( 15 )
Though dear her shores, and circling ocean,
Though many friendships, many youthful loves
Had swoln the patriot emotion,
And flung a magic light o'er all her hills and groves;
Yet still my voice unalter'd sang defeat
To all that brav'd the tyrant-quelling lance,
And shame too long delay'd, and vain retreat!
For ne'er, O Liberty! with partial aim
I dimm'd thy light, or damp'd thy holy flame;
But blest the pæans of deliver'd France,
And hung my head, and wept at Britain's name!
III.
With that sweet music of deliv'rance strove;
Tho' all the fierce and drunken passions wove
A dance more wild than ever maniac's dream;
Ye storms, that round the dawning east assembled,
The sun was rising, tho' ye hid his light!"
And when to sooth my soul, that hop'd and trembled,
The dissonance ceas'd, and all seem'd calm and bright;
