Page:The Domestic Affections, and Other Poems.pdf/104



Queen of the valiant arm, the warrior-breast, Light of the ocean! day-star of the west! Oh! Albion! Liberty's immortal fane, Empress of isles! palladium of the main! Tho' thy loud thunders thro' the world resound, Tho' thy red lightnings flash victorious round; Tho' nations own, in many a distant clime, Thy arm triumphant, as thy name sublime; Rock of the waves! tho' proud, from zone to zone, Extend the pillars of thy naval throne; Around thy coast tho' wild destruction roars, Yet calm and fertile smile thy favor'd shores; In emerald verdure blooms thy sunny plain, And the dark war-blast rolls without—in vain! Tho' flames of valor, kindling in thine eye, Brave every storm, and every foe defy; Yet soft, beneath its milder beam, serene, Luxuriance blossoms o'er the glowing scene; Fair laugh thy vales! no deathful sounds assail, Mirth warbles free, and music swells the gale;