38
MONTPELIER.
The chisel's life-bestowing power,
The lore that cheats the studious hour,
And music's strains, that vainly vie
With the touched spirit's melody—
How strong the tissued spells that bind
The lingering eye, and charmed mind.
Here wisdom rests in sylvan shade,
That erst an empire's councils swayed,
And goodness whose persuasive art
So justly won that empire's heart,
And piety,*[1] with hoary hair,
Who, rising o'er this Eden fair,
Beholds, by mortal foot untrod,
A brighter Eden with its God.
Montpelier!—these thy name have set
A gem in memory's coronet,
Whose lustre ruthless time shall spare,
Till from her brow that crown he tear—
Till from her book that page he rend,
Which of a stranger made a friend.
- ↑ * The venerable mother of President Madison, who survived, honoured and beloved, until past the age of ninety years.
