Classic Poem

Oh thou! whose daring hand would pluck the name,
Inscrib'd on truth's fair monument of fame;
And deck with flow'rs a gay illusive form
Who seeks her dwelling oft in winter's storm,
And loves the mountain heath, and dreary wild,
Beyond the fairest scene where art has smil'd,
Ah what avails the garden bright and gay
Which tempts the trav'ller to desert his way!—
Though roses bloom, and leaves of em'rald green
And gems with radiance deck the varied scene,
And eloquence in fancy's plain may rove
And breathe her syren strains in ev'ry grove,
It mares insiduous 'mid the fragrance sweet
Betray the wand'rer's rash unguarded feet,
If led fom home, from safety, from repose,
Still o'er the wretched trav'ller night must close.—
Ev'n liberty's gay form, tho' fancy brings
To aid her daring flight, its golden wings,
The bards may languish, and tho' crowds admire,
And genius touch her with promethean fire,
Ev'n liberty shall fade,—and grief shall find
Of all her “cloud-capt tow'rs”—no trace behind!

Ev'n liberty!—thy charms, if truth shou'd paint
Like bashful love, they're brighter by restraint.—
Like some fair stream, within its velvet bounds
Delicious verdure decks th' adjacent grounds—
But rudely shou'd it seek a wider course,
The desolated landscape feels its force—

Oh liberty! too oft by poets blest
Most injur'd, most abus'd, when most caress'd!
Sweet is thy soothing power in scenes of strife
Thy smile, thy chasten'd smile to soften life?
But man, frail man with trembling hand must take
The precious cup for Heav'nly virtue's sake,
Not dwell too fondly on thy tuneful breath,—
One drop is cordial—but the draught is death.

A nobler mistress, and a richer prize
Invites thee still—and beckons from the skies!
Oh turn from guides fallacious to behold
With error's dross unmixt, her sterling gold
As truth's celestial volume shall unfold,—
There see immortal charms to freedom given
Wings of seraphic growth to rise to Heaven!
And man's proud heart from bosom slav'ry freed,
Shall feel His power who makes us “free indeed.”