Ere the ruddy sun be set, Pikes must shiver, javelins sing, Blade with clattering buckler meet, Hauberk crash, and helmet ring. (Weave the crimson web of war!) Where they triumph, where they die. As the paths of Fate we tread, 25 Wading through th' ensanguined field, Gondula and Geira, spread 30 1761. Mortal, thou that hear'st the tale, Sisters, hence with spurs of speed; Each her thundering falchion wield; Hurry, hurry to the field! THE DESCENT OF ODIN Uprose the King of Men with speed, And saddled straight his coal-black steed; Down the yawning steep he rode, That leads to Hela's drear abode. His shaggy throat he opened wide, While from his jaws, with carnage filled, 1768. 60 5 Eyes that glow and fangs that grin, ΙΟ And long pursues with fruitless yell The Father of the powerful spell. Onward still his way he takes (The groaning earth beneath him shakes), 15 Prophetess. What call unknown, what charms, pre sume To break the quiet of the tomb? Who thus afflicts my troubled sprite, And drags me from the realms of night? 30 Long on these mould'ring bones have beat Is he that calls, a warrior's son. 35 Odin. A traveller, to thee unknown, Odin. Prophetess, my spell obey: Once again arise, and say Who th' avenger of his guilt, By whom shall Hoder's blood be spilt? 60 65 That never shall enquirer come To break my iron sleep again, Till Lok has burst his tenfold chain; 85 Prophetess. Hie thee hence, and boast at home 90 SKETCH OF HIS OWN CHARACTER Too poor for a bribe, and too proud to importune, He had not the method of making a fortune; Could love and could hate, so was thought somewhat odd; No very great wit, he believed in a God; A place or a pension he did not desire, 5 But left church and state to Charles Townshend and Squire. 1761. 1775 MARK AKENSIDE FROM THE PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION Say, why was man so eminently raised As on a boundless theatre, to run And through the tossing tide of chance and pain, To hold his course unfalt'ring, while the voice Of Nature, calls him to his high reward 15 Th' applauding smile of Heav'n? Else wherefore burns That breathes from day to day sublimer things, And mocks possession? wherefore darts the mind 20 Majestic forms, impatient to be free, Spurning the gross control of wilful might, 25 Who that, from Alpine heights, his lab'ring eye That murmurs at his feet? The high-born soul Disdains to rest her heav'n-aspiring wing Beneath its native quarry. Tired of earth 35 |