[Poems by Hopkins in] The Echo :: :: University of Virginia Library

[When a man has ventured into the regions of prophecy, it is highly gratifying to his pride, to have his predictions fulfilled. In the following passage, Cassius appears in the character of a prophet. It did not require any supernatural aid, to foresee the effect his writings would produce; but as the prophecy is made, a fulfilment is as necessary, to save Cassius's reputation and pride, as ever it was for Simon Magus, Jemima, or Christopher Love. For this important purpose Echo, ever intent on doing good, and preventing mortifications, has awakened from a long sleep, just caught his last words as they passed along, and thus sent the Seer on a voyage to immortality.]

121

HARTFORD, AUGUST 25th, 1794.

“Seldom he smiles and smiles in such a sort,
“As if he mock'd himself and scorn'd his spirit
“That could be moved to smile at any thing.
“Such men as he are never at heart's case,
“While they behold a greater than themselves.”
Shakespeare.

Perchance my countrymen, my windy strain
To some nice ears will seem a little plain;
They'll think, perhaps, I mean to give offence,
Or (which is false) have very little sense;
That none but fools would lay out such a plan;
And that, instead of nine, I sha'n't turn out a man.
I fear my food your stomachs will not fit,
You're used to eating much more wholesome meat;
While I, alas! no better dare to boast,
Than water-gruel, or a stew at most.
But 'tis no wonder—all my thoughts of late
Have been employ'd to benefit the State.
Call'd by my town to act a public part,
Their interest lies the second from my heart;
(My own, be sure, employs the nighest room,
For Christian charity begins at home.)
Indeed, so much I've ponder'd on these things,
So much with politics my skull-bell rings,
So much I wish the Council should retreat,
And leave for me in Upper House a seat;

122

So much I've watch'd, and toil'd, and wrote in vain,
That I begin to think't has turn'd my brain.
How much I've strove the candid air to keep,
That air which lays Suspicion fast asleep:
How oft has Cassius shifted in his gait,
To suit the ruling party in the State,
Argued with blockheads to preserve their right,
Prov'd white is black, and then prov'd black is white.
How oft, when call'd t' uphold the moral cause,
By feeble aid of temporary laws,
My heart, attracted by its genial guide,
O Vice! has always labour'd on thy side!
My real feelings scarce I dare disclose,
My friends may sneer—ah what will say my foes!
To tell the honest truth in simple speech,
I'm sadly troubled with politic itch;
So much it spreads, and makes me so uneasy
That I must either scratch, or run quite crazy;
So great its power, not Mercury's self can quell,
Nor all the fire and brimstone this side hell.
Once my bold wishes vainly dar'd to aspire,
“Above the vulgar flight of low desire;”
I fondly hoped the Federal-Hall to reach,
And there, 'mongst other great men, make my speech.
Alas, in air that cheating vision floats!
The stubborn freemen will not give their votes:
In vain I flatter, fawn, shake hands and write,
The Nomination's doom'd to be my height.

Robb'd of this hope, I turn my anxious eyes
To where the Council into honour rise.

123

In firm belief, what proverbs old have said,
That “half a loaf is better than no bread,”
I'm now resolv'd, urg'd on by keen despair,
To gain, if possible, a station there,
That there are thorns and hedges in the way,
Which check my progress and enforce delay,
Alas! is true;—no vacancy remains,
To soothe my spirits and reward my pains.
What can be done to ease this heart of mine?
To stand some kind of chance, I'll turn out nine:
I'll pray the freemen to adopt my plan,
And sweep the board, and scarcely leave a man;
Three, three alone of all that haughty band,
Shall 'scape to scourge, betray and spoil the land.
As when pale Sodom saw with dire dismay,
Heaven's fiery tempest shroud the face of day,
While tenfold thunder roll'd the concave round,
And hurrying torrents whelm'd the guilty ground,
Lot, with two daughters, shunn'd alone the shower,
By fleeing early to the town of Zoar.
Or as, when Noah, taught from yonder sky,
Read Fate's dark volume with prophetic eye,
Prepar'd his spacious Ark of Gopher-wood
To sail triumphant o'er the mighty flood,
While all his neighbours met an awful doom,
Swept by the deluge to an early tomb,
With snakes and toads the patriarch lay secure,
Rode out the storm, and reach'd his promis'd shore.

If any fear the State will be bereft,
When nine are taken, and but three are left,

124

There's nought to fear depend upon't—I know
Of eight, beside myself, who're all prepar'd to go.

Doubtless the Council will together rise,
And cast a mist before the people's eyes,
They'll say, perhaps, we wish to get their seat—
This I've confess'd and need not now repeat—
They'll say (alas! 'tis true) they've acted well,
Used all their powers injustice to repel,
As reason taught, or conscience led the way
Pleased they pursued, nor wish'd to disobey,
Nor though ten thousand knaves and blockheads prate,
Will they turn rogues and sacrifice the State.
But what assails me with superior dread,
And makes me shudder from the heel to head,
Is Satire's gang; that devilish hornet crew,
Who always sting intriguers through and through.
I know they'll ridicule, and laugh, and jeer,
Expose our plans, and raise the public sneer;
Perhaps some nick-name to our club they'll stick,
A stale, old-fashion'd, Stelligeri trick,
From which a man no more can wash him clean,
Than Adam's sons can wash out Adam's sin.
But O my friends, I beg, beseech, and pray,
You will not laugh my only hope away;
As said the frog, this useless waste of breath
May be your pleasure, but to me 'tis death.
I hope no honest man will deign t' appear,
My writings read, and all my troubles hear;

125

For when he sees how poor and wan I grow,
Borne down with fear, and all ambition's woe,
If e'er one passion touch'd his generous heart,
To see a beggar stripp'd of every art,
Whose tricks have fail'd, whose schemes have been betray'd,
While Ruin hovers o'er his guilty head,
He'll feel his honest indignation rise,
And drive me trembling from his flashing eyes.

Sometimes, indeed, I feel my strength so great,
I dare to face the force of all the State;
But these bold fits are short—cold fear returns,
And dim the lamp of expectation burns;
I recollect when Satire's potent spell,
Show'd these my comrades in their darksome cell.
Expos'd their plots, their wond'rous schemes o'erthrew,
And routed all the Stelligeri crew.
Grown wise by suffering, lo! the Club no more,
Moves to the field courageous as before,
Trembling they skulk along the path of life,
Praying to rocks to shield them from the strife.
Thus Succoth's sons, when Midian's tribes were fled,
Before great Gideon bent the haughty head;
But the brave warrior, with terrific face,
By thorns and brambles taught the cringing race.

If, if indeed, mine were an honest cause,
If Cassius loved his country, and her laws,
If he could overcome his love of pelf,
And once forget that ugly thing—Himself,

126

Then, then he'd dare to brave the witty throng,
With all the force of satire and of song.
But oh! alas! mine's not an honest cause!
I do not love my country, and her laws!
I cannot overcome my love of pelf!
Nor once forget that ugly thing—Myself!
Therefore I fear the truth will flash around,
For Truth is Satire to a heart unsound.

Stelligeri, a band of patriots so called from their meeting by star-light, for the praise-worthy object of effecting a reform in the government of the State of Connecticut.