Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

Jacob, thrice happy Jacob, heaven's delight!
Around thy tents what mingling beauties shine!
Well-water'd vallies swell upon the sight,
And gardens, fresh with living brooks, are thine.
Along thy silver streams, and peaceful vales
See beauteous trees in lovely order rise!
Here the soft balsam sweetens vernal gales;
There the proud cedar meets the bending skies.
For thee gay blossoms drop with balmy dews;
For thee rich streams the nursling fruits befriend;
Thy King has blest thy plains, and curs'd thy foes;
And still will curse thy foes, thy plains defend.
On Nile's proud banks thy God his power display'd,
And led thee conqueror from a haughty foe;
Erect with manly zeal, and heav'nly aid,
How did thy breast with generous ardour glow!

Thus have I seen across some distant hill
With flying feet the mountain Oryx glide;
Wanton and free he mov'd at large, and still
His towering horns he wav'd in conscious pride.
Thy foes their barbarous schemes shall soon deplore,
Around thy tents their corses soon be spread:
Shatter'd their spears shall lie, shall pierce no more
Thy peaceful tents, nor fill thy plains with dead.
When the young brindled lion couches low,
What daring hand shall rouze the slumbering king?
Soon would his breast with wild resentment glow,
The forest soon with doleful howlings ring.
Who blesses thee, himself shall blessings see,
But ruin be his lot, who ruin wishes thee!