AN ELEGY.

AN ELEGY ON THE TIMES:

Composed at Boston, during the operation of the Port-Bill.*

August 1774.

Он

H Boston! late with every beauty crown'd, Where Commerce triumph'd on the fav'ring gales; And each pleased eye, that roved in prospect round, Hail'd thy bright spires and bless'd thy opening sails!

Thy splendid mart with rich profusion smiled,
The gay throng crowded in thy spacious streets,
From either Ind, thy cheerful stores were fill'd,
Thy haven joyous with unnumber'd fleets.
For here, more fair than in their native vales,
Tall groves of masts arose in beauteous pride;
Glad ocean shone beneath the swelling sails,
And wafted plenty on the bord'ring tide.

* This vindictive Act of the British Parliament placed the town of Boston in a state of naval blockade, and by suppressing all commercial intercourse by sea, was designed to ruin its trade and prosperity.

Alas how changed! the swelling sails no more
Catch the soft airs and wanton in the sky :
But hostile beaks affright the guarded shore,
And pointed thunders all access deny.
Where the bold cape its warning forehead rears,
Where tyrant vengeance waved her fatal wand,
Far from the sight each friendly vessel veers,
And flies averse the interdicted strand.

Along thy fields, which late in beauty shone,
With lowing herds and grassy vesture fair,
Th' insulting tents of barb'rous troops are strown,
And bloody standards stain the peaceful air.

Are these thy deeds, oh Britain? this the praise,
That gilds the fading lustre of thy name,
These the bold trophies of thy later days,
That close the period of thine early fame?

Shall thy strong fleets, with awful sails unfurl'd,
On freedom's shrine th' unhallow'd vengeance
And leave forlorn the desolated world,

Crush'd every foe and ruin'd every friend?

And quench'd, alas, the soul-inspiring ray,

[bend,

Where virtue kindled and where genius soar'd;

Or damp'd by darkness and the dismal sway
Of senates venal and liveried lord?