CANTO XXXII.

SORTIE FROM FORT ERIE.

ARGUMENT.

Storin reinforces Drummond. Gaines being wounded, is conveyed to Buffalo. Davis supports Ripley. Address to Slavery. Brown having recovered from his wounds, arrives at Erie. The sortie.

The scene is laid in and about Fort Erie. The time is ten days.

FREDONIAD.

CANTO XXXII.

BEHOLD, what object bursts upon the sight!
It takes the fashion of triang'lar light—
Like flame of melting iron the glorious thing,
Th' astonish'd eye with wonder riveting!
What music? hark!-transporting,-how divine!
Is earth made heaven?—is this the brilliant sign?
Celestial splendours marvellous unfold!
Bright from th' empyrean, lo! a ring of gold
Comes rolling down the stars-it meets the light-
Wraps it in fire-past utterance to recite!
Their vital radiance animates the sky-
The stars of heaven break forth in harmony!
The nameless wonder leaps from star to star,
Till lost in glory from the sight afar!

Spirit of Heaven! reveal this strange event,
Beyond the reach of thought magnificent!

I hear thy voice!-how clear-how sweet, yet strong-
I 'm chain'd in silence listening to thy tongue!
"Mac Donough's spirit was the angular light,
Which fill'd thy soul with transport exquisite,

Leaping the stars to seek its bless'd abode-
The ring of fire, no less than breath of God.
“Patriots like him who for their country die,
Are borne to Heaven on breath of Deity!"

The stars have lost their beams. The infant morn
With tender beauty in the east is born;
As night's thin shadows from her presence fly,
Like innocence, her cheek glows blushingly.

Drummond gives orders that the bugles call
His scattered host--their feelings tragical;
Slow they advance,-he marshals them in square,
And thus endeavours to prevent despair:

"None hath his name dishonour'd in the fight--
Away these thoughts that sink us with their weight.
Say that your ranks have bled at every vein,
Is not my brother number'd with the slain?
In peace, death winds insidious round the heart—
In war, it comes and instant we depart;

Yes, and remember'd on the page of time-

A theme to melt to tears, or waken thoughts sublime.
"What though profuse have we our fountains drain'd,
Behold, what losses hath the fort sustain'd?
Dissolv'd in ruins-cast upon the air!

Hence not depress'd, to Kingston we 'll repair,
And strengthen Prevost, Plattsburg to invade,
And let division of the States be made.

"New-Albion sever'd from the southern line, Will soon the standards of Britannia join.

1

"Some tidings full of joy hath reach'd our ear

Lo! Brown is dead and ended his career!

And nothing more have we from Scott to fear!
They fell in conflict at Niagara's Height,

Where we through scenes of fire maintain'd the fight, As Vincent's cohorts on their frontlets bear,

Proving we held the palm of triumph there!
"Strike the pavilions-

"Stay! Behold, I see
A herald straining up the lake for me!
He comes to bring instructions from Prevost,
That we should hasten to augment his host.
"But in due order through the camp, divide,
And banquet there till I the march decide.
Our blood exhausted will require to feast,
Before we wave our standards to the east.”
The cube the summons without pause obey'd,
While the shrill fife enlivening music made.
Their choicest viands sumptuous they provide-
Abundant, now such numerous mouths had died.
Soon by replenish'd goblets they forego
The sad effects of the disastrous blow;

They shout rejoicing for the fall of Brown,

And Scott, who tore their flouting standards downAnd thrice the same for priesthood, king and crown.

Meantime with rapidness to Drummond came The aid of Storin, foremost of the name:

"Most royal Drummond, whose dread scimitar,

In battle gleams a pestilential star!TM

VOL. IV.—6