FEELINGS OF A NOBLE BISCAYAN AT ONE OF THOSE FUNERALS
YET, yet, Biscayans! we must meet our Foes With firmer soul, yet labour to regain Our ancient freedom; else ’twere worse than vain To gather round the bier these festal shows. A garland fashioned of the pure white rose Becomes not one whose father is a slave: Oh, bear the infant covered to his grave! These venerable mountains now enclose A people sunk in apathy and fear. If this endure, farewell, for us, all good! 10 The awful light of heavenly innocence Will fail to illuminate the infant’s bier; And guilt and shame, from which is no defence, Descend on all that issues from our blood. 1810.