On the second Anniversary of our arrival in
Barbados.
1.
TWO years have fled on downy wings away,
Since we together hail’d this western shore,
Two years have passed, since on this joyful day,
The fears and perils of the Seas were o’er.
2.
Paint it, sweet Memory, in your fairest hue,
Record the transports of each bounding vein,
When first Barbados burst upon the view,
The little gem which decks the western main.
3.
Can Fancy image in her gayest hour,
So pure a joy, such undefin’d delight!
No! faithful Memory , thine alone the power
To paint the scene in colours fully bright.
4.
The tedious Voyage was o’er! each anxious fear,
Each dark foreboding then was hush’d to rest,
Enchanting Hope then “wav’d her golden hair”
And joy appear’d, in fancy’s semblance drest.
5.
A new world rose to our enraptur’d sight,
In novelty’s seducing charms array’d,
Life’s landscape showed one vast expanse of light,
Without one cloud, without one evening shade.
6.
Each pulse, with new emotions throbb’d to joy,
Each heart beat high to rapture’s magic thrill,
No thought but bliss could each young mind employ,
But sweet sensations each young bosom fill.
7.
The anxious pains of absence then were o’er,
Affection’s long embrace at length was known,
Long absent friends then met to part no more.
And heard with joy each well-remember’d tone.
8.
The tear of happiness bedew’d each eye,
The smile of pleasure beam’d on every face,
The pulse of feeling in each heart beat high
With hopes of bliss which mem’ry loves to trace.
9.
On this auspicious, this eventful day,
The Sun should shine in cloudless beams of light,
Nature should look conspiciously gay,
And roses bloom before th’ enraptur’d sight.
10.
Ranged on the Delphian height, each classic muse,
Should strike her harp to rapture’s magic note,
Around th’ Aonoian mount new charms diffuse,
And bid the strains of joy in ether float.
11.
This day will be to fond remembrance dear,
Throughout each scene which Life presents to view,
The hour of sadness it will sweetly cheer,
To dwell on days, when Life and Hope were new.
12.
This day I met a Father’s lov’d embrace,
And felt my heart with filial transport glow,
How sweet those raptur’d moments to retrace,
Whose dear remembrance gilds e’en shades of woe!
13.
Since we together hail’d the rising ray
Of joy’s bright sun, on that eventful morn,
May we together meet its closing day,
And taste that bliss, of genuine friendship born.
14.
Oh! could we hope on happy England’s shore
To meet again, some circling years to come,
To wander through its beauteous groves once more,
And fix on British ground our peaceful home.
15.
Could we but hope to see its white cliffs rise,
From the clear bosom of the azure main;
Could that lov’d land but greet our eager eyes
The land of Heroes , where the Muses reign!
16.
“England! with all thy faults I love thee still,”
Thy virtues shine conspicuously great;
Heaven still guards thee from impending ill,
Directs thy Heroes arms, and guides thy state.
17.
Rome’s proudest generals yield the palm to thine,
England alone , a Wellington can boast,
Round Nelson’s brows immortal am’ranths twine,
And Fame and Glory circle round thy coast.
18.
Queen of the Earth! kind Heaven’s peculiar care,
The Nurse of Sciences, the School of War,
Where generous pity dries the falling tear,
And follows e’en proud Victory’s conq’ring car.
19.
Thine is the soil where all that’s great and good,
All that adorns mankind receives its birth
Where polish’d arts refine th’ uncultur’d rude,
And fostering kindness raises humble worth!
20.
Though wint’ry storms assail thy changing sky,
And chilling frosts thy fairest blossoms fade,
Yet there , to full perfection ripen’d high,
The soul of genius breathes thro’ ev’ry glade.
21.
But I must cease! too weak my feeble strain,
To praise thee, England! as thy Fame requires,
Yet, on this theme, I feel each thrilling vein
Wake to new Life, and burn with brighter fires.
(Mary Abel Clinckett)
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