And wearied earth begun to taste repose,
When thus the seraph, whose ambrosial breath,
And heaven-sprung rays, had fill'd her offspring's
breast
With ardour more than human, and the rights 700
Of man had caus'd to triumph o'er the earth
To endless time, thus with her latest words
Address'd the pious chieftain, where he stood
Pouring the balm of comfort on those men
Who bled for freedom, and their country's cause;
"Once more, beloved Son! my words attend, 706
Nor think thy labours ended, tho' this day
Would stamp thy memory with eternal fame;
Not that 'tis blood-stain'd victory which gives
Immortal honours, 't is the cause alone
Of just, and right, which crowns the conqueror's head,
For victory is murder legaliz'd
Bereft of justice; rather think thy toils
Are but begun, and that a life of ease
Is to the generous mind a type of death;
While the blest rays of virtuous acts diffuse,
Like the pure solar beams, o'er sea and land
An ever-living glory. Thank thy God,
Thank him unceasing thanks, who from the dust
Hath rais'd thee thus to this high eminence, 720
714. a life of ease &c.-Of the almost "invincible attachment" of general Washington to domestick life, and the extreme difficulty of getting him after the war to enter upon the stage of politicks, the Life of Washington makes frequent mention, and the reader may consult vol. v. p. 136. 156-163. 176-7.
His chosen instrument, to work his work
On earth, the work of ever-during good,
Eternal happiness to all mankind.
Let iron tyranny's polluted soil
Ne'er stain thy footsteps, but where-e'er thou tread'st
Let freedom reign, with unclogg'd industry,
And smiling Peace; let heavenly Wisdom's sons
Be holden high in honour; where she dwells
There dwelleth Virtue, her beloved child,
With Science, her near kin, the friend of Truth, 730
And foe, whate'er some think, to iron power.
Let splendid wealth be only then esteem'd,
When, join'd with virtue, wisdom it promote,
And human happiness, and above all,
Keep thy pure heart unwounded by the stings 735
Of evil conscience, and reflect that power
Yoked with justice, is that best of yokes
Which blesseth man, and points the way to heaven.
My Son! Thou art by Freedom's aid arriv'd
The height of mortal bliss, the power to bless 740
The human race, and, Freedom hopes, the will:
Seek thou no higher; beyond is not for thee;
But know that mortal frailty wraps thy limbs,
And the last clothing of mankind is dust.
Weigh well these things; act by these sacred rules;
And Freedom's shield shall guard Columbia's sons
To endless time. Thus only shalt thou reap
The golden harvest of a virtuous mind,
While round thy head shall lambent glory play
A crown of heavenly light.
Reaching the goal of earthly happiness,
Shall thus diffuse her blessings round the globe;
The direful gates of war be ever clos'd,
And peace eternal beam upon mankind."
Thus spake the seraph, and her heavenly orb 755 Suspended o'er Columbia, where it shines.
A greater buckler to a greater Rome:
Then slow ascending thro' the joyous skies
Join'd the blest choir of Heaven; there she sits
At the right hand of Wisdom Infinite,
Still listening to the call of virtuous men.
Hail! Spirit divine! All hail! nor 'sdeign to hear
The voice of gratitude. To thee the Muse
Owes her best fires; to thee all nature owes
Her varied blessings; for where thou art not
Nothing is good, or beautiful, but all
A dreary wilderness, where vice and sin
Sport with the human feelings. But no more
Shall these pollute the earth; thy sacred orb
Shall far dispel them into outer dark;
And in their stead shall mirth and love abound
With virtue ever pure; the vales and hills,
Impregn'd by thee, shall teem with new delights,
And e'en the depths of ocean laugh with joy.
1. Tryphiodori Ilii halosis, versione Latinâ, plurimis observationibus, duobus indicibus, et variis excursibus illustrata. Editio altera. Apud Payne, et Lunn.
2. A translation of Plutarch's treatise upon the distinction between a friend and flatterer, with remarks. Payne. Egerton.
3. A Quadruplet of Inventions.-Murray. Reynolds. 4. Of Education, founded upon principles. Part 1. -Murray. Reynolds.
Printed by Richard Taylor and Co. Shoe Lane, London.
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