The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1823-01-22
POETRY.
PRIZE POEM.

PRIZE POEM.
yz. .sdJress Tsrittsn By Charles Sbrague cf Boston,
and prsnenneed b. Mr.. Hood at he opcn'ng Of me
I,A,IadeLtiHa Theatre, on .'Hsnday evsuny, Deeem.
Ger 2, 1922
WHEN learning slumbered in the converts shade,
And holy craft the groping nations swsyed,
by duIiness banned the muses. wandered long,
Each Tyre Neglected. and forgot eaco soog'
Till Heavens bright halo wres,hd the Dramas dome,
And great Apollo cali'd the pilgrims home
Then their glad barps. that charmed old Greece
they swept,
Their affairs throogeJ. and joys high sabbath kept
Young Genius ther his glorious b .nners resfeu'
TO float forever loved. forever feared
The cowps device, The closiier' legend KNOWN
Old Superstition tuu,bed from his throne
Back TO his cell tl,e baHled king retired,
The busk,n tliumphed, and tie world admired!
Since that proud hour through each uuettered age.
The sons of light have clnster'd round the Stage
From fcton's realms the richest spoIls they bring,
And pleasures walls with rapiure's echoes ring
Here hermit wisdom lays his mantle dosn,
TO win with smiles the heart that fears his To~hi
10 mrth's gay robe lie tskA TO wondering you.,
And grandeur listens To the stranger, Truth
Beanty with bounding heart and tnghng car
hielis at the tale of love AMI feeling deaf
Their sacred powers the sops OF learning quit
To with fancy, and 10 t. sst Win wat
Virtues briga, troop, and fashions g.ittering train
Here labor rests, pale grieiforgets her wo,
And vice, that prints bis slime on all below,
Even vice. looks - For this the stage was reared
10 scourgsihe fend, scorned and yet so feared.
The balls Of Judgment NJ the moral school,
Ills foot defles, the bi onzed and reckless tool:
sol's lovely tempe shall behold hun there,
Wilh eve upturnrd, and aspects false Az lair,
Then hlther Yet the unbushng VILLAIN roam,
Satire shalt knot its whip aud strike il home,
"A ka nla I'll lst,n
That acorn, ,eiigion and that laughs AZ law
To grace the Stage, the bard's carecrng mind
Reeks o her worlds, and leaves his own behind:
He lures from MIR its bright imprisoned torms'
Breaks through the tomb and deaths duh region
storms.
Ger roinod realms lie ponrs creative day,
And slurn bering kings his mighty voice obey,
From it's damp shroud The long laid spirit wax
And olind the murcerers shed IN vengeance stalks
Poor maniac Beauty brings her cypress wreath
Her smile moon beam Ger blasted heath
Rouud some cold grave swce, flowers she comes to
strew,
And lost 10 reason still to love is true
Ilste shuts his soul hen dove eyed mercy pleads;
Power lifts the axe. and truths bold servant bieeds
Remor,e drops anguish from his turning eyes,
Feels he,i's eternal VI orm AND shudderng, dies.
Wars trophed mnion. too, ,fcrsakes The dust,
Grssps his shield, and waves hrs sword Of rust.
Springs to slaughter at the ;rnmpet's call.
With heads to censure. yet with souls TO feel,
Friends of the Stage receive our frank appeal.
No suGpiisnt lay We frsme acgull your trust;
The drama guard be gentle, but be just!
Wthio her courts, unbribed, unsiumbetlns stand;
Scourge ,ayless wiz, and esdeu duness brand,
Lash pert pie, ,ence. but bashful merit spare;
His frstlings hail, aud speak the trember fair;
Vet shall he cast his cloud. and proudly claim
Tbe lofliest station and the brightest fame
tbp,,, n lIa, It.rhe
Our mountain G engle tskes his glorious flight,
To Heaven The monarch bird exultmg springs,
And sha kes the nighCfog from his mighty wngs
Barls ali our own shall yet ench,n, their age,
Aod pour redeeming spsndor DER the Stage.
&c them. for you, truth boasts nober theme,
Ihsn ever blest young fancy's sweetest dream
Dold hearts shall kndie, aud bright eyes shall gaze,
When genius wakes The tale of otuer days,
Sheds liies own lus,re DER each holy deed
Ui Him who piaoted, and ot him who freed!
And. now Fair Pile, thou chss,e snd glorious
shrnc,
Our foRdest wish, our wsru,est smile he thine;
The home Of genus and the court of taste,
IN beauty rai.ed be lhou by beauty grseed
Within Thy walls may wits adorers throng,
To DRINK TIE magic of the poets song.
Within ,hy walls may youth snd goodness draw
From every scene = lecture or a law.
SO bright ,by fame, be priest aud offering pure.
And friends shs,i bless, and blgot foes endure
Long, long he spared 10 echo u,lIhs sublime
Aud litt thy pillars through the storms OF Time
..-A->.----..-~-.-~.-- -~-
NAPOLEON.