Classic Poem

Tame apathy, whose gelid Eye,
Ne'er moisten'd with a Tear, the Sigh
From Sorrows virgin Heart that flew,
Cherish'd by the pitying Dew,
As on the chilly Ev'ning Air,
It sought the scowling Nymph Despair : —
Who motionless — the sharpen'd Thorn,
From Misery's weeping Briar torn,
Could'st see the smiling Envies dart.
Within her young and artless Heart!
Shalt Thou — thy languid Spells dispense,
And strew thy Torpor o'er the Sense;
Diffuse the lethean Show'rs of Snow,
O'er the warm Tide of human Woe;
Or, on the Soul's fine Fervor seize,
And Sympathy to Winter freeze? —
No, Nymph — so baneful to my Sight
I'll chase Thee to the thick-wove Night;
Where Chaos shall thy Form enshroud,
And Darkness veil Thee in her blackest Cloud —

Oh — I have known the subtle Pang
Of Jealousy's remorseless Fang;
Have own'd Love's proud despotic Sway,
O'er this poor Tenement of Clay!
Have felt Compassion soothe my Breast,
And lull Anxiety to Rest;
Dear Sensibility too, spread
Her lightsome Vision o'er my Head;
While Tenderness my Thoughts inspir'd,
And the stern Nerve with Feeling fir'd,
Reflection hath enlarg'd her Scope,
Succeeded by the Fairy — Hope ;
And young Sincerity , so gay,
Hath kindly shed her Virgin Ray; —
I too have drank the bitter Tears,
Of Anguish and suspensive Fears: —
Yet — will I not their Taste resign,
Although Indifference be thine;
Nor from Life's Troubles will I fly,
With Thee , cold Nymph, pale Apathy to die. —

Religion's mild and sacred Truth,
Hath charm'd the Innocence of Youth
For her, Philosophy hath chid
Misfortune from the burning Lid,
Hath taught the Passions to obey
Reason's best captivating Sway:
Oh! — She is chaste and rosy as the Dawn ,
That on the dewy Bosom of the Morn,
Sheds her light Glories o'er the tepid Earth,
To wake fair Nature to her glowing Birth!
And shall I spurn the pure Instruction giv'n
By the meek sainted Messenger of Heav'n ;
Shall I her plaintive Solaces contemn,
Or dim the Lustre of Life's brightest Gem?
Ah! — no — thy Rays shall lighten up my Soul,
As the far Lamp illumes the dusky Pole. —
Hence then, mute Nymph, with thy bewitching Spells,
Hence to that Blank where no Creation dwells;
There Apathy insensibly decay,
And into Shade for ever fade away!!