 | The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827 |  |
Ode X
To the Democratical Society of Philadelphia
Jonathan reproveth the impertinent views of that institution—prophesieth concerning a would-be great man.—By comparison with the heavenly bodies, showeth the respective merits of the great heads.
Per insidias iter est, formasque ferarum.
Ovid.
Ovid.
Sons of sedition! say, what do you here,
Where peace and loyalty unrivaled reign?
Where wealth rewards the speculator's care,
And rank and place your groveling arts disdain.
Where peace and loyalty unrivaled reign?
Where wealth rewards the speculator's care,
And rank and place your groveling arts disdain.
101
Go watch the sun!—see his unfading light
Since time begun still unobscured remain!
Go watch his beauteous sister-orb of night!
Go watch the planets which compose his train!
Since time begun still unobscured remain!
Go watch his beauteous sister-orb of night!
Go watch the planets which compose his train!
Go plant your telescopes against each star
Whose radiant sphere illumes the vast profound!
Some blemish amongst them, shall easier far,
Than in our bright galaxy here, be found.
Whose radiant sphere illumes the vast profound!
Some blemish amongst them, shall easier far,
Than in our bright galaxy here, be found.
Not less in luster, as not less in size,
Than a dim planet to the orb of day,
Lo! next that height, to which he ne'er shall rise,
Our Vice like Mercury pursues his way.
Than a dim planet to the orb of day,
Lo! next that height, to which he ne'er shall rise,
Our Vice like Mercury pursues his way.
Scowling malignant on the Indian plains,
Intent to set their wigwams all on fire,
See K---x like ruddy Mars his course maintains
Through lions, scorpions, and chimeras dire.
Intent to set their wigwams all on fire,
See K---x like ruddy Mars his course maintains
Through lions, scorpions, and chimeras dire.
Hugest of planets that adorns our sphere,
Refulgent in his triple, golden zone,
See H---n like Jupiter appear,
With satellites around his paper throne.
Refulgent in his triple, golden zone,
See H---n like Jupiter appear,
With satellites around his paper throne.
Whilst on those minor orbs his light he sheds,
That borrowed light on him shall they reflect:
Nor whilst he pours down blessings on their heads,
With incense to repay shall they neglect.
That borrowed light on him shall they reflect:
Nor whilst he pours down blessings on their heads,
With incense to repay shall they neglect.
102
Removed beyond the reach of vulgar eyes,
As far as human brains or thoughts aspire,
The self-illumined Minos sweeps the skies,
Like Saturn, freezing, midst his ring of fire.
As far as human brains or thoughts aspire,
The self-illumined Minos sweeps the skies,
Like Saturn, freezing, midst his ring of fire.
Yon concave vast behold! where wolves and bears
And geese and foxes all together meet;
Say, if less bright, our Congress Hall appears,
Prepared for George to take his annual seat?
And geese and foxes all together meet;
Say, if less bright, our Congress Hall appears,
Prepared for George to take his annual seat?
Cease then, ye elves of darkness, cease to pry
Into those secrets you're forbid to know;
Content yourselves to scrutinize the sky;
Presume not to enquire what's done below!
Into those secrets you're forbid to know;
Content yourselves to scrutinize the sky;
Presume not to enquire what's done below!
Aug. 9, 1793
| The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827 | |