Was he a spirit sent to Scourge mankind He hated converse: his o'erweening pride His course was rapid, he has pass'd away, Well might philosophy at grandeur smile. The ill Napoleon did we all well know, Each day the good he might have done will show. Nor would the Austrian fox have dared by stealth * This wonderful shield belonged to Atlante, but afterwards was possessed by Ruggiero.-See ARIOSTO, Canto 2. The cloud of selfishness will ne'er decrease That glooms the prospect of a lasting peace, 'Till Christian kings the Christian maxim heed : God never doom'd mankind to crouch and bleed. ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND. But thou art fled Like some frail exhalation which the dawn Robes in its golden beams; ah, thou hast fled, The brave, the gentle, and the beautiful! THY wooded hills, Firenze *, castle-crown'd, *Firenze, al cui splendore Ogni bella cittate aspira indarno, Inclita figlia d'Arno, Che al Padre cingi d'ogni onore il crine, &c. CHIABRERA. O! what is love by poets deified, Compared with friendship in all dangers tried? A firmer friend than Henry was to me. Could not this balmy clime restore his health, Where Nature boon has lavish'd all her wealth? Alas! Consumption gives a sickly hue To wood-crown'd hills, rich vales, and skies of deeepest blue. Busy Remembrance! why call up in vain Those happy nights, that ne'er will come again, FLORENCE, October 2, 1818. |