Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-12-07
POETRY.
From The Rhode.Island american.


Poem, delivered before the United Brothers
Society of Brown University, at their last ami
versary by the Rev. Daniel Huntington, has lately
been published in Providence. For smoothness
and elegance of versi6cation, beauty OF imagery,
and energy and purity of sentiment, it may justly
claim high rank among the best dldactic poems
in the English language. We select the following
lines, not because they are the best, out because
thew beautifully deneate the high aspirfngs oil
Youthful ambition, disdaining to participate in the
every day concerns, and shrinking from the con-
termination of the sordd pursuits oflife and point
ont. with uuerring fidelity, the path ofduty, which
though often beset by dangers and trials, Will III.
timately lead to happiness. We think they VIII
excite desire to peruse the whole. WINE we
are daily asssiled by poems, gittering with Delia
Cruscan tnsel, or frowDingi in dark and forbidding
misauthropy, it is refreshing to ind an author,
who is bold enough to string his harp to themes of
a nobles kline, land brighten the charms OF piety
and virtue, by adorning their praises with the
fancifuI decorations of poetic genius.
Oh Ihave lov'd, in youths fair vernal morn,
To spread imagination's widest wing,
The sober certainties of life to scorn,
And seek the yision'd realms that Poets sing,
Where nature bushes in perennial spring
Where streams of earthly JOY exhaustless rise
Where youth and beauty tread the choral ring.
And shout their raptures to the cloudless skies,
While ev'ry joyial hour on downy pinion flies.
But ali those fairy scenes at once have He'd,
Since stern experience wav'd her iron wand,
Broke the soft siumbers of my vision'd head,
And made me here of perfect bliss despond.
And oft have the painful lesson con'd
When disappointment mock'd my rowing heart,
Still of its own decisions weakly fond,
And from forbidden pleasures 10th to part,
Though shrinking oft beneath corrections deep
est smart.
And isthere nought in mortal life Il cried)
Can soothe the sorrows of this Iab'ring breast
No kind recess, where baffled hope may hide,
And weary nature lull her woes to rest!
Oh grant me, plying Heaven, this lastrequest-
Since must evry Ioftier wish resign
Be my few days with peace and friendship blest;
Nor will at my humble lot repine,
Though neither wealth, nor fame, nor luxury be
mine.
o! give me yet, in some recluse abode,
Encircled with faithful few to dwell,
Where power cannot Cypress nor care corrode,
Nor yenom'd tongues the tale of SANDER tell,
Or bear me to some solitary cell,
Beyond the reach of ev'ry human eye,
And let me bid long, last farewell,
To each alluring object meath the sky,
And there in peace await my hour in peace to
die
"Ah vain desire "a still small voice rephed)
e No place, no circumstance can peace impart
She scorns the mansion of unvarnish'd pride,
Sweet inmate of pure and humble heart.
6 Take then thy station--act thy proper part
81 A Saviour's mercy seek-his viii performs
Is His word has balm for sins envenom'd smart,
"His love diffused thy shudd'ring breast shall
warm,
"His power provide shelterfrom the gath ring
Storm"
Owelcome hiding place refuge meet
For fainting pilgrims on this desert way!
Okind conductor of these wandering feet,
Thro' snares and darkness to the realms of day!
Soon did the Sun of Righteousness display
His healing beams; each gloomy cloud dispel;
While on the parting mist in colors gay,
Truths cheering bow of precious promise fell,
And Mercy's silver voice soft whispered All is
well
ADVICE TO A YOUNG GENTLEMAN.
For vain applause transgress not virtues rules,
A witty sinner is the worst of fools.