XL.

SIEGE OF VIENNA RAISED BY JOHN SOBIESKI.

PKBRUARY, 1816.

O, FOR a kindling touch from that pure flame
Which ministered, crewhile, to a sacrifice

Of gratitude, beneath Italian skies,

In words like these. Up, Voice of song! proclaim Thy saintly rapture with celestial aim :

For lo! the Imperial City stands released

From bondage threatened by the embattled East.
And Christendom respires; from guilt and shame
Redeemed, from miserable fear set free

۱

By one day's feat, one mighty victory. -Chant the Deliverer's praise in every tongue! • The cross shall spread, the crescent hath waxed din : *He conquering, as in joyful Heaven is sung,

HE CONQUERING through GoD, AND GOD BY HIM *.

Se Filicala's de

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XLI.

OCCASIONED BY THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.

FEBRUARY, 1816.

THE Bard-whose soul is meek as dawning day,
Vet trained to judgments righteously severe;
Fervid, yet conversant with holy fear,
As recognising one Almighty sway:

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He-whose experienced eye can pierce the array
Of past events; to whom, in vision clear,
The aspiring heads of future things appear,
Like mountain-tops whose mists have rolled away-
Assoiled from all encumbrance of our time,
He only, if such breathe, in strains devout
Shall comprehend this victory sublime ;
Shall worthily rehearse the hideous rout,
The triumph hail, which from their peaceful clime
Angels might welcome with a choral shout!

POLITICAL SONNETS.

ALII.

EMPERORS and Kings, how oft have temples rung
With impious thanksgiving, the Almighty's scorn!
How oft above their altars have been hung
Trophies that led the good and wise to mouru
Triumphant wrong, battle of battle born,
And sorrow that to fruitless sorrow chung!
Now, from Heaven-sanctioned victory, Peace is sprung;

In this firm hour Salvation lifts her horn.

Glory to arms! But, conscious that the nerve.
Of popular reason, long mistrusted, freed
Your thrones, ye Powers, from duty fear to swerve!
Be just, be grateful; nor, the oppressor's creed!
Reviving, heavier chastisement deserve
Than ever forced unpitied hearts to bleed.

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