The bard of the dales :: :: University of Virginia Library

Wisdom! how bright thy excellencies shine!
To speak in praise of thee my object is;
To commend to all thy comeliness divine,
Thou fair director to the climes of bliss!

Such boldness scarce becomes a child of dust,
A branch of ancient Adam's tainted stem;
But duty bids me, therefore speak I must,
Although unfit to touch thy garment's hem!

Wisdom, thou river! O thou sea immense!
Where shall my lowly views begin,
In order not to mar thy excellence,
Deface thy beauty, nor encourage sin!

Thy charms are new each day, in every place!
Yet old as ancient earth's foundation stone,
Tho' thousands have and do the same embrace,
Thy purity was ne'er defiled by one!

Borne on thy wing, bold contemplation soars,
Visits a world beyond the worlds we see!
A world more glorious, fraught with richer stores,
Where all thy followers shall for ever be!

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For want of thee, amidst a frowning world,
Torn from the sumptuous fare on which they fed,
Proud men of state are into prison hurl'd,
With loathsome insects to seek a bed!

For want of thee, in yon tumultuous town,
Virginity is blasted in her bud;
Though thousands for the same are overthrown,
And fall beneath the vengeful hand of God!

For want of thee, the simple youth's ensnared,
Refusing of thy dainties for to taste,
Though thou for him rich bounties hast prepared,
And kindly call'st him to the costly feast!

He'll pass thy window with a scornful eye,
And rather choose the way which leads to death;
He'll rather choose his lust to gratify,
Which he soon pays for with his dying breath!

By thee directed, in yon seaport town,
I've scaped the snares of the deluded throng;
With peace invested, boldly I've sat down
Where tipsy harlots sung their wanton song!

Thy whispers cheer'd me through the silent night,
When raving drunkards roar'd around the bowl,
And pointed me to more supreme delight,—
While loud blasphemies shock'd my very soul!

While moonlight strollers trip't with wanton feet,
And brazen trumpets echo'd through the gloom,
And carriage tumult roll'd along the street,
To thee I've fled and found sufficient room!

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For contemplation where I might survey
With secret glance, the glories of the skies,
The beauties of religion's golden ray,
That source from which all solid comforts rise!

May thy important lessons never be,
Since I have here to act a christian part,
Despised, rejected, or abused by me,
But take and keep possession of my heart!

Despise thee! nay, I scorn the gloomy thought,
But while in secret I do thee adore,
Seeing the mighty wonders thou hast wrought,
I am constrain'd to love thee more and more!

Though I despised thee when a careless youth,
I'll now pursue thee to my latest breath,
For I'm persuaded from the word of truth,
Those that hate thee do certainly love death!

Lo! wisdom weeps at folly's mad career,
Vice triumphs still and flings her giddy head,
While innocency bleeds with pangs severe,
Grim cruelty in all their sufferings tread!

Here, folly, see thy sickly picture drawn;
If wisdom then has here her share of grief,
If wisdom has her miseries to mourn,
How can poor folly lead a happy life!

Shine forth thou precious morning star divine,
Display thy beauty and expel the gloom,
Into those dark benighted corners shine,
Revive those shades with ever-during bloom!

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To thee and thy great author be the praise
That ever I thy charming voice did hear
Or ever felt thy soul enlivening rays,
Which melts the heart and brings salvation near!

Do you lack wisdom, ask it then of God;—
So all have done who have true wisdom got;
Ask then according to his holy word,
And he will give, and will upbraid you not!