Birthday Ode For 31st December, 1787（1 / 2）

birthday ode for 31st december, 1787 注释标题 the last birthday of prince charles edward.

afar the illustrious exile roams,

whom kingdoms on this day should hail;

an inmate in the casual shed,

on transient pity's bounty fed,

haunted by busy memory's bitter tale!

beasts of the forest have their savage homes,

but he, who should imperial purple wear,

owns not the lap of earth where rests his royal head!

his wretched refuge, dark despair,

while ravening wrongs and woes pursue,

and distant far the faithful few

who would his sorrows share.

false flatterer, hope, away!

nor think to lure us as in days of yore:

we solemnize this sorrowing natal day,

to prove our loyal truth—we can no more,

and owning heaven's mysterious sway,

submissive, low adore.

ye honored, mighty dead,

who nobly perished in the glorious cause,

your king, your country, and her laws,

from great dundee, who smiling victory led,

and fell a martyr in her arms,

(what breast of northern ice but warms!)

to bold balmerino's undying name,

whose soul of fire, lighted at heaven's high flame,

deserves the proudest wreath departed heroes claim:

nor unrevenged your fate shall lie,

it only lags, the fatal hour,