Classic Poem

The youthful Bard, rear'd by thy generous care,
Shall raise the song to S UTTON'S sacred name;
Bedew his memory with a grateful tear,
And dwell enraptur'd on his honour'd fame.

Ne'er shall this day unheeded pass along,
But always claim the tributary praise;
Still be the subject of the aged's song,
Still sung applausive in the youngster's lays.

Hail, generous S UTTON ! learning's foremost friend,
Scar'd at thy name, retreating ignorance flies;
Ages to come thy virtues shall commend,
And tell of thee to point the good and wise.

Full many a youth without thy fostering aid,
Had sunk unnotic'd, in oblivion lost,
Who now, inspir'd by every tuneful maid,
Exists the nation's wonder, and her boast.

Depriv'd of thy kind care, the great and brave
Had never grac'd the envied list of fame;
S TEELE might have sunk unnotic'd to the grave,
Nor known immortal A DDISON thy name.

Each intellectual grace 'twas thine to give,
To open all the stores of mental bliss;
To bid their names to after ages live,
Who, without thee, had ne'er been known in this.

Hail godlike man! a youth of lowly name,
To thy blest memory breathes the votive lay;
Who tho' he ne'er can add to S UTTON'S fame,
Is proud to attempt thy goodness to display.

Who, while he shares thy wise, and fostering plan,
Is anxious that alone to learn and know;
Which fitteth out the useful, moral man,
And makes around him truth and comfort flow.