The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register. (Wilmington, Del.) 1824-1825, 1825-04-07

depict the interest at that period, excited BY the
name of LAFAYETTE
a SKETCH.
Child.
Who was LAFAYETTE papa
FATHER.
Child, he was ono
Ofthosc old patriots who helped to save
Our country from the ruin that hung DER
Her struggling infancy. He lived, when lie
Whose story thou hast read 50 often, lived,
Our own Great WAsutSGToS. II was u long
Long time ago. These aged trees, these elms
That stretch their old, decayins branches o'erus
Were not then planted; snd that trembling spire
And those gray columns where the ivy clings,
Stand where the sullen wolf was proving then.
CHILD.
So long ago, Dost thou remember HIM
FATHER.
No but I'VE heard my fathers father tell
Fun many time his tale He knew him well,
When first he left his own delightful France
TO fight our battles. Yes, my daughter, then
Though less than twenty summer suns had she'd
Their light upon his brow-though he was young;
Though fortune smil'd upon his noble birth;
Though pleasure wood him to her richest bow
ers,
/ And love its Establishments around him flung;
Still, when he heard that, III our native land,
Our fathers then, brave and injur'd race,
Were striving hard againstthe oppres ior's power,
And pouring out their blood at Freedoms shrine;
When he heard this, he left his home, the scenes
Where he had danced life's golden hours away,
And came to aid them. Then our nations arm
Was almost palsied by the weight it bore,
Her voice yet trembling between hope and fear
Greeted with 10Y the hero. His bright sword,
Held bv a hand already nelv'd for fight,
And guided by soul that fear'd noill
That man could threaten, pointed out the way
To death or triumph And before he went
To cross again the stormy wave that rolls
Its vast dark tide beyond us, and to meet
Once more the partners ofhis peaceful hours,
lie saw the muttcrng clouds Of War retire,
And angel Peace and white -robcd Mercy smile
Hut, father, did he not come back again
I've heard thee say, that once, when he was old
f When. like thy own, his locks were gray will
i, age,
lie came again, and that little girl,
, Young as myself gave him wreath of flowers
And that he kiss'd her for it, Was 1t So
! After he left us, there were wars i'll France:
Her noblest blood was split like gushing water;
And, ioin'd in horlid compact, Anarchy
/, And Ruin rul'd. Through all this reign OF crime
Whether the idol of a nations love-
Or chained by tyrants in PRISONS gloom,
, This great and good man still remained the same
t The faithful friend of freedom and mankind.
| When years had passed, and time had thrown 1t
snow
Irpon his temples, the loud voice of love
called him to come, and tread once more the sol
His Youthful arm was lifted up to save.
OH what scene must that have been to him!
soon as his foot had gained our happy shores,
The arms of an old soldier who had fought
With him received him. Then he could not
? speak
But tears rolled down his furrowed cheek like
+, rain.
Four white and noble stecds his chariot drew
: lie passed along, and every eye was wet,
G While Heavens deep vault rung with the swell
:, ing shout
+ of &c Welcome Lafayette" From every roof,
o And every window, kerchicfs white were waving
d And snowy hands strcwcd all his path with
It flowers.
o The wav was crowned with civic arches, gree
h And beautiful; while that fair banner, starr'd
Is And strip'd, wav'd, i'll the breeze, and proud
It hung
is Its folds above him, letcred with those names
n Where he had borne it triumphing lie pausct
: And smiling how'd to the vast multitude.
- brirht-hair'd girl, with buoyant step, advance
:, Wearing ribbon with his portrait IT,
: And gave to him garland she had twin'd,
:! Twas made of flowers unfided yet, and pure,
s And stainless as her own white bosom Then
: He clasped the smiling chcrub in his arms,
70 And that sweet pledge of childhood's artles
love
le Fird, as he kissd the girl, his eyes with tears
y "Again the shout of joyful welcome"
A. And every hill returned the glad acclaim
D.
Or
$ The voice of wisdom is seldom listened
i NV a self-confdent mind,