University of Virginia Library

How will the future sons of sires, who now,
In climes remote, to stocks and statues bow—
(Oh, fearful depth of folly and of crime!
Man, even Man! endued with powers sublime,
Disclaims his rank, to basest things that be,
Lifts the adoring eye, and bends the knee!)
How will such, brought to their maturer sense,
Read with delight the Page of Providence!
How will such hail (without one faint alloy,)
Their happier state, then, with seraphic joy,
Gaze backward far upon the men revered
Who first their tribes with songs of Sion cheer'd,
Brought them the truth, the Book of Knowledge spread,
And o'er the future beams effulgent shed!
What gratulations, what transcendent praise
Their hearts to you shall breathe, their voices raise,
As, basking in the light, a glance they cast
O'er the dark vale, the dreary desert past!
As, on their race of storms, their night of woe,
Safe, from the Mount of God, they look below!
When waning age on age hath roll'd away,
Since you with earth have mix'd your honour'd clay,
While myriads on oblivion's tide are seen,
Borne downward, lost, as tho' they ne'er had been,
Still shall your memories flourish, fresh and green;
Of you, the lisping child shall learn to speak,
As the warm tear steals down the mother's cheek:
Yet nobler thoughts than these your hearts beguile;—
Conscience' sweet voice, and Heaven's approving smile.