University of Virginia Library

The splendid morn with flaming light had graced
The gold fringed clouds, the curtains of the east;
Invited by the breeze to taste the sweets
Which breathe in Harvard's venerable seats,
Beneath her flowery groves and bowers I strayed;
Morpheus had just forsook the happy shade;
He saw me, rambling o'er the morning dew,
And in my face enraged his poppies threw;
Pressed with the load, my heavy eyelids close,
And in the shade my drowsy limbs repose.
When to my eyes an aged dame appeared,
Gazed on the scene and treasured all she heard.
Upon her brow deep thought in furrows lies,
And wild anxiety distorts her eyes;
Me thus accosting in my cool resort;
“I come,” says she, “from Wisdom's brilliant court,
“Where fair Maria, of immortal name,
“Holds the high sceptre with unbounded fame.
“My name's Investigation, fondly sought,
“Where Truth can please the mind, or warm the thought.
“Then follow in my steps to yonder shade;
“There stands a mirror to the eye displayed;
“In it each virtue of the deepest breast,
“And every vice and fault appear exprest.
“'Twas there Maria bade me lead your eyes,
“To amend each error, and to make you wise.”
My willing hand then to the path she drew;
I fondly bade to vice a long adieu!
We lost the matin carol of the lark,
And entered in the grove;—'twas still and dark.
A solemn silence sat on every scene,
And envious night veiled spring's delightful mien.
In mazy rout we rove the winding road,
And oft retrace the path we once have trod,
'Till through the transient gloom a ray of light,
From the broad mirror, beamed upon our sight.
Above a running brook, the mirror's gleam,
With bright reflection, tinged the glassy stream;
Hence light, emerging round, the grove displayed,
'Till faintly dim it mingled with the shade.
Cheered by the feeble ray through many a maze,
We turn our feet and reach the mirror's blaze.
Fair Truth, the spotless offspring of the sky,
Rayed in a robe of flowing white, stood by;
With gentle voice she thus accosts my guide:
“Hail, honoured maid, fair Reason's noblest pride!
“Oft hast thou won the prize of bliss supreme,
“And these fond warbling groves chose thee their theme;
“And oft have I, enticed by fond regard,
“The stainless laurel for your brow prepared.
“But say, fair nymph, whence come you thus again?
“What happy mortal follows in your train?”
To whom my guide, “Where fair Maria's court
“For exiled Wisdom opes a kind resort,
“Thence I return, at her command, once more
“These spotless groves and blest retreats to explore;
“To teach this youth thy undissembling lore;
“In thy pure mirror to display each stain
“Which blots his bosom, or what virtues reign.”

Then heavenly Truth her magick sceptre moved,
And from the mirror all its gloss removed.
The undazzled eye could now unhurt behold
The inmost secrets of the breast unfold.