[Praise of the past, in] Theatrum Majorum. The Cambridge of 1776 Wherein is set forth an Account of the Town, and of the Events it Witnessed : with which is incorporated the diary of Dorothy Dudley, Now first publish'd ; Together with an Historicall Sketch ; Several Appropriate Poems ; Numerous Anecdotes, patriotick, weighty, indifferent, and diverting ; Many References to the Renowned University ; and Descriptions of the People of the Olden Time |
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 | [Praise of the past, in] Theatrum Majorum. The Cambridge of 1776 |  |
PRAISE OF THE PAST.
Of ancient days how manifold
The harvests here around us grown!
What fruits we hold, by valiant-souled
And simple farmer-heroes sown!
The harvests here around us grown!
What fruits we hold, by valiant-souled
And simple farmer-heroes sown!
They, while they learned the bullet's creed
No less in solemn worship kneeled;
By faith and deed they spread the seed
Of peace and strength in every field;—
No less in solemn worship kneeled;
By faith and deed they spread the seed
Of peace and strength in every field;—
And ours the rich maturity,
While over us, afar and near,
That broad-arched tree, the century,
Spreads wide its branches, each a year!
While over us, afar and near,
That broad-arched tree, the century,
Spreads wide its branches, each a year!
Ah well, how swiftly things disperse:
In how much changed are place and time!
For poets rehearse their dulcet verse
Where patriot-spurs once clinked in rhyme;
In how much changed are place and time!
For poets rehearse their dulcet verse
Where patriot-spurs once clinked in rhyme;
The city spreads its ravages;
The grace of older growth is fled:
Hills bow their knees, prone lie the trees,
Faith, too, they say, is long since dead.
The grace of older growth is fled:
Hills bow their knees, prone lie the trees,
Faith, too, they say, is long since dead.
Yet with our fathers we are one
At heart, whatever change betide,
Still shines for us their tireless sun:
Their truth still waits us for our guide.
At heart, whatever change betide,
Still shines for us their tireless sun:
Their truth still waits us for our guide.
And we, though larger grows the scope
Of vision, now, toward God and man,
From broader hope gaze back Time's slope
To praise their virtue's narrower plan.
Of vision, now, toward God and man,
From broader hope gaze back Time's slope
To praise their virtue's narrower plan.
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Oh, when our crumbling lives have gone,
Shall others unto us look back
O'er deeps that yawn, and see our dawn
Glow pure behind their devious track?
Shall others unto us look back
O'er deeps that yawn, and see our dawn
Glow pure behind their devious track?
Who knows? We live in veering days.
Yet o'er all fame our deeds may hold,
Fair shines this praise, this record stays:—
We did not let the Past grow old!
Yet o'er all fame our deeds may hold,
Fair shines this praise, this record stays:—
We did not let the Past grow old!
| [Praise of the past, in] Theatrum Majorum. The Cambridge of 1776 | |