The miscellaneous essays and occasional writings of Francis Hopkinson, Esq

Enough, ye sons of science! honours meet
At your maternal shrine have now been paid.
From the fair font of Helicon divine
Pure living streams, enraptur'd, have ye drawn,
Of classic lore, and bade them copious flow,
To grace the prospects of this festive day.
Meanwhile, each patriot eye with transport gaz'd;
Each friend of worth, of science, and of man,
With cheering smiles their silent plaudit gave.

Say then, my friends, have ye no chaplets weav'd,
No jocund song prepar'd of sprightliest strain,
To crown the labours of the learned tribe,
And sooth with warblings sweet the parting ear?

EUGENIO.
Yes, my Lorenzo, grateful will we pay

All seemly tribute to this glad occasion:
Nor chaplets gay, nor song of sprightliest strain
Will we refuse. See good Amyntor's eye
Sparkles with joy, and speaks some rapt'rous theme.

AMYNTOR.
What theme more joyous, or can better suit
The glad return of this auspicious day,
Than that which occupies my present thought,
And which the faithful index of my heart
Pointed to thy discerning?—Know, Eugenio,
The joy that sports in thy Amyntor's breast,
And o'er his visage spreads this placid smile,
Springs from no other source than the loud fame
Of his young monarch's worth.—Be this our theme.

EUGENIO.
And is it thus, Amyntor? ah! how soon
To sounds of grief succeeds the voice of joy!
And gilded trappings to the garb of woe.
Far other scenes thy lab'ring breast disclos'd,
When last I met thee at these annual rites:
With visage wan, with dark and downward brow,
When royal dust receiv'd the duteous tear;
When trembled with the dirge this stately dome,
And gloom'd these hallow'd walls with wreaths funereal.

AMYNTOR.
Oh! name it not, my friend! all custom'd dues
To majesty entomb'd were then discharg'd.
To dwell desponding on the mournful theme,

Or hang like statues o'er the kingly urn,
Pale, motionless as marble; this were impious;
A censure weak and rash of heav'n's decree.
Shout then, ye favour'd race, ye sons of freedom,
Bound ev'ry heart with joy, and ev'ry breast
Pour the warm tribute of a grateful praise!
For o'er the realms of Britain reigns supreme
The darling of his people, George the Good.
Bright clust'ring round his throne the virtues stand
In meet array, obsequious at his call,
To fly, triumphant, thro' his wide domain,
And deal their salutary influence round.

LORENZO.
Thrice happy monarch! skill'd in ev'ry art
To win a nation's smile, and fix their love.
Thy youthful blossoms are the earnests sure
Of future glories to thy native land.
Hence, in the mighty rolls of British fame,
Thy reign shall shine distinguish'd mid the rest,
By deeds of valour, piety, and love.

AMYNTOR.

Nor only in the sphere of royalty,
The wise exertions of his kingly pow'r,
Doth George illustrious move: each milder virtue,
Each soft endearing scene of private life
His tender soul embraces: modest worth,
Grace unaffected, true simplicity,
With dignity combin'd, each nameless joy
That Hymen twines around his silken bands,

He meets with transport in his Charlotte's arms,
The pleasing partner of his heart and throne.

But let us not in fond and growing parley
Thus waste the day.—Begin ye choral band,
For whom the festive song hath ben prepar'd,
And with loud Pœans rend the vaulted roof.

THE ODE.

BRIGHT ascending to the skies,
See Britannia's glory rise!
Cease your sorrows, cease your fears,
Night recedes and day appears;
Another George majestic fills her throne,
And glad Britannia calls him all her own.

Chorus.

Let the tuneful chorus join,
And high their voices raise,
To celebrate in notes divine,
The youthful monarchs praise.

Air.

Rejoicing science with each polish'd art,
Beneath his reign shall with success conspire
To form the manners, humanize the heart,
And virtuous thoughts, and virtuous deeds inspire.

II.

The sweets of liberty shall care beguile,
And justice still her happy influence spread,
Religion cheer him with a sacred smile,
And bid the crown sit lightly on his head.

Chorus.

Let the tuneful chorus join,
And high their voices raise,
To celebrate in notes divine
The picas monarch's praise.

Air.

See resplendent at his side,
Joyful sits his royal bride:
Glowing youth and beauty join
To make the fair conspicuous shine:
Ev'ry virtue warms her breast—
How is Britain's monarch blest!
Unsullied bliss shall crown the royal pair,
The good and great are heav'n's peculiar care.

Chorus.

Let the tuneful chorus join,
And high their voices raise,
To celebrate in notes divine
The happy monarch's praise.

Air.

Rough war shall humbly at his feet
Her bloody laurels lay;

Him gentle peace shall kindly greet,
And smile beneath his sway.

II.

Hail! Britain, hail! these golden days;
Illustrious shalt thou shine;
For George shall gain immortal praise,
And, Britain, George is thine.
To distant time he shall extend his name,
And give thy glories to a deathless fame.

Chorus,

Let the tuneful chorus join,
And high their voices raise,
To celebrate in notes divine,
The British monarch's praise.

The dialogue by the rev. Mr. Duché.

University of Virginia Library

An EXERCISE;

Containing a Dialogue and Ode, on the accession of his present gracious majesty George III.—Performed at a public commencement in the College of Philadelphia, May, 1762.

THE ODE.