The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-07-14

" ~
II is hoped, at no ditant era, be elucidatsd by
the moral enquirer, inculcated BY the rhetor;ci-
an and contecrated by the epic, dramatic and
elegiac bard.-Had tleie fcntiments peryaded
the writer's mind when the following elegy was
competed, It would probably have been written
IN different ipirit. 1t may be proper to add,
that the lady Whole accomplishments and vir-
tues the writer has pre.umed to commemorate.
periiiied IN the flower ofvouth and beauty. Her
accomplishments reflected luitre on her elevated
rank, her beauty and afatility enchanted all
who spproached her, and her ample FORTUNE
" funk under the benevolence OF its dirpenftr."
Wake loud, lamerting bard, the i.,cred ll,eil,
While fair Matilda freed from bouds of clay
Attends the chimes Of light andronnei her iy.sil,
The choral P1ans OF the ions OF day.
Der beauty withcr'i in her verna prime,
Does gentle Mafon pour the claiiic lay,
UPiiit his Hgis to the cythc of time,
10 ihield the pAing pageant of dayf
Calld by" her beck ning gholt' does Pope rebound
To f1rthef ages, haplefs Elias woe,
In Aganippe, battle her bleeding wourd,
And round her CRAFTY turf bid roles blow I?
Nor dares the Mufe, impair Il By vena laws,
All NEARLY mindful of inglorious duff,
To virtue and her high legation jun?
Rife fons of fong, whole dread dominion fprngs
From natures lovereign o cr rhe heart of man
Twas eavn that fran the illell's yphoniousRr ings
Yen wheeling ipheres, the iymphony began
Lit then your voice, at virtre's facred call,
Snbhniey CONTIGUOUS of your lineage high,
Tho WRAPPED her frame, in fate's iunerea pail,
Forbid Matilda's nlatchlels worth to die
teaTiefs unbar the golden gates of power,
Approach unbidden her afpiring throne,
Tho pride reienifu on her brow may lower,
mo anger cioathe her features in frown;
Loudly proclaim and let thy voice rebound
In awful echoes thro her iiartrd dome,
Matilda fniing, felt the fatal wound,
And klis'd the ne[enger that caird her home
Go, tell the fair, that round Matilda's frame,
i hole graces took their tuteary itand,
Whole glance can kinde p,liion's purel fame,
And rule eachpalEon in ierene command.
Tho arm'd with beautys mild onnipotence,
Tho fornd to hine i'll ranks imperial iphe-e;
hat pherc The icOrnd and bade her charms diipenle
The charitable inle, the healing GEAR.
All turn to lrxurys unhappy race,
Looie-robd and lolling on her couch fupne,
Each look, how languid and how pale each face
While banquets pile the board and gobblets lnine.
In vain the Paphian Queen of ioft de.res,
Evolves TIE Lydian labyrinth OF fong.
In VAN her blue eyes dart their fondeit fires,
rs thine, o bard, to route the torpid throng.
Eel them, when founding at tn eterrals call,
Thy dirge, Creation ihakes the hedlaf ikies
NOV lr-,,. ahaE,,. -,
The graves ihall open and the dead ariie
Proud Ion OF greatness, whole nlilguided foul
Doats on the iplendour of p seant lcei,e.
Happy coud'f thou behold the bright patrol,
That round Matilda, - thar hour convene.
Lo glowing charity and holy truth,
With innocence in Hoatirg white array'd,
AID pity, handmade of ingenious youth,
And faithful love iuround the heavenly maid
Nor hang their golden harps neglected LONG
In iweetetf Symphony, their hymns Attend,
Her virtuous deeds, nipire the glorious fong,
Whiie fathers, mothers, orphans round her bend.
Here ceas'd tn impetuous n,ule to fire nv bresa.
When from cloud offplendent amber near,
Its inning fkiTts with riche9 tiuts impreR,
Avoce divine enthraHd my wiling err.
Forbear unshinLing youth, in lavifh Law,
Astancy wills, TO paint Matildas fame,
Who blooms Immortal mid ;he bowers of day,
Heed not OF man the plaudis or the blame.
Nor think from earth unfung the juH retire,
Let the venai cards, withhold tn applauding fonq.
Can aught ofpaAoral PIPE, OF FLYER Tyre,
Vie with the h4rps Of the ceIeitial throng.
Who, TO the chambers lyon arch fiblime,
Where tented clouds their bright pavilions Gcreen.
In PoinP defended, at the birth of time,
Look uPwardand behold the glorious icene!
| look d, and infant to my dazzled fight,
The lofty arch icer'd !tudded as gaz'd,
With fairy eyesoi counteis angels bright,
Inpureit radiance circled and en5aied.
Theie! The lend note Of harmony begin,
What time the foul RELEASED from bonds ofclav,
Victorious DER the powers of death ard lin,
Wings thro' their parting ranks is ardent way.
ry-
ENOUTR ER.
RICHMOND