Part 2 — STANZAS ON THE TAKING OF QUEBEC
Reading edition
SEPTEMBER 13, 1759.
Amidst the clamour of exulting joys, Which triumph forces from the patriot heart, Grief dares to mingle her soul-piercing voice, And quells the raptures which from pleasure start. O Wolfe! to thee a streaming flood of woe Sighing we pay, and think e’en conquest dear; Quebec in vain shall teach our breasts to glow, Whilst thy sad fate extorts the heart-wrung tear. Alive, the foe thy dreadful vigour fled, And saw thee fall with joy-pronouncing eyes: Yet they shall know thou conquerest, though dead, Since from thy tomb a thousand heroes rise.
