Lyric and Legendary.
Hail, ye mighty masters of the lay,
Nature's true sons, the friends of man and truth;
Whose song, sublimely sweet, serenely gay,
Amused my childhood, and informed my youth:
Oh! let your spirit still my bosom soothe,
Inspire my dreams, and my wild wanderings guide;
Your voice each rugged path of life can smoothe,
For well I know, wherever ye reside,
There harmony, and peace, and innocence abide.
Song sweetens toil, however rude the sound;
All at her work the village maiden sings;
Nor, while she turns the giddy wheel around,
Revolves the sad vicissitudes of life.
Those venerable ancient Song enditers
Soared many a pitch beyond our modern writers;
With rough, majestic strength they touched the heart,
And Truth and Nature made amends for Art.
Ode to Eloquence.
Heard ye those loud contending waves,
That shook Cecropia's pillared state?
Saw ye the mighty from their graves
Look up, and tremble at her fate?
Who shall calm the angry storm?
Who the mighty task perform,
And bid the raging tumult cease?
See the son of Hermes rise;
With siren tongue, and speaking eyes,
Hush the noise, and soothe to peace!
