The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
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 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
But, lo! what present growth exceeds the past,
While population adds improvements vast;
For population doubles still our force,
Ere thrice eight annual suns complete their course.
How teems the fresh mould with luxuriant green!
There, not a vestige of the war is seen;
And ev'n late blazing towns that blush'd with gore,
Smile brighter far and lovelier than before.
Not so for man will life's once faded spring,
Return more sweet and fairer blossoms bring.
No more will friendship's buried hopes return!
Say, mem'ry! mourning o'er each hero's urn,
Where now the dreams that cheer'd my youth in vain,
And where my youthful friends in battle slain?
See, vernal blooms, as soon as born, decay,
And each wing'd moment bear some flow'r away!
So fly the years that charm'd in early life,
So fade the laurels won in martial strife.
Ye vanish'd scenes! ye visionary toys!
Delusive hopes! and transitory joys!
Adieu!—but, virtue! cheer our little lives,—
For, from the wreck, religion still survives.
Religious zeal our ancestors that warm'd,
With passions cool'd, their temp'rate habits form'd:
Hence in that state is seen (sight passing strange!)
Choice free and frequent, yet no lust of change.
The foreigner admires of bliss the cause,
In fair elections and the reign of laws;
And joys to find on shores long waste and wild,
A race in manners undebauch'd, yet mild;
Between too rude and polish'd life, a stage
That claims new actors for a golden age.
While population adds improvements vast;
For population doubles still our force,
Ere thrice eight annual suns complete their course.
How teems the fresh mould with luxuriant green!
There, not a vestige of the war is seen;
And ev'n late blazing towns that blush'd with gore,
Smile brighter far and lovelier than before.
Not so for man will life's once faded spring,
Return more sweet and fairer blossoms bring.
No more will friendship's buried hopes return!
Say, mem'ry! mourning o'er each hero's urn,
Where now the dreams that cheer'd my youth in vain,
And where my youthful friends in battle slain?
See, vernal blooms, as soon as born, decay,
And each wing'd moment bear some flow'r away!
So fly the years that charm'd in early life,
So fade the laurels won in martial strife.
Ye vanish'd scenes! ye visionary toys!
Delusive hopes! and transitory joys!
Adieu!—but, virtue! cheer our little lives,—
For, from the wreck, religion still survives.
Religious zeal our ancestors that warm'd,
With passions cool'd, their temp'rate habits form'd:
Hence in that state is seen (sight passing strange!)
Choice free and frequent, yet no lust of change.
The foreigner admires of bliss the cause,
In fair elections and the reign of laws;
And joys to find on shores long waste and wild,
A race in manners undebauch'd, yet mild;
Between too rude and polish'd life, a stage
That claims new actors for a golden age.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |