Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-08-30
MEDITATION.


Such Is the heart OF man, when every thought
Rests oI the glowing hopes which life has brought,
Aud eager pants Ia realize the claim,
winch proud Ju! lofty feeling has On Fame.
.hor f.r,.- =. he scols along,
jids matlie chant her thrilling song
That sou" which breathes into the heart
bSe hopes which makes the life blood s,a.,
H1kI - roll and cvcl thro' the veins
~ 'twere free from mortal stat,
mat hope on which youth wiz .cuu.
In spite of all that yet has been:
nat hope, which points out to- the mind.
me course which honor has assigned.
ihis hope will grow into the soul,
Nlocking miSiortunes stern control,
though Disappointment urge despair
10 hold his dcspot guidance there.
ihe lovely scenes OF nature raise
This living hope of future DAYS,
W hen She is drest in gay array
VI freshest greeu.-O who can say
what thoughts, what glorious thoughts aIisc,
l.ij rush 0uf !!to Lie sparkling eyes,
I;lt same there a.e whose youthful lays began.
Without this hope this precious talisman;
~ guardian harp joyful welcome rung,
AroUh! their cradles 40 best Spirit hung.
rs LIE rolls IN and infant sorrows sleep,
~ coming Ills, ev'n hope will turn and weep!
heI. hearts are wined with feelings, which possess
Noig': bu! hc gloom of their own loneliness.
They love 10 Climb some posing steep,
,rnere the last ling ring sunbeams sleep,
WINCH long has reared its craggy form,
An;! stood, the l.laything OF the storm.
ihey eye the lightning it flies
In gambols round the thick ming skies;
Aud dwet upon that thought within.
Which, feeds nought but what has bccn;
Nor look IL find brighter sky,
Bat calmly wait for destiny.
Fortune may all her gifts brstow,
LIES silver stream may smoothly Now.-
In van,--tle flames OF feeling burn,
And "namceSS y ishes" bright but scgG.
foInt their pOSseSsoTs drcaIy path
10 where the tempest III IFS wrath
~ Tc4iies with nature, sweeping high
lis I!shInina sccpre thro the sky.
~ III tile raging storm they see
\ type ot ali thc!T misery.
ina silent meditation Of the heart
j the pure source from which these fountains start
hhich swell and drown the very thoughts in bliss
M. place he soul i'll any world but this.
Nhen VIC behold the giant clouds arise
'2"1epng tiair i"t Is along the Western skic-;
'nr'i "af 4"fms The sun his beams has Ihsor!
md ma &c he'r aricniours greater than his own
nei' ."ncy picth.es spirits, pu;e and fair
" ''''i's 1" ii""g these golden curtains there.
D when wee lost an,ids, this great creation.
h4en silence rei5nS the soul of meditation;
WHAT holy feelings al US as we view
N'a glorious finger in each melting huc!
Ea' snail not ar; invite the thougllfulcye
raced wish the gl5ries Of Antiliiv?
s'i'! n:e!.tttion yicw that raw alone
''hgH beams al! c!cudiess from The Almighty throne
AIa yet not trace il; weak reflections here,
Ne read tne page OF time with k!udlinr awe
And ihisi with feelings never fell, before
ne massive ruins, tho half crumbled stand
Lfo"J IN desolation:-but where's the hand
nat Fais ii the glorious uaiace and the shrirc
~, ~ here strength and beauty splcndiiIy combine,
ne mana Is nouldcrcd but the castle rears
us towers now garlanled with clustering years
J ct sha Il we still refuse our admiration
vi works. tho ia.i, that grew by mans cr:l ,in,5
o, we shall barn with thoughts OF Fame
''hen we have seen what man became
~ 0den times, when wild and fee
ne Dtcathd Il hjsI-sould chivai!y
Or when his bold, inventive mind
4-c!i rIter nature far behind
an" al thai rose beneath his hand
"eIc Ia the scenes OF fairy land
90 HG' years have 'olrd Ike morning clouds away
''""ny, but brighter'h by the coming day.
- ';'t, though no iyy II monuments we sbIy
ho"sh sculpture liz enIombed vnF AnpeIo;
Il. Sounding iafr5 Surround the MUSES. shines,
=, Hn G p",'''l"& >;i!l in rainbow resses shines.
-, mas 'h.; orb Ia d u is march Seen one
Like G'itIA's painter but COLUMBIA, : con-,
'ho"s years have left thcir rna,is upou his form
80. z-"''as IA would breast tho rulest storm
=. !, no" "'.e aJe sits smiling on his head
- ~. "thcr minds confess tiicir yirnur dad
~ " now ms ''ni conceived the Grand dc.;4p.
,''5 if.s 'H""'iii rest on every lincN
/ ~ em'!".1"tic i.trIc to pourirav
'na sati..ul hooters e The fna! d,y.
"a !'r pale coalsrr ,idcs All carI-.,riirr Do,,l
ti' y"''' am fe'.uiy vi:bcr ~ n:s breath.
'',' ~ stfe p 'nD.th tbe tr.. ui,..fi,v lic..
f'.' '-'ces fury flashes from his cyc-,
'',.' c''" '"d i's lightning strokes are huflL
','t '''i' last victory ovcrw helms the yvofll.
. 80, ".Hi "''rora dance amidst the scene.
~, ~. o'iiit nan and beast between;
- 90 &'.'t -i'- airinI -'5ittrs iutErr5v
-. I.e 1''". 10 q Gte rf tiiat ire..l,.,I ,l.,.
=, "'e it.Hh 5f"p, .u tells o,,,, Ii,c,,, d.,
49, beating pulse nf rac i.,,tf ,,r...,t '
''''.' 'l.'- Ne"i': 'n" us'rs tlly subject sill
'''" e''l"c' If you will!