Classic Poem

While youth yet scampers in it's wild career,
And life's mad bustle vibrates on our ear;
While frolic's looser merriments delight,
And delicacy yields to appetite;
Why strives my friend by studies too severe,
To antedate the tyranny of care?
To weaken principles already weak,
The very principles by which we act?
These bug-bear passions that affright you so,
Procure us all the happiness we know;
From their repose results the calm of life,
But greater bliss accompanies their strise;
And when their gen'rous efforts you subdue,
You only do what sager time would do;
If war was destin'd for each living wight,
Why has not nature arm'd us for the fight?
Chastis'd the flowing current of our blood,
And disengag'd us from the fair and good?
Each human heart in Stygian armour drest,
And lin'd with triple brass each russian breast?

How happy youth! if youth it's bliss but knew;
Their's is the present, their's the future too;
Where'er they turn enjoyment courts their eye,
Enjoyment not forbidden by the sky:
Here, walk the fairy fantoms of the grove,
Young friendship leaning on the arms of love;
There, fame in air displays the gaudy crown,
While ev'ry bosom pants the prize to win!

C OME , let us now each pleasant scene enjoy,
Ere age's wither'd hands their sweets destroy;
Sweep all away, and nothing leave behind
But philosophic apathy of mind.