ON A CELEBRATED EVENT IN ANCIENT HISTORY

A Roman Master stands on Grecian ground,

And to the people at the Isthmian Games

Assembled, He, by a herald's voice, proclaims

THE LIBERTY OF GREECE:— the words rebound

Until all voices in one voice are drowned;

Glad acclamation by which air wasrent!

And birds, high flying in the element,

Droppedto the earth, astonished at the sound!

Yet were the thoughtful grieved; and still that voice

Haunts, with sad echoes, musing Fancy's ear:

Ah! that a Conqueror's wordsshould be so dear:

Ah! that a boon could shed such rapturous joys!

A gift of that which is not to be given

By all the blended powers of Earth and Heaven.