He spoke the wish that fill'd his gen'rous mind, Rinaldo and Orlando brave to find; And never know a day's inglorious rest, Till this, his aim, should with success be blest. END OF THE SELECTION. 450 THE TRANSLATOR'S CONCLUSION. FERRARA's ancient Bard!-thy lyre no more 455 Resounds heroic deeds, or magic lore.— The Destiny, who cuts life's thread, is blind Or to th' enlighten'd or the vulgar mind; And genius, highly gifted, has no pow'r To sooth her rage, or stay the fatal hour. And left thy dust immingled with the dead: Remain'd, by meaner voices to be sung, 460 276 TRANSLATOR'S CONCLUSION. Till he-the bard-by kindred feelings fir'd, The strain resum'd, and, raptur'd and inspir'd, 465 Swept the loud chords harmonious, to prolong 469 Thy genius still shall live-thy bays shall bloom; And Taste shall frequent point her vot'ry's tomb. The earliest flow'rets genial spring shall shed, Soft dulcet symphonies, distinct and clear, By shadowy minstrels pour'd, shall wake around, 475 But now, blest Nine, your visions fade away, And all your gay creative views decay. 480 TRANSLATOR'S CONCLUSION. 277 Dames, knights, and steeds, are vanish'd from the view: Yet still vouchsafe your influence to renew. No more the song, to fabled tales confin'd, And ask a nobler strain-a higher meed. But chief to Wellington devote your lays, 485 490 Ye British heroes! who in battle fell, 278 TRANSLATOR'S CONCLUSION. For you, victorious laurels we entwine; 495 The patriots' and the warriors' meed combine; Yet, while our breasts with admiration glow, We steep in tears the off'rings we bestow.— 500 To hail your high desert the muse aspires, Transcends the heartfelt praise it has call'd forth: Your country's annals shall your merits save, And grateful mem'ry triumph o'er the grave. O, Britain!-brightest gem on Ocean's breast, Thy gen'rous sons, with ardour unreprest, Have ever stemm'd oppression's lawless force Of injur'd nations still the sure resource Still shall thy efforts, thro' succeeding time, 511 Evince the feeling soul, the thought sublime 515 |