Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, "BEDLAM: A POEM ON HIS MAJESTY'S HAPPY ESCAPE, SELS.", by ANONYMOUS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

"BEDLAM: A POEM ON HIS MAJESTY'S HAPPY ESCAPE, SELS.", by                    
First Line: What mean these loud aerial cracks I hear?
Last Line: "to see thy towering temple shine so fair / through the night-flaming, elemental air"
Subject(s): Escapes;freedom;guard Duty; Fugitives;liberty


WHAT mean these loud aerial cracks I hear?
Slumps after slumps that shake my trem'lous ear?
Zounds! they're the Tow'r bombardments, that disgorge
Their roaring thunders for returning George;
Through fugient skies they drive the swift-winged sound,
And tell th' important tale to regions round.
Ye, who bade safety go and guard his way,
All thanks to you, immortal pow'rs! we pay.
With mirthful hearts and most melodious voice,
Revived and cheered, Britannia's sons rejoice,
And scarce the torrent of their transports bear,
Now they've got safe their Royal Master here.
Halloo! who's there? Haste! quick, you dog! prepare
Pens, ink and tables, papers and a chair:
I'm forming the grand panegyric plan,
And Albion's mighty monarch is my man;
And while of George and George's deeds I sing,
I'll spread the feathers of a fearless wing.
Milton and Dryden I disdain to name,
Nor deem it glory to outburn their flame.
Nor with Dan Pope a tune I'd deign to try,
For with low lyres loud trumpets scorn to vie.
I'll mount with pinions that ne'er soared before,
Stronger than those my brother Pindar bore,
When he, the bold Dircaean Swan, did fly
Tow'ring through loftiest tracts of th' azure sky.
Hark! how the burning dog-star raves and barks.
Come down, ye bending skies! and bring me larks:
I'll have them roasted on a string by dozens,
And ask to sup—my loving friends and cousins.
But stay, rash Muse! nor start thou thus aside:
No more let devious Fancy's fires misguide.
This day great Phoebus in his car of fire
To's western waves reluctant will retire:
For, hark!—he tells me he'd fain stop his flight,
And shine in compliment to George all night,
But that by heav'n's Eternal Lord he's bound
To walk the world with restless circuits round.
Since he's thus destined, let the god be gone;
We'll strive to emulate the flaming sun.
Nay, we'll surpass th' ethereal house of Jove,
And light more fires below than he above.
Help, goddess! help me; one bright line inspire:
'Our fronts of houses shall be walls of fire.'
Come! once again my weary fancy raise:
'The midnight gloom shall turn to noontide blaze.
While rockets mount to tell the stars he's come,
Such light, great Paul! shall pour upon thy dome,
That counties round with stupid eyes shall stare,
To see thy tow'ring temple shine so fair
Through the night-flaming, elemental air.'





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