New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-03
THE TRIBUNE E.
1iterarp Notices.
POETRY-A SATIRE.

The Poem pronounced before the Mercantile
Library Association al It's Anniversary, fe"
weeks since, by PARK BENJAMIN, Esq. has beer
published by j. Winchester in neat pamphlet o.
some forty pages. We expressed our judgement
Of its brilliant point and manly vigor at the time
Of its delivery: and it has been confirmed ano
strengthened by subsequent perusal. We copy
the following beautiful sketch Of the true Poet.
life with the contrast presented by the spirit o.
the present age:
The common objects in our paths supply
Shapes that are charming to the poets eye.
Pictures, soft ever Guido drew,
He finds reflected in drop of dew,
And colors, mingled with Titian's skill,
Ona flowers leaf he traces a, his will
The golden insect, from worm that springs,
and upward scars on frail yet brilliant wings;
Type OF the soul appears, released from earth,
To sport aud reve In heavenly birth.
SGch happy fances can the poet find
They are the light and soace of his mind
They yield him inward peace, when outward life
Is one long scene Of turbulence and strife.
When friends grow cold and Fortunes favors fail
Imagination spreads her airy sail
Her barque floats freely over cloud and mist
To purer clincs, by milder sunbeams kiss'd.
Perehd i'll garnet, nearer to the skies
He longs for wings cleave the blae profound,
Like Shelley's lark, spurner Of the ground.
he spends his hours with little else to spend
AS ii each six months brought its dividend
Honest and poor, the little that he gains
Supplies him needful books and life sustains;
And free from debt, in independent state,
He feels no envy of the rich and great.
His mind, exalted by its lofty aim,
With grief may be familiar not with shame;
For, stunning vice, he runs his Rild career,
Aud looks to Heaven for bliss denied him here.
Contrast this portrait, not in fond conceit
Sketch'd from model long since obsolete,
With one | might, but will not, dare not draw,
Because l reverence wealth and fear the law.
No BOY e'er gazed with more entire respect
On martial Rero in his trappings deck'd
Than | on men. by mighty Mammon made
The sons OF traffic and the slaves Of trade.
What can be nobler than our lives to give
To gain the very means whereby we live
To rise at morning and forget to pray
Intent upon the business Of the day
The day concluded to retire to rest
And dream what stocks, what markets the best
What can be werthier Of Immortal man
Thar these grand maxims get whate'er you can,
Keep all you get, be careful how you spend,
Know well your customers and never lend
So shall the world upon It's axle roll,
And every turn bring comfort 10 your soul:
So shall your bank account be figured wide,
And every figure on the proper side:
So shall your wife in coach and Cashmere shawl
Drive down Broadway, the wonderment Of ALL
SO shall your SON, returned from foreign tour,
Hirsutely horrid, fright the gaping boor:
So shall your daughter come from boarding school,
In all, but French and flauery, fool:
So shall YOU smile with iil.concealed dlsdaln
On old, poor friends, whose presence causes paia !:
So shall you, every Sunday, in your pew,
Devout!y curse Turk, Infdel and Jew:
So shall you live without grief or care,
And die aad go-I need not mention where.