Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-23
Ersm Ae Pliiatei9hia Freea ans Journal

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] f/em Me Philadelphia Freea ans journal
ODE,
OcSssioncd by the late disastrois confagration
| Of the Theatre at Richmond
Mourn MUSES., mourn strike the weak cord to
woe,
Let swelling sorrow vibrate thro' the strain
in cadence long and deep:
Now tears from stern MELPoMEHe must flows
EeTe must her breast be agoni4cd with PAIN,
Here gay ITALIA weep.
Richmond What anguish shall thy halls per-
wade
How shall the ear be stuns with sorrow sigh,
Sad they shall he, and long
Jov shall secrete herself, at woe dismay'd.
Mirth cease to sparkle fiom bright beauty's
Or laugh at pleasures song.
Yes, scene ofhospitality's blest range,
With glooms of shredded misery thou'rt huna',
Hopeless of ,inte's relief;
All now is change, sa,'e ttatwoc cannot changes
Thy iib'ral h>art, thy mild as5uSsise tongue,
Hy undivided grief.
Eap'ess the night. when, wrapt in c'irling ffa'oei
Tic temple. Genius Of Dramatic art;
Aruind, distraction threw;
Then beauty perish'd; and then virtue, fame,
SnStch'd from the earth and from their mortal
part;
To other regions Few
Let us not mourn, for strange are fortunes waysi
Perhaps tvoaS Fate then wherefore should wa
mourn
Ye murmring fancies cease
o cease my soul TO picture Ruins blaze,
To sigh for scenes that nevsr can return -
Let write rest in peace.
Yet sure we may with human sorrow sigh
q 'erInortals who were once to mortals dear,
Nor yet that o d offend,
Who from his throne of Glory in the cky
As fav'ring witness. views the hallow'd tear
That trcln5les DER 4 friend.
Richmond thy parents, children, lovers, all,
Join with stranger in the fervent prayer
For everlasting rest
To each departed spirit, at whose call
Pale mem'ry oft, with pure and holy care,
Shall heave the slIudd'ring breast.
Richmond thy Coon have gone to seek q
Where peace eternal smiles, where pleasure
pure
Knows no distrest alloy;
The BAD, whom rising terrors may o'erwhelm,
Have sought pard'ning Con, who bids secure
Ey'n sinners hope for joy.
Oft rs DEFENDERS storm-encumber'd gale
Shall thy fair form with far extending zone
of chilly snow Unfold,
The TRAVELLER, as he hears the awful tale,
Shall shrink amaz'd, and with IN anguish'S
moan
Wish it had ne'er been told.
Christmas, that daywhich scatters bliss around,
That day when mortals first the Saviour knaw,
Shall halt in woe DER thee,
Shall veil its face in floods of sorrow drown'd,
Save when smile immortal, bearning thro',
Bids human frailty flee.
And Oft, in years to come, as grey baird aga
Shall with the stranger hobble to the place,
Where now all Richmond weeps;
Once the young lover, then the dropping sages
Shall say, wiping the tear-drops from his face,
Here sngeICovyEEs sleeps.
Here youth and beauty found an early doom,
Here, gay with pleasure, interpreting died
o let us learn from this,
How vain is knowledge, frail fair beauty's blooms
How mere shadow is mans highest pride,
And mortals' choicest bliss
B1coTs be silent dare rot judge! &c know
rhe paths of sacred science how confn'd
BY erring mortals trod;
Nor can We Mi1k how happiness and woe,
Are dealt TO man by that Almighty mind,
That ALL-MY.TERIoUs GoD!
ALCoNDo.