ΤΟ MRS SIDDONS. SIDDONS, when first commenc'd thy ardent course, The powers that guard the Drama's aweful shrine, Beauty, and grandeur, tenderness, and force, Silence that speaks, and eloquence divine, For thee erected that approachless throne Yet the heart says, respect a rival claim, 1 ODE ON ENGLAND'S NAVAL TRIUMPHS IN THE PRESENT WAR. * SUBLIME to all the rising winds "That Britain rules the subject waves, "And vows her sons shall ne'er be slaves. When JERVIS, on the Atlantic deep, Intrepid crush'd Iberia's sails, He taught St Vincent's rocky steep, Her torrid hills, and sultry vales, "That great Britannia rul'd the waves, "And vow'd her sons should ne'er be slaves. This Ode was written on receiving intelligence of Admiral Nelson's victory on the Nile. And when illustrious DUNCAN stood Afresh he stampt the patriot strain, But hark! from Afric's glowing shores The motley flag of France no more It sunk!-appall'd!-o'erwhelm'd !-and lost! "Rule Britannia, &c. Invaded Egypt, at the sight, Her grateful shores illumin'd wide; Ye partners of that matchless hour, Return the charter'd song to pour When NELSON and the Nile are named, "Britons never shall be slaves. [After the preceding stanzas were written and sung at a music meeting at Birmingham, Admiral Warren's speedily-succeeding Victory was announced.] THE flag of triumph yet again Floats from the temple's gilded height! On green Ierne's menaced strand Saw fell Invasion's routed horde, Whose sons, while Britain rules the waves, To haughty France shall ne'er be slaves. |