Page:History of the University of Pennsylvania - Montgomery (1900).djvu/199

Figure in the Space of some Centuries, tho' founded by Kings, and sup- ported at the public Expence. Prosecute, Gentlemen, yet a little longer prosecute your generous Plan, with the same Spirit ; and your own Reputation, with that of your Academy, shall be establish' d, in Spite of every Obstacle, on a Bottom immortal, and never to be Shaken. A Succession of good Men and good Citizens shall never be wanting in Pennsylvania to do Honor to your Mem- ories, and diffuse Spirit and Happiness thro' their Country. The Virtues to be chiefly inculcated in your Youth in order to obtain this End, you know better than I. They are however modestly hinted, in the following Poem, from a Mouth that cannot fail to give them new Importance. * * * * That the Success of your Undertaking may still exceed even your own most sanguine Hopes, is my earnest Prayer, as it is my firm Persuasion that such a fair Beginning cannot fail of the most lasting good Conse- quences. * * * The Poem may merit the quotation from it of a few lines : Heavens ! how my Heart beat Rapture, to behold The little Heroes, decent, graceful, bold, The Rostrum mount, with British Ardor warm' d, And, by the sacred Soul of Glory charm' d, With Hands out-stretch' d, rowl, tingling, from their Tongue, Sage Truths of Justice, Freedom, Right, and Wrong, In numerous Periods, sweeter than my Song. O how the Sires glow' d round, and fed their Eyes Fix' d on their darling Sons in sweet surprize ; O how the Sons were smit with conscious Fires, In the animating Presence of their Sires ! Even GOD Himself exults in such a Sight ; And Angels hang applausive, in Mid-flight. While those bright Souls releas' d from earthly care, To whom th' Affairs of Kindred-men are dear, Look down triumphant on the lovely Scene ; And for a While Suspend their heavenly Strain. In reference to the efforts now also made in the city of New York for a like institution he at the close gives these lines : O were the Joy compleat ! But one sad Thought Depresses half the Raptures of my Note ! For can I celebrate such wisdom here, O much lov' d YORK, nor drop a duteous Tear ?