Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/37

But oh! my Country's wintry state
What second spring shall renovate?
What powerful call shall bid arise
60The buried warlike and the wise;
The mind that thought for Britain's weal,
The hand that grasp'd the victor steel?
The vernal sun new life bestows
Even on the meanest flower that blows;
65But vainly, vainly may he shine,
Where Glory weeps o'er Nelson's shrine:
And vainly pierce the solemn gloom,
That shrouds, O Pitt, thy hallow'd tomb!

 Deep graved in every British heart,
70O never let those names depart!
Say to your sons,—Lo, here his grave,
Who victor died on Gadite wave;
To him, as to the burning levin,
Short, bright, resistless course was given.
75Where'er his country's foes were found,
Was heard the fated thunder's sound,
Till burst the bolt on yonder shore,
Roll'd, blazed, destroyed,—and was no more.

 Nor mourn ye less his perished worth,
80Who bade the conqueror go forth,
And launch'd that thunderbolt of war
On Egypt, Hafnia, Trafalgar;
Who, born to guide such high emprize,
For Britain's weal was early wise;
85Alas! to whom the Almighty gave,
For Britain's sins, an early grave!
His worth, who, in his mightiest hour,
A bauble held the pride of power,
Spum'd at the sordid lust of pelf,
90And served his Albion for herself;
Who, when the frantic crowd amain
Strain'd at subjection's bursting rein,