TO THE

CHANCELLOR,

MASTERS, AND SCHOLARS

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD,

THIS POEM

IS MOST RESPECTFULLY

DEDICATED

BY THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT,

THE AUTHOR.

ANALYSIS OF PART I.

Intellectual greatness-the homage due to any establishment tending to promote it-OXFORD-feelings and associations awakened by its first appearance-its mental quiet-its literary Past-studies-ancient and modern learning-classical bigots-system of study and examination-the necessity of one general standard-reason why men of genius have often contemned it-mind independent of circumstance-First origin of the University-its progress under Alfred, till the time of William of Normandy-present appearance-view from the RadcliffeNew College Chapel and service-Royal visit in 1814.Biographical associations-Illustrations of the same in Addison, Steele, Collins, Johnson, Sir Philip Sydney, Ben Jonson, and Locke-Origin of Locke's famous Essayintellectual society-a contrast-Canning-Davenant

Wesley-Hervey-Denham-Chatham-Thomas Warton -Lisle Bowles-Country clergymen-their seclusion how fondly anticipated—a scene suggesting such anticipation— Blenheim-Balliol-Ridley and Latimer-their martyrdom-Evelyn-Southey-the wisdom of literary retirement, contrasted with the rivalries of the literary world— female authorship—a characteristic sketch-return to biographical associations, which conclude with Heber-his early life-collegiate course-pastoral character, and death in India.

OXFORD.

PART I.

WHAT makes the glory of a mighty Land,

Her people famous, and her hist'ry grand?

Is it, that Earth has felt her vast control

Far as the wind can sweep, or ocean roll;

That ships and merchandise her ports bedeck,

And Navies thunder at her awful beck!

That Splendor walks each street, arrays each dome,

And in her temples boasts a second Rome?

Though Pow'r and Greatness, those almighty two,