Immortal Liberty! whose look sublime Hath bleach'd the tyrant's cheek in every varying clime. What time the iron-hearted Gaul, In Heaven's name urged the infernal blow; The vanquish'd were baptized with blood. (a) ANTISTROPHE. The Saxon prince in horror fled (a) Charlemagne obliged four thousand Saxon prisoners to embrace the Christian religion, and, immediately after they were baptized, ordered their throats to be cut.-Their prince, Vitikind, fled for shelter to Gotric, king of Denmark. He seized the advantage Fate allow'd ; And straight compress'd her in his vigorous arms. STROPHE. The curlieu scream'd, the Tritons blew And Independence saw the light. The light he saw in Albion's happy plains, He flourish'd bold and sinewy as his sire; THOMAS BLACKLOCK. BORN 1721-DIED 1791. "THE blind poet" was a native of Annan, in Dumfriesshire. At six months old he lost his sight in the smallpox; and, when he reached the proper age, his father and friends, to lighten this calamity, read to him whatever they conceived likely to please and interest him in P the English classics and poets. In this manner his taste for poetry was early formed. At the age of twenty he lost his kind father. About the same time his MS. verses attracted so much attention, that, with the assistance of some generous friends, he was sent to the University of Edinburgh. His promising abilities, and the sympathy excited by his blindness, procured him many useful friends, who promoted the sale of his works, and thus enabled him to continue his studies, till, in 1759, he was licensed as a preacher of the Scottish church. He now married the daughter of a surgeon in his native town,-a union that contributed much to the happiness of his future life. Blacklock was presented to the church of Kirkcudbright; but the appointment of a blind pastor gave so much of fence to the worthy parishioners, that, on receiving a very moderate annuity, he gave up his clerical charge, and removed to Edinburgh, where, during the remainder of his life, he received into his family, as boarders and pupils, a few young gentlemen among the students at the University. His verse and his conversation attracted many friends around the cheerful and amiable blind poet; and he enjoyed the friendship and correspondence of many men distinguished in literature. In the composition of various works, the instruction of his pupils, and the ele gant enjoyments of society, Blacklock passed a placid and not useless life. He ought ever to be gratefully remembered as the first friend of Burns. But for his fortunate, generous, and happily-timed interference, Burns, then on the very eve of sailing for the West Indies, must have been for ever lost to his country. THE PORTRAIT. STRAIGHT is my person, but of little size; My port so manly, and so fresh my hue; But, thanks to Nature! none from me need fly, Yet, though my person fearless may be seen, There is some danger in my graceful mien : For, as some vessel, toss'd by wind and tide, Bounds o'er the waves, and rocks from side to side, In just vibration thus I always move: This who can view and not be forced to love? This hour, perhaps, as death I hate my foe; CHRISTOPHER ANSTEY. BORN 1724-DIED 1805. THIS lively and agreeable versifier was, in common with a very great proportion of literary men, the son of a clergyman. From Eton he went to Cambridge, where, in 1742, he obtained a degree, which he resigned on coming to his patrimony and marrying. THE NEW BATH GUIDE, Anstey's well-known poem, was exceedingly popular at the time of publication, and has been often taken as a model in a new style of English verse,- sketchy, humorous, sometimes pointed, but in its love of mischief rather sportful than malignant. Mr Anstey died at Bath at a very advanced age. He was the father of thirteen children. |