Thomas Oldham

“ The swallow skims the stream, and dips his wing. COLIN. Objects and sounds of joy! yet, Delia, these, Unaided by thy presence, would not please; Though thousand charms and harmonies unite, Thy favour only crowns the full delight. DELIA. Now, Colin, duty summons me away; [Pg 32] Gladly I would, but must no longer stay. COLIN. When duty summons we resist in vain: Yet tell me, kindest Delia, once again,— To give me courage unalarm'd to part, And soothe, till next we meet, my restless heart,— O tell me art thou now for ever mine? DELIA. Yes, Colin, now I am for ever thine. ”

“ Rush overwhelming down. Or let us, in Numidian desert drear, The roar of prowling beasts, and hiss of serpents hear; Or bask by blazing city; or explore, On Etna's brink, the sulphurous mouth of hell, And hear the fiery flood tempestuous roar, And hear the damn'd in hotter torments yell. Or wilt thou, Horror! haunt the villain's breast, In dismal solitude, by thought opprest; Where guilty Conscience fetter'd lies, Turn'd all her shrinking lidless eyes Full to the blaze of truth's unclouded sun, And struggles, still in vain, her pangs, herself to shun? ”

“ Louisa, canst thou bear These strong emotions? do they not o'erpower Thy tender nerves? I fear, my Love, they do; Those eyes that, late, with transport beam'd so bright, [Pg 118] Now veil their rays with the soft, dewy shade Of tenderness. Let us repose awhile; The roots of yonder tree, cover'd with moss, Present a pleasing seat; there let us sit. Hark! Zephyr wakes, and sweetly-whispering, tells The approach of Eve; already Nature feels Her soothing influence, her refreshing breath; The fields, the trees, imbibe the cool, moist air, Their feverish thirst allay, and smile revived. ”

“ Amid the jingle of the rhyming throng I mark with transport some diviner song; Sweet to their native heaven the strains aspire, Commanding silence to the vulgar quire; Apollo smiles, and all the tongues of Fame Through the poetic realm Delille proclaim.
O let a British Bard, admiring, greet Thy glorious triumph, and thy praise repeat! When merit claims the panegyric lay, Envy he scorns, and joys the debt to pay. Painter of Nature hail! ”

“ Exulting England echoes thy applause; Ambitious Gallia hears thy name with dread; While European Freedom lifts her head, And hails the great Defender of her cause. Hero of England, with admiring eyes We trace in thee the noble qualities That constitute the Chief complete: In others, oft, they singly shine; In thee they all united meet, And in one galaxy their rays combine.
[Pg 75] Nature has given thee an intrepid heart, That ever glows with patriotic flame, And with the impassion'd love of martial fame. And gifted, too, thou art With a strong, hardy frame, Patient of toils and hardships. ”

“ Tumbles a roof with clattering noise, the sky Lightens, a burst of clamour!—all is hush'd In awful stillness, save that from beneath The ruins fall'n is heard a muttering sound, As if the Demon of the element In indignation menaced dire revenge. Ah! now, unchain'd by some mysterious Power, Some Fiend of air, in league with That of fire, The wind begins to howl; its breath awakes The sleepy flames;—loud and more loud it howls, And rushes on them with collected might; Before the driving spirit burst the flames In a redoubled tempest, and deride Opposing man. ”

“ E'en now in Memory's raptured ear resound The deep-toned strains of the Miltonic lyre; Inspiring virtuous, heart-ennobling thought, They breathe of heaven; the imaginative Power No longer treads the guilt-polluted world, But soars aloft, and draws empyreal air: Rapt Faith anticipates the judgment-hour, When, at the Archangel's call, the dead shall wake With frames resuscitated, glorified: Then, then! in strains like these, the sainted Bard, Conspicuous mid salvation's earth-born heirs, Shall join harmoniously the heavenly choir, And sing the Saviour's praise in endless bliss. ”

“ Thou comet-like to fancy's ken appear'st, Like comet, blazing in its bold career, That leaves behind the planetary sphere, And rushes towards the centre of the sun Till with Apollo's self it seems but one.
[Pg 110] A Genius, an Original, art thou, Such as the astounded world ne'er heard till now. When thou dost take thy magic bow in hand What mortal ear the enchantment can withstand? Transported, we admire thy peerless skill; Thou movest our feelings, passions, at thy will; With fear we tremble, we with anger glow, Soft from our eyes the tears of pity flow ”

“ O'er all musicians thou stand'st far apart; Thou hast created for thyself an art. As, in the natural world, around the sun The planets their career of brightness run, Each moving in an orbit of its own, And all obeying laws to science known. Musicians thus, each blest with his degree Of talent by the God of harmony, Shine forth distinguish'd in their several ways, While every one the rules of art obeys. We calculate the merits of their name, And pay them their proportion'd share of fame. Not thus in Honour's region thou career'st ”

“ O heaven! the impostor could not dare; I would, my Love, thy Colin had been there! DELIA. Just then, most luckily, my sire returned: Surprised, enraged, his Damon's guilt he learn'd: Then banish'd him, (his advocate no more,) With vengeful threats for ever from his door. COLIN. Look! how the glorious Sun, as he ascends, [Pg 30] His radiance o'er the dew-bright earth extends, While the last fogs of conquer'd night retreat, And Nature welcomes the reviving heat: So thy returning smiles, indulgent fair! Dispel my fears and every jealous care. ”

“ Your orders I fulfil. (He reads.) 'Tis come! the fateful hour! list! list! the bell Summons me—Duncan-like, to heaven or hell; See, see, the curtain draws;—it now commences; Fear and suspense have frozen up my senses: But let me to my task:—what noise is this? They're clapping, clapping, O ye gods, what bliss! Now then, to work, my pen:—descend, O Muse! Thine inspiration through my soul infuse; Prompt such an epilogue as ne'er before Has been imagined,—never will be more. ”

“ More grateful strains, O Spring! thy favours claim, Shine on thy beauties, and endear thy name. While Winter's winds thy new-born charms deface, And the young Year starves in his cold embrace, The Hours, by stealth advancing, bear away, And on thy lap, with smiles of pleasure, lay The shivering Babe; new vigour there he gains, And spreads thy various treasures o'er the plains. ”

“ While others, fired with more ambitious views, Invoke the Epic, or the Tragic Muse, And, throned in Glory's temple, shine sublime, Proud of their laurel-wreaths that fear not Time, Thy Genius fondly stoops to softer themes, The landscape's beauties—flowers, and groves, and streams, And round his brows in modest triumph wears A simple garden-wreath, but ever green, as theirs. ”

“ The little, money-getting arts of trade. But soon the Goddess, fired with high disdain To see me woo the yellow strumpet, Gain, Resuming all her beauty, all her power, Returns to triumph in the vacant hour; Weakly reluctant, on her charms I gaze, Trembling, I feel her fascinating lays; Roused from ignoble dreams, my wondering soul Springs to the well-known bliss, regardless of control.
Say then, ye blind, profane! who dare to blame The heaven-born Poet, and his thirst of fame; Ye slaves of Mammon! whose low minds behold No fair, no great, no good, in aught but gold ”

“ The conscious Murderer starts, the thunders roll, And hell's dread chaos yawns on his despairing soul.
[Pg 56] But when the morn exerts her cheering power, And guilt-alarming darkness disappears, Wilt thou, Ambition! slight the warning hour, And fondly strive to dissipate thy fears? Yet wilt thou dare fulfil The madness of thy will? Kindle round earth the wasteful flames of strife, And glut the fiends of war with human life? Then mask with glory's name thy murderous cause, While fond, deluded mortals shout applause? Yet madly wilt thou dare?— Devoted Wretch! ”

“ O haste thy progress, and exert thy sway! In all thy charms, on some thrice-hallow'd day, When the soft-whispering air to Fancy's ears Wafts the celestial music of the spheres, While Pleasures, Loves, and Graces round thee fly, Glide on a sun-beam down the clear, blue sky; Crown'd with a myrtle-wreath, begin thy reign; Bid lingering Winter fly with all his train; Pour forth thy favours o'er this western isle, And let each grateful eye reflect thy smile.
[Pg 93]
TO WINTER. ——————
No longer Beauty's many-colour'd robe Adorns the autumnal scene ”

“ Did my chill blood toil on slow? When thy spirit through me flows, How each vital function glows! Tuned, my nerves, no longer coy, Answer to the touch of joy: On the steams, that from thee rise, Time on swifter pinions flies; Fancy gilds them with her rays; Hope amid the rainbow plays. But behold! what Image bright Rises heavenly to my sight! Could such wondrous charms adorn [Pg 156] Venus, when from ocean born? Say, my Julia, is it thou, Ever lovely, loveliest now? Yet, methinks, the Cyprian Queen Comes herself, but takes thy mien. Goddess! ”

“ The Dryads feel thy genial breath, and raise Their heads, new-crown'd with leaves, and whisper praise; The plumy warblers wake their amorous strains; The herds and flocks sport o'er the fresh, green plains; Fancy and Hope return the mind to bless, A paradise she sees and dreams of happiness. ”

“ Strip, strip, from Victory the fair disguise, And let her own dire form appal thine eyes! Ah, mark her triumphs in yon hideous scene! Myriads of brother-men untimely slain; Hear the deep groan, survey the dying mien, Convulsed with agonies of pain; And hark! what cries of wretchedness resound [Pg 53] Throughout the troubled air! Widows and Orphans doom'd a helpless prey To famine and despair! And does ambition glory? Oh! the shame! The direful outrage to the human name! Nature herself is moved, the blushing stars retire, And sudden storms denounce high heaven's awaken'd ire. ”

“ Still will I worship thee, and oft invoke Thine inspirations, and with transport yield To thy sweet, magic influence all my soul: The slightest breath of thine inspiring voice Shall wake my nerves, most feelingly alive, And bid them tremble with poetic bliss.
[Pg 113] The frown of Reason thou no more shalt fear; Did I say Reason's frown?—no!—'twas the frown Of false Philosophy, her foolish pride. Reason and Thou are sisters, born to rule Unitedly, in happiest harmony, The mind of man ”

“ And with a loud, ferocious yell, That strikes the earth with dread, And spreads delight through hell, He summons all his hideous train, To strengthen and support his reign. Broke are the bonds of social life, All kindred, all domestic ties; Mid scenes of anarchy and civil strife, [Pg 70] Mid plots, cabals, and murderous rivalries, Eager for prey, with licence unconfined Range the fierce Passions of the human mind, Ambition, Avarice, Anger, Vengeance, Hate: With frantic men rejoicing devils howl, And all hell's ravenous blood-hounds barking prowl. O could oblivion veil that direst page of fate! ”

“ The Soul, too, feels her influence, sweetly soothed Into a tender calm. O! let us now, My loved Louisa! let us now enjoy The landscape's charms, and all the nameless sweets Of this, our favourite hour, for ever dear [Pg 119] To Fancy and to Love. Cast round thy sight Upon the altered scene, nor longer fear The dazzling sun; his latest, lingering beams Where are they? can'st thou find them?—see! they gild The glittering top of yonder village-spire; Upon that distant hill they faintly shine ”

“ The parted concave closes, while around Deep, rushing peals resound, Scatter the clouds, in airy tempest hurl'd, [Pg 54] And shake the solid pillars of the world. As breathing from the tomb, A death-like stillness reigns, Save that in Fancy's jealous ear A sad, prophetic breeze complains Of some impending doom, While every soul is lost in vacancy and fear.
Now while Ambition lies in sleep unblest, Portentous visions haunt his guilty breast: Borne on a trophied car, sublime he goes Amid the gazing crowd, Who shout his triumphs loud ”

“ Doubtful for a time The strife remains; where'er the Burning winds His flamy spires, the well-directed streams, Incessant spouting, damp the sickening flames, Repelling their advance; but, oft repulsed, As oft they rally with recruited strength: Alternate in the mind rise hope and fear. ”

“ In yonder eastern climes afar What dawning light attracts the Muse's eye?— She feels the influence of her ruling star, And with an eagle's gaze, an eagle's wings, As to Apollo's self, transported, springs— 'Tis Wellington in Victory's brilliant car, Who his triumphal progress has begun ”

“ Horses and men roll mingled on the ground, Confusion, slaughter, horror all around. Regiments of infantry form quick the square, And the fierce-charging horsemen firmly dare; In vain to break them every means they try, The troops well-disciplined, the attempts defy. Long time in dread suspense the strife remains, While heaps of dead and wounded load the plains. ”

“ Has the sly little Archer, whom my Friend Once would despise, with all his boyish wiles, Now taken ample vengeance, made thee feel His piercing shaft, and taught thy heart profane With sacred awe, repentant, to confess The Son of Venus is indeed a God? ”

“ Since first my infant eyes beheld the sun, How many a year has swiftly roll'd away! Full half my thread of life the Fates have spun; What various colours does the web display! Some dark, some brighter; ere the work be done The sadder hues will overshade the gay. ”

“ Scarce can she yet Collect herself, and exercise her powers. While o'er heaven's lofty, wide-extended arch, And round the vast horizon, the bold eye Shoots forth her view, with what sublime delight [Pg 117] The bosom swells! See, where the God of day, Who through the cloudless ether long has rid On his bright, fiery car, amidst a blaze Of dazzling glory, and in wrath shot round His burning arrows, with tyrannic power Oppressing Nature, now, his daily course Well-nigh completed, toward the western goal Declines, and with less awful majesty Concludes his reign ”