Indignatio facit versus. Mr. Moore’s better genius is here his spleen. The politician sharpens the poet’s pen. Poor Phelim resumes this subject twice afterwards, and the last time with such force and spirit, that he is compelled to break off in the middle, for fear of consequences. But as far as he goes, we will accompany him.
Yes—’twas a cause, as noble and as great
As ever hero died to vindicate—
A Nation’s right to speak a Nation’s voice,
And own no power but of the Nation’s choice!
Such was the grand, the glorious cause that now
Hung trembling on Napoleon’s single brow;
Such the sublime arbitrement, that pour’d,
In patriot eyes, a light around his sword,
A glory then, which never, since the day