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1813.3
National Discord
“W. A.”
The Gentleman's Magazine, LXXXIII (February, 1813), p. 159
If the Thracian Lyrist was gifted with skill
To humble the Tiger to crouch at his will,
Or the art of Timotheus had power to move
A Tyrant from rage into pity and love;
How blest, if some Bard should, with fervour, essay
The Demon of wild devastation to lay;
Inventing aggression, by calmness enrag'd,
In scenes of Smolensk and of Moskwa engag'd.[1]
But the Genius of bright intuition is fled;
And harmony past from the heart to the head;
No rapt inspiration now succours the brave!
No sounds of the lyre are effectual to save!
The reign is establish'd of Discord; delight
Exults in narration of siege and of fight;
Where losses confuse in the flames spreading-far,
And distresses in pageants and tumults of war.
From int'rests concordant, once friendship prevail'd,
When a nation has been quite unequal assail'd;
Three powers carry ruin through Russia's vast state,
Which mourns the memento of sovereign hate.
He points all the mischief with cannon and steel,
Whom Nature had never predestin'd to feel
Harmonic affection; but steep'd him in strife,
And gave him the trumpet, the drum, and the fife.