Classic Poem

The timid muse reluctant to intrude —
In time so sacred spent in doing good —
Could hardly dare this freedom to assume. —
Did not your kindness cause her to persume.
The dear rememb'rance by my brother given —
To friendship grateful as the dew from heaven —
Stole on my soul most exquisitely sweet —
And made me every doubt and fear forget.
— Now string the harp I cry'd and tune the lyre —
For Washington once more my lays inspire —
Tell him his virtues are so deeply trac'd —
Upon my heart they can not be eras'd. —
No distance keeps you from my mental sight —
My Spirit hovers round you day and night —
While fancy leads me through the green retreats
The groves of Vernon and its silvan seats —
The murmering river, lawn, and rocky cell —
Where heavenly Contemplation loves to dwell.
Views the same objects — hails the silver moon —
Gliding thro aether to her highest noon —
Sees nature lead thee thro her sacred stores —
By mild philosophy unlock'd; her plants and plow,
All spread before thee emulous to show —
Their various properties and whence they flow.
And oft I follow to potomacks — shore —
Where you undaunted rocks and shelves explore —
Lay plans to make her channels deep and wide —
To extend th' blessings of her silver tide —
Amaz'd I view such works of usefulness —
And shrink to see exertion in excess —
Sapping a life by friendship held more dear —
Than to the plants the sun and vernal air. —
The Trytons in each gelid crystal grot —
Where ripening diamonds to perfection brought,
Pour on the dark abodes their lucid rays —
And imitate the Suns meridian blaze —
The river Gods thro all their coral groves —
And green hair'd Naids in their gay alcoves —
Astonish'd stand to see a mortal aim —
To sway a sceptre o'er their wat'ry plain. —

— But now far other cares thy mind expands —
One effort more thy Countries weal demands —
That glorious plan on deep foundations laid —
For which thou brav'ly fought, and many a heroe bled —
Wants energy to spread its blessings round —
And like a barque without a pilot found. —
System the soul of policy refin'd —
Should all the states in perfect union bind —
Our Nations Cement is the federal band —
The golden chain that links this favour'd land —
Which if kept bright, will more and more refine —
And Constitute a government devine: —

— But ah too well thy penetrating soul —
Foresaw the cloud and heard the thunder roll —
Saw local prejudice the land o'erwhelm —
The vessel wreak'd, and parted from its helm —
Warn'd us of danger — pointed out the mean —
T'avoid the horrors of the present scene —
How great the error that involves each state —
Tho blest with men illustrious good and great,
With spirit to Contrive and to Compleat —
The noblest schemes of mutual benefit —
With talents equal to Conduct a world —
We're left to chance and in confusion hurl'd —
By those whose honesty is all their boast —
But thro their want of skill our fame and empire lost —
Once more thou best of men thy powers exert —
Thy Counsel and thy zeal may yet avert —
The threatning danger ere it be too late —
And we without redress submit to fate —