Composed for the Birth-Day of the Late General Lord Blakeney

COMPOSED FOR THE BIRTH-DAY OF THE LATE GENERAL LORD BLAKENEY .

The Muses' harps, by concord strung!
Loud let them strike the festal lay,
Wak'd by Britannia's grateful tongue,
To hail her hero's natal day.

Arise, paternal glory! rise,
And lift your Blakeney to the skies!

Behold his warlike banners wave!
Like Britain's oak the hero stands:
The shield — the shelter of the brave!
The guardian o'er the British bands!

Arise, paternal, &c.

He wrests the wreath from Richlieu's brows,
Which fraud or faction planted there;
France to the gallanThero bows,
And Europe's chiefs his name revere.

Arise, paternal, &c.

With partial conquest on their side,
The sons of Gaul — a pageant crew!
Rank but inglorious in their pride,
To Blakeney and his vanquish'd few.

Arise, paternal, &c.

Hibernia, with maternal care,
His labour'd statue lifts on high:
Be partial, Time! — the trophy spare,
That Blakeney's name may never die.

Arise, paternal glory! rise,
And lift your Blakeney to the skies.