THE MORNING.
Behold, my fair, the ruddy morn
Anticipate the day;
What beauteous tints the sky adorn,
And gild the azure way!
The sombre mists, which gloomy night
Had gather’d in the vale,
Are borne aloft, and wing their flight
Before the rising gale.
Now changed to clouds of varied hue,
In airy maze they dance;
Now sweep athwart the welkin blue,
And gem the gay expanse.
The plumy tenant of the grove
Is perch’d on yonder spray,
And serenades his little love
To taste the pleasures of the morn
Is bliss without alloy,
Though fashion’s drowsy vot’ries scorn
To quaff the cup of joy.
But rise, my lovely charmer, rise
To greet the early ray,
And let my Teraminta’s eyes
Add lustre to the day.
AN ODE.[126]
Almighty Power!—The One Supreme!
Our souls inspire, attune our lays
With hearts as solemn as our theme,
To sing hosannas to thy praise!
Then, while we swell the sacred song,
And bid the pealing anthem rise
May seraphim the strain prolong,
And hymns of glory fill the skies.
Thy word omnific form’d this earth,
Ere time began revolving years—
Thy fiat gave to Nature birth,
And tuned to harmony the spheres.
When stern oppression’s iron hand,
Our pious fathers forced to roam,
And o’er the wild wave seek the land
Where freedom rears her hallow’d dome—
When tempests howl’d, and o’er the main,
Pale horror rear’d his haggard form;
Thou didst the fragile bark sustain
To stem the fury of the storm!
Thou badest the wilderness disclose
The varied sweets of vernal bloom—
The desert blossom’d like the rose,
And breath’d Arabia’s rich perfume!
Look down from heaven’s empyreal height,
And gild with smiles this happy day;
Send us some chosen Son of Light
Our feet to guide in wisdom’s way.
The sons of faction strike with awe,
And hush the din of party rage,
That Liberty, secured by Law,
May realize a golden age.
On those thy choicest blessings shower
To whom the cares of State are given;
May Justice wield the sword of power,
Till Earth’s the miniature of Heaven!