If will to serve, and art to please mankind,
If feeling heart, and independent mind,
If harmless mirth that oft pure friendship gain'd,
While in the bosom love of truth still reign'd,
Cou'd turn aside the fatal stroke of death,
Thou, friend lamented, would have yet drawn breath!
For envy ev'n thy character approv'd;
Nor pin'd to hear how much thou wert belov'd.
Ye brethren, by mysterious laws combin'd; In vain weak man to many a virtue blind, May spurn at that by greatest mortals giv❜n, The NOBLEST Institution, under Heav'n. O! may no rude antipathies remove
What social beings owe to social love!
For now when wisdom boasts th' enlighten'd age,
And truth and reason beam on many a page,
No Bard too loud th' inspiring song can raise,
That gives your more than matchless deeds due praise.
How proud I see you in support of those, Too young to speak, or know ev'n friends from foesIllumin'd few, whose bounty thousands share; And you, whose eyes shed pity's dews, ye fair, The helpless offspring will while life endures, Beg for each blessing upon you and yours.
SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN THE NIGHT BEFORE HIS EXECUTION.
ALAS! and am I then undone ?
Life's mad career will soon be run;
For ere to-morrow's setting sun,
This throbbing pulse must cease.
My country's scourge !-my country's shame!
Justice, arous'd, my life doth claim
Ages unborn shall curse his name,
Who dares not hope for peace!
Ambition's woe-devoted slave,
Foe to the virtuous and the brave;
I sink unpitied to the grave,
And shrink at death's dark gloom.
Ye tyrants of each distant state,
Ah! tremble, when you hear my
Lest justice that doth me await,
Should bring you to the tomb!
In vain this guilty soul would rest;
Pangs, worse than Hell, disturb my
I hear torn Gallia's sons, oppress'd,
Vent curses on my head:
I see each murder'd patriot stand,
Array'd in blood by my command;
While banish'd from their native land,
What thousands beg for bread!
Earth holds not such a wretch as I!
From guilt where can the villain fly,
Who must not live, who fears to die?
-Avenging fiends I see!
Thou Pow'r, whom oft I mock'd with scorn,
Tho' by foul crimes this bosom's torn,
O hear a helpless sinner mourn!
Who, trembling, bends to thee!
LINES ON SEEING A BOY TORTURE AN INSECT.
"Sweet mercy is the loveliest flow'r,
That Heav'n e'er planted in the mind
The queen of virtues, whose soft pow'r
Can ev'n to godhead raise mankind !”
O SPARE that insect, thoughtless boy!
Let weakness still thy pity claim :
Delight to save, but ne'er destroy,
So shall compassion bless thy name.
The Pow'r who life to thee bestow'd,
The smallest creature bids to live;
Then dare not to offend thy God!
In youth, or age, we praise shou'd give.
Seek not to break great nature's chain,
Each link of which is fair to view;
Nought on the earth is form'd in vain-
O think in time this lesson true!
Then spare that insect, puny boy!
Weak reptile, to thy parents giv'n!
Delight to save, but ne'er destroy
So hope may lead thy soul to Heav'n!
"Oh! surely melody from Heav'n was sent,
To cheer the soul, when tir'd of human strife;
To soothe the wayward heart by sorrow rent,
And soften down the rugged road of life.”
HAIL! thou soft soother of my woes,
Friend to delight, and calm repose!
With thee, my happiest hours are spent,
Free from dull care, and discontent;
Unknown to folly's giddy train,
Whose revelry's the source of pain.
If absent from the friend sincere,
Or her this bosom still holds dear;
If by feign'd love, false friendship cross'd;
If by misfortune tempest toss'd;
Tho' hope her flattering aid denies,
With thee, soon sorrow from me flies.
The martial trumpet sounds to arms,
And tells of battle's dire alarms;
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