Page:Poetical Works of John Oldham.djvu/69

Rh Together, they did both the paths to glory trace; Together, hunted in the noble chase; Together, finished their united race; There only did they prove unfortunate, Never till then unblessed by fate, Yet there they ceased not to be great; Fearless they met and braved their threatened fall, And fought when heaven revolted, fortune durst rebel. When public safety, and their country's care Required their aid, and called them to the toils of war; As parent eagles, summoned by their infants' cries, Whom some rude hands would make a prize, Haste to relief and with their wings out-fly their eyes; So swift did they their speedy succour bear, So swift the bold aggressors seize, So swift attack, so swift pursue the vanquished enemies: The vanquished enemies with all the wings of fear Moved not so quick as they, Scarce could their souls fly fast enough away. Bolder than lions, they thick dangers met, Through fields with armèd troops, and pointed harvests set, Nothing could tame their rage, or quench their generous heat: Like those, they marched undaunted, and like those, Secure of wounds, and all that durst oppose, So to resisters fierce, so gentle to their prostrate foes. Mourn, wretched Israel, mourn thy monarch's fall, And all thy plenteous stock of sorrow call, To attend his pompous funeral: Mourn each, who in this loss an interest shares, Lavish your grief, exhaust it all in tears: Your Hebrew virgins too, Who once in lofty strains did his glad triumphs sing, Bring all your artful notes, and skilful measures now,