 | The works, in verse and prose, of the late Robert Treat Paine, Jun. Esq |  |
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ODE. SPIRIT OF THE VITAL FLAME.
Air.—ADAGIO.
O'er the swift-flowing stream, as the tree broke in air,
Plunged a youth in the tyrannous wave;
No ear heard his shriek; faint with toil and despair,
He sunk, and was whelmed in his grave!
Plunged a youth in the tyrannous wave;
No ear heard his shriek; faint with toil and despair,
He sunk, and was whelmed in his grave!
RECITATIVO.
See, Humanity's angel alights on the scene!
Though the shadows of Death have dissembled his mien;
See, his corse is redeemed from the Stream's icy bed,
And a mother's wild grief shrieks, “Alas! he is dead!”
Though the shadows of Death have dissembled his mien;
See, his corse is redeemed from the Stream's icy bed,
And a mother's wild grief shrieks, “Alas! he is dead!”
Air.—LARGO MAESTOSO.
Spirit of the Vital Flame,
Touch with life his marble frame,
From the day-star's radiant choir,
Bring thy torch of quenchless fire,
And bid a mother's hope respire!
Touch with life his marble frame,
From the day-star's radiant choir,
Bring thy torch of quenchless fire,
And bid a mother's hope respire!
ALLEGRO.
Hither, sparkling cherub, fly!
Mercy's herald, cleave the sky!
To human prayer, benignant Heaven
The salient spring of life has given;
And Science, while her eye explores
What power the dormant nerve restores,
Surveys the Godhead, and adores;
And him, the first of Glory's clan,
Proclaims, who saves a fellow man!
Mercy's herald, cleave the sky!
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The salient spring of life has given;
And Science, while her eye explores
What power the dormant nerve restores,
Surveys the Godhead, and adores;
And him, the first of Glory's clan,
Proclaims, who saves a fellow man!
MAESTOSO.
Spirit of the Vital Flame!
Touch again his marble frame!
Bid the quivering nerve return,
'Till the kindling eye discern
A mother's tears with rapture burn!
Touch again his marble frame!
Bid the quivering nerve return,
'Till the kindling eye discern
A mother's tears with rapture burn!
ALLEGRO ASSAI.
Behold the quickening Spirit raise
The trembling limb, the wandering gaze!
Instinct listens! Memory wakes!
Thought from cold Extinction breaks;
Reason, motion, frenzy, fear,
Religion's triumph, Nature's tear,
Almighty Power, thy hand is here!
The trembling limb, the wandering gaze!
Instinct listens! Memory wakes!
Thought from cold Extinction breaks;
Reason, motion, frenzy, fear,
Religion's triumph, Nature's tear,
Almighty Power, thy hand is here!
| The works, in verse and prose, of the late Robert Treat Paine, Jun. Esq | |