Till earth’s last song ascend!
Thus may Columbia’s sons be free,
Till time itself shall end!
Many more verses of equal or superior merit might be transcribed; but these sufficiently indicate his degree of ability, and the general nature of his feelings at this time. Perhaps, though, this chapter ought not to be concluded without one specimen of the playful composition with which he sometimes relaxed the usual tension of his earnest mind.
The following lines were written during the exciting presidential contest of 1840:—
Oh, these exciting, crazy times!
On you I’ll write some bitter lines.
And ye who politics can talk,
While still ye eat or sleep or walk,