Miscellaneous Poems and a Tragedy (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1791. Excerpt: ... EDMUND IRONSIDE, Jl Tragedy. ACT I. Scene I.--Gloucester Castle Garden, Enter Emma and Birtha. EMMA. HERE distant from the cruel rage of war, Securely placed in peaceful solitude, We know but little of the gen'ral sorrow. Yon venerable grove of spreading oaks Kindly immures this antiquated castle From proud Ambition's eye. It seems to court Neglected worth and ruin'd majesty, To fly for shelter here. BIRTHA. How my soul yearns, As I contemplate, Britain, all thy sufferings Here, nurs'd by Peace, the virtues lov'd to dwell. Alas how chang'd now Discord yells aloud; Murder and Rapine, l'erjury and Fraud, Her hated offspring flourish. EMMA. Yet may Britain Hope to regain her ancient happiness. E'er this brave Edmund, her avenging King, (Who, for his strength unequall'd, hath obtain'd The name of Ironside) attacks her foes. O Birtha Conquest must attend his cause. Since Honor, rigid Justice, steady Courage, Unite to draw his sword. BIRTHA. Heroic Man Brave in distress Wife in prosperity The grace--the glory of the British Kings His foul, disdainful of the peace, his father Inglorious Ethelred from Denmark purchas'd. Awoke the flumbering virtue of his people, And dar'd the Invader to the field of war. EMMA. The stern Canutus, Denmark's Victor Prince, Our mortal foe, tho' deem'd unmatch'd in arms, Trembles (as oft I've heard) at Edmund's name, While scowling envy dims his alter'd eye. BIRTHA.. E'en as the Sun with brighter lustre seems To paint the face of Nature, when compar'd With the preceding tempest, so, great Edmund, Thy virtues, weigh'd against thy Father's crimes, Appear more graceful. EMMA. Stop, my gentle Birtha Nor curse my husband and thy Edrick's father. Let Britain's foes dwell, with malicious joy, (On his disastrous reign: a wise must we...