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THE MILITARY GLORY OF GREAT-BRITAIN, AN ENTERTAINMENT, GIVEN BY THE LATE CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR'S DEGREE, AT THE CLOSE OF THE ANNIVERSARY COMMENCEMENT, HELD IN NASSAU-HALL NEW-JERSEY SEPTEMBER 29th, 1762.
PHILADELPHIA: Printed by WILLIAM BRADFORD, M,DCC,LXII.
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Britain's Glory, sung at the Anniversary
Sym Allegro
Triumphant Fame ascend the Skies, ascend y
e Skies,
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ever glorying in our Isle,
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Loud proclaim o'er distant Realms
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how British Power & British Glory rise, how British Power & British Glory rise.
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THE MILITARY GLORY OF GREAT-BRITAIN, &c.
INTRODUCTORY CHORUS.
Triumphant Fame ascend the Skies,
Ever glorying in our Isle,
Loud proclaim o'er distant Realms
How BRITISH POWER,
and BRITISH GLORY
rise.
Enter first Speaker; proclaiming Britannia Conqueror, by Way of Introduction to the next Speech.
AS down the plain with easy Tide,
The Streams, when unmolested, placid glide;
But, when descends a sudden Shower,
They pour amain a foaming Flood;
The Mountains hear the Torrents roar,
[Page 4]And Echoes shake the neighbouring Wood:
So mild and peaceful, fair Britannia mov'd
Her harmless Sceptre; 'till, her Wrath enflam'd,
GALLIA all her Vengeance prov'd;
Haughty LEWIS'
s Rage was tam'd
Envy and Terror; seiz'd the hostile Nations round,
CHORUS II.
Gallia's Sons shall vaunt no more,
Her Armies broake, her Fleets destroy'd
Gallic Power,
And Gallic Pride
In vain our injur'd Arms defy'd
Enter second Speaker; who enumerates several of the most important Conquests of GREAT-BRITAIN, with Encomiums on some of the principal Generals.
It is not mine to raise with forming Hand,
A mute Encomium on its marble Base;
But yet in humble Phrase I'll dare rehearse
The mighty Deeds of Britain's conquering Arms:
What could avail
Monongahela's Rage,
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Commencement, in Nassau Hall in New-Jersey, Sept. r 29. th 1762
Chorus 2, Allegro
Gallia's Sons shall vaunt no more, shall vaunt no more,
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her Armies broke her Fleets destroy'd;
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Gallic Power & Gallic Pride:
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In vain our injur'd Arms defy'd, in vain our injur'd Arms defied.
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[Page 5]Tho' glutted to the full with Blood indignant,
If in the Breast of Warlike JOHNSTON lay
Unerring Thunders of a just Revenge?
To Him no Mean Reward of Honour's due;
Since that glad Day, the first auspicious, shed
A Tide of Glory o'er the Western World.
Hence what new Triumphs in Succession croud
Our smiling Annals! Gracious Powers indeed,
To spin out such a Length of prosp'rous Fate!
Immured in brazen Walls,
Canadia's Hope,
Stood
Louisburg; whose tow'ring Bulwark
s brav'd,
In bold Defiance, Victory itself;
But, not great WOLFE, and AMHERST; Sons of War,
Whose very Names struck Terror on the Foe.
But, ah! let not the Ardour of thy Youth,
Uncoscious WOLFE, with such Precipitance,
E'er yet thy full Carreer of Glory's run,
Urge thee on Dangers,—but 'twas thus ordain'd.
Such Blood
Canadia's Plains ne'er stain'd before;
Nor happier Genius ever rose to Fame;
His Death, itself, the Expiation slew;
WOLFE, dying, conquer'd; conquering, was immmortal.
[Page 6]Nor ceases Victory; AMHERST still appears,
Illustrious from a Train of glorious Deeds:
Him prudent Foresight, and sagacious Cares
Led tho' the Perils of a savage War:
'Twas but to shew the Glittering of his Arms,
And
Montreal with all
Canadia yeilds.
Hence a long Tract of Continent subdued:
The ruthless Natives champ the reigning Curb
And break their Arrows with indignant Rage.
What shall I say of
Afric's torrid Coast
Where the parch'd Adder gasps for Life? or what,
Of Laurels gather'd in those golden Climes,
Where the first Sun beskirts the Eastern Clouds,
And where the Roman Eagle never flew?
What shall I say of all the wond'rous Deeds,
Of which
Germania's Witness? As, when falls
Resistless Eurus on the Baltic Main,
The heaving Billows, of enormous Weight,
Dash, like projected Mountains, full against
Th' unyielding Shore; thus, with impetuous Tide,
Poured the whole Force of Gaul on
Hanoveria;
And had o'erwhelm'd it: But the mighty Soul
[Page 7]Of FERDINAND, as Atlas firm, withstood;
And broke the Vehemence of the pressing War.
So, the spent Ocean weaken'd with the Rage
Which long had urged the stable Continent,
Falls back at length, and in itself subsides.
Shall I again repeat the brave Exploits
Of MONCKTON in the Western Isles? those late,
Within these peaceful Walls we sung, enflam'd,
With all the Ardours of a Patriot Heart:
But MONCTON'S Deeds demand repeated Songs.
Nor should I pass in Silence
Guadaloupe,
Belle-Isle, or what the British Flag atchiev'd,
Whether it thunder'd on the Gallic Coast;
Or rode in Triumph o'er the boundless Main.
Surprising Series of renown'd Exploits!
A GOD, a GOD directs th'Affairs of Men.
What then avails
Iberia's Insolence,
So oft' surpress'd by our superior Arms,
Fraught with almighty Aid? While British Sons,
Inur'd to Toils heroic, burn with Love
Of honourable Fame, nor Power, nor Threats▪
Shall damp their ardour in their bold Career.
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CHORUS III
Propitious Powers who guard our State,
Let our earnest Prayer be heard;
Our Prayer this solemn Day prefer'd.
Check the Force and Pride of Spain;
Render all her Efforts vain,
But Power and Glory be BRITANNIA
's Fate.
Enter EUGENIO; who, by Way of Dialogue with CLEANDER, gives an Account of the Reduction of the
Havanna.
EUGENIO.
Hast thou not heard CLEANDER, of the Deeds
So late performed by ALBEMARLE? These, sure
Methinks demand their equal Tribute
Of Commendation; such as thou canst give.
CLEANDER.
I have EUGENIO; nor has Gratitude
To HIM who rules omnipotent the World
For such amazing Fortune of our Arms,
Been wanting to my Breast; But yet the Theme
Seem'd worthy of a more exalted Muse;
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Chorus 3. d Largo
Propitious Powers who guard our State,
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Let our earnest Prayer be heard;
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Our Prayer this solemn Day prefer'd.
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Check the Force & Pride of Spain;
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render all her Efforts vain,
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But Power & Glory be Britannia's Fate,
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but Power & GLory be Britannia's Fate.
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[Page 9]A Muse like thine, enobled by the Love
Of British Freedom, and of British Fame.
Wherefore without Reluctance bear thy Part
In such illustrious Praise.
EUGENIO
In Britain's Praises who can be reluctant?
Whilst I have Lungs to heave, a Tongue to speak,
I'll not be wanting to my Country's Cause.
Here, Silence would be base Ingratitude;
Nay, more, Rebellion.
CLEANDER.
But say, EUGENIO, how that warlike Youth,
Such glorious Conquest gained.
EUGENIO
Greater the Toil, the greater Weight of Glory▪
No easy Effort gains the Alpine Summits,
Secured by rugged Dangers; high enclosed
In cliffy Bulwarks; each its' Towring Head
In Clouds invelop'd, inaccessible.
Full forty Days beneath the stormy Brow
[Page 10]Of MORO-CASTLE mov'd the British Troops.
With various Art, and regular Approach
Working Destruction and sure Victory.
From Batteries on every Side erect,
The mounted Engines poured incessantly
Against her strong built Walls their iron Force;
Thick Showers of Bombs implete with nitrous Death,
Rain'd on their Heads defenceless, which forthwith,
Bursting, disploded Ruin; every Art,
Which military Prudence pointed out,
Or Valour might perfect, was tried:
But still the Foe with stubborn Pride resist;
Still, reinforc'd, guard their batter'd Walls
From close Assault; and, often sallying forth,
Would check the approaching Siege; as oft repuls'd.
At length ensues a Breach; their Arms appear;
And all their mighty Secrets are reveal'd.
Again, the cavern'd Ground beneath their Feet,
With Grain sulphurious stor'd, by sudden Blaze,
Bursts ruinous; up fly the Hopes of War,
In smoky Whirls involv'd; th' uprooted Wall,
A larger Chasm displays; the Fosse, fill'd up
[Page 11]With shiver'd Rubbish, gives a fairer Entrance,
And seems t'invite the meditated Storm.
Then had you seen, CLEANDER, all the Fire
Of British War, enflam'd by fierce Revenge.
As furious Lions press'd with hungry Rage,
Leap roaring on the hopeles Prey; so rush'd
The ardent Victors; bloody Shouts ascend;
And
Slaughter, Slaughter rends the vaulted Sky;
They kill; they conquer; Death in every Shape,
Confounds th' affrighted Foe; some in Dispair
His Fury tempt, while others shrink away,
And, trembling, merit an inglorious End.
CLEANDER.
A just Reward of Spanish Cruelty,
So late exerted, when their merc'less Hands,
At the first landing of our Arms, they drench'd
In captive British Blood.
EUGENIO.
A just Reward CLEANDER. Nor here ceas'd
The vig'rous Effort; animated now
With recent Conquest, our Commanders brave
[Page 12]Press on to total Vict'ry. (Glorious Toils!
Well worthy of immortal Fame!) straightway,
With Force collected, and a martial Rage
E'en passing
British, on th' unyielding Town
They turn the Charge decisive; and, at once,
Lend all the Thunders of their various War.
In vain the Foe resist; all Hope is fled;
Their Cannon faintly roar; the lab'ring Walls,
Fall piece-meal crumbling to the Ground: within
Reign grizly Horror, loud Laments, and Death.
CLEANDER.
Such then EUGENIO was their desp'rate Fate!
What can withstand our all pervading Arms
When Heaven ensures the Conquest?
Such Glory to
Britannia's
Sons is due.
CHORUS IV.
Glory, Triumph, Victory, Fame,
For ever crown BRITANNIA
's Name.
Sound her Praise;
Her Honours raise;
Her Triumphs in IBERIA
's Seas.
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Chorus 4. th Piu Allegro
Glory, Triumph, Victory, Fame,
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Glory, Triumph, Victory, Fame,
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forever crown Britannia's Name.
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crown Britannia's Name.
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crown Britannia's Name.
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Glory, Triumph, Victory, Fame,
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forever crown Britannia's Name;
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Sound, sound her Praise, her Honor raise, her Triumphs in Iberias Seas
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Enter fourth Speaker; suddenly transported.
What mean these Strains? these glad, triumphant Sounds?
My Heart, with what unusual Joy it bounds!
'Tis Transport all; BRITANNIA
's Praise,
BRITANNIA
's Praise my Soul inspires;
Oh, how my Bosom 'glows with unknown Fires,
Collecting Fual as they blaze!
Down the long Tract of future Time I view
Effulgent British Glory shine,
Unceasing as the Stars!—
I see portray'd in every various Hue
The
Gallic and
Iberian Wars;
Here,
Gallia trembling on her Throne;
Her Shame, there, proud
Iberia own;
While in the midst, with radiant Crown
BRITANNIA
's Splendors almost dazzle the Design.
Ye Sons of War, pursue the Foe;
Your ALBEMARLE has struck th' auspicious Blow.
See, Victory waits with laurel-Wreath to crown
Your Temples; fondly hovering round
Your glittering Arms. 'Tis Courage fights,
[Page 14]'Tis Courage conquers. Pour your Wrath abroad;
With martial Sound
The Foe confound;
Assert your British Right;
And bid them feel the Weight of your avenging Rod.
Part of the Fourth CHORUS.
Glory, Triumph, Vict'ry, Fame,
Forever crown Britannia's Name.
Enter fifth Speaker; who closes the whole with a solemn Wish, for the continued Prosperity of the British Nation.
While on their Base th'eternal Mountains stand,
And poise the balanc'd Globe; while Nature's Laws command,
The fix'd Alternative of Night and Day;
While Sun and Moon and Stars endure,
And on our World their Radiance pour;
May British Lands exulting see
The full Rewards of Victory;
Great in the Annals of Eternity.
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Part of Chorus 4. th Piu Allegro.
Glory, Triumph, Victory, Fame, Glory, Triumph, Victory, Fame
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for ever Crown Britannia's Name, crown Britannia's Name, crown Britannia's Name
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Glory, Triumph, Victory, Fame for ever crown Britannia's Name.
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Chorus 5. th to be sung in the Tune of Chorus 3. d Allegro.
While Mountains poise the balanc'd Globe,
Shade and Light the World enrobe:
While Sun and Moon and Stars endure.
And a blonded Radiance pour,
British Fame shall bear the Prize:
And in a Blaze of peerless GLory rise.
[Page 15]Long may a
GEORGE the regal Sceptre sway;
And scatter Blessings with a lib'ral Hand
Around the peaceful Globe; but dire Dismay
On all who dare his injur'd Arms withstand.
CHORUS V.
While Mountains poise the balanc'd Globe,
Shade and Light the World enrobe;
While Sun, and Moon, and Stars endure,
And a blended Radiance pour,
BRITISH FAME
shall bear the Prize;
And in a Blaze of peerless Glory rise.
FINIS.