My Mind and its Thoughts, in Sketches, Fragments, and Essays

Not Raphael—that these lowly lays,
Can reach the summit of thy praise,
That thou, the young Columbia's boast,
The pride of Britain's polished coast,
Can'st from the muses fragrant breath,
Receive a finer, fonder wreath;
Than that two rival worlds bestow,
To grace thy fame embellished brow.
But holier friendship bows the knee,
To virtue, genius, and to thee.

She, whose fair morn of life was new,
When on that voice instruction grew,
While every word a moral taught,
And kindness won the wandering thought.
She sees her early friend restored,
With every worth her youth adored,
Sees him, unlike the summer race,
Who shun affliction's altering face;
Still the benignant accent hears,
Still finds that worth her soul reveres.

Ah, Raphael! not the loud acclaim,
And far extending voice of fame;
Not all the joys THY ART can give,
Not through the lapse of time to live.

Not all thy patriot valour known,
The light with which thy Parent shone!
Can to thy bosom yield a good,
Like thine own conscious rectitude.

For me, by many a lesson taught,
Of patient hope, the enduring thought;
Oft have I met the insidious stare,
The mean neglect, the enquiring air.
Which shunning every kindlier part,
Still probed the lacerated heart.
While malice urged the shaft of pain,
Have bid the smile of pity reign;
And proud serenity controul
The anguish of the indignant soul.
Have seen the giddy careless throng,
Melt at the sorrows of a song;
While the mild stranger still supplied,
That tear, known arrogance denied.

In vain the searching mind has sought,
For worth, mid folly's rude resort,
And still with heart-exulting pride,
Found TRUTH with GENIUS close allied.

As a distinguished officer of high rank in the American Revolution.

The late Governor of a neighbouring state.

University of Virginia Library

LINES

INSCRIBED TO A CELEBRATED HISTORICAL PAINTER, UPON HIS RETURN FROM GREAT BRITAIN TO THE UNITED STATES.