ENGLAND'S LATE PREMIER.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 210, 31 January 1866, Page 3

ENGLAND'S LATE PREMIER.

" After light's fitful fever, he sleeps welL" Death lias again aimed high, once more brought [down To dust, distinguished honours and renown j O'erturned an idol, long revered, to raise A monument of everlasting praise ; To him who lately held the chief command, And wisely governed with a liberal hand. England ! thy Premier is no more, who late G-uided so well the helm which rules the State * Led it through shoals and quicksands, crooked , [ways,. In ' troubled water's ' on to tranquil seas : In dangerous passes put it safely through, And fixed it firmly and securely too ! In times of war, with foreign powers engaged, By him their angry passions were assuaged ; -With timely intervention swords were sheathed, And hostile nations safely, freely breathed. . His policy was based on human right, Which, in no instance, was enforced by might. Mind was the only weapon he employed, By which hid foes were virtually destroyed ; \ Or so beleaguered as to seek retreat, And, m retirement, smart beneath defeat. In foreign Courts his influence was known, And, through him, light reflected from our Throne, .Which gave it lustre, and increased its might, Whenever called in question England's right. But they at home w ho saw him nightly stand As leader, Chief, the foremost in command, Can best rehearse his woundrous control O'er jarring elements which vexed his soul ; But never turned him from a fixed decree, By which he thought to keep his country free. His bold, outspoken, manly, firm address, Commanded silence and attentiveness ; His humour, wit, forbearance, playful style, Ne'er failed admiring hearers to beguile ; Onward he'd led them with ingenious skill, Towards his purpose — c'en against their will • Achieve a taiumph, but regard no show, Nor on the fallen deal vindictive bow. But the sad, sorrowing mure unapt to trace The course of genius in its ' pride of place,' To clearer heads and abler hands than mine The task of furth r progress would assign. Meanwhile let one 6 who shares the general pain, (' Twere vain to hide — and useless to complain.) Turn with a faltering step and tearful eye Towards the object of our sympathy. Prostrate that form which lately stood erect, Without much sign of physical defect ; On whom the weight of years so lightly bore, None ever guessed they numbered o'er four score. Cold is the hand which, when it beckoned, drew A band of firm adherents, stanch and true j Closed are those eyes, dark windows of the soul, Which once flashed fire like lighting from the pole And hushed the voice which thunder in debate, Until at times it shook and awed the State. Death's seal is set on lips which lately spoke, Silent the echoes which his words awoke': When tuneful voices passed from shore to shore Those sounds which shall be heard, alas! no mow. Names die with those who bear them, few survive The feeble breath that kept them here alive ; But there is one that will endure and last Beyond the present, and outlive the past ; When fallen thrones have crumbled into dnst And sceptres broken, or consumed by rust ; When other names inscribed on History's page Have been forgotten, or obscured by age ; There'B one will stand recorded, and remain Preserved, unaltered, and without stain ; A rallying -word hereafter it will dwell On patriot lips, and brave hearts proudly swell • ; To future generations it -will be * Transmitted as a glorious legacy j From every parent to each child descend ! A national tradition to the end, And every ear be charmed — all hearts be won 1 By the great name— and sound of PioaasßSTON, HAMPDEN WOTON. |!»tttb, Qct, 87,*885,