THE

CONQUEST OF QUEBEC.

FAREWELL ye Naiads who your tresses lave

Where Isis rolls her unpolluted wave :

Far off to regions unexplor'd I fly,

Το savage nations and a frozen sky;

Where the Laurentian stream his copious stores

In whitening torrents to th' Atlantic pours;
Where never echo his steep banks along

Heard the sweet accents of a Muse's song;
But shouts of barb'rous dissonance resound,
And blood of warriors bathes the reeking ground.
Long time the bashful Muse, content to stray
Where list'ning swains approv'd her simple lay,

By art untutor'd, and unknown to fame,

Had learnt to warble only Delia's name ;
Nor from her silent caves and grottos led

Had dar'd the crimson fields of war to tread :
New ardors now her throbbing breast invade;
For themes untried she quits the chequer'd shade;
Fierce transport bears her o'er th' embattled plain,
And softer pleasures call her back in vain.

So, from the toils of martial service freed,

Thro' flow'ry meadows roves the warrior steed;
Now plunges in the river's crystal tide,

To slake his thirst, or cool his glowing side;
Now on soft herbage rolls in wanton play,

And lengthens out with ease th' inglorious day :
But when the trumpet's piercing clangor sounds,
He leaps indignant o'er opposing mounds,
Untasted leaves the gusting rill behind,

And flies to fame impetuous as the wind.

Where on a cliff QUEBEC's high tow'rs arise, Braving with warlike shew the neighb'ring skies,

WOLFE all the various arts of combat tried,

And pour'd his thunders on its rocky side:
But though unshaken stand the solid walls,
While ceaseless the resounding tempest falls,
Victorious hopes his dauntless breast inspire,
Nor danger can appal, nor labour tire ;

Armies from him receive the gen'rous rage,

And with new strength increasing toils engage; Where through the ranks he turns his glowing eyes, Again th' expiring flames of battle rise.

Ere the still evening's dusky shades prevail'd, Far up the stream the crowded vessels sail'd; There the bold Chief unfolds his mighty plan, And martial fury spreads from man to man; Till on her sable pinions night descends,

And round the bands her friendly veil extends:

Then, swiftly borne by the retreating tide,
Unseen and silent o'er the waves they glide;
And winding cautious near the hostile shore,
Its treach'rous shoals and op'ning creeks explore;
Till safely the appointed strand they reach,
And spring tumultuous on the slipp'ry beach.

Where rising hills the western tow'rs inclose,
And weak of fabric the low bulwark rose ;

Where France had trusted no advent'rous foe

Could gain the mountain lab'ring from below;
Planting his feet against its steepy side,

Foremost press'd Valour on with daring stride;
Sage Conduct, Resolution void of fear,

And Perseverance clos'd th' unshaken rear. Arduous they climb; and where the dubious way Perplex'd with brakes and twisting branches lay, Through pathless wilds and unfrequented shades Eager though slow advance the bold brigades ;

With ceaseless toil its craggy side ascend,

And their thick phalanx o'er the plain extend.
Soon from th' Atlantic rose the golden day,
Dispell'd the gloom, and roll'd the mists away;
To rising winds the red-cross banners stream,
And the bright arms of thronging cohorts gleam.
The sons of Gaul, with horror in their eye,
Through scatter'd fogs the sudden lustre spy;

These from their posts in wild confusion start;
These haste the fatal tidings to impart ;

The savage bands awake their deathful yell,

And the loud shout with hideous discord swell.

Yet, ere the legions to close combat ran,

Some chosen warriors press'd before the van;
Where treach'rous shrubs protect the secret stand,
In dreadful ambush lurk th' insidious band;
No vulgar deaths attend their fatal aim,

But warrior chiefs, the fav'rite sons of fame.