| Citation |
RGG.781.017
16 Aug 1781:43 (129)
Yesterday being the anniversary of his Majesty's birth-day,
there was a very brilliant appearance of the nobility,
foreign ministers, and other persons of distinction, at
court, to compliment their Majesties upon the occasion. The
guns in the Park and the Tower were fired at one o'clock; at
two the following ode, composed by William Whitehead, Esq.
was performed by his Majesty's Band in the Grand Council
Chamber, and in the evening there were illuminations in many
parts of the city and Westminster.
ODE FOR HIS MAJESTY'S BIRTH-DAY, June 4, 1781.
Written by William Whitehead, Esq. Poet Laureat, and set to
musick by Mr. Stanley, Master of the King's Band of
Musicians.
Still does the rage of war prevail,
Still thirsts for blood th'insatiate spear?
Waft not, ye winds, th'invidious tale,
Nor let th'untutor'd nations hear
That passion baffles reason's boasted reign,
And half the peopled world is civiliz'd in vain.
. . . [34 more lines]
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