University of Virginia Library

Access is mine, the willing gates unfold,
And Yale's assembled sons mine eyes behold;
Our future statesmen, patriots, bards, divines,
For whom bright Fame the fadeless laurel twines,
And here convened, and in each youthful face
Their rising greatness fancy fain would trace.
Say, are not here some souls that restless burn,
On life's great stage to take an active turn;
To rise, the awful pillars of the state,
And rival ancient Tully in debate?
Some who possess a portion of that flame
That gained our Washington immortal fame?
Others, whose philanthropic bosoms glow
To act like Franklin in relieving wo?
Whose philosophic souls his fame inspires
To wield the thunder and direct its fires;
To soar, on Fancy's wing, through trackless space,
View countless orbs and all their movements trace,
Governed by order and unchanging laws,
And in effects behold the eternal cause?
Some glowing with a Homer's living fire,
Designed to “wake to ecstasy the lyre,”
To bid Columbia's future fame arise,
And rear Parnassus under western skies;
Here fix the temple of the tuneful throng,
And rival Albion's boasted sons of song?
Or are not here some destined yet to shine,
With cloudless lustre, in the desk divine;
To wake the soul, and guide its feeble view
To Him who made, and can its form renew;
Recall the wandering wretch, his course restrain,
And gently lead him to the fold again;
Arouse the careless, and support the weak,
And gospel truths with voice unfaltering speak?

Hail, sons of Genius! youthful sages, hail!
The glory, pride, support, and boast of Yale;
Your country's ornaments aspire to prove,
And grace the spheres in which you're called to move;
So shall your Alma Mater rise in fame,
And deathless honors decorate her name.
And here the muse bewails her hapless bard,
Whose cruel fate such golden prospects marred,
For Hope once whispered to his ardent breast,
“Thy dearest, fondest wish shall be possessed”—
Unfolded to his view the classic page,
And all its treasures promised ripening age;
Showed Learning's flowery path which led to Fame,
Whose distant temple glittered with his name.
Illusive all!—the phantom all believe,
Though still we know her promises deceive;
Chill penury convinced the wretch too late,
Her words were false, and his a hapless fate.