University of Virginia Library

Ere yet the plains of Marathon were drench'd
In Persia's blood, imperial Athens hail'd
Her system of superior law; elate
With visionary views of freedom's reign.
“Behold (she cried) a system fram'd to suit
“The genius of my democratic tribes
“Whose ancestry were demigods! Behold
“My freedom, hence establish'd, on a throne
“Of adamantine strength!”—Thee, SOLON, thee
The generous transport of Minerva's sons
The universal father term'd, and kiss'd
Thy sacred code. And see, the assembled crowd
With zeal enthusiastic, while they drink
The sounds that flow divinely from the tongue
Of their hoar patriot, snatch the regal robe
And bid it fold his limbs in purple pride,
And in a momentary frenzy clasp
The trappings they had spurn'd indignant! Mark
The patriot's eye: no pleasure sparkles there,
Or darts dishonest glances centering all
In self-applause; but pure parental love,
And pity's mild benignity, and grief
Prophetic, speak him sovereign of the heart.
Presaging ill, he sees the inconstant tribes
The prey of some usurper, whose fair mien
And smooth address and sweet-distilling words
Might lure them into bondage. So disguis'd,
Erelong, PISISTRATUS appear'd. Adorn'd
By all the exterior graces which diffuse
So bright a charm o'er genius that it seems
Persuasion's self embodied, magic hung
Upon his lips—and THESEUS' godlike race
Fell crouching at his feet. The reverend sage
Wept o'er the sudden impulse; and retir'd
From each familiar scene, to distant climes;
Tho' not despairing: for he long had read
Nature's first laws; and trac'd, with curious search,
The lineaments of proud Athenian minds
Yet undefac'd by tyrants. The high sense
Of honor, deaden'd into slumberous rest,
Repos'd, as yet, unsmother'd. And its flame
Rekindling fierce, might burst in vengeful wrath
Round the pale despot; while some daring youth—
Some brave HARMODIUS might arise, to dash
The tottering throne in atoms to the ground,
And give to SOLON's worth, to SOLON's laws,
His rescued Athens. Still, the boding sigh,
And many a melancholy pause, betray'd
The legislator's mind perplex'd by doubts
His wisdom vainly struggled to resolve.
“What tho' my system hath oppos'd (he cried)
“To factious millions a distinguish'd few,
“Meet rulers; yet hath rein'd the oppressive rich
“By universal right of suffrage, lodg'd
“In convocated crowds; some demon lurks
“Beneath the specious fabric! At this hour
“Perhaps the suffering people rous'd to shame
“Murmur revolt: but scarce Minerva's self
“Can bar relapse to thraldom. Many an age
“Shall see the insidious nobles hovering o'er
“Devoted tribes—shall see, with open front,
“The dark designing demagogue arise;
“While spreads a rapid ferment through the throng
“Rais'd by the force of eloquence, whose breath
“E'er shakes tumultuous Athens!” True the sage
Foretold. Full many a revolution shook
The frail construction, whose discordant springs
An ill-communicated motion spoke;
As the fell pomp of one, exulting, crush'd
The many; and the democratic rage
Prevail'd; or aristocracy pursued
With havock its broad track, o'erwhelming all!