Mirth and Metre :: :: University of Virginia Library

Since the beam of existence life's taper illum'd
How oft has grief wasted it faster;
And long ere time would have the taper consum'd
Has the light been obscur'd by disaster;
The life thus, ere nature demanded, suppress'd,
Tearful Pity look'd as a lost corse on,
'Till Hope to Humanity chanc'd to suggest
“Lateat Scintillula forsan!

Now life's light would Despair oft, or accident, crop,
While Society mourn'd deprivation;
And thought that no power their invasion could stop
That fell short of the power of Creation;

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So for ages resistless they carried their scope,
'Till Science restraint put their course on;
For Experiment caught the kind accent of Hope,
“Lateat Scintillula forsan!”

Then Life's taper extinct ere Mortality's claim
With hope bounteous science regarded;
And the spark that remain'd strove to fan to a flame,
While the aim Perseverance rewarded.
Casuality's paralyzed victim, and whom
Gaunt Suicide fix'd his fell jaws on,
Rejoic'd in the hint that defeated the tomb,
“Lateat,” &c.

Like a vision celestial, the theme of my lay,
In review pass'd this instant before ye,
While each eye rapture's dew drop was proud to display,
By those tears, in its aid I implore ye;
'Tis Humanity's triumph, the banquet of souls,
Which heaven bestows best applause on;
Then improve the blest hint from each point to the poles,
“Lateat,” &c.

The chief that rides deeply in wars bloody strife,
Deified is in Glory's pavillion;
But more godlike is he who preserves but one life
Than the hero who slaughters a million:
Him the curses of widows and orphans pursue,
But the blessings of all wait your course on,
Then sons of humanity keep still in view
“Lateat,” &c.

The persons saved by the Humane Society pass in procession round the room where the annual dinner is held.