Classic Poem

If science, sense, and virtue, claims applause,
Why, daughter of the vale, is she unsung,
Whose page, describing Nature's source and laws,
With truths fair theme informs the infant tongue?

“The poets eye may in fine phrenzy roll,”
His breast may heave with strong conception fraught:
While inspiration, streaming on his soul,
Gives glowing diction and impassion'd thought.

Genius and taste may modulate the line,
And chaste correctness guide the choral Muse;
Yet still, Mentoria, ampler praise is thine,
For that thy step instruction's path pursues.

Go, stamp fair virtue on the ductile soul;
O'er humble babes Immanuel's rule extend;
The passions early bend to just controul,
And form the Christian, Citizen, and Friend.

The untaught child of indigence reclaim,
To happy industry its hands apply;
Oh! teach its trembling voice a Saviour's name,
And bid it useful live, and joyful die.

Lo! infant cherubs, whose immortal powers,
Thy care adapted to heaven's bright abode;
Dismiss'd from earth, in ever-blooming bowers,
Will bless the hand which led them to their God.