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The Shipwreck, a Poem, Illustr. by Additional Notes, and Corrected From the 1st and 2nd Editions; With a Life of the Author, by J.s. Clarke
The Shipwreck a Poem Illustr by Additional Notes and Corrected From the 1st and 2nd Editions With a Life of the Author by Js Clarke Author:William Falconer General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1806 Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million book... more »s for free. Excerpt: INTRODUCTION THE POEM. While jarring interests wake the world to arms, And fright the peaceful vale with dire alarms, While Albion bids th' avenging thunder roll Along her vassal Deep from pole to pole; Sick of the scene, where War with ruthless hand Spreads desolation o'er the bleeding land; Sick of the tumult, where the trumpet's breath Bids ruin smile, and drowns the groan of Death; Tis mine, retired beneath this cavern hoar That stands all lonely on the sea-beat shore, Far other themes of deep distress to sing Than ever trembled from the vocal string j A scene from dumb Oblivion to restore, To Fame unknown, and new to Epic lore i Where hostile elements conflicting rise, And lawless Surges swell against the skies, Till Hope expires, and Peril and Dismay Wave their black ensigns on the watery way. Immortal train ! who guide the maze of song, To whom all Science, Arts, and Arms belong, Who bid the Trumpet of eternal Fame Exalt the Warrior's and the Poet's name, Or in lamenting elegies express The varied pang of exquisite distress; If e'er with trembling hope I fondly strayed In life's fair morn beneath your hallowed shade, To hear the sweetly-mournful lute complain, And melt the heart with ecstasy of pain, Or listen to the enchanting voice of Love, While all Elysium warbled through the grove; Oh! by the hollow blast that moans around, That sweeps the wild harp with a plaintive sound; By the long Surge that foams through yonder cave, Whose vaults remurmur to the roaring wave; With living colours give my Verse to glow, The sad Memor...« less