The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys :: :: University of Virginia Library

The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys

Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid

Humphreys, David (1752-1818)

[section]

[dedication]

ADDRESS TO THE ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A POEM ON THE HAPPINESS OF AMERICA.

A POEM ON THE FUTURE GLORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A POEM ON THE INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A POEM ON THE LOVE OF COUNTRY. IN CELEBRATION OF THE TWENTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

TO HIS MAJESTY LOUIS, KING OF ETRURIA, HEREDITARY PRINCE OF PARMA, INFANT OF SPAIN, &c. &c. &c.

[section]

TRANSLATION.

ORIGINAL PREFACE On the first Publication of the two following Poems, which were written when the Author was Minister in Spain.

ADVERTISEMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

ARGUMENT.

[section]

A POEM ON THE DEATH OF GENERAL WASHINGTON.

OCCASIONAL POEMS.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

129

For whom was earth's stupendous fabric made?
For whom such pomp ineffable display'd?
What made the rolling spheres with music ring,
And sons of God symphonious concerts sing?
'Twas man's inexplicable, doubtful form,
Sprung from non-entity—a God—a worm—
The high-born spirit, native pure of day—
The body gross, but animated clay—
With parts so pure, so gross—enigma strange!
Alive, though dead—the same, though seen to change—
'Twas God's last work that fir'd angelic quires,
Gave worlds to space and themes to heav'nly lyres.