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To-night a high, yet mirthful, theme we chuse,
And join Thalia to the buskin'd Muse;
As Nature bade, immortal Shakespeare drew,
With varying shades, life's many-tinctur'd hue;
'Twas his alone, resistless, to controul
Each jarring passion of the human soul;
Bright wit, and melting pathos, to combine
In the gay sportive jest, and lofty line;
Where pity claims the tear, and mirth the smile,
At once for Hotspur's death, and Falstaff's wile.
As the light show'rs, that dew the rose of May,
Resplendent glitter in the sunny ray,
So hangs the tear on beauty's blushing cheek,
Whilst dimpled smiles in radiant lustre break.
And join Thalia to the buskin'd Muse;
As Nature bade, immortal Shakespeare drew,
With varying shades, life's many-tinctur'd hue;
'Twas his alone, resistless, to controul
Each jarring passion of the human soul;
Bright wit, and melting pathos, to combine
In the gay sportive jest, and lofty line;
Where pity claims the tear, and mirth the smile,
At once for Hotspur's death, and Falstaff's wile.
As the light show'rs, that dew the rose of May,
Resplendent glitter in the sunny ray,
So hangs the tear on beauty's blushing cheek,
Whilst dimpled smiles in radiant lustre break.
Now turn we then to Albion's elder days,—
Theme of our pride, our envy, and our praise!
When Percy led his gallant legions forth,
Proud to obey the Hotspur of the North,
Theme of our pride, our envy, and our praise!
When Percy led his gallant legions forth,
Proud to obey the Hotspur of the North,
