Oxford prize poems: being a collection of such English poems as have at various times obtained prizes in the University of Oxford.

Date:
1808
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Oxford prize poems: being a collection of such English poems as have at various times obtained prizes in the University of Oxford. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    VVitli ceaseless toil its craggy side ascend. And their thick phalanx o’er the plain extend. Soon from th’ Atlantic rose tlie golden day, Dispell’d the gloom, and roll’d tlie mists away; To rising winds the red-cross banners stream. And the bright arms of thronging cohorts gleam. The sons of Gaul, with horror in their eye. Through scatter’d fogs the sudden lystre spy; These from their posts in wild confusion start; These haste tlie fatal tidings to impart; The savage bands awake their deathful yell. And the loud shout with hideous discord swell. Yet, ere the legions to close combat ran. Some chosen warriors press'd before the van; NN'here treach’rous shrubs j)rotect the secret stand. In dreadful ambush lurk th’ insidious band; No vulgar deaths attend tlieir fatal aim. Hut warrior chiefs, the fav’rite sons of fame. Wolfe in the front of danger led the way. And with stem pleasure view’d the close array: On him their eyes the latent warriors bend, And leaden deaths in hissing show’rs descend; llis manly arm receives the grisly wound. And the red current streams upon the ground: Yet from his troops the prudent Chief conceal’d The gushing tide, and strode along the field.