The barb'rous fcene now rip'ning into fate, "The Danish King unbarr'd deftruction's gate* :

"When, for the pomp, th' imperial town furvey'd
"The fplendid scenery that joy difplay'd,

" (While to the found of flutes and feftive fong
"The new crown'd Dane triumphant pafs'd along)
"Stern Tyranny thro' trembling Stockholm bore
"Her tort'ring wheel, and axes ftain'd with gore :
"While at her fide a captive train appear'd--
"Illuftrious train! by Liberty rever'd :

"Still as they pafs'd, they heard around them rise
"The people's loud laments and piercing cries :
"These eyes beheld, (and do I live to tell)
"How firm to Truth these patriot martyrs fell.
"First on the scaffold, proud to lay the way
"To honour'd death from ignominious day,
Appear'd-Ah let me not that scene disclose,
"And pour upon thy foul a flood of woes :
"Hear will I pause-yet wherefore thus conceal
"What babbling fame will foon to thee reveal?
"Oh fummon all thy fortitude of heart,

For I must wound it in the tend'reft part :

"He

* Alluding to the maffacre of the fenate at Stockholm.

"He on the tragic fcene who firft appear'd "To meet the bloody axe that CHRISTIERN rear'd, “Unblam'd through life, a venerable Seer, "For whom now gushes this unbidden tear, "Who Virtue's steep afcent unrivall'd won,

Th' aftonish'd Hero, at his words opprefs'd, Like Sorrow's image ftands with voice suppress'd: The Prieft, unequal to difpenfe relief,

Stood at his fide enwrapp'd in filent grief.

-Now, breaking from the chains Affliction fram'd, And bursting into voice, the youth exclaim'd: "Oh injur'd spirit of my father hear,

By yon dread altar and these shrines I swear, "The base inhuman Dane the day fhall rue "He dar'd the scaffold with thy blood imbrue :

A monitor within, to which I yield,
"Stirs and impels me to th' avenging field."
He faid-a deeper darkness seem'd to reign,
A hollow wind ran murm'ring thro' the fane,
When lo, afcending from the realms of night,
An awe-commanding spectre rufh'd to fight:
Around his temples feem'd the civic wreath,
And thus prophetic spoke the son of Death :

"Arife

"Arife to vindicate the facred laws,

Revenge thy father's and thy country's cause : "Arife! to Mo R A's diftant field repair,

"Where Freedom's banners catch the playful air ; "Beneath whofe fhade for thee impatient ftand, "Prepar'd to combat, an intrepid band: "But whether in the bold enfanguin'd ftrife "Thou shalt or forfeit or prolong thy life"Thy foes fhall fall-This to thy knowledge giv'n, "The reft lies buried in the breaft of Heav'n : "Still let my wrongs fupport thee in the fight"He ceas'd-and instant vanish'd into night.

The Paflor fpoke-"Go forth, illuftrious chief, "At Heav'n's commandment, to the realm's relief : "Yet then indulge me in this bold request,

86

Say, is each meaner thought fubdu'd to rest ?

"Say, in this folemn and important hour,

"Glows not thy bofom with the luft of pow'r ?"

66 Not all the radiant fun-beams of renown, 4. Nor yet the dazzling luftre of a crown,

"Shall e'er, the youth replies, this heart control :

Ev'n as the bird that from its afhes fprings, "And foars aloft upon exulting wings, "So does my country's love its birth affume, "And mount triumphant from the passions' tomb."

"But fhould I view, unnumber'd with the flain,
""Tis all I ask, fair Freedom's future reign ·
"Then from my gratitude thy voice shall claim
"All that thy want or fondest wish can frame.
"No fplendid gifts, the virtuous man rejoin'd,
"Have pow'r to move the duty-center'd mind:
"Yet would thy gratitude my love fecure,
"Then be, oh Chief! a father to the poor :
"Farewell No longer will I now detain
"Thy wanted prefence from th' embattled plain :
"Illuftrious offspring of an honour'd race,
"Allow my warm attachment this embrace."
He spoke-and, with a love devoid of art,
He prefs'd GUSTAVUS to his feeling heart.
Now, breaking from the youth's encircling arms,
Refign'd him to his fate and war's alarms :
Then to the facred altar he repair'd,

And thus aloud his ardent vow preferr'd :
"Oh Thou that liv'ft enshrin'd from mortal eye,
"Look down indulgent from thy facred sky,

"See

"See the bold youth afcend BELLONA's car,
"And safely guide him thro' the walks of war.
"On Freedom's brow be his the wreath to twine,
"To fee that happy glorious day be mine."
He added not-Heav'n granted half his pray'r,
The reft was scatter'd to th' abortive air.

Scarce had the chief commenc'd his bold career,
When flept the Curate on his peaceful bier :
There heav'd the village swain the figh profound,
There ftood the grateful poor lamenting round.

Thus mourn'd, thus honour'd fell, the hallow'd fage, A bright example to each future age!

The hamlet, jealous of her Paftor's fame,
Adorn'd her fimple annals with his name.

THE