Rome shall perish-write that word V. Rome, for empire far renown'd, Tramples on a thousand states; Soon her pride shall kiss the ground- VI. Other Romans shall arise, Heedless of a soldier's name; Sounds, not arms, shall win the prize Harmony the path to fame, Boadicea, an Ode. VII. Then the progeny that springs Arm'd with thunder, clad with wings, Shall a wider world command, VIII. Regions Cæsar never knew Thy posterity shall sway, Where his eagles never flew, None invincible as they. IX. Such the bard's prophetic words, X. She, with all a monarch's pride, Felt them in her bosom glow; Rush'd to battle, fought, and died Dying, hurl'd them at the foe. Peace a Source of Happiness to Mankind. XI. Ruffians, pitiless as proud, Heav'n awards the vengeance due; Empire is on us bestow'd, Shame and ruin wait for you. HEROISM. THERE was a time when Etna's silent fire Slept unperceiv'd, the mountain yet entire; When, conscious of no danger from below, She tow'r'd a cloud-capt pyramid of snow. No thunders shook with deep intestine sound The blooming groves that girdled her around. Her unctuous olives, and her purple vines, (Unfelt the fury of those bursting mines) The peasant's hopes, and not in vain, assur'd, In peace upon her sloping sides matur'd. What Muse can trace the Torrent of War. When on a day, like that of the last doom, She teem'd and heav'd with an infernal birth, And hang their horrors in the neighb'ring skies, It marches o'er the prostrate works of man- Ætna's Fires emblamatic of the Mischiefs of ambitious Pride. Once more the spiry myrtle crowns the glade, And ruminating flocks enjoy the shade. Oh, bliss precarious, and unsafe retreats, Ten thousand swains the wasted scene deplore, Ye monarchs, whom the lure of honour draws, Who write in blood the merits of your cause, Who strike the blow, then plead your own defence- The mischiefs your ambitious pride inspires! |