Summary

Edmund Goldsmid Quaint Gleanings from Ancient Poetry

From Eastern climes, lo, Hastings! late return'd,
His struggles ended, and his fame well earn'd,
Illustrious Stateman! [13] to a distant age
Thy name shall live and grace th'historic page;
There licens'd falsehoods [14] shall no more prevail,
Nor Dodsley publish [15] Edmund's annual tale.
When France, exulting, deem'd our ruin near,
And Hyder's progress struck each Chief with fear;
When hostile nations press'd in league combin'd,
Collected, firm, and dauntless was thy mind;
Inspir'd by Hastings, Coote [16] : the seasons brav'd,
Embark'd his succours, and a kingdom sav'd.
Source: Gutenberg

Edmund Goldsmid Quaint Gleanings from Ancient Poetry

WRITTEN BY WARREN HASTINGS ON HIS PASSAGE FROM BENGAL TO ENGLAND IN 1785. ADDRESSED TO JOHN SHORE, ESQ. For ease the harass'd seaman prays,
When Equinoctial tempests raise
The Cape's surrounding wave;
When hanging o'er the reef, he hears
The cracking mast, and sees or fears,
Beneath, his wat'ry grave.
For ease the slow Maratta spoils,
And hardier Sic erratic toils,
While both their ease forego;
For ease, which neither gold can buy,
Nor robes, nor gems, which oft belie,
The cover'd heart bestow;
For neither gold nor gems combin'd
Can heal the soul, or suffering mind
Source: Gutenberg

Edmund Goldsmid Quaint Gleanings from Ancient Poetry

And Gualior's capture long was Hastings' view.
History shall tell how clos'd the scene of blood,
When to a world oppos'd Britannia stood;
No conquest Gallia claims on India's coast,
No splendid triumphs can the Belgian boast,
For millions wasted, [19] and a navy lost.
The keen Maratta and the fierce Mysore
Their league dissolve, and give the contest o'er;
And peace restor'd, e'en party owns, tho' late, [20]
That Hastings' firmness has preserv'd the State.
Source: Gutenberg

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