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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FOR THE KING'S BIRTHDAY 1723 by LAWRENCE EUSDEN

Poet Analysis

First Line: HAIL TO THE LOV'D, RETURNING, GLORIOUS DAY!
Last Line: BRITANNIA! EVER BLEST, IF THEY.
Subject(s): BIRTHDAYS; CAROLINE OF ANSBACH. QUEEN OF ENGLAND; COURTS & COURTIERS; CROWNS; GEORGE I, KING OF ENGLAND (1660-1727); MOTHERS; ROYAL COURT LIFE; ROYALTY; KINGS; QUEENS;
@3Recitativo@1
Hail to the lov'd, returning, glorious day!
Let Phoebus gild it with a brighter ray:
Long may we joy to see it smiling rise,
And long great Brunswick want his kindred skies.

@3Air@1
Breath the hautboy, touch the lyre,
Melting harmony inspire!
Let no clouded brow be found
In the glittering, pompous round.
Music! gently fan love's fire,
Welcome Mirth and young Desire,
Breath the hautboy, touch the lyre,
Melting harmony inspire!

@3Recitativo@1
To him, what numbers shall we bring,
In equal numbers, whom no muse can sing?
To him, what deathless trophy raise,
Who, all transcending, nobly scorns all praise?
In pleasing wonder lost we see,
How lovely virtue shines in Majesty!

@3Air@1
Still let nations, freed, resound him,
Guardian angels still surround him,
Crown him with the sweetest pleasure,
Without end, and without measure,
Let no treacherous foe confound him,
Still let nations, freed, resound him,
Guardian angels still surround him!

@3Recitativo@1
But hear! the yelling Furies rave;
How widely yawns th' Avernian cave!
See! Treason from the realms of night
Uprears her head, a hideous spright!
The monster, pale with guilty fears,
No sooner spy'd, but disappears.

@3Air@1
O! Traitors, odious train!
Of public bliss the bane!
With pious leer demure,
Fain would they stab secure.
An outward ease they wear,
But pant with inward care.
Their dreams new horrors bring,
They fly a vengeful king.
O! Traitors, odious train!
Of public bliss the bane!

@3Chorus@1
'Tis Carolina all their hopes destroys,
The fruitful mother of our joys!
Still may the royal progeny appear
Increas'd by ev'ry circling year;
Still let kind Heaven display each dark design,
Shield Brunswick and his godlike line:
This we for blessings on Britannia pray,
Britannia! ever blest, if they.



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