They, spectral like, athwart the wand'ring gaze, Afar on their mysterious way have fled, A brighter vision doth the muse inspire- A Luther bids the fearled serfs aspire, To view Religion's pure and sacred light, And for the cause of Freedom nobly fight! The scroll of ages bears recorded plain, The countless struggles to obtain the right: 'Twas Genius tuned the heavenly strain, Which thrill'd the glowing souls of that majestic train! Emblem of Progress! what sweet visions rise, To tinge the mystic theme of history's plan! What changing forms and customs worn arise, To greet the range of Fancy's wand'ring scan, And speed the slow development of man, Which felt thy power, in all its might supreme; Thy holy pilgrimage on earth began, To bid Philosophy and Science dream, To wake and give the world their glorious woven theme. The stately fabrics, reared by human skill, In all the splendour of Athenian ART— The proud mementos of the HUMAN WILL, The pyramids stupendous and secure, Upon Tradition's page to reign in peace, As Progress from Oblivion's arms release Angel of earth! thy glorious form serene, In an eternal YOUTH doth glide along, To scatter love and truth divine between The rankling elements of HUMAN WRONG, 'Twere a wild domain, but yielding life's alloy A spot which TRUTH would flee, and TIME would soon destroy! I CARE NOT WHAT YOUR CREED MAY BE. I care not what your creed may be, I ask, are you sincere? If yes, with pride you answer me, I may, urged on by what I feel, With Reason's voice persuade, The birds, in varied plumage, wend And each a mark'd distinction claims From others of its kind, A something which to man proclaims D The wide expanse, o'er-arching all, That dwells within this earthly ball, On which, in changing shapes, we see~ As well as worlds sublime! There's not a ray of sunshine bright, There's not a lunar beam of light Then cast away opinions, fraught That, with ungen'rous aim, are taught Where thought is chain'd by fear, And man, by manhood, not belief, Think not, ye cringing sons of earth, Who dare not stand erect, That men may judge your moral worth— They will not soon detect Your living falsehood, to acquire The treach'rous smiles of gold For which, your every day desire, Your liberty is sold! Nature, with all her mystic power, There's nought in her mysterious bower Yet man, "the noblest work of God," For difference of creed. Shake off the narrow creeds that rise By man's enfeebled sight, Drink wisdom from the boundless skies- But do not hold another's heart A Creed in which it has no part, I do not ask you to become A slave in thought and deed, In all where we agree, And from the Bigot's blinding mist If Yes, you answer, that to me I ne'er can gaze on Nature's face, And then degrade our common race, SERENADE. Awake! sweet lady-love! from out thy sleep The drowsy night hath fled; And morn, in silver crest, comes o'er the deepArise from out thy bed! Come, lady-love! the fields of earth are gay, And messengers do beckon thee away, Awake! sweet lady-love! why sleep so calm, As tho' in thy dear breast No thought or passion gave thy soul alarm, Sweet lady-love! come, leave thy downy nest, Thy slumbers are too long-come, My dearest lady-love! leave thy rest, Sweet lady-love! the morn is flush'd with dewsAll things look fair and bright, And blush, i' the golden sun's resplendent hues, To give the soul delight! Sweet lady-love! thy sleep is o'er at last, SHE MERRILY, MERRILY CHEERS! Oh! sweetly she sings in the morn, And lightly she trips as a fawn, Her voice hath a beauty and charm, Her life is a summer of calm, And love is the queen of her face; |