Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-27
FoR THE VIRGINIA ARGUS.

Inc following Elcgiac Poem is humbly deGicat.
ed to the Citizens of Richmond, &c. as u tri.
butte due to the shades of those who r,er;.'icd
in the Theatre on the Doth December, 1911
BIZ T'P ,MAs E. BIRCH
q "o* ia, qnr, pcne atsynas huic urbi tene6ras
dfE""S"' CIc. PRo. FLAG.
What signs are those predicting to my mind
heart-rendinS cries come with the Eastern wind
these dying groans my soul with horror fill
they seem tocome direct from Shockoe hill !
i,, wait the mail, for something dire dread
i is come alas T! Eir6inia's chief is dead
intent the screaming sufferers to save,
He SINKS himself into the fiery grave
Nor his alone, but many other names.
l. read, OF those VINO persisted in tho flames.
The day alas after last Christmas day,
NirSnIas sons, by Fire were snatch'd AWAY
Her daughters too-The ruthless element
10 snatch away did not the least relent
lhy peauteous form, Louisa, now consund,
my memory IN thy parents heart entomb'd
NO more thy form shall grace the splendid room
Remorselcss Are hath snatch'd thee "a the tamil .
\ tomb tor what no corpse alas, see,
heap OF ashes-all that's left of thee
W thee the good, the gentle, and the kind,
vi Aeart benevolent, and sense refn'd,
In whom thy Mother saw her cares repaid.
While all who knew thee, blessed the peusive
maid
And dost theu, Smith alas, thou ever brave
DOES tiny pure blood mix with the ashy gravel
Does thy brave heart, forever free from ouiIc-
! Now he consnm'd beaeath the funraI pile?
Yes, scanty dust alone remains of thee =
us all thou art and all the great shall DC 20
Some from the windows for assistance call
ana Jumping thence are shattered by the fall;
some souls inspired py PHYS prompting SIGH.
hush through the hamcs To save them or to die :
,trcl u
But failing fall into the smoaking grave:
No water near to stop the flames career:
No sealing ladders 'gainst the dome to rear.
The root falls in the parched bodies fry;
Shrieks follow shrieks, enough to rend the skv q.
Nlourn' mourn, Virginia, mourn your children
dead;
Collect their ashes from the calid bed;
In one Mausolem let all be laid,
And equal honor to their mem'rv Maid
Here lies scull-and there a kindred bone.
But none can tell what body did them own.
PromIscuous death !" the Particles are here.
And nought but atoms round the dome appear.
Distinctions lost-no likeness doth appear
10 know the parent from the children dear
Here lies Father-Fire what hast thou done
And yonder lies the Daughter and the Son
Here lies Brother-thcre a Sister n,o,,rns
Here shreks the Mother-therc the Daughter
burns
Bue whilst their bodies in the flames consume,
We trust their spirits met joyful doom
Yes, Thlsbe !-pyramus now claims thy love.
In closer union i'll the realms above.
linen think rot those on whom this bolt did fall.
nat they were sinners greater than you all
An no, we trust that many precious soul,
On fiery pinions reach'd the heavenly goal.
But weap, humanity---nh mourn their loss.
And each survivor bear this heavy cross
| with manly fortitudc---ah kiss the rod,
Submit, and say" it was the will OF God =,
And hunbly bend before the eternal throne.
Lord as in Heaven, thy will on Earth be done d