Classic Poem

Ierne wipes away the silent Tear,
And with fond Smiles doth welcome Percy here;
With open Arms she meets her honour'd Guest,
And takes Great George , in Percy , to her Breast.
Most wishfully she gazes on his Face,
Then seals her Pleasure, with a close Embrace,
Thrice welcome! says she, to this fertile Isle,
Where Peace and Harmony, are wont to smile;
Where Trade and Commerce, raise on high their Head,
And Arts and Science wonderfully spread;
Where Hospitality and Freedom reign,
Encircled, like thy Britain , by the Main.

Behold! my Sons in Crouds, thy Landing greet,
And Sol replendent shines, on all you meet;
The glitt'ring God emblazons all around,
And, like the Day, each Face in Smiles is crown'd.
Auspicious Omen! — such O may it prove!
And may'st thou, Percy , all our Fears remove
Lull busy Faction into soft Repose,
Or rather crush this horrid, worst of Foes.
Ideal Grievance, is our greatest Ill,
We form the Evils — and, like Children, still
We start at Bugbears — by our Fancy drest,
Altho' we've genuine Courage in each Breast.
We're grateful, loyal, jealous of our Rights,
Kindness our Love — but Wrongs our Hate excites.
Fierce in Resentment, but in Nature Mild,
Bright in our Genius, tho' in Manners wild.

Thus, I the Portrait of my Sons have giv'n:
To them, prove thou the bount'ous Gift of Heav'n!
Reclaim them from their Error — save my Fame;
'Tis not a Task, unworthy Percy 's Name.

Adorn'd with Beauty, and it's native Sweets,
Behold! my Daughters, thy fair Part'ner greets,
Truth, Innocence and Love, at once combine,
To speak them lovely, — these conspicuous shine
In Fair Northumberland! and seem divine!
Her bright Example, shall new Lustre give
To all their Charms; — they'll thankfully receive
The pleasing Lesson, which shall glide unknown
Into their Hearts, and so become their own.
Fair Virtue, in Example, hath more Sway,
Than all the Precepts which the Sage convey
In Speech austere: — and she that represents
Britannia 's Queen, all Excellence cements
Within herself — and gently deals around
Those heav'nly Virtues, that's in her Compound.

Thus spoke Hibernia , and our Viceroy, see!
With Looks complacent, seems for to agree
To her Request: his benign Aspect wears
So good a Grace, it banishes our Fears;
New Life restores to ev'ry Patriot Heart,
And He, like G EORGE , shall act the Father's Part;
Defend our Rights, our Liberties and Laws,
And still atchieve the popular Applause!