihall the wretch await, 
 
 How black around him rolls the ftorm of fate ; 
 
 Torn from the darling child and blooming wife, 
 
 In defert fblitudes to walte his life ; 
 
 Condemn'd beneath a tropic fun to toily 
 
 Delve the dark mine, or plough the burning foil. 
 
 Infuriate fiend ! at length thy wrath fufpend. 
 
 Or to the Lybian wafte thy footileps bend. 
 
 On kindred tigers fpend thy murd'rous rage, 
 
 But ceafe with man eternal wan to wage .! 
 
 How
 
 ( 16 ) 
 
 How wide the fanguine deluge rolls around^ 
 How deep it llains Italians fertile bound ! • 
 Rctle(S\ion ihudders, while, before mine eyes, 
 Such fcenes of black progrelTive horror rife : 
 Latium! I lie thy butcher'd fons expire, 
 Tiiy temples blaze in facrilegious fire ; 
 I fee thy venerable mitred train 
 Dragg'd from their (hrines, or at their altars flain. — 
 When from his frozen bound the Vandal came, 
 Sack'd Rome's proud walls, and wrapp'd her tow'rs in flame; 
 WhcMi high thVnfanguin'd Goth, in barb'rous pride, 
 His banners wavM o'er Tibur's refluent tide ; 
 When their dark hofts through rich Campania pour'd, 
 And gave thy gafping nobles to the fw^ord ; 
 " Nor Goth nor \^andal half fuch havoc made, 
 As GauKs dire chieftains through thy plains have fpread. 
 When will the day of awful vengeance come ? 
 I fee it burll from time's difclofing womb ; 
 When, to the genuine rights of men awake, 
 Latium's infultcd fons their bonds Ihall break ; 
 And, while dieir fouls with indignation burn, 
 On their proud lords their thirlly poniards turn ; 
 
 One
 
 ( 17 ) 
 
 One great revenge for all their wrongs obtain. 
 For provinces laid wafte and myriads flain ; 
 With tides of Gallic blood expunge their ilains, 
 And flievv mankind that God, th' Avenger, reigns- 
 But not from Latium's beggard fons alone 
 Streams the big tear and burfts the heart-felt groan, 
 Through Europe's fartheft bounds what outcries rife, 
 While age and youth with pray'r befiege the (kies, 
 The remnant of her drooping race to fave, 
 And fnatch expiring nations from the grave. 
 
 Britons, the CRISIS of your fate draws near. 
 Exalt your ilandards, grafp th'avenging fpear ; 
 In radiant arms indiflblubly join'd, 
 Be firm, — and brave the pow 'rs of earth combin'd. 
 
 Let bafe Batavia bow the ftubborn neck, 
 And ravag'd Belgium tremble at his beck ; 
 Let vanquifh'd Spain in tears of blood bemoan 
 Her haughty fpirit broke, and trampled throne ; 
 Again let Pruflia's perjur'd Lord be fold, 
 And barter royal faitli for Gallic gold ; 
 
 C While
 
 ( 18 ) 
 
 ^Vhilc Auitiia, panting to divide the fpoil, 
 Yields, for a Hip of Latium*s plundered foi!^ 
 Wh2t all the gems, that drink the folar ray 
 Deep in Golconda's mines, can ne'er repay, 
 rh'cternal riglits which fovVeign nations claim ; 
 Gluts the gQTg'd foe, and feeds devouring flame, - 
 A flame that foon his empire fliall confume, 
 And turn his fmoaking palace to a tomb. 
 But, oh ! ihall Britons, whofe exalted name 
 Shines briglitell on the dazzling roll of fame ; 
 vSliall the bold fons of freedom and the waves 
 Shrink at the nod of Gaul's imperious flaves ? 
 A race for dark infidious wiles renown'd, 
 And damning perfidies, through Europe's bound ; 
 Who boaft to liberate cnflav'd mankind, 
 Then the guU'd fools in chains eternal bind ; 
 Like Judas ^ the betraying kiss impart, 
 Clafp in their arms, then ftab you to the heart : 
 Shall thefe rule Britain ? Firft ye lightnings fweep 
 Von blafted cliffs, and whelm them in the deep. 
 Infpir'd with dark millruft and jealous hate, 
 They vow extinftion to each neighb'ring (late ; 
 
 While
 
 ( 19 ) 
 
 While their dire myrmidons through diflant lands 
 Spread their curs' d creed and hurl their flaming brands, 
 Till civil torches light them on their way, 
 And hods refiftlefs feize th'ungarded prey. 
 
 Shall yon hoar deep in vain your coafts divide, 
 Britons, beware ! nor pafs the bounding tide ? 
 Heav'n girt your ifland with the barrier fea, 
 Rent you from guilty Gaul, and faid, BE FREE I 
 Oh ! while one fpark of Britifli fire remains, 
 And life's warm current circles in your veins ; 
 True to the charge which God and Nature gave, 
 View, as a wall of brafs, that rampire wave: 
 
 Still lift the warding fliield, the hoftile lance, • 
 
 Concord with all the world, but war with France. 
 Her threats defpife, her proffer'd friendfhip fpurn : 
 Immortal let your rooted hatred burn! 
 
 When Freedom's daundefs bands the trumpet found, 
 How, Britons, do your ardent pulfes bound ! 
 Or, when on high her radiant banners wave, 
 Who readier ruHi a thoufand deatlis to brave ? 
 
 C 2 Wh^^i
 
 ( 20 ) 
 
 What boium glow'd not when the galling yoke 
 or tyrant pow'r your haughty rival broke ? 
 But, when with royal blood her hand flie ftain'd. 
 The trampled altars of her God profan'd ; 
 When, with dire luft of wild ambition fir'd, 
 To rule the globe her frantic aim afpirM ; 
 In houndlefs maflacre her fword embru'd, 
 in fetters binding whom her arms fubdu'd ; 
 With Gothic tranfport, to her faithlefs fhore 
 I h'enormous fpoil of plundered Europe bore, 
 
 M'hcn,. with tlie wafteful tiger's favage bound, 
 
 She dafli'd Rome's peaceful eagles to the ground, 
 
 And left her fons their ancient boast to mourn, 
 
 From the proud capitol remorfelcfs torn ; 
 
 Who but widi gen'rous indignation burn'd, 
 
 And from the hideous fiend abhorrent turn'd ? 
 
 In vain, fair Liberty, flie vaunts thy fires, 
 
 No ray of thine her vulture fons infpires ; 
 
 Tyrants or cringing flaves, through evVy age. ^^^ ^ 
 
 W Ith Liberty unceafing war. they. wage. 
 
 Whatever her alter'd %le or boafled name, ' 
 
 IVurt me, perfidious Gaul is Aill the fame. 
 
 Afk
 
 ( 21 ) 
 
 Afk bafe Batavia what fublime reward, 
 
 For perjur'd faith, her fordid fons have fliar'd ? 
 
 What boon for Auftria's gentler yoke difdain'd, 
 
 Save lines and ftripes, hath ranfack'd Belgium gain d ? 
 
 Who, direr far than all the brooding llorms, 
 
 Whofe rage Helvetia's wintry (ky deforms, 
 
 Have flames and ravage through her valleys pour'd, 
 
 And all the horrors of the flaught'ring fword ; 
 
 With founding promifes her chiefs beguil'd. 
 
 Then, bafely, of their deareft rights defpoil'd ! 
 
 Thofe rights, fo highly prized, fo dearly bought. 
 
 For which in blood their valiant fathers fought ; 
 
 Who to her yoke would freed Columbia bend, 
 Who from her brow the dear-earn'd laurel rend ; . 
 That fceptre, which fhe boafts her Bourbon gave, 
 Would dafli to earth and crufh the humbled flave. 
 
 Britons, the CRISIS of your fate draws near, 
 Exalt your ftandards^ grafp th'avenging fpear ; 
 In radiant arms indiflblubly join'd, 
 Be firm, — and. brave the pow'rs of earth combin'd* 
 
 But,
 
 -- ) 
 
 But, are there dailards fo deprav'd and bafe 
 To pant for peace with this detefted race ? 
 Go, bid the cverlafting flame defcend\ 
 Witli Neptune's waters ftrive diat flame to blend ; 
 Bid hungry tigers, prowhng wild for food, 
 Crouch with the tamenefs of the fleecy brood, 
 When vanquiflicd Nature thus thy (kill fliall bend, 
 Then hope to make perfidious Gaul thy friend ! 
 For ages wlio hath join'd each daring 'io^^ 
 That aim'd thy tow'ring greatnefs to o'erthrow; 
 Beneath her yoke thy flubborn neck to bend. 
 And from thy grafp the ocean's fceptre rend : 
 Of civil difcord who the flames have fannM, 
 When mad rebellion rag'd around the land ; 
 Who fir'd her torches on Columbia's fliore, 
 
 And from its parent flock an empire tore ! 
 
 What though no foft fcduSive arts ye boafl, 
 Rough like your native clime and rugged coafl ; 
 Ye glory in the nobler arts of truth, 
 And manlier paflions fire your vig'rous youth ; 
 High beat their breafts with thirft of nobler fame. 
 Warm with unfully'd Honour's veflal flame ; 
 
 Virtue
 
 ( 23 ) 
 
 Virtue is theirs, — the fubftance, not the fliow, 
 
 And theirs, fair Freedom ! theirs thy genuine glow ; 
 
 Courage in battle, like the bolt of Jove ; 
 
 In vi6i:ory, gentle as the (haft of love ! 
 
 Thefe are your bulwark ; and, when thefe (hall fall,- 
 
 Britain lliall crouch the abje6l flave of Gaul. 
 
 Have you forgotten Crefly's glorious field, 
 Where the black Edward rais'd th'unconquer'd fhield ; 
 Singly her whole embody'd pow'r withftood, 
 And rufh'd to glory through a fea of blood. — 
 In vain three fov'reigns, brave in arms, difplay 
 The gorgeous enfigns of imperial fway ; 
 Dreadful as raging ftorm, or wafting fire, 
 The dauntless Son of an undaunted Sire 
 Impetuous thunders through the myriad band. 
 Strikes the bright fceptre from the palfy'd hand, 
 The lofty oftrich from Bohemia tears. 
 And bids it grace Britannia's princely heirs ! 
 
 Does Poiftiers' day no rapt'rous thrill afford, 
 Where, with ftill loftier wing, his genius foar'd, 
 
 When
 
 I 24 ) 
 
 When Glory *s fciniis conquering legions led^ ^rinrlf ni '^tiriiV 
 
 1161 < 
 
 And plac'd her crown on his triumphant head. 
 
 Sublimely borne, and blazing di rough the flcy, • j ^^^ oi;,iVi'jo>J 
 
 Before him fee her banner'd pageants tly ; ;y nl 
 
 Sec at his feet her captive monarch bow, r.^.y *>.. f 
 
 And wail the jewels raviih'd from his brow. ij.jfj 
 
 An army with the pangs of famine torn, r 
 
 With wafting flux, and lengthen'd vigils worn, 
 When Agincourt its iron front difplay'd 
 Witli no bafe fears great Henry's foul difmay'd. 
 Like raging lions burfting from their toils, 
 While Glory holds aloft the dazzling fpoils, 
 From ardent valour fnatching health's bright glow, 
 His furious bands rufli headlong on the foe. 
 Beat down the tow'ring helm, the threat'ning lance, 
 And lay in duft th'afpiring pride of France. 
 As down th'hiftoric page the wond'ring Mufe, 
 Through rolling years, the brilliant theme purfues ; 
 A thoufand Agincourts in glory rife, 
 A thouflmd Henrys ftalk before my eyes ; 
 A thoufand Edwards, burfting from theiliades, 
 Tofs their proud plumes and wave their gleaming blades. 
 
 Britons,
 
 ( 25 i 
 
 Britons, the CRISIS of your fate draws near. 
 Exalt your ftaiidards, grafp th 'avenging fpear ; 
 In radiant arms indiffolubly join'd, 
 Be firm, — and brave the povv'rs of earth combined. 
 
 But, oh Britannia ! what immortal drain 
 Shall paint thy triumphs on the boundlefs main ; 
 NVho fmg the heroes that, from age to age, 
 Through ev'ry clime have bid thy thunder rage ; 
 From burning realms where fouthern deeps refound, 
 To where eternal frofts the pole furround ! 
 Who fhall thy Howard's deathlefs feats recite, 
 Thy fearlefs Drake's, invincible in fight ? 
 Whofe valour, with the ftorms of heav'n combin'd, 
 The proud Armada to the depths confign'd. 
 To ardent glory's nobleft fires awake, 
 What terrors could appal the foul of Blake ? 
 When on the Belgic chief, that dar'd to fweep. 
 With high-fufpended broom, th'infulted deep, 
 Furious he rufii'd ; and tore, indignant, down 
 The barb'rous emblem of ufurp'd renown ; 
 
 D Then,
 
 ( 26 ) 
 
 Then, driving o'er the furgc the routed foe, 
 Swept the proud vaunter to the gulphs below. 
 
 Far diftant on the vaft Adantic main. 
 To check the ravages of hoflilc Spain ; 
 Skilful as brave along a death-fraught coaft,^' 
 Pocock to vi6l'ry leads a gallant hoft : 
 Condemn'd to perilli on a barbVous ftrand, 
 Pale round his veiTels glides a fpe6lrcd band ; 
 And oft before his midnight couch they rife, 
 Flames in their hands and lightning in their eyes, 
 Shouting revenge, and towards Havannah's fpires 
 Wave their red arms and point their hoftile fires. 
 
 *Mid threatening rocks, and waves in mountains roll'd, 
 .Great Hawke, contending with the ftorm, behold ! 
 Nor rocks, nor roaring furge, nor madd'ning wind, 
 From its firm centre lliakc his fteadfiifl mind ; 
 
 * Alluding to the celebrated paflage happily efFcded by this gallant admiral, with a fleet 
 of near two hundred fail, through the oi-D StStAITS of Bahama, an enterprize never 
 equalled in courage or in danger but by the very recent one in the attack upon Oftend. 
 
 On
 
 ( 27 ) 
 
 On fate's tremendous verge the line he forms, 
 
 To France more dreadful than a thoufand florms, 
 
 Bids through a night of clouds the fleet advance, 
 
 And hoftile fires illume the dark expanfe. 
 
 In vain their broken line the Gauls oppofe, 
 
 While, as the furious confli6l fiercer glows, 
 
 The Britifh cannon raging, tier o'er tier, 
 
 Flame on their van and thunder on their rear. 
 
 Wild as the whirlwinds, that impetuous fweep 
 
 The raging furface of the troubled deep, 
 
 The Gallic veffels o'er the furge are tofl. 
 
 Or fwell the pomp of Britain's vi6i:or hoft ! 
 
 'Twas then, — while heav'n with angry tempefts lower'd. 
 
 And victory on Hawke's proud ftandard tower'd ; 
 
 'Twas then from heav'n, the brilliant deed to crown, 
 Britannia's Angel rulh'd in lightning down, 
 From France her naval wreath for ever tore. 
 And ilamp'd to dufl on Bifcay's ftormy fliore. 
 
 If, urg'd by rage and furious from defpair, 
 Again her baffled fleets the ocean dare. 
 Terrific, Neptune, on thy billowy field. 
 The lion Howe fhall Britain's vengeance wield, 
 
 D 2 ^^
 
 ( 23 ) 
 
 Or Rodney, dreadful in her kindled ire. 
 Rain on thofe fleets a ftorni ol liquid fire. 
 While far remote, in India's fultry (ky, 
 Cornwallis bids her flag triumphant fly ; 
 And by her Barrington refiftlefs hurl'd, 
 Albion's deep thunder fliakes the wefl:ern world 
 
 Sublimely thron'd on Vincent's rocky height. 
 Hark ! Glory, from her fhrine of circling light. 
 Loud hails her Jervis on th'Iberian main, 
 Rcfilllefs burfling through the line of Spain ! 
 Ardent to gain the wreath that Ruflel crown'd, 
 And brave Bofcawen's vet'ran temples bound, 
 Recklefs of florms, behold intrepid Hood 
 Plough with unweary'd toil the briny flood ; 
 In all their ports the fkulking foe he braves, 
 And burns to plunge him in the whelming waves. 
 Lal^, but not humbleft, on the roll of fame, 
 With nerve, of adamant, with foul of flame. 
 See fcarlefs Duncan, ranging undifmay'd 
 Belgium's dire fliore, with death and peril fpread, 
 And rufli, regardlefs of impending doom, 
 Where cv'ry billow yawns — a watVy tomb ! 
 
 Though
 
 ( 29 ) 
 
 Though ruin hover in a thoufand forms, 
 Refolv'd, Batavia's marfhall'd fleet he ftorms, 
 Tremendous on the foe his vengeance falls, 
 And thick around defcend the rattling balls : 
 Retreat is vain ; behind the breakers roar, 
 While Britain's wafteful thunders urge before ; 
 The doubling game the dauntlefs Scot purfues, 
 And in the jaws of death the fight renews ; 
 Aloft in air her tatter'd ftandards fly. 
 Low bends the fl:ately maft that pierc'd the Iky ; 
 Devouring flames confume the glowing deck, 
 And a third navy floats — a boundlefs wreck ! 
 Gaul views, enragVl, her ftrongeft prop overthrown. 
 And into air her daring proje6ts blown. 
 Rage, baffled Gaul ! for thus, ere yonder fun 
 Thrice his bright journey round the zodiac run, 
 In black difgrace fliall all thy triumphs end. 
 And all thy tow'ring pride in /moke afcend : 
 The injur'd obje61: of thy jealous hate 
 Hurls at thy impious head the bolt of fate ; 
 On outrag'd heav'n's and man's determin'd foe. 
 Slow, but refiftlefs, rolls the fatal blow ! 
 
 Ye
 
 ( 30 ) 
 
 Ye myriads, whom her direful thirfl of blood 
 PlungM in the rapid Rhone's empurpled flood, 
 Or from the cannon's rending mouth confign'd, 
 In mangled fragments, to the blafting wind ; 
 All whom dire Robcrfpierre's unfparing rage 
 Crufli'd in the blooming vigour of your age ; 
 Or, by fucceeding Molochs dragg'd to death, 
 Who, deep in dungeons, drank infe6lion's breath ! 
 All who by hunger's pangs, to madnefs fir'd, 
 On your own fabre's guiklefs edge expir'd ; 
 Or, to avoid unnumber'd horrors, quaff 'd, 
 With pale and quiv'ring lips, th'empoifon'd draught ; 
 Shout from the grave — in your, in Nature's, caufe, 
 Th'avenging fword infulted Britain draws : 
 See her bright enfigns blaze from fliore to fliore. 
 See her bold offspring round thofe enfigns pour ; 
 Her ancient nobles, warm with all the fires 
 That burn'd at Creffy in their daring fires ; 
 Her valiant knights, whofe ftreaming banners fliew 
 Their blazon'd triumphs o'er the haughty foe ; 
 Her gen'rous merchants, fam'd through ev'ry clime, 
 Of fpotlefs faith and dauntlefs foul fublime ! 
 
 Whofe
 
 ( 31 ) 
 
 Whofc flags, through many a diftant fea unfurl'd, 
 
 Uphold the commerce of the ravag'd world ; 
 
 In fecial bands remoteft nations join, 
 
 Chill'd at the pole, or fcorch'd beneath the line ; 
 
 Patriots to virtue dear, for freedom bold, 
 
 Who HONOUR ftill their proudest treasure hold; 
 
 Her PEASANTS, glowing widi a Briton's zeal, 
 
 Whofe loyal hearts are oak, whofe Cmews Ji eel: 
 
 All ranks, all ages, feel the high alarms. 
 
 At Glory's call, impatient, rufh to arms ; 
 
 Ardent to meet a foe their fouls difdain, 
 
 Conqu'rors on fliore and fov'reigns on the main. 
 
 To viftory rufli on, ye dauntlefs bands ! 
 The fate of Europe trembles in your hands ; 
 Oh ! ftill for glory pant, for Britain burn, 
 Nor to the flieath th'avenging blade return, 
 Till Liberty her trampled rights regain, 
 Till Juftice re-alTume her ancient reign ; 
 Till vanquifli'd Gaul in blood her crimes bemoan, 
 And heav'n's avenging arm, repentant, own ; 
 Or, in the chains fhe forg'd for Europe bound, 
 Spend her vain rage, and proftrate bite the ground. 
 
 Britons,
 
 (( 3r y ' 
 
 Britons, the CRISIS of her fate draws near, 
 j^dvance your ftandards, launch th'avenging fpcar ; 
 In radiant arms indilTolubly join'd. 
 Your firmness shall subdue the world combined, 
 
 FINIS.
 
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