When monkish selfishness conceal'd
Pure Revelation's lucid light,
Then Superstition's pow'r prevail'd,
And hid fair Truth from mortal sight:
Expiring lay each noble art,
That once improv'd the head and heart,
And pining Science droop'd, unseen;
Typography , of heav'nly birth,
Then came to chear the sons of Earth,
With blissful Wisdom's smiles serene.

As, after wint'ry storms are o'er,
The blooms of Spring adorn the ground,
So, the bright Sciences no more
Were hid, but beauteous rose around;
And, as the beams of rising Day
Creation's glorious scenes display,
And morning vapours dissipate,
So, P RINTING sent true Learning forth,
To warm mankind to cherish Worth,
And new inventions here create.

By noblest mortals patroniz'd,
This precious Art each day improv'd;
And wheresoever it was priz'd,
Thence stupid Ignorance remov'd.
Kind handmaid of Religion, hail!
Long may thy potent aid prevail,
Thou friend to Liberty and Truth;
True Knowledge, introduc'd by thee,
From chains of Error sets us free,
And aids the aged and the youth.

Banish'd by Despotism's law,
To Freedom's climes this art remov'd —
Here no harsh sound her voice can awe —
By all protected and belov'd;
Whilst wretches, who her absence mourn,
The foot of Tyranny doth spurn —
Unhappy Turkey! such thy state —
Depress'd, unmann'd, the vassals bend,
And with the dust their aspects blend,
Before the footstool of the great.

Celestial Art! ah, ne'er degrade
Thyself to foster odious Vice;
Alas! too oft thou art betray'd,
When irreligious fiends entice:
Ah! never, never condescend
Voluptuous Folly to befriend,
Lest all thy graces should expire;
But, ever love the moral lay,
And History's rich stores display,
Then shall the Good thy charms admire.