Classic Poem

III. 1.

They shrink, they vanish into air —
Now Slander taints with pestilence the gale;
And mingling cries assail,
The wail of Woe, and scream of mad Despair.
Lo, wizard Envy from his serpent-eye
Darts quick destruction in each baleful glance;
Pride smiling stern, and yellow Jealousy,
Frowning Disdain, and haggard Hate advance:
Behold, amid the dire array,
Pale, wither'd Care his giant-stature rears,
And lo, his iron hand prepares
To grasp its feeble prey.

III. 2.

Oh who shall guard bewilder'd Youth
Safe from the fierce assaults of hostile rage?
Such wars can Virtue wage,
Virtue, that bears the sacred shield of Truth?
Ah no. On Infamy's victorious spear
Fair Virtue's spoils are oft in triumph born,
While by Adversity's decree severe
Unwept unheard the Captive wails forlorn,
Defac'd with many a cruel scar.
Ill-fated Youth, then whither wilt thou fly?
No friend, no shelter now is nigh,
And onward rolls the war.

III. 3.

But whence the sudden beam that shoots along!
Why shrink aghast the hostile throng!
Lo, from amidst Affliction's night
HOPE bursts all radiant on the sight:
Her words the troubled bosom soothe.
" Why thus dismay'd? Though foes invade,
" Hope ne'er is wanting to their aid,
" Who tread the path of Truth.
" 'Tis I, who smooth the rugged way;
" I, who close the eyes of Sorrow,
" And with glad visions of tomorrow
" Repair the weary soul's decay.
" When Death's cold touch thrills to the freezing heart,
" Dreams of heaven's opening glories I impart,
" Till the free'd spirit springs on high
" In rapture too severe for weak Mortality " .