Ode to Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire

Lyrics

&nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspAnd hail the Chapel! hail the Platform wild!        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspWhere Tell directed the avenging dart,        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspWith well-strung arm, that first preservst his child,        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspThen aim'd the arrow at the tyrant's heart. Splendour's fondly-fostered child! And did you hail the platform wild,        &nbspWhere once the Austrian fell        &nbspBeneath the shaft of Tell! O Lady, nursed in pomp and pleasure! Whence learn'd you that heroic measure? Light as a dream your days their circlets ran, From all that teaches brotherhood to Man        &nbspFar, far removed! from want, from hope, from fear!        &nbspEnchanting music lulled your infant ear, Obeisance, praises soothed your infant heart: Emblazonments and old ancestral crests, With many a bright obtrusive form of art, Detained your eye from Nature: stately vests, That veiling strove to deck your charms divine, Rich viands, and the pleasurable wine, Were yours unearned by toil; nor could you see The unenjoying toiler's misery. And yet, free Nature's uncorrupted child, You hailed the Chapel and the Platform wild,        &nbsp       &nbspWhere once the Austrian fell        &nbsp       &nbspBeneath the shaft of Tell!        &nbspO Lady, nursed in pomp and pleasure!        &nbspWhence learn'd you that heroic measure? There crowd your finely-fibred frame        &nbspAll living faculties of bliss; And Genius to your cradle came, His forehead wreathed with lambent flame,        &nbspAnd bending low, with godlike kiss        &nbspBreath'd in a more celestial life; But boasts not many a fair compeer        &nbspA heart as sensitive to joy and fear? And some, perchance, might wage an equal strife, Some few, to nobler being wrought, Corrivals in the nobler gift of thought.        &nbsp       &nbspYet these delight to celebrate        &nbsp       &nbspLaurelled War and plumy State;        &nbsp       &nbspOr in verse and music dress        &nbsp       &nbspTales of rustic happiness— Pernicious tales! insidious strains!        &nbsp       &nbspThat steel the rich man's breast,        &nbsp       &nbspAnd mock the lot unblest,        &nbspThe sordid vices and the abject pains,        &nbspWhich evermore must be        &nbspThe doom of ignorance and penury! But you, free Nature's uncorrupted child, You hailed the Chapel and the Platform wild,        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspWhere once the Austrian fell        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspBeneath the shaft of Tell!        &nbsp       &nbspO Lady, nursed in pomp and pleasure!        &nbsp       &nbspWhence learn'd you that heroic measure? You were a Mother! That most holy name,        &nbsp       &nbspWhich Heaven and Nature bless,        &nbspI may not vilely prostitute to those        &nbsp       &nbspWhose infants owe them less        &nbspThan the poor caterpillar owes        &nbsp       &nbspIts gaudy parent fly. You were a mother! at your bosom fed        &nbspThe babes that loved you. You, with laughing eye, Each twilight-thought, each nascent feeling read,        &nbspWhich you yourself created. Oh! delight!        &nbsp       &nbspA second time to be a mother,        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspWithout the mother's bitter groans:        &nbsp       &nbspAnother thought, and yet another,        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspBy touch, or taste, by looks or tones,        &nbspO'er the growing sense to roll,        &nbspThe mother of your infant's soul! The Angel of the Earth, who, while he guides        &nbspHis chariot-planet round the goal of day, All trembling gazes on the eye of God        &nbspA moment turned his awful face away; And as he viewed you, from his aspect sweet        &nbspNew influences in your being rose, Blest intuitions and communions fleet        &nbspWith living Nature, in her joys and woes!        &nbsp       &nbspThenceforth your soul rejoiced to see        &nbsp       &nbspThe shrine of social Liberty!        &nbsp       &nbspO beautiful! O Nature's child!        &nbsp       &nbsp'Twas thence you hailed the Platform wild,        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspWhere once the Austrian fell        &nbsp       &nbsp       &nbspBeneath the shaft of Tell!        &nbsp       &nbspO Lady, nursed in pomp and pleasure!        &nbsp       &nbspThence learn'd you that heroic measure