ON THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO LONDON, THE NIGHT OF THE 17TH MARCH, 1798. When, long sequester'd from his throne, George took his seat again, Entitled here to reign; Then, Loyalty, with all his lamps New-trimm'd, a gallant show! Chasing the darkness and the damps, Set London in a glow. 'T'was hard to tell, of streets or squares, Which form’d the chief display, These most resembling cluster'd stars, Those the long milky way. Bright shone the roofs, the domes, the spires, And rockets flew, self-driven, To hang their momentary fires Amid the vault of heaven. So fire with water to compare, The ocean serves on high Up-spouted by a whale in air, To express unwieldy joy. Had all the pageants of the world In one procession join'd, That heralds e'er design'd; For no such sight had England's Queen Forsaken her retreat, Where George recover'd made a scene, Sweet always, doubly sweet. Yet glad she came that night to prove, A witness undescried, Was loved by all beside. Darkness the skies had mantled o'er In aid of her designDarkness, O Queen! ne'er call'd before To veil a deed of thine! On borrow'd wheels away she flies, Resolved to be unknown, And gratify no curious eyes That night, except her own. 104 THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO LONDON. Arrived, a night like noon she sees, And hears the million hum; Had known their sovereign come. Pleased she beheld aloft portray'd, On many a splendid wall, Emblems of health and heavenly aid, And George the theme of all. Unlike the enigmatic line, So difficult to spell, The night his city fell. Soon watery grew her and dim, George ever drew from her. It was a scene in every part Like those in fable feign'd, Created and sustain'd. But other magic there, she knew, Had been exerted none, Save love of George alone. That cordial thought her spirits cheerd, And through the cumbrous throng Not else unworthy to be fear'd, Convey'd her calm along. So, ancient poets say, serene The seamaid rides the waves, And fearless of the billowy scene Her peaceful bosom laves. With more than astronomic eyes She view'd the sparkling show One Georgian star adorns the skies, She myriads found below. Yet let the glories of a night Like that, once seen, suffice; Heaven grant us no such future sight, Such previous woe the price! ANNUS MEMORABILIS, 1789. WRITTEN IN COMMEMORATION OF HIS MAJESTY'S HAPPY RECOVERY. I RANSACK'D, for a theme of song, To modern times, with Truth to guide Thus, as the bee, from bank to bower, |