Classic Poem

ADDRESSED TO THE SOCIETY FOR ESTABLISHING

Welcome , ye generous circle, who, remov'd
From Party's froward bickerings, and the rage
Of the Blood-monster war, the mad dislikes
Of superstition, and the proud disdain
Of high-plum'd vanity, here social sit
A little G OSHEN ; round whose sacred seats
Benevolence spreads wings, and Pity meek
Sheds, as from heav'n, its gentlest dew-drops down.

Yes! we must welcome you — for if on earth
There smiles one chosen spot, that russian winds
Dares not invade, that passions mildew swarms
Might harmless pass, though wasting all around
Man's brightest sweetest hopes, it should be that
Where KINDNESS blossoms beauteous; tree more blest
Blooms not in mortal soil, nor ever bloom'd
In fable-painted garden; — yet this tree,
Though fair of blossom, as that sacred flower,
Immortal amaranth, and of fragrance sweet
As breathes Arabia, and of fruit as rich
As grew that lovely tree, whose golden fruit
Jove's nuptial day could cheer, yet trembling shrinks
From vulgar rudeness, as of tenderest frame:
Nipp'd by the scowling winds, and angry skies,
Soon might it languish, perish soon, like plant
Trembling, when touch'd, and closing: — Oh! then, we hail,
As friends, we hail you: warm of heart, we pray
That no wide-wasting storm, no chilling frost
May the young blossoms of your hopes destroy: —
And, oh! may folly's hand ne'er stop its growth
By narrow cautions; but the fostering care
Of wisdom still mature it, like the sun,
That penetrates the glebe, whose warmer beams
Smile in the bud, and blossom in the fruit.

Enough of " evil days, and evil tongues; "
Oft have ye heard the case of wild distress:
(And as ye heard ye sigh'd), the plaintive tale
Of suffering genius, by hard fortune gall'd,
Death-stung by envy, or, in perilous times,
Heart-harrowed by some tyrant's iron hand:
Nor did ye not attend, as oft ye heard
How genius soars on light imprudent wings,
How fancy's children, a gay sportive tribe,
Chearful as morning lark, have mounted high,
Wild 'mid their warblings, gazing round and round,
With rapture-beaming eyes — but, oh! they dropp'd
'Mid their gay warblings, soon to silence hush'd:
And 'mid their fair creations, the new worlds
Their quick sight pierc'd, like him whom fable gifts
With faithless wings, struggling in vain, they fell
To this dank earth, to sigh 'mid want and woe.

Ye heard, ye wept: — ye wept no fruitless tear:
Soft as the stream o'er thirsty Egypt pours,
Still as it flow'd, it blest: — 'twas then ye saw
Your plant take root, and promise fair — ye saw
Blossoms and fruits, and with no careless hand
Ye tended it; and with no lazy eye
Ye watch'd its branches; — then with parent fondness
Ye pour'd forth blessings; — and it shall be blest.

Thus far is nobly done! Henceforth the task
Remains to give due stateliness and strength
To what you first gave being: — Pleasing task!
Oh! may the wise contriving mind, that knows
To plan for human welfare, here advance
The work of goodness; here may still succeed
Gentle of heart and generous, as of mind
Profound and piercing, such as dare not sink
Self-center'd, but who dart from inward light
Irradiance clear and strong, to bless the world.

Here wealth may much perform, here taste the bliss
Of blessing others; nor may wisdom less:
Who give with liberal hand, afford the means
Of vigorous energies, who wisely weigh,
Who well discriminate, and counsel right,
Point thro' those means the path-way to an end.
Perchance, from small beginnings here may rise
Blessings immense; perchance, your means outreach
Your highest hopes; perchance — but who may tell
What bounty shall supply, or wisdom plan?