Classic Poem

I.

Sprung from an ancient, honour'd race,
Whom courage, fame and candor grace,
Accept, O Wolfe! th' exulting lay,
That hails thy valour's dawning ray.
When such atchievements gild thy morn,
What trophies shall thy noon adorn?

II.

Some deaf to the shrill trump of fame,
In sloth exhaust their youthful flame:
Some, rous'd at morn, the stag pursue;
And from the thicket sweep the dew;
While others tempt for wealth alone,
The frozen and the fervid zone.

III.

A fairer meed thy virtue charms:
A nobler flame thy bosom warms:
To wake again the British soul;
Thy country's bolts again to roll;
With vengeance whelm her haughty foe;
And with fresh conquests wreathe her brow.

IV.

Convuls'd by the tremend'ous shock,
Th' embattled tow'r and rifted rock
Shook on America's affrighted strand,
When havock rag'd at thy command;
When on the Gaul destruction broke
In horrid peals from fire and smoke.

V.

May triumphs still attend thine arm,
And Britain's cause thy genius warm;
While Drake's or Howard's mighty soul
Guides thy career to glory's goal;
The Muse shall them on bolder wing,
Essay thy bright exploits to sing.