Where coldly still, and newly hid from sight,
Earth folded loved ones in her damp embrace,
Without recording tomb their forest mounds to grace.
From clearing rude, and dismal swamp undrained,
Fumes of decaying vegetation rose;
While the fell genius of distemper reigned,
And filled the newly-opening realm with woes;
Brave manhood smiting—though his lusty blows
Tall ranks of warrior oaks in dust had bowed,
And robbing widowed beauty of her rose,