ELEGY, Imitated from one of Akenside's Blank-verse Inscriptions. NEAR the lone pile with ivy overspread, Fast by the rivulet's sleep-persuading sound, Where "sleeps the moonlight" on yon verdant bedO humbly press that consecrated ground! For there does Edmund rest, the learned swain ! And there his spirit most delights to rove: Young Edmund! fam'd for each harmonious strain, And the sore wounds of ill-requited love. Like some tall tree that spreads its branches wide, But soon did righteous Heaven her guilt pursue! Wheree'er with wildered steps she wandered pale, Still Edmund's image rose to blast her view, Still Edmund's voice accused her in each gale. With keen regret, and conscious guilt's alarms, Nor all that lured her faith from Edmund's arms Go, Traveller! tell the tale with sorrow fraught: Some tearful maid perchance, or blooming youth, May hold it in remembrance; and be taught That Riches cannot pay for Love or Truth. THE DESTINY OF NATIONS. A VISION. AUSPICIOUS REVERENCE! Hush all meaner song, Ere we the deep preluding strain have poured Beneath whose shadowy banners, wide unfurl'd, Such symphony requires best instrument. Seize, then, my soul! from Freedom's trophied dome Strong music, that soliciting spell, force back For what is Freedom, but the unfetter'd use Of all the powers which God for use had given ? But chiefly this, him First, him Last to view Through meaner powers and secondary things For infant minds; and we in this low world That we may learn with young unwounded ken The substance from its shadow-Earth's broad shade Revealing by Eclipse the Eternal Sun ! But some there are who deem themselves most free When they within this gross and visible sphere Chain down the winged thought, scoffing ascent Proud in their meanness and themselves they cheat With noisy emptiness of learned phrase, Their subtle fluids, impacts, essences, Self-working tools, uncaused effects, and all Those blind Omniscients, those Almighty Slaves, But properties are God: the naked mass (If mass there be, fantastic Guess or Ghost) Acts only by its inactivity. Here we pause humbly. Others boldlier think That as one body seems the aggregate Of Atoms numberless, each organized; And what if some rebellions, o'er dark realms Arrogate power? yet these train up to God, And on the rude eye, unconfirmed for day, Flash meteor-lights better than total gloom. As ere from Lieule-Oaive's vapoury head The Laplander beholds the far-off Sun |