Select Poetry.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2304, 2 January 1866, Page 6

Select Poetry.

PALMERSTON. BOHX : OCTOBER, 20, 1784. DIED : OCTOBER 18, 1865. (From Punch.) He is down, and for ever ! The good fight is ended. In deep-dinted harness our champion has died, But tears should bo few in a sunset so splendid, And Grief hush her wail at the bidding of Pride. He falls, but unvanquished. He falls in his glory, A noble old King on the last of his fields : And with death-song wo come, like the Northmen of story, And haughtily bear him away on our shields. Nor yot aro we mourners. Let proud words be i spoken ! By those who stand pale, on the marge of his grave, As we lay in the rest never more to be broken. : Tho noble, the gentle, the wise, and the brave. His courage undaunted, his purpose unaltered, j His long patient labor, his exquisite skill, .^Tlio tones of command from a tongue that ne'er faltered I When bidding the Nations to list to our will. Let these be remembered ; but higher and better Tlie tribute that tells how he dealt with his trust, In curbing the tyrant, in breaking the fetter, Lay the pleasure of him we commit to the dust. ; But his heart was his England's, his idol her honor, Her friend was his friend, and hie foo was her foe, Were her mandate despised, or a scowl cast upon ! l ier > How stern his rebuke, or how vengeful hii blow 1 Her armies were sad, and her banners were tattered, And lethargy wrought on her strength like a spell, He camo to the front, tho enchantment was scattered — Tho rest let a reconciled enemy tell. As true to our welfare, he did his own mission Whon Progress approached him with Wisdom for guide ; He cleared her a path, and with equal derision Bade quack and fanatic alike stand aside. The choice of his country, low faction despising, He marched as a leader all true men could 1 claim, i They came to their fellows, and hold it sufficing To give as a creed, the great Minister's name. So, Heir to traditions of Him, long departed. " Who call the New World up to balance the Old," We lay theo in earth, — gallant-natured, truehearted ! Break, herald, thy wand, for his honours ar» told:^ No, let Pride say her story and coaso, for Affection Stands near with a wealth of wild tears in her eyes, And claims to be heard with more soft recollection Of one who was ever as kindly as wise. We trusted his wisdom, but love drew us nearer Them* homage we owed to his statesmanly art, For, never was statesman to Englishmen dearer Tthan ho who had faith in the great English / heart. The frank merry laugh, and the honest eye filling ) With mirth, and tho jests that so rapidly fell, Told out tho State-secret that made us right willing To follow his leading — he loved us all well. ! Our br?.ve English Chief !— luy him down for the ! sleeping That nought may disturb till the trumpot of doom ; Honour claims the proud vigil — but Lovo will come weeping, And hang many garlands on Pat-JIERSTON'S tomb.