Classic Poem

[ On the Duke's Return from Scotland.]

Rebellion sleeps in peace; — and light-heel'd France
Wakes, from her Highland-dream , and bagpipe dance .
Blown from Mount Grampus into Belgian Wastes ,
Where moist Dutch ditches cool their cap'ring tastes.
There let'em fish their forage-guard wash'd passes ,
And leer , from chin-deep march , at dry-shod lasses .
Warring, like ducks , eat frogs, instead of pullet ,
And each stol'n cheese, they swim for , prove a bullet .
Oft may those thieves, most christian , shift bad quarters ,
For worse , — and scour new climes, to catch new Tartars ,
'Till sense of shame, invasion's cheek to flush ,
Bids their pale lilly , steal our rose's blush.

Hail, to the sun-shine , that succeeds distress!
The dawn , that dimm'd us, bids the evening bless!
Happy the sorrow , that instructs, by pain ;
The rebel 's rage endears the monarch's reign!
'Till home-felt menace shook the land's repose ,
Wealth's easy eye glanc'd scorn at absent foes:
At length, by danger rous'd, attention came,
Then war grew bus'ness , and revenge grew fame .
Trade fann'd, with grateful help, the soldier's fire,
Felt the protective warmth, and hugg'd it nigher .
Then, the brave red-coat , measuring o'er the isle ,
March'd in claim'd brotherhood , from smile to smile.
Bless'd by new friends, saw antient spleens relent,
Cur'd prejudice — and conquer'd, as he went.
Kind smil'd occasion , thro' the storm begun,
'Till from the cloud , out-flam'd our morning sun ,
Soul of the nations hope — the soldier's pride!
The sov'reign's safety , and the subject's guide!
Born to love all, and be, by all, belov'd,
Mild , like his father's throne , and as unmov'd!
In youth's warm prime , from all youth's passions free,
Had love , and fire , and pity , not been three .
Brave, beyond every curb , but judgment's call,
Guardian of every right — and saves 'em all.

Such, when he comes, the muses breast should burn,
And her seats , echoing, hail his bless'd return;
Here, when long wish'd, our happy eyes behold,
Th' acknowledg'd conqueror, need his Name be told!