Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-08-30
SECOND PRIZE POEM,


Tutn by r. IL Hcfo,ore Esq. and sDokru ~ IISs Ii
As pilgrim wanderers finn far-off shore,
rilSsftiily tread their native soil once more
And, while they gaze with rapture bealni,ig cvoe
On each loved SCcnc--the hills the wales the ltcs-
Forget al pcriis of the way worn past
ln)oy ~ meet long cherished friends nj last;
nus cntcrcd ny hope, the drama s voaries COME
orr smile the sun that lights them to their home
Fond memory, cease thy soul-subtl,ing pJvrr
Tor e'er recall the horrors OF that hour
- hen the hot breath of the red whrlwind carnc
AIld desolation famed the cracking flame
% where tn" appalling vision starts 10 view
i'estructiOn gl1reS through clouds of lurid hue
ell havoc ilovcrs DER the lettering walls
Iiope shriekng fies-the mighty fabric falls,
Where lowered It's pride, S,noulderinq ruin Iice
The e1lchanter speaks behold, s,lenciors ris+
Perish remembrance OF that fearful night
Bciore this scene of loneliness and light.
Immortal bard' whose lif>retlecting pare,
Gnuunned by time, dcscrnds from are TO a6c-.
10 these is dedicate the drama shrine
Taste rear5 the dorne-ttc pedestal is thhr-
Within this temple, votivc to thy fame,
GENIUS shall kindle al thy inuet's fame.
And the warm incense of the reart shall rsr
10 natures minstrel, feelings sacrifice.
Der the glad scene where Genius sheds his Esir
& god-like radiance gilds the mental sight;
Imperial mind high alteration pays,
and lights her fires III his meridian blaze.
Within the dramas courts he scattcrs gems
Nlore rIsh than sparkle i'll earth's diadGms:
MaAtd tom her goderLfire in sun-lit bower,
Where thoughts lysian wrcathc tine captive hour
IN new fled ged pnons borne through realms ofiic;
imagination scars her ca'lc flight;
While genius eads-carh, sra and world st-rNn Sly
fnveil their mysteries to the ardent eve;
hnd tancv's bright creations start 10 lie,
With all the attributes OF mature riff.
Let sfndOwy forms in phanta V he firovr--
IaP fancy build an empire OF thy own
Nherc yonder gay aud sylvan scene unfolGy
a fairy court its mimic rCvCi holds:
Amid the maZes of the umbra r.ous grove
Joyous or sad, the air-wrouglt visions ro-c-
thronef in bower, of 5l'IShinI roSrs twinrd,
Whose fragrant colours nil the sunni .r-wini,
queen OF the mystic rites, fair taste appears,
Her flower wrfathed sccprc C";nu!ei with dew tears
What sounds mclodious on the zephyr syreilo
'1rs music, breathing DER hey sweetest shell!
Afrollos train fits through the vevlegs SPACE
And genius paints the eio!ucnce of fare.
Child of1taly' ysunnv skies tits thine
10 thrill the breast with harmony divine.
and sec where gl!dcs 70 musc's rapturous nca.!rrp
3hc nymph of graceful step and soul Of pleasure:
ltrlias glance lts prnsivc lISirr darts,
With smiles to soote, or tears to saddcn n1r,-;
FSle, wan and deyo'a'N. the tragic muse
sialks darkly by; ncr giiStcl1rg diffnsi.
a melancholy sadncss rouud-'iis past
That piercing shrek, despair hath sighed is !r.tr
4 pc vel on fancy drawn, her dreams depart
Reality appears in al the light
GftrJth, 1t bursts upon the glatdencd stgi'
To shed sweet ffugr,ucr o'cr lif's utslry i.,,>s
nc drama comes 10 sreyv her choicest flowers,
Sjr brings her trca to your fostering carr
Nor doubts the sunshine OF your smiles 20 share,
Her Cherished horne III feeling breast snc reals
ks in its smiles, and doats upon its travs:
Truths laws shall rule the fCtCn< NJ the stree
Ilc- themes can meier offend moral a-r.
Lftc's varied scenes this mirror shall rphcc'
when taste PTc5crlbes the genial fast ofmfriEc1'