Classic Poem

IN IMITATION OF CALLISTRATUS

 V ERDANT myrtle's branchy pride
Shall my biting falchion wreathe:
 Soon shall grace each manly side,
Tubes that speak, and points that breathe.
 Thus, Harmodius! shone thy blade;
Thus, Aristogiton! thine:
 Whose, when B RITAIN sighs for aid,
Whose shall now delay to shine?
 Dearest youths, in islands bless'd,
Not, like recreant idlers dead,
 You with fleet Pelides rest,
And with godlike Diomed.
 Verdant myrtle's branchy pride
Shall my thirsty blade entwine:
 Such, Harmodius! deck'd thy side;
Such, Aristogiton! thine.
 They the base Hipparchus slew
At the feast of Pallas crown'd:
 Gods!—how swift their poniards flew!
How the monster ting'd the ground!
 Then in Athens all was peace,
Equal laws and liberty:
 Nurse of arts, and age of Greece!
People valiant, firm, and free!
 Not less glorious was thy deed,
Wentworth! fix'd in virtue's cause;
 Not less brilliant be thy meed,
Lenox! friend to equal laws.
 High in Freedom's temple rais'd,
See Fitz-Maurice beaming stand,
 For collected virtues prais'd,
Wisdom's voice and Valour's hand!
 Ne'er shall Fate their eyelids close:
They, in blooming regions bless'd,
 With Harmodius shall repose;
With Aristogiton rest.
 No, bless'd chiefs! a hero's crown
Let the' Athenian patriots claim:
 You less fiercely won renown;
You assum'd a milder name.
 They through blood for glory strove,
You more blissful tidings bring;
 They to death a Tyrant drove,
You to fame restor'd a King.
 Rise, B RITANNIA ! dauntless rise!
Cheer'd with triple harmony,
 Monarch good, and Nobles wise,
People valiant, firm, and free!