Literature Network » Oliver Goldsmith » The Taking of Quebec

The Taking of Quebec

STANZAS ON THE TAKING OF QUEBEC, AND DEATH OF
GENERAL WOLFE

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 pleasures start.
O WOLFE!  to thee a streaming flood of woe,                      5
Sighing we pay, and think e'en conquest dear;
QUEBEC in vain shall teach our breast 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:                     10
Yet they shall know thou conquerest, though dead--
Since from thy tomb a thousand heroes rise!

Literature Network » Oliver Goldsmith » The Taking of Quebec