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Ah! that a Conqueror's words should be Didst first lead forth that enterprise sub so dear:

lime,

Ah! that a boon could shed such rap- Hast heard the constant Voice its chara

turous joys!

A gift of that which is not to be given
By all the blended powers of Earth and
Heaven.

1 i.e. the proclamation of the Liberty of Greece by T. Quintius Flamininus, the conqueror of Philip of Macedon (B.c. 196).-ED.

repeat,

Which, out of thy young heart's oracula seat,

First roused thee.-O true yoke-fello of Time,

Duty's intrepid liegeman, see, the palm Is won, and by all Nations shall be worn The blood-stained Writing is for ever torná

And thou henceforth wilt hate a good A vivid repetition of the stars;

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Jove, Venus, and the ruddy crest of Mars Amid his fellows beauteously revealed 6 At happy distance from earth's groaning field,

Where ruthless mortals wage incessant

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Whose factions lead astray the wise and Which, while it makes the heart with

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Here, mighty Nature! in this school sublime

sadness shrink,

Tells also of bright calms that shal succeed.

IX.
HOFER..

[Composed 1809.-Published Oct. 26, 1809 Friend); 1815].

OF mortal parents is the Hero born

I weigh the hopes and fears of suffering By whom the undaunted Tyrolese are led

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Or is it Tell's great Spirit, from the dea
Returned to animate an age forlorn?
He comes like Phoebus through the gati

of morn

When dreary darkness is discomfited,
Yet mark his modest state! upon his hesi
That simple crest, a heron's plume, is won
O Liberty! they stagger at the shock
From van to rear-and with one mis
would flee,

But half their host is buried:-rock
rock

COMPOSED AT THE SAME TIME AND ON THE Descends:-beneath this godlike Wa

SAME OCCASION.

[Composed November or December, 1808.

Published 1815.

rior, see!

Hills, torrents, woods, embodied to b mock

I DROPPED my pen; and listened to the The Tyrant, and confound his cruelty.

Wind

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And to the attendant promise will give heed

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1 Andreas Hofer, an innkeeper, led the Ty lese for a time successfully, but was defeated The prophecy,-like that of this wild the Bavarians in October 1809, and tried by cou

blast,

martial and shot in 1810.-ED.

Cliffs, woods and caves, her viewless steps resound

Of Reason, seated on her sovereign hill;
What is it but a vain and curious skill,

And babble of her pastime!-On, dread If sapient Germany must lie deprest,

Power!

With such invisible motion speed thy flight,

10 Through hanging clouds, from craggy height to height,

Through the green vales and through the herdsman's bower

hat all the Alps may gladden in thy might,

Beneath the brutal sword?-Her haughty
Schools

Shall blush; and may not we with sorrow
say,
To
A few strong instincts and a few plain
rules,

Among the herdsmen of the Alps, have wrought

More for mankind at this unhappy day lere, there, and in all places at one hour. Than all the pride of intellect and

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[Composed 1809.-Published December 21, 1809 SAY, what is Honour?-Tis the finest sen

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Of justice which the human mind can fram Intent each lurking frailty to disclaim, And guard the way of life from all offent Suffered or done. When lawless violent Invades a Realm, so pressed that in t scale

Of perilous war her weightiest armies fa Honour is hopeful elevation,whence Glory, and triumph. Yet with politic ski Endangered States may yield to ter unjust;

Stoop their proud heads, but not unt the dust

A Foe's most favourite purpose to fulfil Happy occasions oft by self-mistrust Are forfeited; but infamy doth kill.

XVIII3.

[Composed October or November, 1809.-P. lished 1815.]

THE martial courage of a day is vain, An empty noise of death the battle's roar If vital hope be wanting to restore,

1 Saragossa surrendered February 20, 1809.-E 2 Written apparently on the occasion of th Peace of Vienna, signed Oct. 10, 1809.-En

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