Classic Poem

When C HRIST , the seaman, was aboard
Swift as an arrow to the White ,
While Ocean his rude rapture roar'd,
The vessel gain'd the Haven with delight:
We therefore first to him the song renew,
Then sing of P OCOCK 's praise, and make the point in view.

The Muse must humble e're she rise,
And kneel to kiss her Master's feet,
Thence at one spring she mounts the skies
And in New Salem vindicates her seat;
Seeks to the temple of th' Angelic choir,
And hoists the E NGLISH Flag upon the topmost spire.

O Blessed of the Lord of Hosts,
In either India most renown'd,
The Echo of the Eastern coasts,
And all th' Atlantic shores thy name resound. —
The victor's clemency, the seaman's art,
The cool delib'rate head, and warm undaunted heart.

My pray'r was with Thee, when thou sail'd
With prophecies of sure success;
My thanks to Heav'n, that thou prevail'd
Shall last as long as I can breathe or bless;
And built upon thy deeds my song shall tow'r,
And swell, as it ascends, in spirit and in pow'r.

There is no thunder half so loud,
As God's applauses in the height,
For those, that have his name avow'd,
Ev'n Christian Patriots valorous and great;
Who for the general welfare stand or fall,
And have no sense of self, and know no dread at all.

Amongst the numbers lately fir'd
To act upon th' heroic plan,
Grace has no worthier chief inspir'd,
Than that sublime, insuperable man,
Who could th' out-numb'ring French so oft defeat,
And from th' H AVANNAH stor'd his brave victorious fleet.

And yet how silent his return
With scarce a welcome to his place —
Stupidity and unconcern,
Were settled in each voice and on each face.
As private as myself he walk'd along,
Unfavour'd by a friend, unfollow'd by the throng.

Thy triumph, therefore, is not here,
Thy glories for a while postpon'd,
The hero shines not in his sphere,
But where the Author of all worth is own'd. —
Where Patience still persists to praise and pray
For all the Lord bestows, and all he takes away .

Not H OWARD , F ORBISHER , or D RAKE ,
Or V ERNON 's fam'd Herculean deed;
Not all the miracles of B LAKE ,
Can the great Chart of thine exploits exceed. —
Then rest upon thyself and dwell secure,
And cultivate the arts, and feed th' increasing poor.

O N AME accustom'd and inur'd
To fame and hardship round the globe,
For which fair Honour has insur'd
The warrior's truncheon, and the consul's robe;
Who still the more is done and understood ,
Art easy of access, art affable and good.

O N AME acknowledged and rever'd
Where I SIS plays her pleasant stream,
Whene'er thy tale is read or heard,
The good shall bless thee, and the wise esteem;
And they, whose offspring lately felt thy care,
Shall in TEN THOUSAND Churches make their daily pray'r. —

" Connubial bliss and homefelt joy,
And ev'ry social praise be thine;
Plant thou the oak, the poor employ;
Or plans of vast benevolence design;
And speed, when C HRIST his servant shall release,
From triumph over death to everlasting peace. "