SELECTIONS FROM SHADWELL. ODE ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE KING'S WELCOME, thrice welcome, this auspicious morn Sprung from a mighty race which was designed Illustrious heroes, whose prevailing fates Raised the distressed to high and mighty states; Than their Adolphus gained by the Imperial crown. They cooled the rage, humbled the pride of Spain. Had brought the States into distress, But that a precious scion did remain From that great root, which did the shock sustain, Thou hast restored our laws their force again ; But thee a Fate much more sublime attends, Oh glorious birth, from which such blest effects shall flow. On this glad day let every voice And instrument proclaim our joys, And let all Europe join in the triumphant noise, Io Triumphe let us sing, Io Triumphe let us sing, And let the sound through all the spacious welkin ring. Thus the prophetic muses say, And all thy wise and good will pray, That they long, long, may celebrate this day. Soon haughty France shall bow, and coz'ning Rome, And Britain mistress of the world become; And from thy wise, thy God-like sway, Kings learn to reign, and subjects to obey. SONG FOR ST. CECILIA'S DAY. O SACRED harmony, prepare our lays, Join all ye glorious instruments around, You did at first the warring atoms join, The universe you fram'd, you still sustain ; It does your most transcendent glory prove, Dirges with sorrow still inspire For grief they frequent discords choose, If Love's gentle passions we 58 When we describe the tickling smart If poets in a lofty epic strain, How heroes love, and puissant conquerors fight, Or if the muse the fate of empires sings CHORUS. This sacred music does impart Life and vigour to the art; It makes the dumb poetic pictures breathe, How does the thundering martial song The hautboys and the warlike fife, With clamours of the deafening drum, Make peasants bravely hazard life And quicken those whom fears bemoan! Fills all the dusty place around, And does from neighbouring hills rebound: To triumph when we sing, We make the trembling valleys ring. GRAND CHORUS. All instruments and voices fit the choir, FROM THE INNOCENT IMPOSTORS. How long must women wait in vain Or fix a roving mind. |