Classic Poem

When rank and fortune, and aspiring youth
Pays its fair homage at the shrine of truth,
When glowing eloquence and kind applause
Its gen'rous fervour from reflection draws
Sweet is the note of praise!—the grateful muse
Hears the soft sound, and dares not to refuse—
'Tis honour's voice—'tis music to the ear—
But vanity, 'tis not for thine to hear!
Fly to the rigid zone where frost shall reign
And fancy's fairest flowers might bloom in vait
Where cold oblivion opes her dreary grave
And claims the muse, which mercy still may save.

Illustrious youth! O say, when doom'd to quit
The rich abode of learning and of wit,
That classic mine by ardent poets sung,
Whence patriots, statesmen—even saints have sprung,
Illustrious Cambridge—when thy steps no more,
The honour'd haunts, unconscious shall explore,
When fashion o'er thy way, and splendour bright.
Shall cast around their fascinating light,
When jocund mirth, prepar'd with fearless jest
Transforms the gentle hour of midnight rest—
Than pleasure tells thee, that her flow'rs shall bloom,
To treach'rous pleasure!—even in winter's gloom,
When ridicule, perchance, in fashion's scene
Scornful shall view fair truth's majestic mien—
Oh gen'rous L———, when her foes unite
And sophists shall dispute her heavenly right,
Then wilt thou view her with enraptur'd eyes
And grant that homage which the crowd denies?
Then wilt thou stand (tho' scoffing millions join)
And fight her noble cause, with zeal divine?—
Thus may it prove!—the fair perspective glows
In hopes bright scene, and oh! shou'd time disclose
Then may a brighter fame than fashion yields:
Record thy name, with those Religion shields,
While flattery courts thee, and with dazzled sight
Beholds thee rais'd on grandeur's blazing height
Some virtuous bard; who ne'er on wasting time
Pour'd the rich incense of his verse sublime—
Some heav'nly bard, with eloquence refin'd,
May speak of thy enrich'd, ennobled mind.