Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/347

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ODE TO NAPOLEON BUONAPARTE.
315


    'Ode to Napoleon Buonaparte,' already published. One of 'the devils' in Mr. Davison's employ procured a copy of this for me, and I give you the chance of first discovering them to the world.

    Your obedient servant,
    "J. R."

    "Yes! better to have stood the storm,
    A Monarch to the last!
    Although that heartless fireless form
    Had crumbled in the blast:
    Than stoop to drag out Life's last years,
    The nights of terror, days of tears
    For all the splendour past;
    Then,—after ages would have read
    Thy awful death with more than dread.

    "A lion in the conquering hour!
    In wild defeat a hare!
    Thy mind hath vanished with thy power,
    For Danger brought despair.
    The dreams of sceptres now depart,
    And leave thy desolated heart
    The Capitol of care!
    Dark Corsican, 'tis strange to trace
    Thy long deceit and last disgrace."

    Morning Chronicle, April 27, 1814.]