For the Southern Literary Messenger.
EXTEMPORAL LINES.
On hearing Mr. Wickham's Speech at the Bar of the House of Delegates, on the 6th instant.
| When Wickham stood up at the bar of the House, And every one there was as still as a mouse, I trembled myself, (to acknowledge the truth,) Lest his age should forget the fine feats of his youth; And I thought that his Horace had warned him in vain, "Release the old racer in time from the rein, Lest he falter at length in a laughable pace, And finish his course in diverting disgrace." But soon, very soon, all my fears were relieved, And hopes took their places that were not deceived; For I saw that his motions were sprightly and strong, And, spite of his weights, he went gaily along, Till, safe at the goal, pleasure broke from my lips, And I cried out delighted, "hurrah for Eclipse!"1 |
January, 1835.
1 Solve senescentem maturè sanus equum, ne
Peccet ad extremum ridendus, et ilia ducat.
Hor. Epist. Lib. i. 1.