Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-09-27
From the Home Ctrci,
O N w A IL ID.
BY H. FAUSTLERoY.

MANS conqueriug genius well, in times of yore,
Searched fields of art and phlosOphic lore
Rich trophies decked the worlds prImevaI age
OF pcncillcd life and axioms of the sage;
And chisel!ed marble, where the eye trace
The Iarest beauty and Divinest grace.
Grand architecture and poetic rhyme
Find classic models in the olden time
Fen Afric's sands in numbering heaps O'erlay
The wonders Of a race long passed away;
While classic column, peristyle, and dome,
Past gories tell OF Corinth, Greece, and Rome.
Great Cheops pile, Colossus huge of Rhodes,
We're types OF wasted skill! in these abodes
So Obelisks and sphinx historic stand
And VIII through time the worlds respect com
While devotees of art will turn at last
For perfect models TO the classic past.
Yet though such standards must initiate,
Perfection equal is of modern date;
And all that art attained i'll ancient prime
Are starting points TO our advancing time.
Then, knowledge, in its eliminating stage,
Revealed no modes to lengthen out the age;
Mere strength Of arm but lily could withstand
Sediti0us hosts and countless Vandal band,
Till all the glories of a race refined
Before the rage Of savage strife declined.
Then medieval years and genius slept,
And learning was in secret conventk kept;
While ignorance ruled and spoil and bloodsl ed
reigned
And naught the hate of man nor vice, restrained;
Til came the Saxon bold, with conquering tread,
When sIumberng genius sprang awake, to lead
The host and empire give to worthier race,
That should in time the whole worlds rule en-
brace.
The rich arCana science held untold;
Revealing first Gunpowder, 10 defend
Progressive marches onward To the end;
The lannon's roar to make rude valor yield,
And shot and shell the world IS Improvement shield.
Next came the magic Of the Printing press,
The fcrvid thought of glowing mind L express,
And books 10 multiply which truths record,
And safely keep each treasured deed and word:
Then twas that wisdom grew, aud with a bound,
On progress pressed thecv'zed world around.
The circle widening as new wants arise,
Discovery a. e. NpStRrn y
And gave home to freedom, where the mind
Had scope and field for effort unconfned.
Here twas upon Coumba's flowing tide,
~ impcliing force of steam was first applied;
When dawned the age OF iron strength and nerve,
And breath OF flame, mans growing wants to
serve.
Now, gallant steamers plough the surgng tide
Aud pulling engines toll on every side;
While locomotives dart with arrows speed
To min ster to the worlds impatient need
Farm to It's centre seems TO shake again,
As steams grand pageant thunders DER the plain
Epitome Of power Of wondrOus skill
Grand Car Of progress and triumph Of will
What agents these 4 unfold the worlds resource
What agents these advance man s onward course!
No works Of art that graced the classic days
Can DER these win higher need of praise;
Nor monolith, in Egypt reared, outweigh
The tub lar bridge across the straits Menai.
Thus Genius art and science Joined to pay
Their highest tributes to the Saxon's sway.
What further need but, that exchange of thought
From d slant points in shortest time be brOughtf
Then (crowning glory to our coantry's fame)
Heaven 2 spark electric as postal came
Along the wiry insulated way,
Across the continent lightning words TO play.
Yet more we ask-that friends with friends may
keep
Unbroken converse cross Atantic's deep.
daring thought presumption TO offend
Kind Genius, that no further aid he lend
Yet smiled he still, and inspiration gave,
And walked cmprise to dare old ocean s wave.
Then steam and forge spun out the mystic coil
To stretch from Erin shore to Western soil;
Which To mid-ocean our Niagara
And England's Agamemnon bore away.
With careful splice the magic link they made,
And, homeWard bound each ship the cable paid
IL sank To oceans depths in quiet rest,
Lake soft and gentle thoughts in woman breast
Galvanc signals start up oceans dead,
And sea-nymphs dance the line with lightsome
tread.
''Ihe cables laid ~ the joyous shout goes round,
Aud every heart i filled with thanks profound.
Then England's Queen congTatulation sends,
And closer bonds of national love comnends.
Our country Chief, in warm and gallant strain,
Responsive greets our neighbors cross the main.
Now, though the raging waves roll mountain high,
Along their peaceful depths loves mssives fly;
Friend - eaks TO friend acre s. from either side
While heart 10 heart may pulsate through the
tide
Now peaceful councils shall the nations sway
And instant explanations strife aIlay;
The worlds pulse vein shall throb each moment
birth,
And one pervadng present I'LL the earth.
matCh!ess wonder, whose successes yield
Immortal honoTs t. our Morse and Field
GROWING feat Of genius thought sublime
vanquisher of space and conqueror of time