The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
When late he bade to public life adieu,
Supernal visions opening on his view;
Ye heard the last advice your guardian gave,
Ye heard his words when bord'ring on the grave:—
What truths experience taught you from his tongue,
When in your ears such awful warnings rung?
“To follow virtue never, never cease,
Her path is pleasant, and its end is peace:
Oh, cultivate blest union, but on this
Relies your freedom, independence, bliss.
Who sees a foreign policy prevail,
Must see thy promis'd bliss, Columbia! fail;
Must see thy goodly heritage, that day,
The prize of factions or of war the prey.”
What MORTAL truths more sacred spake of old,
Inspir'd by heav'n!—The words are grav'd in gold.
Supernal visions opening on his view;
Ye heard the last advice your guardian gave,
Ye heard his words when bord'ring on the grave:—
What truths experience taught you from his tongue,
When in your ears such awful warnings rung?
“To follow virtue never, never cease,
Her path is pleasant, and its end is peace:
Oh, cultivate blest union, but on this
Relies your freedom, independence, bliss.
Who sees a foreign policy prevail,
Must see thy promis'd bliss, Columbia! fail;
Must see thy goodly heritage, that day,
The prize of factions or of war the prey.”
What MORTAL truths more sacred spake of old,
Inspir'd by heav'n!—The words are grav'd in gold.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |