ABSTRACT
Elate of heart and confident of fame, From vales where Avon sports, the minstrel came,1
Gay as the poet hastes along He meditates the future song, How Ælla battled with his country’s foes,2
And, whilst fancy in the air Paints him many a vision fair, His eyes dance rapture and his bosom glows. With generous joy he views the ideal gold; He listens to many a widow’s prayers, And many an orphan’s thanks he hears; He soothes to peace the care-worn breast, He bids the debtor’s eyes know rest, And liberty and bliss behold; And now he punishes the heart of steel, And her own rod he makes Oppression feel.3
