Napoleon: an epic poem in twelve cantos

Front matter

rr a if > ) i -.a gi il WJEJL.]LJN©T©N NAPOLEON: AN EPIC POEM IN Qltotlbt Canto s. BY WILLIAM RICHARD HARRIS. LONDON: LONGMAN, BROWN, GREEN, AND LONGMANS, PATERNOSTER ROW. M.DCCC.XLV. LONDON . Printed by Manning and Mason, Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row TO CAPTAIN WILLIAM DAWSON, R.N. AND SIR WILLIAM CORNWALLIS HARRIS, H.E.I.C.E. AUTHOR OF "THE HIGHLANDS OF ETHIOPIA," "AFRICAN WILD SPORTS," ETC. ETC. IN' TOKEN OF HIS SINCERE ESTEEM AND REGARD, tEtjifJ \Bacm IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. BY THEIR AFFECTIONATE COUSIN AND SINCERE FRIEND, THE AUTHOR. The Muses still with Freedom found, Shall to thy happy shores repair; Blest Isle with matchless Beauty crowned. And manly hearts to guard the Fair. Thomson.

Preface

. In presenting this Poem to the British public, I am deeply impressed with the feeling that the very idea of writing an Epic Poem in our times will be considered a proof of great daring. No poet in England since Milton, I believe, and none in Germany since Klopstock, has ventured to attempt it. I trust, however, that my countrymen will receive the work favourably, if not on account of its own intrinsic merits as a poem, at least for the sake of its object — to dispel the illusions of Hero worship, unless the Hero idolized be good as well as great, — a Wellington, not a Napoleon ; the defender of his country, not the world's Tyrant. The position I have taken up must at all events be admitted to be truly English. I have endeavoured to express, in as forcible language as possible, a burning hatred against tyranny, against that all absorbing spirit of egotism which is the utter destruction of all national liberty and happiness, against falsehood and deceit in every shape; and a well-founded pride in my country, and in her gallant defenders, who, in those dreadful times of bloodshed and destruction which form the subject of the Poem, wafted the fame of the British nation from zone to zone, — a sentiment which I am convinced will find an echo in every British bosom.

THE AUTHOR. January, 1845. Wolsf.y. Cromwell, I charge thee, fling away ambition; By that sin fell the angels ; how can man then, The image of his Maker, hope to win by 't? Love thyself last : cherish those hearts that hate thee ; Corruption wins not more than honesty. Still in thy right hand carry gentle peace, To silence envious tongues. Be just, and fear not: Let all the ends thou aim'st at be thy country's, Thy God's and truth's; then, if thou fall'st, O Cromwell! Thou fall'st a blessed martyr." King Henry vm. iii. 2. It is a painful consideration, that the profession of literature, by far the most laborious of any, leads to no real benefit or true glory whatsoever. Poetry, Science, Letters, when they are not made the sole business of life, may become its ornaments in prosperity, and its most pleasing consolation in a change of fortune ; but if a man addicts himself entirely to learning, and hopes by that either to raise a family, or to acquire what so many wish for, and so few ever attain, an honourable retirement in his declining age, he will find, when it is too late, that he has mistaken his path; that other labours, other studies are necessary; and that unless he can assert his own independence in active life, it will avail him little to be favoured by the learned, esteemed by the eminent, or recommended even by kings.

It is true, on the other hand, that no external advantages can make any amends for the loss of virtue and integrity, which alone give a perfect comfort to him who possesses them. Let a man, therefore, who wishes to enjoy what no fortune nor honour can bestow, the blessing of self-approbation, aspire to the glory given to Pericles by a celebrated historian, " of being acquainted with all useful knowledge, of expressing what he knows with copiousness and freedom, of loving his friends and country, and of disdaining the mean pursuits of lucre and interest:"* this is the only career on which an honest man ought to enter, or from which he can hope to gain any solid happiness. Sir William Jones. * Tbucyd. ii. 60. The

Canto I. Argument

Poem opens at daybreak on the Morning of the famous Battle of the Moskwa, 7th September 1812. A mighty Army lies encamped upon the Plains of Mojaisk — by whom commanded — of what Nation composed — what their ulterior object. — France, its beauty and fertility. — The Character of Napoleon — his Crimes, Exploits, and Ambition. — Eulogy of England and the British Army. — Napoleon's Birthplace — Childhood — Boyhood — Manhood — and first Feat of Arms. — Eulogy of Sir Arthur Wellesley, Sir Ralph Abercrombie, Sir John Moore, and Sir John Stuart. — The French Revolution — its horrors and consequences. — The second Military Exploit of Napoleon, by whose wicked skill the liberating sections of the National Guard of Paris are vanquished and destroyed, and the tyrannic Power of the Convention confirmed. — The Reward conferred upon Napoleon for his villany. i j 10 15 NAPOLEON PORTRAYED Canto $.

Along the far-extended martial Hues A warning blast is blown — a solemn note Calling to arms! Around each honour 'd chief In all that numerous host the soldiers press, Anxious the high imperial will to learn Of their famed Leader. They to war inured, And vain of former conquests, dreadless hear That yet another battle is to fight Or ere the glittering prize, which fancy paints Richer than ancient Rome, — where Europe's wealth With Asia's mingles, where bright gilded domes Innumerable court the setting sun, Or greet his rising beams, — can be their own. Moscow ! — of all their warrior toils the goal, Within whose palaces abundance reigns : Vestments of Tyrian dye; rich wines, the growth Of every favour'd clime; gold — as the sand For plenty; diamonds, sparkling 'midst the hair NAPOLEON 20 25 30 35 40 45 Of blooming virgins, brighter in their thoughts Than all the princely spod within their grasp.

Say, whence this mighty Army? — who, their Chief? From Gallia they — a fair and fertde land; Napoleon, their dread Captain — awful name ! Whose conquests, glories, crimes, and sudden fall, No feeble Muse may sing! Thy mighty deeds, Proud Corsican ! demand Homeric lyre ; Or his, who told to an admiring world, How godless Satan from ambition fell ; Like his thy fall—' never to rise again ! ' At thy approach, Napoleon — at thy frown, All Europe trembles — all her kings turn pale, — Britain alone, confiding in her God, Thy madness watches, and foresees thy doom. Perchance with eye of Faith in thee beholds That dark and gloomy king — Abaddon styled — (But in the Greek, Apollyon), who should reign Over the Scorpions of the Earth — and rule With absolute dominion ; then descend To the infernal lake whence he arose : Like his, thy cavalry in breastplates armed, With headlong fury rushing to destroy ; Thyself reserved for that great day of blood, Which sealed thy fate, and dashed them to the dust !

No 'spotted leopard' then before thee quailed, The British lion, roaring, seized his prey. * * * * Enchanting France ! whose heavywaving corn In early autumn stores the granary; PORTRAYED. 5 50 55 60 65 70 75 Whose vines, whose olives, and whose happy plains By copious rivers watered, court the swain, But vainly court — (kind Nature's choicest gifts Neglected and despised for lawless war) : A female hand the shining ploughshare guides, Dresses the vine, and reaps the bending ear, Thy gallant sons afar. What thousands bleed Within Iberia's mountainous domain ! They through the Pyrenean passes speed, Ne'er to return. The vulture scents her food On Lusian crags, where Albion's banner floats Triumphant in the van of every fight. Gallia ! thy fleets late bounding o'er the main, Exult no more ; sunk, taken, or destroyed.

Thy boldest seamen captive in that isle They fondly deemed their prize — or by the deep O'erwhelm'd, which owns Britannia's sway alone ; Unrivall'd there as on the battle-field Thy skilful vet'rans, till a Wellesley stem Their fiery rage, and tame their haughty boasts. On this high theme the Muse would fain dilate, — Of battles, sieges, and chivalric deeds, Of England's glory, and of Gallia's shame, Well pleased would sing, and sound a Hero's name Ah! how exalted high above her praise. Achilles' heart, with patriot Hector's mind; Prudent as Nestor,— as Tydides bold; As Cæsar fortunate, — as Chatham wise ; Renown'd as Nelson, — and of equal might, Arthur of Wellington ! — illustrious Prince NAPOLEON Of Waterloo! — Napoleon's conqueror; — Napoleon — England's deadliest enemy. One self-same year the poisonous weed produced And healing antidote.

Napoleon's star For ever set, wlnle Wellington's bright sun To future ages shines — a radiant light ! Napoleon — born the scourge of guilty France, Base flatterer of her pride and vanity; SO 85 Ajaccian tyrant! well hast thou avenged The brave Paoli's wrongs, and Corsica's (Enslaved and pillaged), who for liberty Against her murderous invaders fought : Paoli's friend, thy father; she who bore For thee a mother's pangs (young, beautiful, And freedom-loving Ramolini !) oft 90 Unto the mountains of her native isle And inland fastnesses, her husband's steps Accompanied; there, with him, dauntless plann'd Schemes worthy of a pure and virtuous soul. Abortive all — her country soon enslaved. Thrice happy had they shared Paoli's fate, And with the patriot exile found repose. 95 Calliope disdains to propagate 100 A paltry falsehood, which would blight the fame Of gentle Ramolini, and malign Her purity; truth only can command The approbation of the good and just; Truth — meet companion of the Epic Muse !

She equally rejects the idle tale 105 Invented by Napoleon's sycophants, PORTRAYED. 110 11.5 120 125 130 13.5 That their bad idol on a couch was born, Surrounded by a splendid tapestry, Whereon the heroes of the Iliad shone In flaming armour bright : — thus, the twin boys, Rome's rival founders, by a wolf were nursed — Thus Mars' glory shelters Rhea's shame ! Come, Heaven-born Truth ! add thou a double charm To each poetic line ; guide thou my song — • Extenuate nought, be nought by malice penned ! ' * * * * Napoleon's childhood — scornful and reserved, By sullen gloom o'ercast, to wrathful ire Easdy kindled — was indicative Of future greatness — fierce, abrupt, and proud; The cliild indeed 'the father of the man!' He spurn'd all knowledge, save of warlike strife ; His toy — a cannon, and the well-charged mine And turf-budt fort, his pastime and delight; His day-dream — slaughter, his night-vision — blood!

Thus Newton blew his bubble worlds around, Enraptured eyeing their prismatic hues ; Thus Pope in chddhood sought the forest shade, Lisping sweet numbers to the sighing gale; Thus he who now adventurous tardy pours Heroic lay, from earliest infancy Courted, enamour'd, Milton's flowing strain, Mute — till a heavenly theme his fancy fired ! — Fondly Napoleon loved the Mother fair Who reared his infancy; keen and severe The parting pang ; too soon, alas ! removed NAPOLEON From her whose sweet maternal tenderness Had calmed his passions, and subdued his pride — Had trained to virtue, meekness, happiness ! In France a friendless stranger, — there his youth Conceived deep hatred 'gainst his country's foes; Brooded in silence o'er her abject state, 140 And cursed her proud oppressors in his heart.

In after years his fate so linked with hers, And Corsica forgotten or despised — 145 Napoleon doubtless sought her to advance And aggrandize, who bent the ready knee, And haded him Emperor ! His boyish curse Remember'd now no more ; but Heaven decreed That curse on his own head should be fulfilled. At chastisement his soul indignant spurned, Yielding at times to gentleness and love. Resentful that his foreign name should raise The taunting jest, his comrades' raillery Awaken'd gloomiest thoughts of fell revenge, Which proved his mind ignoble; for the base Alone rejoice in vengeance, which not long Finds harbour in a truly generous soul. 150 155 Or does Italia's fervid sun produce The dark assassin as the wily snake ? 160 « * * * Now fifteen years are fled since that first cry Which fills a Mother's bosom with delight Fair Ramolini heard, and laughed for joy, Her sorrows all forgotten at the sound; That feeble wad, which to a world of tears 16.5 PORTRAYED. 170 175 180 ■9 185 190 195 c Ushers a new-born infant (tearless then), And young Napoleon's boyish days are o'er.

Stubborn and wayward, of high genius proud, The Royal School of Arms with haughty stride He paces sdent, plunged in deepest thought. As the pale Corsican his late compeers Contemptuous leaves, what scorn is in his eye, Which flashes hatred at imagined wrongs. Early success enkindles high desires, And stimulates ambition's thorny germ : No more his vacant hours in mimic war Employed; war in its ever-varying forms Engages all his thoughts; — now history, The mathematics, warlike poetry, The midnight od and sleepless night consume. The steep ascent to climb, the mountain height His firm resolve. To indolence succeeds Unwearied industry — delightful praise Each ardent effort crowns; his talents shine Conspicuous— each contested prize decreed To his superior merit. Soon his fame Within the Military College spreads; Raynal, his patron henceforth and his friend; Laplace acknowledges his skill profound To point the cannon in the mimic strife — With swift advance to charge, — by swift retire Or slow retreat, in hour of need to save ; Expert to know the range of every gun, Or parabolic flight of bursting shell.

At sixteen years, a military garb NAPOLEON 200 205 210 215 220 225 Invests the stripling limbs of Fortune's chdd, And favourite minion of blind Destiny, Impotent Goddess of his ruling star : The day-dreams of his boyhood realized, And his night-vision, slaughter, war, and blood. Nor had kind Nature outward grace denied, Or stinted him of fair proportion; strong, WeU knit and elegant his sinewy frame, For martial exercise on foot or steed ; SmaU, but of classic symmetry. His eye Resembled that of puissant eagle bright, Who perched aloft in solitary state Beholds in deepest glen the new-dropped fawn — A tender morsel for her craving young. Bold was his gait — firm his elastic tread: (Not as in after years he was beheld, Pacing the deck of the Bellerophon, Unwieldy, and oppressed with care and woe ; A faint smile dying on his quivering lip ; Then, when compassion for his faUen state, From pitying thousands drew the gen'rous tear).

The ample arch of his majestic brow Denoted power of thought to rule mankind. Calm, solemn, stern, save when a smile he deign'd, Whose fascination lighted such a gleam Of sunshine on his grand and oval front, As dazzled each beholder, and secured For ever him on whom the radiance shone ; Death in his frown — his smile delight and life. A ved impenetrable wrapp'd around PORTRAYED. 11 230 235 240 245 250 255 His secret soul, lest any there descry The fiend sly-lurking to seduce and slay. Such was Napoleon when his father died. He from his sire alone inherited An inward cancerous taint — not then matured — Seed of that plant whose growth destroyed his life Inglorious, — on the couch extended pale, His dying groans 'midst raging tempest drowned; Faint emblem of a passion-troubled mind, The whirlwind tempest of his parting soul.

What now avads his four-fold heartless flight, From Egypt, Russia, Leipsic, Waterloo? There, great and glorious had Napoleon died, 'Midst blood and slaughter at his army's head, (That valiant army which, in his defence, Death in its thousand hideous forms defied), In desperate charge ; his moral courage proved. Had left no problem for the Epic Muse. Ah! happier had Britannia's 'thunderbolt' Stretched him a bloody corse on Belgian plain, Or Ramolini mourned her infant chdd, His pure soul wafted to the Throne of Grace, Where dark remorseless spirits never come. As at the brink of the Tarpeian rock, The shuddering victim struggles and recods ; In vain ! relentless from the dizzy height Plunged headlong to the frightful gulf below; E'en thus Napoleon fondly clung to life, Yielding at length to dire necessity; Slayer of myriads — loath himself to die.

NAPOLEON An island gave him birth, — an isle subdued, — An island willow weeps upon his grave. * * * * Such was Napoleon : obdurate in ill, Inspiring love — liimself attached to none ; Yet generous to the vassals of his wdl, And instruments of his aggrandizement. Such was in youth the mighty conqueror, Whose potent voice, like fed enchanter's wand, Within the magic circle of his spell 260 Attracts and binds, subdues and governs all; Or likest that huge serpent whose fierce gaze Fixes and thrills with fear its nimble prey. 265 * * * * Now had our globe (which in primeval time The word of God created and propeded) Its sdent annual course around the sun For nearly eighteen centuries pursued, Since He, whose birth an Angel-host proclaimed Token of peace and of good-will to men, Was born, with healing on his dove-like wings ; When from the womb of hed a vapour rose, Whose peace-destroying pestilential breath O'erturned the throne of Gallia's rightful king : The rights of man — divine phdosophy — Reason's fair goddess — blessed equality, 270 275 Ending in revolution, rapine, blood.

That gentle king, his royal consort, son, Prostrate beneath the fatal gudlotine, Or by the slow-consuming poisoned bowl, PORTRAYED. 13 285 290 295 300 305 310 Most foidly murdered, fad. Louis ! no friend Deplores thy fate disastrous ; for thy name Sounds aU ungrateful in a Briton's ear; Yet not to sympathise in woes like thine, Were more inhuman, fiendlike, horrible, Than were those human monsters who profaned The impress of their Maker — wallowing In kindred gore with screams of wdd delight — Drinking the gushing heart's-blood warm with life Woe, woe to GaUia! He is nigh at hand Whose iron sway shad vindicate that God, Whose very being, scoffing she denies — Stamping with frantic rage the Saviour's cross Under her impious feet, crying aloud To an affrighted world — 'There is no God!' — Dragging his sacred volumes in the mire, Tied to the tad of that meek animal On which in triumph once Messiah rode.

Whom, had He then descended to reprove Her more than pagan fody, she had seized And naded him to the tree of Liberty, Casting his mangled body in the Seine, Stuck on his severed head the crimson cap Of her new goddess, shouting loud for joy — Preferring Robespierre's terrific reign To the mdd splendour of Heaven's holy King. To scenes of almost equal turpitude, The young Napoleon early was inured; At first disgusted, but anon to act The butcher's part in this dread tragedy. NAPOLEON 315 320 325 330 335 340 Full soon his warlike arm and cunning queded Those who yet dared the royal flower to wear; The noble Toulonese. By his device, The British fleet compeded to seek the wave, The tri-colour high floated on the breeze. But desolation first her work achieved; A fiery deluge, that grand arsenal, Ships — fortresses — and naval stores, consumed; Thy brave inhabitants, Toulon, convey'd In safety to the Isle of Liberty.

Not that false goddess, then in France adored By worse than demons, and with hedish rites; But that chaste Liberty which guards the throne Of Royal George — third of that gracious name. During this memorable siege, a youth, Amidst the roaring of the British fire, At his commander's voice, sprang forth and penn'd A brief despatch upon a battery; A ball swift glancing, touch'd the earth, and raised A cloud of dust, besprinkling ad around. " Good," said the laughing soldier, " we require No sand but this — gift of the enemy!" Junot ! Abrante's Duke — ephemeral, Marshal of France, Napoleon's favourite, Thou bold asserter of his tyrant sway; Long shad fair Lisboa's priests bemoan their shrines Rifled — their sdver virgin treasure lost; Their massive golden ornaments thy spoil, Then pure and costly chalices profaned.

Her merchants groan, and with reluctant hand PORTRAYED. 345 350 355 360 365 370 Pay tribute to great Cæsar's general. The hoarded product of Brazdian mines, Converted soon to gold Napoleons, Shines to corrupt, and dazzles to enslave. But hark ! Mondego's bay unwonted joy Pervades: 'Victorious Wedesley!' is the cry; ' Wedesley ! ' the woods and echoing hids reply. What British heart but glories in the name, Beating tumultuous transport at the sound ! Not martial music more to war incites, When hostde armies threat our native soil. August the epoch, and for aye renown'd, When Europe's great deliverer touch'd thy shores, Enfranchised Lusitania ! — Victory, With garland of unfading laurel wove, As guardian angel, hovers o'er his head; A wise and ever-watchful Providence Attends his steps, protects amidst the strife, Diverts the budet's course; the lance's thrust Inocuous glancing, spares his manly breast.

On, mighty Victor! in a righteous cause Unsheath thy shining blade; — the haughty foe Awaits the onset with determined front, In strong position ranged ; him swift assail — Charge at the bayonet's point, and overthrow. As erst in Egypt, his ' Invincibles' Vanquish'd, fled trembling,— but not so escaped The stern assault of Scotland's Highlanders; From wounds inglorious pours the purple life; Not unavenged great Abercrombie fell. NAPOLEON Egypt deliver'd from the locust horde, With grateful homage owns Britannia's might. 375 * * * * Above thy lonely grave, lamented Moore, Britannia weeps — though glorious thy fall, Embraced by Victory. A generous foe, Honouring thee, erected o'er the spot A simple monument; whde in that fane Where Britons guard the statues of the brave (The noblest monuments which can adorn God's holy temple), thine conspicuous shines, Chaste in design — of spotless purity. 380 Not distant his, who on the Egyptian plain, Like thee, without a tear or groan, resign'd A life prized only for his country's good.

Napoleon ! did some dark presentiment Of fadure and defeat, from hot pursuit Divert thee, say? Else wherefore delegate (Not such thy wont) to others less expert The extirpation of an enemy ? 3S5 390 Say, did remembrance fling across thy soul, To damp thy courage, those disastrous days When ardent Sydney, that bold 'plume of war,' Thinn'd and repelled at Acre's crumbling wall Thy erst victorious ranks? Back they recod, Dreading the British seaman's reeking sword, Whose terror-flashing rays within the breach Brandish'd aloft, shone like that blade of flame Miracidous, which guarded Eden's bower. Let him who hunts the monarch of the woods 395 PORTRAYED. 405 110 9 415 420 42.5 430 Stand aye prepared for conflict terrible; The royal beast, his heart unknowing fear, Oft turns and offers battle, — scorning flight.

Thus noble Moore, unaided and alone, Turned, fought, and fed — his life the sacrifice Which won Iberia's safety. Not in vain The hero perished. See, his gadant band Embarks secure — his funeral honours paid By those he loved. Moore was the soldier's friend Corunna ! — by his death immortalized — Respect his valour, consecrate his tomb, Plant there the laurel, there the fragrant rose ; There let the ever-mournful cypress wave, Beneath whose shade the Muse in plaintive strain May sing melodious his untimely fate. Nor shad a patriot-muse unheeded pass Unsung, unhonoured — Maida's bloody plain, Where British valour in unequal fight, By Stuart guided — bright, conspicuous shone. One who beheld (high seated on the mast Of Britain's floating bulwark) from the main The dreadful conflict, saw the Frenchmen fad, No meet nor apt comparison could find, No just smditude, save that our vales Exhibit, when the early summer pours On Britain's hardy swains his fervent rays : Exulting they advance, from gleaming prong Tossing the perfumed herbage to the wind; Thus from the bayonet's flashing point, the foe Hurled devious, strewed that glorious battle plain.

NAPOLEON 435 440 445 450 455 460 Happy Britannia ! whose athletic sons Incessant toiling through th' inconstant year, In peaceful freedom learn the art of war; Stand ever ready at their country's cad, In her defence to conquer or to die. Them, nor the raging heat of Eastern clime, Nor piercing cold which gathers round the Pole, Subdue or check, — ' Forward ! ' the cheering cry. Such cry Rorica's heights with panic heard, But pride compeded the enemy to stand ; They fight — they waver — fly. Few had escaped To share the fortunes of a bloodier day, Had daring Paget (island Anglesea's Chivalric Marquis) led with fiery charge That scarlet cavalry, whose jet-black steeds And gentle bearing, from th' admiring throng On some court-pageant, murmurs of applause Win and deserve ; or stately Royal Blues, Or gadant Greys of Scottish origin; But wanting this important arm of war, The Frenchmen, swift of foot, outstrip pursuit, And join discomfited their taunting friends.

Vimciro's fight succeeds. Defensive war Napoleon's fav'rite scorns ; — fierce he attacks — The British ranks stand firm ; repulsed and foiled By skid superior, from the wed-fought field Junot indignant spurs his flying steed. The desperate contest o'er, by vict'ry crowned, Calm, unperturbed, sat England's puissant knight, Bestriding the proud charger which had borne PORTRAYED. 19 465 470 475 480 1S5 490 His noble lord unharmed that arduous day. Had not superior rank unhappily Deprived the victor of supreme command, Ere sunset that bold Marshal's staff had graced A worthier hand; Junot — his army ta'en — Captive, had breathed the air of Liberty. They by convention quit the Lusian realm, Restored to Gallia at Britannia's cost ; Their plunder, cannon, magazines, and stores Surrendered, and the Lusitanians free.

Such the convention ; but the wily foe Restores not half his plunder, but retires As pilfering wasp from the industrious hive, Loaded with honeyed treasure; stung and maimed, Yet holding fast his precious stolen sweet. Not thus escaped they ad. Some to embark From where the foaming Douro pours his tide, Rushing impetuous to th' Atlantic wave, Were under escort marched. Fame soon revealed, That veded by sly pretext of property Private and sacred, laden with the spod Of pillaged Lisboa, they exultant came. The populace infuriate, prepare To glut their vengeance on an unarm'd foe, Whom to defend from violence and death That feeble escort formed in serried due, With loaded arms and bristling bayonets Surrounds ; respect and awe at once subdues (Not fear) the outraged, lawless multitude. Quick they disperse, — the ransomed troops embark; NAPOLEON When lo ! the steepy heights with cannon lined, Egress forbid; the transports strictly searched, The truth appears ; stripped even of their own, Reluctant they disgorge, then cursing, sad; Derisive shouts their seaward flight pursue.

Meantime, triumphantly fair Lisboa greets The British Hero ; from her rescued spires The sound of joy reverberates aloud; 495 500 Garnished her streets with scented evergreens, Whde freshest flowers of every hue are strewn Before his path, and showered upon his head. Innumerable rockets hissing mount, Then burst — exulting in their airy height; Echoes broad Tejo's flood the startling sound; A white wreath mingles with the azure sky; Across the lofty streets gay banners float, And varied hangings from each balcony, Thronged with bright eyes, enraptured to behold The graceful warrior — pride of British Isles. Tears, smiles, and benedictions had the Chief, Whose noble bearing, charming modesty, Delight each glad spectator — captivate — 505 510 And animate to deeds of like renown. 515 What proud emotions swed his heaving breast May be imagined — cannot be expressed.

Thunders the cannon 'midst the lively clang Of mditary music, till a shout Of 'Viva Wedesley!' rends the air, and drowns The trumpet's clangour and the roaring gun. May the perfidious ingrate who shall dare PORTRAYED. 21 525 .')30 535 540 54.5 550 In the foul cavern of his dastard thoughts To murmur ' No ' — losing the gift of speech, Unblest and sdent to the grave descend. Enough; — far higher motives stimulate To glorious enterprise, than love of fame, However justly dear. That noble Chief, His country's safety, glory, happiness Would purchase, though the price were fame and life ; Ambitious only for his country's weal, Seeking her peace and honour more than praise. That country, ad indignant, loud demands Martial inquiry ; thence to ascertain Why splendid victories so dearly bought By noble blood, why proud success in arms Against her ever-vaunting Gallic foe, Thus frustrate of their meed and due reward, Are fodowed by convention which restores A vanquished army to the Corsican?

Prompt at her mandate, Wedesley ploughs the wave, Revisiting Britannia's happy shores — To vindicate his honour ? No ; — his skid ! — He by that high tribunal eulogised, As finest gold from fiery ordeal Comes shining forth, known henceforth and confessed, In right of merit, her undoubted Chief, Swift he returns in absolute command. Britain ! when next he visits thee, bestow Such welcome as his matchless exploits claim; .Such honours as a Marlboro ugh obtained, Thy champion once, as now great Wellington; NAPOLEON 555 560 56.5 570 575 580 Such honours, mighty Nelson ! as were due To thee ; and surely thine, had victory Restored thee living to Britannia's arms; Had not a wretch, whose life the forfeit paid, (■) Attracted by thy blazing honours won, With treacherous aim Trafalgar's day obscured, Dimming with tears Britannia's jubilee. * * * * Yes, Wedesley comes in absolute command ; — Emancipated river, witness thou, Pursuing free thy wildly devious course, Reflecting in thy limpid summer tide His martial figure, as exposed he stands, Directing, Douro, thy enfranchisement; Stamp thy bold name upon his noble race, Like him resistless in thy swoden might. ' Heroic City ! ' love and venerate, Guard well the liberty his valour gave.