Classic Poem

Morpheus had clos'd my wearied eyes to rest,
And sleep oblivious o'er my senses stole;
When the fell nightmare pillow'd on my breast,
And rais'd such phantoms as possess'd me whole.

Methought I saw a ruthless tyrant weep,
Whose groans so horrid ev'ry feeling shook;
" Guard me, " he cry'd, " ye angels round me keep,
" Controul the fiends, that 'vengeful on me look. "

A beauteous seraph clad in spotless white,
Stood by the wretch, and thus in anger cry'd;
" Miscreant, restore the helpless orphan's right,
" And by the sentence of thy deeds abide. "

" Shield me, " he said, " sweet Pity, heav'nly fair,
" For such thy form celestial doth proclaim;
" O! let me breathe again but vital air,
" And thou bless'd Seraph, shalt record my fame. "

Compassion mov'd the heav'n-beloved maid,
Who touch'd the culprit with her ebon wand;
Attendant vigils due observance paid,
And bore him back obedient to command.

O! with what joy he seem'd again to tread,
His native element, contagious earth:
But life restor'd — each recent promise fled,
And Av'rice only sung his wretched worth.

Appall'd, disgusted at the irksome sight,
My jaded spirits other objects sought;
And turning saw with rapturous delight,
What far excell'd the airy bounds of thought.

Three shining fair ones charm'd my ravish'd eyes,
Each sat surrounded on a starry throne;
By thousand cherubs chaunting to the skies,
The joys that flow from happiness alone.

And whence I cry'd — (by inspiration fir'd)
Ethereal beings — whence those blessings spring?
I paus'd, and sudden found myself attir'd
In angels' garb — endu'd with pow'r to wing.

A secret impulse ran thro' ev'ry vein,
On pinions stretch'd to highest heights I soar'd;
Eager the wish'd intelligence to gain,
The names of those who were so much ador'd.

But ere I reach'd the summit of desire,
A voice angelic cry'd in aweful strains;
" Presumptive mortal, back to earth retire,
" Know here Religion, Love , and Mercy reigns.

" From these all happiness eternal flow,
" Go — and unite the lovely three in one;
" Accomplish this, and joy supremely know,
" Which to the union only can belong. "

It ceas'd regardless of entreaty's tears,
Nor could my eyes the splendid scene redeem:
When morn awoke me from imagin'd fears,
And prov'd the whole a transitory dream.