 | My Mind and its Thoughts, in Sketches, Fragments, and Essays |  |
176
STANZAS,
INSCRIBED TO THE ORATOR OF THE CENTURY.
Tullius, when on thy serious ear,
Descends, of praise the untutored strain,
When, at thy word, the admiring tear
Pours homage, seldom pour'd in vain;
Descends, of praise the untutored strain,
When, at thy word, the admiring tear
Pours homage, seldom pour'd in vain;
Canst thou, in modest wisdom, calm
Mindless of what the million say,
Turn from its gaze the speaking charm
Of eyes, that meet no kindred ray.
Mindless of what the million say,
Turn from its gaze the speaking charm
Of eyes, that meet no kindred ray.
Hast thou, when Plenty's crowded shell
Was pour'd for thee, and sought thy care,
Disdain'd within HER courts to dwell
If bounty were not inmate there?
Was pour'd for thee, and sought thy care,
Disdain'd within HER courts to dwell
If bounty were not inmate there?
Let others on the brow confer
Wreaths to immortal genius due,
Thee—would the simplest muse prefer
In feelings—more than genius—true.
Wreaths to immortal genius due,
Thee—would the simplest muse prefer
In feelings—more than genius—true.
For thou, with pity's holy flame,
Hast warmed the charities benign,
Scorning of sordid care the claim,
Hast made the richest virtues thine.
Hast warmed the charities benign,
Scorning of sordid care the claim,
Hast made the richest virtues thine.
To thee the gem of fame is given,
Thine is the grateful heart's regard,
The blessing—and the prayer to heaven
For thee—are more than earth's reward.
Thine is the grateful heart's regard,
The blessing—and the prayer to heaven
For thee—are more than earth's reward.
| My Mind and its Thoughts, in Sketches, Fragments, and Essays | |