EIGHTEEN HIINDRFID AND MNTY: A 
 POEM PART FIRST 
 
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 THE UBRARY OF THE 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 NORTH CAROLINA 
 AT CHAPEL HILL 
 
 ENDOWED BY THE 
 DIALECTIC AND PHILANTHROPIC 
 SOCIETIES 
 
 PS1 65^ 
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 1 821 
 
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Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/eighteenhundredtOOever 
 
EIGHTEEN HUNDRED 
 
 AND 
 
 TWENTY 
 
 3 
 
 PART FIRST. 
 
 JOHN MILLER, 69, FLEET STREET. 
 
 1821. 
 
W. MoLiMci, Frioter, Bream's Buildings, Cbancen,- Lane. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The title of this poem is intended to con- 
 nect it with the political events of the year 
 eighteen hundred and twenty. It has not 
 been my object, however, to take them up in 
 chronological order, or present them in an 
 historical shape, but merely to allude to them 
 in any way that appeared most suitable for 
 relieving the monotony of a poem, essentially 
 didactic. I shall also employ, for the same 
 purpose, in the course of the work, should it 
 be continued, the events of subsequent and 
 preceding years ; so thap the name I have 
 affixed to the poem is not an accurate descrip- 
 tion of the subject, but a mere title. 
 
 The prevailing error of the last generation, 
 in theory and practice, was an abuse of the 
 name and principles of liberty. The fault, 
 or at least, one of the faults of the present, is 
 of a contrary description, and consists in mis- 
 representing in theory and abusing in practice, 
 the wholesome doctrine, that it is the duty of 
 the people to preserve good order and submit 
 to lawful authority. From this indisputable 
 truth, a certain class of writers have deduced 
 
vi 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 the conclusion, that it is necessary to submit 
 to any established authority, however unlaw- 
 ful and unjust, or in other words, have revived 
 the old-fashioned doctrine of passive obedience 
 and non-resistance. They have gone, how- 
 ever, a step beyond the ancient partisans of 
 divine right : and, while they deny to nations 
 the liberty of reforming their governments, 
 they grant to kings, not only an unlimited 
 authority over their own subjects, but a right 
 to reform the governments of foreign powers 
 at pleasure. This system, however absurd, 
 may be regarded as the one now prevailing 
 on the continent. It has lately been adopted 
 in practice by the great northern powers : and 
 it is only with singula^ caution and forbearance 
 that liberal principles can there be defended 
 through the medium of the press ; while the 
 doctrine oilegitimacy — the name under which 
 the monstrous mass of absurdities alluded to 
 has been embodied — is maintained by a host 
 of stipendiaries and fanatics, in almost every 
 state on the continent ; and supported in many 
 by other arguments as old-fashioned as the 
 doctrince itself — the censure — the dungeon, 
 and the bayonet. 
 
 It is true that these slavish principles have 
 comparatively few partisans in England and 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 vii 
 
 the United States, where this poem will cir- 
 culate, if at all : but I have thought that even 
 in these countries an attempt to expose their 
 absurdity might not be wholly useless, for the 
 promotion of truth ; first, because in both, 
 there are some persons, however few in num- 
 ber and insignificant in point of influence, 
 who habitually attempt to inculcate such doc- 
 trines ; without appearing to be sensible, that 
 in communities where liberal principles form 
 the basis of the existing institutions, the sys- 
 tem of legitimacy^ in the technical sense now 
 attached to the word, is not only irrational but 
 revolutionary, and of course inconsistent with 
 itself: and secondly, because, when'the ex- 
 pression of just ideas is prohibited or checked 
 iu some countries, it becomes of more import- 
 ance that they should be fully proclaimed 
 where thought and speech are free. I am not 
 insensible to the dangers of revolutions, but 
 as these, with a host of other evils, are the 
 immediate consequences of arbitrary sys- 
 tems and practices, I con^^ider the latter as 
 even more pernicious than a temporary abuse 
 of liberal principles, and as a more proper 
 subject, at least at the present moment, for 
 the reprobation of the friends of humanity and 
 truth. 
 
viii 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 In the execution of the following attempt I 
 have not overlooked the principle that poetry 
 addresses itself to the imagination rather than 
 the judgment^ and have endeavoured to en- 
 liven the dullness of discussion, as far as was 
 compatible with the nature of the subject and 
 the mediocrity of talent at my disposal. With- 
 out pretending to vie with the living masters 
 of the lyre^ in brilliancy and romantic interest, 
 I shall be satisfied, if the lovers of verse shall 
 consider an inferiority of this sort as, in some 
 degree, compensated by just views and gene- 
 rous feelings. Nothing, however, can expiate 
 in poetry the sin of absolute dullness ; and if 
 the public award pronounces that I have been 
 guilty of it, I shall certainly refrain from re- 
 peating the offence. If this attempt is received 
 with approbation, I shall probably continue 
 the poem to a third or fourth part. 
 
 London, Nov, 10, 1821. 
 
1. 
 
 AwAKE^ ye sons of martial Spain ! " ' ' 
 
 And shake this sad despondence off ; 
 Awake^ ye bold Castilian train. 
 
 And prove that ye are of'^our father's stuff. 
 No longer idly here delay. 
 
 Where want and wasting pestilence prevail. 
 Waiting until the lingering fleet shall sail. 
 
 To do oppressions work beyond the sea. 
 Instead of joining with the hireling band - ' 
 
 That would extinguish Freedom's light abroad ; 
 Rise in your might; and with the help of God, 
 Ye soon shall bid it shine upon your native land. 
 
2 
 
 2. 
 
 Such was the spirit-stirring sounds 
 
 That moved Quiroga's manly lips^ 
 As the new year in welcome round 
 
 Arose, at last, upon the attending ships. 
 Ripe was the host — that joyful summons came 
 
 To many a heart not unexpected there : 
 Bright flashed responsive many an eye of flame^ 
 
 And many a sword was half unsheathed in air : 
 And starting" soon from their inglorious trance^ 
 
 The listening troops in fixed attention stands 
 Around their chief in crowded ranks advance^ 
 While he, pursuing thus, addressed the associate 
 hand. 
 
 S. 
 
 Awake, ye sons of martial Spain! 
 
 And vindicate the honour of your race ; 
 For well I know that not a nobler train 
 
 Treads, far or near, the earth's extended space. 
 
3 
 
 In council firm^ in battle true^ 
 
 Oft have ye made the foreign foe recoil ; 
 
 Your valour Cesar^ Conde^ Mordaunt knevi^ ; 
 And yours it vras Napoleon first to foil ; 
 
 You dared the invading ruffian to the knife^ 
 And long and bitterly the day he rued^ 
 
 That poured in torrents his best followers' bloody 
 
 Where Saragossa strove for death and life. 
 
 4. 
 
 Brave are your sons, and fairly bloom 
 
 Your peerless maids in beauty's flower ; 
 In orange bowers of rich perfume 
 
 They charm with dance and song the enraptured hour. 
 Swim to the light Bolero's melting strain^ 
 
 With heaving breast and darkly waving hair ; 
 Where seaborn breezes fan Valencia's plain^ 
 
 And breathe refreshment through the glowing air. 
 They, as the luscious melody 
 
 In sweetest cadence steals upon the grove. 
 To each soft note with softer step reply. 
 And tell the enchanted eye the tender tale of love. 
 
4. 
 
 5. 
 
 And how your blessed regions thrive^ 
 
 In the fair light of heaven's peculiar grace ! 
 How well the country where ye live 
 
 Befits in beauty such a generous race ! 
 Unclouded skies above your heads 
 
 Stretch their blue depths^ a canopy serene ; 
 And all around you nature spreads 
 
 Her richest gifts upon the enamelled green. 
 All fruitSj that temperate climes^ or tropic boast^ 
 
 Grace the rich banks of many a river wide ; 
 And havens broad indent the inviting coasts 
 And cities famed of yore erect their castled pride. 
 
 6. 
 
 'Tis glorious all — but what avail 
 
 The gifts of God when man their use denies? 
 What serves the port^ when scarce a sail 
 
 For Spanish profit bears its merchandise ? 
 
5 
 
 The stream, that only pours to waste 
 
 Its wealth of waves upon uncultured banks? 
 
 The generous grape that none may taste. 
 
 Whose toilsome care has trimmed its clustered ranks? 
 
 The famous towns, where Ruin builds his throne. 
 On broken shafts, and crumbling architraves ; 
 
 The perfumed airs, that sigh for glory gone. 
 
 Or that unclouded sun that beams for none but slaves. 
 
 7. 
 
 Slaves — but beneath that galling chain 
 
 The soul of freedom still abides in you; 
 Slaves — but in Europe's hour of shame and pain. 
 
 Ye did what freer nations could not do : 
 When o'er your land the invaders forces poured. 
 
 And garrisoned each town and castled height. 
 And your base masters owned him for their lord ; 
 
 'Twas then the Spanish people in their might 
 Rose up unanimous — Forth legions sprang 
 As at a signal call, and armour rang. 
 And trumpets sounded — standards flamed in air. 
 And Hope exulting waved her golden hair. 
 
6 
 
 8. 
 
 Where terror reigned so late — and on they move^ 
 And back dismayed the astonished tyrant drove; 
 Shook to its base that blood-cemented throne^ 
 And placed their rightful monarch on his own^ 
 While peace returned to Europe. What reward ? 
 What wealth, what titles grants their grateful lord^ 
 To pay such service ? Doubtless high in courts^ 
 Doubtless in palaces^ the proud resorts 
 Of self-styled nobles — doubtless at the head 
 Of the brave troops they late to victory led^ 
 And glory — doubtless on the cushioned seats 
 Of ermined justice — or in soft retreats 
 
 9. 
 
 Of pensioned ease the royal gratitude 
 
 Placed your deliverers. — This was all he could ; 
 
 And less were mockery. Idle boast ! 
 
 Ask the south winds that sweep the embattled coast 
 
 Of Africa^ and bear from Ceuta's towers 
 
 The prisoners moan that countsthelingeringhours. 
 
7 
 
 And longs for death to ease him — They shall tell 
 Another story. Seek the deepest cell 
 In Spain's most loathsome dungeon^ ye shall find. 
 Lodged in such state as that, the godlike mind. 
 The heart that poured like water out its flood 
 In the king's service. Mark the felon brood, 
 
 10. 
 
 That chained in gallies tug the labouring oar. 
 Till the blood starts from every bursting pore ; 
 There toils the patriot. Such the glorious meed. 
 That pays his high intent, his matchless deed. 
 Aye — and I tell you when ^ ruffian's hand 
 Plies the red scourge upon that outcast band. 
 His villain fury tears the bleeding form 
 Of Arguelles \ These are things, that warm 
 
 1 Arguelles was the most distinguished oral or among the members of the 
 Spanish cortes at their first organization: and, as is well known, was 
 honoured by the enthusiastic admiration of his colleagues, with the appella- 
 tion of the divine. Upon the king's restoration he was brought to trial for 
 his share in the preceding events; but by the dexterity with which he 
 managed his defence, he disconcerted his judges so much, that they found it 
 extremely difficult to pronounce him guilty with any regard to appearances. 
 The king, being informed that there was some delay and embarrassment in the 
 case, sent for the papers and wrote upon them with his own hand — Ten years 
 labour in the gallies at Ceuta. 
 
8 
 
 The blood of meek-eyed patience; these are things^ 
 Which ill its blackest record history brings 
 Nothing to be a match for — These are times 
 In which endurance is the worst of crimes. 
 
 11. 
 
 Oh noble comrades ! can it be 
 That Spanish men shall bear such infamy? 
 Whose cause demands it? Mark ye not 
 The swarm of butterflies that float 
 With painted coats of gaily glancing hue^ 
 In the warm noontide of the sovereign's view? 
 Do ye not mark with s^ibtile hearts of pride. 
 And humble mien the churchmen at his side ; 
 Who buy with promises of future bliss 
 In other worlds, the usufruct of this? 
 These are the foes that have your weal withstood. 
 And marred the glorious boon you bought for Spain 
 with blood. 
 
9 
 
 13. 
 
 But wake^ ye gallant sons of Spain, 
 
 And these shall vanish like the morning dew. 
 How should the liveried^ petticoated train 
 
 Of priests and lords contend with such as you ? 
 Awake! and let the glorious cry, 
 ' Freedom and Spain/ resound from lion's isle. 
 And over hill and valley fly. 
 
 Where'er Iberia's blessed regions smile. 
 Heroes in hosts shall rise on every side. 
 
 As when the invading Frenchman touched theplain ; 
 And right shall be to victory your guide. 
 
 And liberty and joy shall beam anew on Spain. 
 
 ^Tis joyful at Madrid. The king has led 
 Another bride to his scarce widowed bed ; 
 Youthful and gay a Saxon queen has come^ 
 To cheer the bigot courts monastic gloom. 
 Then light the torches — let the lute afford 
 His merriest strain — array the loaded board. 
 
10 
 
 And summon pleasures train from far and near. 
 Who talks of business? Mirth sits mistress here. 
 'Twere hard indeed were kings compelled to waste 
 Their precious hours in toiling like the rest. 
 Away with care ; and let Fandango trill 
 His lively descant — marshal the quadrille — 
 Bid the gay waltzers wheel their sprightly rounds^ 
 While music wakes her most unearthly sounds. 
 And thou, oh chief of Spain's imperial stem^ 
 Lead on the revels — trim thy diadem 
 With love's delightful flowers, while yet they last 
 In youthful bloom — for youth will soon be past. 
 Be from the presence all intrusion chid ; 
 Mirth rules the hour — 'tis joyful at Madrid : 
 All joy — no cares for Spain disturb the glee; 
 But Spain, sad monarch, still remembers thee. 
 And soon shall greet thee in such serious sort^ 
 As, much I fear, may spoil thy bridal sport. 
 Madrid insurgent gathers ; they unroll 
 Before thy blasted eyes a fatal scroll. 
 In characters, unknown to kings, exprest. 
 Dark as the ominous lines at Babel's feast. 
 
11 
 
 Oh^ illstarred monarch ! couldst thou now but hear 
 That scroll's true sense spelt out by lips sincere^ 
 Thou too^ like old Belshazzar^ shouldst be told^ 
 Thy wei^^ht was wantin^^ and thy kingdom sold ; 
 Shouldst read on that black page^ they bid thee sign 
 Thy own death warrant graved in every line ; 
 And when w ith shouts they make the welkin ring. 
 Shouts of delight to hail the popular king ; 
 AVith ear prophetic thou shouldst catch full well 
 Far other sounds — the dismal funeral bell ; 
 Far other sights^ in vision dim but near. 
 Should sear thine eyes — the scaffold and the bier. 
 
 I mourn the liDt of kings. ^AVith baby hand 
 They grasp the iron mace of stern command ; 
 Thrown by mere chance where merit scarce aspires^ 
 When fortune smiles and wild ambition fires. 
 Unconscious quite of their high function's weighty 
 And scarcely glancing through their palace gate^ 
 They yield the empire of the public peace 
 To casual circumstance, or mere caprice 
 And armies bleed, and prosperous nations fall 
 To ruin's depth, by one unheeded scrawl. 
 
12 
 
 Enough — if still for them the mistress smile^. 
 The goblet flow^ and laughter burst the while; 
 If on their altars still assiduous thro^Yn 
 Soft flatteiy's incense steam around the throne. 
 
 1 form the state-"— is their presumptuous boast; 
 Enough that I am well, though all are lost ; 
 That I survive^, though hosts to death are led^ 
 And that I feast^ though millions pine for bread. 
 Feeble and vain — the errors of their state ; 
 They bear to honest truth a natural hate ; 
 
 And hence intrigue and vice besiege the throne^ 
 And mark the unguarded tenant for their own ; 
 Subdue his soul by spells of slothful ease^ 
 Or loose delight, and rule it as they please. 
 'Tis well — while fortune breathes in zephyrs bland^ 
 Well for the court — though fatal for the land. 
 But when the impatient people cease to bear ; 
 AYhen rocks the earth and flames the troubled air ; 
 
 2 L'etat^ c'est jnoi — a well known saying of Loois XIV. To avoid any 
 misconstruction that might be made of these remarks, it may be proper to 
 observe that they do not apply to the hereditary chief magistrate of a 
 constitutional monarchy, -nhose office, though nominally the same, is essen- 
 tially diflferent in its influence on the character of its holder, as -vvell as on 
 the welfare of the people, from that of kings, ia the proper sense of the 
 term. 
 
13 
 
 When furious grown in some despairing^ hour^ 
 The real sovereign re-asserts his power— 
 What champion then stands forth in manly state 
 To shield misguided monarchs from their fate ? 
 Say, bursts the tempest on the intriguer's brow? 
 Alas ! ye may not hope to find them now. 
 'Tis theirs at court and church in knighthood's pride 
 Of stars and gems to grace the sovereign's side ; 
 'Tis theirs his steps attendant still to trace. 
 Where pleasure points the boudoir or the chase : 
 Such suit and service owe they to their king — 
 To fight — to die — were quite a different thing. 
 To meaner souls belongs tjie hard affiray. 
 And not to such as these — away !— away ! 
 As starts the hare before the approaching hound, 
 Withfrightened speed theyquit the troubled ground; 
 And hurrying on to safer regions go. 
 Lands undisturbed by rebel or by foe ; 
 And there repose — but there with selfish zeal. 
 Far worse than hate, pursue their sovereign still. 
 For while in senseless schemes of folly lost, 
 They dream of conquest made at others cost. 
 
14 
 
 And weave with subtile skill and deep intrigue 
 The ineffectual plot^ the harmless league ; 
 At home too well the dari<: machinery works^ 
 And keen suspicion round the monarch lurks ; 
 On him the general eye distrustful turns; 
 With jealous thoughts the general bosom burns : 
 Till driven to madness in some fatal hour^ 
 Doubtful of rights but conscious of their power^ 
 The insulted people aim the vengeful blow 
 At loftiest heads^ and royal blood must flow ; 
 Condemned the long arrear of wrath to close^ 
 And pay the forfeit for its direst foes. 
 
 A happier day succee4s ; with mild command 
 Recovered reason sways the tranquil land ; 
 Or foreign force restores the broken line^ 
 And bids the crown with ancient lustre shine. 
 To horse ! to horse ! once more the courtly race 
 With lightning speed their homeward path retrace. 
 The world's four quarters mark their hurried track ; 
 The north gives up— the south shall keep not back : 
 Daughters and sons— a motley train appears. 
 The living spectres of departed years. 
 
15 
 
 Such antique shapes in time-worn garb arrayed, 
 'Twould seem the grave itself the call obeyed. 
 From dismal cells where late in silence drear. 
 Breathed the lone sigh, or dropped the unheeded tear; 
 From worse retreats where such were found to fail: 
 The work-house, almshouse, hospital and jail ; 
 Unchanged their actions, notions, airs or pride. 
 In homeward course, as swells the advancing tide. 
 All boldly marching in the invaders rear. 
 The lordly emigrants at last appear. 
 No lessons learnt from time or fortunes crost — 
 Of ancient wrongs no trace from memory lost ; 
 No sense or skill to read the world's vast page. 
 And mark, informed, the movement of the age. 
 Perverse or blinded by the light's excess. 
 As owls in sunshine only see the less ; 
 They with strange zeal each old abuse restore. 
 Whose maddening sense destroyed the land before. 
 As to the carcase flock the carrion crows. 
 O'er Egypt's plain as erst when plagues arose. 
 Devouring flies in swarms the soil o'erspread. 
 And buzzed and blackened round the monarch's bed : 
 
16 
 
 So these the avenues to court invade^ 
 The stairs^ the hall^ the wardrobe^ the parade. 
 Shall worthy shall talent dare assert their claims^ 
 When vice and folly boast historic names ? 
 What room for souls whose glory shone afar^ 
 In darker hours the states protecting star; 
 Whose faulchions flamed at every dangerous post^ 
 And barred the passes from the invading host,, 
 Then back dismayed its refluent torrent hurled. 
 While fear and wonder shock the gazing world ? 
 Some few, perhaps, retained for shame or sport. 
 Show their scarred limbs and honest brows at court. 
 There hate and scorn their hero footsteps track ; 
 Each titled slave contemptuous turns his back ; 
 Ingenious malice aims with devilish art 
 Its venomed arrows at each tenderer part; 
 Assails the veteran in his private life. 
 Offends his honour or insults his wife. 
 Till tired at length he quits the inglorious seat. 
 And seeks the loftier heights of calm retreat. 
 Then as the great and good the contest yield. 
 And vice reigns master o'er the abandoned field. 
 
17 
 
 Once more as knaves desire and fools advise^ 
 Blood flows in streams and wealth by millions flies^ 
 Until the indignant people burst its chain^ 
 Once more in wrath^ and monarchs bleed again, 
 
 England ! such fates thy ancient story crost^ 
 And Charles's woes on Charles's race were lost. 
 Such judgments^ Prance, in part o'er thee have past, 
 And^ doubtful stilly perhaps impends the last. 
 Must thoUj too^ Spain^ the same sad ordeal tread. 
 Thro' the same paths where Prance and England led ? 
 Is there no way to Preedom's glorious fane. 
 Except through seas of blood, o'er heaps of slain ? 
 Porbid it heaven — but even this doom, or worse. 
 Were better borne than slavery's cureless curse. 
 Better that all should weep, and some should bleed. 
 And wrong prevail, ere happier times succeed. 
 Than that a venomous plague with secret force. 
 Sap the whole state and taint each vital source. 
 But why such fears? And tell me, if thou wilt. 
 Why youthful freedom still must wed with guilt? 
 To Europe's history why each thought confine? 
 Mark where afar in blameless lustre shine 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 Columbia's stars along the Hesperian sky^ 
 And guide the march of struggling liberty. 
 By her forewarned^ Iberia, learn the skill 
 To mix with prudent care your generous zeal ; 
 Like her to well-tried worth your cause entrust. 
 And willing to be free, forget not to be just. 
 So shall your realm erect in vigorous health. 
 Revive once more to glory, joy, and wealth ; 
 Once more brown Labour's train prevent the morn, 
 To trim the vine, or tend the golden corn ; 
 And o'er her looms reviving Art delight. 
 With song and smile to charm the weary night ; 
 While at their call the freighted ships appear. 
 And rich abundance crowns the industrious year. 
 So shall your sons, a numerous, generous race^ 
 In times remote their fathers' deeds retrace. 
 With honest pride these high exploits review. 
 By zeal inspired, but still to justice true; 
 And bless unanimous that patriot train. 
 In ceaseless hymns that sound thro' grateful Spain. 
 Eternal flowers shall blossom where they sleep. 
 Fresh with the dews that worth and freedom weep; 
 
19 
 
 While deeply graved in history's brightest line. 
 Their names with Washington's for ever shine. 
 
 As from Madrid's high towers, at dewy morn. 
 Exulting freedom winds her bugle horn. 
 On Teio's banks a sound responsive wakes. 
 An echoing voice from distant Naples breaks ; 
 From his locked lips in deep indignant sighs 
 The blue-eyed German's struggling soul replies. 
 Accomplished Prussia claims her sovereign's faith. 
 And long-lost Poland rises as from death ; 
 From land to land a general concert rings. 
 And only Austria holds the creed of kings. 
 
 Say then, what cause crf^tes this new desire ; 
 Does factious heat or patriot zeal inspire ? 
 Springs it from wild and restless discontent — 
 Unlicensed hopes on baseless visions bent? 
 Or does maturer reason own the plan. 
 And claim some respite for the wrongs of man? 
 
 Vain questions all— your idle doubts renounce ; 
 The German Cesar solves the point at once. 
 Mark where in lofty state he mounts alone. 
 The Imperial, Royal, Apostolic throne. 
 
20 
 
 While Pest assembled its due homage pays^ 
 And Metternich and Gentz unite their praise; 
 There bold in truth he tells the tidings sad^ 
 Tliat all mankind, except the Huns, are mad^. 
 The Huns — the enlightened Huns alone remain^ 
 One bright example to the insensate train^ 
 In full possession of their reasoning powers^ 
 Through every age from Attilas to ours. 
 
 Come then, ye studious souls from every shore. 
 Who thirst and hunger for politic lore : 
 
 3 This expression is literally a part of the famous speech of the Emperor of 
 Austria to the deputies of the Hungarian aristocracy at their meeting at Pest,, in 
 1820. Totus mundus stultisat, et, relictis antiquis legibus, imaginarias con- 
 stitutiones qucerit. Vos habetis constitutionem, &c. A most gracious speech 
 truly : and if the whole world do not immediately change their opinions and 
 come round to his Majesty's, the whole world will certainly exhibit a high 
 degree of ingratitude for the very civil and endearing manner in which His 
 Majesty has condescended to point out their errors. Delirat would have 
 been rather more classical, and a little less insulting than stultisat ; but it is 
 natural enough perhaps to express barbarous ideas in monkish Latin : and 
 then the word delirat might have brought to mind a highly anti-monarchical 
 passage in a classical poet of great authority. — Quiequid delirant reges» Src. 
 If the whole world are of one opinion, and the Emperor of Austria of another, 
 supposing him even to be backed by the deputies of the Hungarian aristo- 
 cracy, is there not reason to fear that His Majesty may ultimately be left 
 in a minority ? Some late accounts, however, seem to shew that the Huns 
 are not quite so well satisfied with their political situation as the Emperor 
 seems to suppose. By the law of England an individual is not permitted to 
 stultify himself. Might it not be made a question whether by the law of 
 nations an Emperor is at liberty io stultify the whole world ? and whether 
 a man, who pretends to stultify the whole world, is not in reality making a 
 fool of himself ? 
 
21 
 
 Ye that expend so long with fruitless toil 
 O'er Locke and Montesquieu the midnight oil ; 
 Ye that with fond devotion love to trace 
 The written wisdom of an earlier race^ 
 And hang enraptured o'er their living works^ 
 Pitts — Foxes — Ameses— Mirabeaus— or Burkes. 
 And ye that hear with reverence and delight 
 Where equal genius now supports the rights 
 Where Mackintosh to generous ardour wrought^ 
 From lips of honey pours his wealth of thought ; 
 Constant with copious accents keen and free, 
 Foils the vain arts of powerful sophistry ; 
 And youthful zeal in warmth surviving yet^, 
 Inspires thy voice^ oh veteran La Fayette ; 
 Or where Toreno with his bold compeers^ 
 
 Pleads the just cause to all unpractised ears ; 
 
 Or fair Hesperia in her prosperous youths 
 
 Bears to the world full witness of its truth ; 
 
 Come turn away from all these thoughts and scenes^ 
 
 For now a new and happier time begins. 
 
 Past is the glory of all former nameSj 
 
 Once prized at Washington, St. Cloud, St. James, 
 
22 
 
 And France and England must their weakness own^ 
 And yield the palm of science to the Hun. 
 Then come^ ye studious souls^ set forth in haste^ 
 Quit the dull seats of all your labours past ; 
 And fly where perfect wisdom stands confest. 
 In living lessons daily taught at Pest. 
 
 Blest was that age^ methinks in conclave there 
 I see Sir Gentz the oracles declare^ 
 While three crowned heads with grave attention hear^ 
 And flattered Huns erect the listening ear. 
 Blest was that age^ so ill described as dark^ 
 Ere shone in Europe wits detested sparky 
 When the same general statutes ruled her sons. 
 And all were happy then^ as now the Huns. 
 Blest was that age — for each man knew his place^ 
 Nor claimed the privilege of another race ; 
 Pleased was the lord his peasant train to sway^ 
 The peasant train were happy to obey. 
 Heaven in its wisdom did at first ordain^ 
 That there should be two different sorts of men^ 
 Formed unto different ends in different moulds^, 
 And each adapted to the place it holds. 
 
23 
 
 This made to labour — that to take the fruits. 
 
 This to wear rags, and that embroidered suits ; 
 
 This to repose on straw, and that on down. 
 
 This to eat white bread, that to live on brown ; 
 
 This to be rich, and that to pay the taxes. 
 
 This, in a word, to obey, that bear the axes. 
 
 Now in those days each class, with willing mind. 
 
 Performed the part which Providence assigned ; 
 
 S ubj ects ne'er sought to make the laws that sway them. 
 
 And those who made the laws pretended not to obey them ; 
 
 Blest was the age and firm was every throne ; 
 
 The rights of man and freedom were unknown ; 
 
 Aye and it was a pleasure ar^^ a play 
 
 To rule, when every ruler had his way. 
 
 And was not forced, as now, each point to gain 
 
 By regular warfare and a long campaign. 
 
 Kings, when they wanted money, came not then. 
 
 Cringing with cap in hand, to common men ; 
 
 Pleased as a special favour to receive 
 
 What such High Mightinesses choose to give. 
 
 No — for the land and all the wealth it brings. 
 
 The men — their very wives — were then the king's. 
 
24 
 
 He of his own with freedom took the best. 
 The vassal as a gift retained the rest ; 
 Proud if his lord consented in his stead 
 To do the honours of his bridal bed. 
 Between the sovereign and his subject troop 
 A natural bond of union thus grew up ; 
 And every member of the ruling band. 
 Was literally the father of his land. 
 All then was quiet in each Christian state ; 
 There was no contest — there was no debate — 
 There was no strife on parliamentary floors, 
 St. Stephen's self had not unlocked his doors. 
 There were no journals — there were no reviews — 
 No mart for treason by the name of news ; 
 No books — no ceaseless labour to redress 
 What did not then exist — the accursed press. 
 To read and write were arts of small repute — 
 Deemed with a churchman's lonely cell to suit ; 
 A wholesome ignorance was then no shame — 
 Charlemagne himself could hardly write his name. 
 For, as your majesties may well conceive. 
 Barons and kings had little time to give 
 
25 
 
 To cares like these— or wish to get the vapouris. 
 By poring over books and blotting papers. 
 Forest and field to wake with bugle clear^ 
 Face the wild boar and track the nimble deer. 
 In war s imperial game their skill to try. 
 Or drink delight from beauty's melting eye— ■ 
 These were their arts ; as fitting to their birth. 
 And, in my mind, of as much real worth. 
 Apart from all the abuse in books that dwells. 
 As turning smoke-dried leaves in musty cells. 
 These were their arts — and for the servile train. 
 Whose natural lot is penury and pain. 
 Such false refinements coul(?Hiot well be theirs. 
 And knowledge was the smallest of their cares. 
 Blest then once more, and doubly blest that age. 
 The best and fairest marked in history's page ; 
 Blest—for each class preserved its natural place. 
 And peace and ignorance possessed the race. 
 
 Oh glorious days! how poor in reason's sight. 
 Compared with you this boasted age of light; 
 Lights — that like discord's torch in fury whirled. 
 Spreads rage and ruin through the unhappy world. 
 
 D 
 
26 
 
 For in these times when industry and art^ 
 The means of wealth to ever}' class impart. 
 The lowest ranks the specious pretext seize. 
 And growing rich, aspire to live at ease ; 
 Transgressing thus the law by which of yore 
 Their doom was fixed — to suffer and be poor. 
 Next, flushed with life, they cast their glances free, 
 ^\Tiere knowledge plants her fair forbidden tree ; 
 And like that famed first pair in Eden's bowers^ 
 They plucked the fruit to their own grief and ours. 
 No more with childish faith implicit hung 
 On all the priest revealed — the grandam sung; 
 But laying musty records on the shelf, 
 Eaeh^ in his pride, would reason for himself. 
 Then, if your Graces will the account receive, 
 'Tis thought by many, and I, for one, believe. 
 The devil himself, remarking this fair hour 
 To effect his objects, and extend his power. 
 Sent the two imps, in whom he trusted most, 
 On earth, in form of Luther and of Faust. 
 Luther denied the Pope with shameless mien. 
 Refused to buy his saintly leave to sin. 
 
27 
 
 And from his desk at Wittenberg unfurled 
 The standard of revolt o'er half the world. 
 FaustjWhom the wise^then j udging with good cause^, 
 Shrewdly suspected to be — what he was ; 
 Faust^ with still deeper and more dangerous skill;, 
 Serving the purpose of the power of ill. 
 Brought from the lower region's last recess 
 That fatal engine of all woe — the press : 
 For there this art had longbeen kno wn^, and thriven^, 
 Being doubtless what first wrought revolt in heaven . 
 Well pleased their master smiled with odious leer. 
 And dubbed each imp a high infernal peer. 
 Straight from this source suj]plied in copious stores. 
 The flood of heresy and knowledge pours 
 Through the wide world, and swells, and rushes on. 
 Threatening destruction to each lawful throne. 
 Knowledge — the apple with our ruin fraught. 
 Is now the cheapest fruit that can be bought ; 
 And journals, loaded with their poisonous ware. 
 Like leaves in autumn, flutter through the air. 
 Each starveling printer holds his court supreme. 
 And bids the sovereigns come and answer him ; 
 
And sovereigns must — oh foulest shame of all ! 
 
 Yes^ monarchs must^ and do^ obey the call. 
 
 And yet their ministers regardless stands 
 
 While schools Jike mushrooms^ spring thro' all the land^ 
 
 Rising, in town and village, by the score^ 
 
 Till learning knocks at every peasant's door. 
 
 And last, all hope of better things to efface. 
 
 And poison in its germ the rising race. 
 
 By the new scheme each youth instructs hisbrother. 
 
 And pupils act as masters to each other. 
 
 Then say what remedy the case can reach. 
 
 When infants are not only taught, but teach? 
 
 And is it not, when such disorders rule. 
 
 High time that parents put themselves to school ? 
 
 What though de Bonald * deem the system naught, 
 
 4 The Viscount de Bonald is a voluminous French writer, who has acquired 
 a good deal of authority with the aristocratic party on the continent by the 
 determined pertinacity, with which he maintains the most absurd of their pre- 
 tentions. The well known argument of this party against the Lancasterian 
 method of educating the poor is, that it teaches them too soon and too well, as 
 if, supposing that a limited amount of knowledge is sufficient for the poor, it 
 were a disadvantage to obtain this in the shortest time and best manner possi- 
 ble, and thus have the more time left for useful and profitable labours. The 
 necessity of discouraging industry, as well as knowledge and education, is 
 however, one of the docrines of this sect, though not yet quite so publicly 
 avowed as the other. It is distinctly intimated by de Bonald in some of bis - 
 writings. 
 
m 
 
 Because it teaches better than it ought ? 
 Think ye the less the youthful armies swell 
 And crowd the courts of Lancaster and Bell? 
 In vain La Mennais^ proves by reasoning sooth^, 
 That reason never proved a single truth : 
 The stupid world just takes him at his word^ 
 And owns his truths^ at leasts to be absurd. 
 
 Lastly : and this your majesties may call 
 Perhaps the most surprising point of all — 
 Nature herself appears to impart her force^ 
 And plastic power to aid the infections course. 
 For as the lower ranks by art and stealth 
 Gain ground so fast in knowledge and in wealthy 
 
 5 The Abbe de la Mennais, is a much better writer, though, if possible, a 
 still more absurd reasoner than the Viscount de Bonald. In his work on 
 Indifference to Religion, he establishes the infallibility of the Pope by the 
 following argument. There is no certainty in any of the information which 
 we receive by means of the senses, of consciousness, or of reasoning; there^ 
 fore, in order to be certain of any thing, we mush have it on better authority 
 than either of these ; therefore, the Pope is infallible. The Protestants are 
 also of opinion, that in order to believe in the Pope, it is necessary to dispute 
 the evidence of sense and reason ; but instead of denying with M. de la Men- 
 nais, the credibility of their eyes and ears they preferred denying that of 
 his Holiness. It is a curious thing to see this learned and able advocate of the 
 most superstitious form of the Christian religion resting his defence of its 
 truth upon the basis of universal Pyrrhonism. His argument has not a shadow 
 of plausibility, and is indeed only an empty parade of words without mean- 
 ing: but if his premises were true, they would lead to a conclusion, directly 
 contrary to the point he is endeavouring to prove. 
 
30 
 
 Their very numbers all account excell ; 
 Their very corporal stature seems to swell. 
 While to our grief each glorious sovereign line,, 
 The hope of nations, sinks in sad decline. 
 And scarce from age to age, with pain and care. 
 Succeeds, perhaps, in eking out an heir ; 
 The rascal vulgar prove, untouched by shame. 
 Their limbs of iron, and their nerves of flame ; 
 And hosts of children, swarming more and more^ 
 Shew their white heads at every cottage door : 
 As erst the J ews, though crushed byPharaoh's hand. 
 Waxed fast and mighty in the Egyptian land. 
 In vain sage Malthus, provident too late. 
 Predicts the event, and tells the doom of fate ; 
 With eye unerring marks that hour of ill. 
 When tribes increasing the vast world shall fill ; 
 Exhaust at once the unequal stock of food, 
 Fish^ flesh, and fowl — from forest, air, and flood. 
 And last on each green thing despairing prey. 
 Till plague and famine sweep them all away. 
 In vain in soft persuasion dips his pen. 
 To touch the unwary souls of thoughtless men ; 
 
31 
 
 Calls beauty's bloom a false seducing show^, 
 And love — sweet love — the source of all our woe ; 
 Cassandra-like, he meets with small applause; 
 All turn where metal more attractive draws ; 
 In vain the sage unfolds his useful lore. 
 Till eyes shall roll, and breasts shall rise no more. 
 The enamoured striplings still delight to sip 
 The dews of love from beauty's rosy lip ; 
 The blushing fair still views, with secret joy. 
 The manly charms that grace her ardent boy ; 
 And as at heart the genial glow they feel. 
 Each quite forgets his great g reat grandchild's weal ; 
 And leaving him and Maltl^s in the lurch. 
 Hies to his bride and trips away to church. 
 
 And as in numbers, so the ignoble class 
 Their natural lords in strength and size surpass. 
 'Tis a strange thing; but from our ancient roots 
 What offspring rises? Small and sapless shoots. 
 Mere shadows figure in their glorious ranks ; 
 Wan faces — dwindling forms — and spindle shanks. 
 Like slender columns set where silent rest. 
 The great, that once the exhausted race possessed ; 
 
32 
 
 Or like dull lists of Grecian tragic strains : 
 The work is lost — the title still remains. 
 ^Meanwhile in rig-orous health and manly grace. 
 Like a green bay tree springs the labouring race ; 
 Firm are their limbs, and tresh in beauty's pride^. 
 Each youth Alcides — Hebe every bride. 
 Twere well in time some methods to devise. 
 To cramp alike their numbers and their size; 
 Some wholesome rules of high police to use, 
 Audchecktheirbirths, as Pharaoh checked the Jews' ; 
 With griping statutes pinch their ravenous maws. 
 And guage their meat^ as now we giag their jaws. 
 
 "SMiat follows? Deeinyethen, with coffers filled, 
 Withpampered bodies, minds in knowledge skilled. 
 Wealthy and well-informed, the labouring race 
 Will still contented hold their ancient place? 
 'Tis not in man — and we may safely draw 
 This sad conclusion for a general law^ 
 That knowledge, as a wise man holds, is might. 
 And that whoe'er has money will have right. 
 Hence when the arts and commerce, hand in hand. 
 Spread wealth and learning widely through a land. 
 
33 
 
 Straightway the people^, as to madness wrought^ 
 Spuming all laws from ancient usage brought. 
 Insist upon their freedom — and unless 
 'Tis given — rush wildly to each worst excess. 
 Vainly the wise prove to them o'er and o'er. 
 As plainly, as, that two and two make four; 
 The sceptre suits not with the hand that delves. 
 And that the people cannot rule themselves ; 
 Whence, specially providing for this case. 
 Heaven formed and set apart the ruling race. 
 Made, as I said, of finer stuff, and meant 
 To do the delicate work of government : 
 Think ye by truth to touch the popular mind 1 
 Go talk to seas, and argue with the wind. 
 Arms in this case are also used in vain. 
 For armies, after all, are only men ; 
 And pampered, like the rest, in wealth and ease. 
 Labour, in general, with the same disease. 
 And kings themselves, when in the just defence 
 Of the high trust bestowed by Providence, 
 They to the last resist the popular cry. 
 Have to:Siich desperate straights been brought, as I 
 
 £ 
 
34 
 
 May not in this majestic presence tell. 
 Or by allusion treat as possible. 
 What thoug'h the apparent sanction of success 
 May seem awhile sedition's cause to bless. 
 Though Albion — France — Hesperia loudly boast 
 The fruitful upland, the commercial coast. 
 The populous city, dear to all the arts^ 
 Rich in industrious hands and cheerful hearts ; 
 Boast that these realms, since freedom there unfurled 
 Her flag, shine forth the happiest in the world ; 
 What serves, I pray, their rustic ease and health. 
 Their clownish comfort and their vulgar wealth ? 
 What, that abundant ^oods the observer strike. 
 When all these goods are shared by all alike ? 
 Better that beasts should roam where freemen toil. 
 And one vast forest shade the uncultured soil. 
 So some few lords the exclusive empire seize. 
 And hold alone what little wealth there is. 
 Better to dress in skins and feed on roots. 
 Using in decent state these scanty fruits. 
 Than drain soft luxury's delicious draught 
 From the same cup, where every boor has quaff d. 
 
Yes— Powers above^ that mind such cares as these^, 
 Shake the wide world and waste it as ye please ; 
 Let ruinous plagues o'er all the countries sweep. 
 And vex, with maddening storms, the affrighted deep ; 
 Crush the great central spring, whose action rolls 
 Each wandering star, and binds the unchangingpoles ; 
 Crush, till one general wreck the fabric sever : 
 But, oh ! let feudal laws endure for ever, 
 
 Monarchs ! 'tis yours, by prudence and by force. 
 To check the existing ills, and guard from worse ; 
 This generous end, and no poor state intrigue. 
 Moved your great souls to form the Holy League ; 
 And well, in concert, ye th^^occasion chose 
 To make the onset on your dastard foes ; 
 Struck the first blows at points that prest the most. 
 And put to rout the paltry scribbling host; 
 The best results your policy attest : 
 The accursed press begins at length to rest ; 
 And not a writer now his voice can raise. 
 But in your Majesties' exalted praise. 
 Journals no more — sad cause of all our harms— 
 
 Thro' realms misguided spread their false alarms ; 
 
36 
 
 But by your edicts struck with strange dismay. 
 Their treacherous watchfires one by one decay. 
 As when on shore by landward breezes blown, 
 A fog spreads thickly o'er some populous town. 
 What time returning night her round repeats. 
 And cheerful gleams illumine all the streets. 
 While stars and planets on their glittering march 
 Look gaily down from heaven's high vaulted arch ; 
 Fast as the gathering vapour spreads afar. 
 Dim shine the lights, and quenched is every star; 
 Till one dark cloud, in eddying masses driven. 
 Broods o'er the earth and hides the face of heaven. 
 
 Then well the attaak was made — but not alone 
 Trust to these laws — ye champions of the throne : 
 The good that these have done may soon be past. 
 Gone like a vapour with the varying blast. 
 But, as I said, since learning and its fruit. 
 Impious rebellion, have a deeper root. 
 Being the result of wealth too widely spread. 
 And this, in turn, of industry and trade ; 
 'Tis at these points, if ye would fairly close 
 Thedesperate strife, thatye should aimyour blows. 
 
37 
 
 Here theii;, great sovereigns^ strike : and tho' the scheme 
 Should to some feeble souls inhuman seem^ 
 Urge not the less the attempt with dauntless hearts^ 
 And crush the seeds of knowledge^ wealthy and arts. 
 Burn every book; break all mechanic tools; 
 And close at once the workshops and the schools ; 
 Bar up the exchanges from the merchant train ; 
 Nor let one vessel plough the dark blue main : 
 Tillj thro' the realms, where now in beauteous guise 
 Rich fields extend and sumptuous cities rise. 
 Eternal woods shall gloom in dark array. 
 And the wild huntsman track his wilder prey. 
 Thus shall your lands, for mch is heaven's decree. 
 Decline in wealth, but grow in loyalty ; 
 And your good people, as they find their strength 
 And numbers lessening fast, refrain at length 
 From lending ear to treason's dangerous lore. 
 And be the quiet souls, they were before. 
 Then shall sedition's horrid uproar cease. 
 And all once more be solitude and peace ; 
 Power light his torch at Freedom's funeral pyre. 
 And hell-born anarchy at last expire. 
 
38 
 
 But firsts ye sovereigns^ tuni your watchful eyes^ 
 Where neighbouring nations in rebellion rise ; 
 Lest such examples set by other powers 
 In their own states^ should haply spread to yours. 
 Begin with Naples the sublime crusade ; 
 Pour your tried legions o'er that flowery glade ; 
 And if they can^ let soft Italia's sons 
 Foil your wild Cossacks and your dauntless Huns. 
 This work despatched — and^ if I rightly deem^ 
 Speedy success shall justify the scheme — 
 Your Majesties may wisely turn your hands 
 To the good conduct of your proper lands ; 
 And having firmly fixQji each foreign throne^ 
 Devise at last the means to save your own. 
 
 END OF PART I,