Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-23

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cans't thou ii noring numbers tell
Of thatrost sad--most awful day
When al the pride of Richmond fell
Worth, virtte, beauty, genirs, youth and age,
Swept in moment from life's busy stage !
o ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS most delightful scene,
The seat OF scence-Art's refund abode;
The happy home of JOY, thou long hast been,
Friendship aud love thy walks together trod.
Beauty was there with winning grace,
And virtae in the foremost place;
There patriotic chiefs, with hearts that feel
Warm, ardent in support of public veal
In ali thy dweilings-sthl was found
Ahospitslity most kind,
With generous deeds thy name is crown'd,
And fam'd for men of mighty mind.
Surpassed by none for goodness-greatness too,
Surpassed by none, and cqualrd but by few.
Rchmond--How chang d the scene in one short
Thy brightest prospects all are wrapt in
gloom
Mcrcilcss death-How coulds't thou thus de-
your
And send so many to the silent tomb
So many, and by such sad means,
The muse cannot depict such scenes
Alasi she vainiy tries, It's past her pow'r,
To tell the horrors OF that dreadful hour.
She cannot give her feelings vent,
Nor utterance to her deep distress,
Her strength in fruitless signs is spent,
And tears she cannot now repress;
Nor does she wish to check the rising sigh,
Nor is ashan'd to own a weeping eye.
That awful day--Ah. no--that awful night,
The day was clos'd the sun lad set in
peace
The social season gladden'd with delight,
And Joy and pleasure hourly did increase.
All hearts were pleased, each breast DER
joy'd,
Talents to aid-All were disposed to pay
The:r wiling tribute Az rite play.
Richmond her numerous throng pour'd forth,
And flPd the Theatres large space,
There cnter'd goodness, virtue, wo tn,
With heavenly beauty's modest Grace !;
There was the patriot, sage and hero seen,
Men wise and brave, and Inaids of natchess
mien.
Then entcr'd mirth, with pleasure in her train,
Care was forgot, dull sorrow banish'd quite,
Dear happiness commenced her radiant reign,
And promised all joyful, blissinl night.
Sweet conversation circlcd round,
And soul 20 soul in union bound,
Coniugal iaith-Ahectionate regard,
With final and maternal love were pair'd.
Sometimes sympathetic Sigh,
Svelfd the soft bosom of the fair,
Keen shafts were sent from beauty's eye,
For love III many a form was there.
Fond hopes were cherish'd-5rightest prospects
rose,
From thee, o happiness, such rapture flows
More short and transient than the passing
dream;
Tbyvot'ries persisted IN sight of port;
Saw you that fash Heard you that piercing
scream,
"Firel''-" Fire p'-the dreadful flame as
cends,
On ey'ry side the blaze extends
The scenery's gone-the boxes are on fire.
The roof has caught-the flames are rising In rh-
er,
Inyoiv'd in dark sulphurcous smoke,
And scorcird with the acyouring blaze,
With Shreks the sufferers aid invoke,
Love--innocence, most piteous prays,
I" Oh save me--save Observation-Disclosures
Sire
"oh save, save me from this dreadful fire."
Now happiness was Aed, and hope was gone,
And in their room came misery and despair,
Mlrth is exchanged for sorrows saddest groan,
With Wild distraction, beauty cyc-bails glare.
Hark what crash now help is vain,
We ne'er shall see Our friends again;
Their Ashes minglc---aad ono common tomb
lAcCcNeS OH age DfiSL yOitn y Dcausy doom.
All hapless, victims We bewal
With grief unfcign'd your sudden fate,
Histry with tears shall tell your tale,
And muses. mourn loss so great
Deep in our hearts engraved, shall be your
names,
Your memories rise like Phoenix from the
flames.
lieart-rending scere--deplorablc indeed
Ah night OF most unuttcraoic wOel--
At thought fthee full many heart snail bleed
And mtny tear in bitterness shah Apw.
The flames yet in full sight appear
The screams rever'brate on the ear
iIcipl---,Eelp-O,i God--O thou who stills the
storm
And save from death so terrible in form
Pale CONSERVATION stalks arotnd,
Through Richmond dire confusion rcigns,
Though many safe dcliverancc found
numerous band behind semsius.
on Observation-Disclosures beloved band
The iairest flowers OF fair Virgmia's land.
Those who cscapj the flames dcvouring rage,
SdHtT'd the kscncst pangs-gsiefmost severe.
W. child is therc"--excIaims a worthy sage,
Ohl my lov'd husband'--"O Oh ny wife so
dear -
Ay wfc-.ny child is also gone. ~