Classic Poem

WRITTEN FOR A SCHOOL .

With ardent hope, not free from doubt and fear,
At your tribunal we again appear;
Conscious that friendship will our wants supply.
And view our efforts with a partial eye.
In Shakspeare's buskin, marshal'd on the stage,
Romans and Britons valiantly engage:
But diff'rent far the motives that excite
Each rival warrior to commence the fight;
For plunder one the hostile jav'lin wields,
The other to protect his native fields;
To save his children from the murd'rer's knife,
From rape his daughter, and from lust his wife!
Motives like these resistless strength impart,
Nerve the bold arm, and steel the manly heart!
And if in honour's field he nobly dies,
His grave is hallow'd by a nation's sighs;
And mem'ry consecrates to deathless fame,
The warrior's glory, and the patriot's name!
While thus with mimic ardour we engage,
And fight our country's battles on the stage;
The youth of England all in arms advance
To face the legions of invading France:
Thus strong by land, triumphant on the wave,
Britons united all invasion brave!
Ev'n we, the pupils of the book and pen,
Though boys in years, in spirit feel as men;
And eager wait that period that shall prove,
How deeply rooted is our country's love!
And that the earliest lessons taught us here
Were, to fear God, and know no other fear;
The king to honour, and his crown defend,
Proving ourselves the prince, and people's friend;
And when our country's standard is unfurl'd,
To fight beneath it 'gainst a warring world!