THE OAK OF GUERNICA. [Composed 1810.-Published 1815.] The ancient oak of Guernica, says Laborde in his account of Biscay, is a most venerable natural monument. Ferdinand and Isabella, in the year 1476, after hearing Mass in the church of Santa Maria de la Antigua, repaired to this tree, under which they swore to the Biscayans to maintain their fueros (privileges). What other interest belongs to it in the minds of this people will appear from the following SUPPOSED ADDRESS TO THE SAME. 1810. OAK of Guernica! Tree of holier power Than that which in Dodona did enshrine (So faith too fondly deemed) a voice divine Heard from the depths of its aerial bowerHow canst thou flourish at this blighting hour? 5 What hope, what joy can sunshine bring to thee, Or the soft breezes from the Atlantic sea, The dews of morn, or April's tender shower? Stroke merciful and welcome would that Honour that knows the path and will not a flight Then for that Country let our hopes be Charged, and dispersed like foam: but as bold; For matched with these shall policy prove Of scattered quails by signs do reunite, So these, and, heard of once again, are chased vain, Her arts, her strength, her iron, and her gold. XXIX. [Composed 1810.-Published 1815.] O'ERWEENING Statesmen have full long relied On fleets and armies, and external wealth: But from within proceeds a Nation's health; Which shall not fail, though poor men cleave with pride 5 To the paternal floor; or turn aside, As being all unworthy to detain Spaniards of every rank, by whom the IO For they have learnt to open and to close Of such high course was felt and under- The ridges of grim war; and at their head Are captains such as erst their country bred stood; Who to their Country's cause have bound a life Erewhile, by solemn consecration, given To labour, and to prayer, to nature, and to heaven 1. XXX. THE FRENCH AND THE SPANISH GUERILLAS. [Composed 1810 or 1811.-Published 1815.] HUNGER, and sultry heat, and nipping blast From bleak hill-top, and length of march by night 5 Or fostered, self-supported chiefs,-like those Whom hardy Rome was fearful to oppose; Whose desperate shock the Carthaginian fled. In One who lived unknown a shepherd's life Redoubted Viriathus breathes again; 10 And Mina, nourished in the studious shade, With that great Leader vies, who, sick of strife Through heavy swamp, or over snow-clad And bloodshed, longed in quiet to be laid In some green island of the western main, height For its own honour, on man's suffering heart. THE FRENCH ARMY IN RUSSIA. 1812-13. [Composed Feb., 1816.—Published: vol. of 1816.] HUMANITY, delighting to behold A fond reflection of her own decay, Hath painted Winter like a traveller old, Propped on a staff, and, through the sullen day, In hooded mantle, limping o'er the plain, As though his weakness were disturbed by pain: 6 Or, if a juster fancy should allow lorn, II But mighty Winter the device shall scorn. For he it was-dread Winter! who beset, Flinging round van and rear his ghastly net, That host, when from the regions of the Pole 15 They shrunk, insane ambition's barren goal That host, as huge and strong as e'er defied Their God, and placed their trust in human pride! As fathers persecute rebellious sons, He smote the blossoms of their warrior youth; 20 He called on Frost's inexorable tooth Life to consume in Manhood's firmest hold; Nor spared the reverend blood that feebly runs; For why-unless for liberty enrolled Never may from our souls one truth de- And sacred home-ah! why should hoary part That an accursed thing it is to gaze On prosperous tyrants with a dazzled eye; Nor-touched with due abhorrence of their guilt ΙΟ Age be bold? 25 Fleet the Tartar's reinless steed, But fleeter far the pinions of the Wind, Which from Siberian caves the Monarch freed, For whose dire ends tears flow, and blood And sent him forth, with squadrons of his is spilt, And justice labours in extremity Forget thy weakness, upon which is built, O wretched man, the throne of tyranny! slain Our praise For what she did and suffered. Pledges sure Of a deliverance absolute and pure She gave, if Faith might tread the beaten ways Of Providence. But now did the Most High Exalt his still small voice ;-to quell that Host ΙΟ Gathered his power, a manifest ally; proud boast Of Pharaoh, said to Famine, Snow, and Frost, "Finish the strife by deadliest victory!" XXXVII. THE GERMANS ON THE HEIGHTS OF [Composed 1820.—Published 1822 (Memorials of a Tour, &c.). ABRUPTLY paused the strife; the field throughout Resting upon his arms each warrior stood, Checked in the very act and deed of blood, With breath suspended, like a listening scout. O Silence! thou wert mother of a shout 5 That through the texture of yon azure dome Cleaves its glad way, a cry of harvest home Uttered to Heaven in ecstasy devout! That Host, which rendered all your boun- The barrier Rhine hath flashed, through ties vain! XXXVI.. [Composed November or December, 1822.- BY Moscow self-devoted to a blaze hood; Insensible. He sits deprived of sight, And lamentably wrapped in twofold night, Whom no weak hopes deceived; whose 6 Through perilous war, with regal fortitude, Peace that should claim respect from lawless Might. Nor wanted lurking hamlet, dusky towns, And scattered rural farms of aspect bright; And, here and there, between the pastoral downs, The azure sea upswelled upon the sight. Fair prospect, such as Britain only shows! 15 But not a living creature could be seen Dread King of Kings, vouchsafe a ray Through its wide circuit, that, in deep divine |