University of Virginia Library

Ye Great of Earth, arise!—At once appear
Cæsars and Pompeys, men estranged from fear;
Whose warlike feats the porphyry column bears;
Who view'd the world, and proudly call'd it theirs;
Who lived to tread the steep, to build the name,
Whilst slaughter'd thousands track'd their road to fame.
What grateful heart, slow from the dying bed,
Ere call'd for showers of blessings on their head?
Crowds, rather, in their pangs, with death in sight,
Bewail'd the hour that gave them to the light.
These are not Great! Illustrious men and wise!
You are the Great, whose deeds to glory rise!
You distant realms have sought, with untold pains,
Not to explore fresh marts, or count new gains;
Like some dark fiend, with venom in your eye,
To swell the tide of human misery,
But, with benign delight, your joys to share,
To free the captive, smooth the brow of care,
Throw back the veil, the star of Hope display,
And guide benighted souls to endless day.
Such once was Brainerd, whose ambition, high,
Aspired to teach the Indian “how to die.”
Such Schwartz was found, who 'mong the heathen, long
Despairing roam'd, yet lived to hear the song,
From the wide Banian's sylvan altar, own,
In concords loud, Jehovah, Lord alone!
Such Wesley, Whitefield were; both labourers tried,
Who find in Heaven the peace which Earth denied.
And such was Vanderkempt (his ransom paid),
Who now looks down, nor mourns the choice he made.