Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-05-26
POLITICAL.
For the Spirit of JefTerson.l
HYMN OF LORENZO DE MEDICI.

mfr. Eaitor.-The following is a translation of
hymn written by Lorenzo the Magnificent, the head
of the Forentine Republic, in the early part of the
fifteenth century, and the father of Pope Leo X
The truth and subiinty of the sentiments, the rich
gorgeousness of the imagery, the intensity and
depth of the feeling, the force and vigor OF the eS-
rression, and the classica elegance and perfection
of the style, are apparent enough; and really
know not where you could match them, unless you
were to search among the old Hebrew Psa Imistsand
prophets. The extraordinary literary research and
activity of the pontiicate of Leo X and the period
Immediately preceding-during which, among
other thinga, the earlier poems of the Platonc ply
losophy cultivated with such assiduty and
success-reccived no greater encoura cement and
impetus from any other one individual of that age,
from the great author of this wonderful poem.
.Fhe obvious traces of that philosophy which per-
wade it, show that he enabled, by the force of
his genius, to rise above the environments of the
dead forms and supersitions with which the church
of that age surrounded him, and to contemplate in
the light of his the Deity which nature
and revelation presented to him. The translation,
however, is very inadequate to convey to the Eng
lish rea der, a full idea of the majestic grandeur
and profound picty of the original
Great God, by whose determined laws
All nature moves INCREASING cause,
Whose power the universe controls
Who from the central point decreed
That time his rapid III aht should speed,
as round the eternal circle rolls!
AT rest Thvsclf. yet active still.
Thou ma st and cnangest at Thy will
Unmuved alone, Thou movcst all;
Whilst matter, eager to assume
New forms, from Thee awaits its DOOM
And hastcus at Thy powerful cali
Firm on the ductie mass imprest
Whate'er Thy wisdom deems the best
Thou tashi0n'st with unbounded love:
Whilst II the wondering eye surveys
n iOIH3 n
The nOb!er ArchetyPe above.
Resolved in Thy eternal mind,
Whateer Thy providence designed
Its primal fashion there assumed
Till all in just dependence shown,
A II future change to Thee toreknOwnI
The whole in full perfection bloomed.
Then first thy mi ghtcr chain was bound
The struggling elements around,
fill each assumed its destined stand:
Thy power their Contrarics controlPd,
IND moist and dry, and heat and cold,
Were harmonizcd at Thy command.
Nor scales the fire tn cmpyrcal height,
Nor sinks the earth's incur: bent weight
Beneath the central darkness deep;
But tempered i'll proportions true,
Each binding each in order due
They learn their destined bounds to keep:
DfIuscd through all the mighty whole,
Thy goodness pours the living soul
That actuatcs each rcmotcr part:
Thy energy with ceasccss force
Impels the still returning course.
AS midst the limbs the hCaving heart.
From Thee, great Author, all that lives
lis stated boon of life receives,
Ere long again restored to Thee;
Each insect too minute to name,
Yet owns portion OF Thy iiauIv,
Part of Thy numerous family.
Rcsplcndcnt cars of fiery glow
From realms Of light to earth below
Thy animated offspring bear;
A nd when this mortal trial ends,
Again the glorious car attends
To wing them to their native sphere.
Grant then, my God that raised sublime,
My soul the arduous heights may climb,
And gaze upon the f5unt of light;
Nor ever from the place where shines
That cloudlcss SON which ne'er declines
Remove again its raPturcd sight.
Purge Thou, my & cd my visual ray;
Danish these earthly mist5 away,
Great centre towards which II thing tend
In Thee, alone, Eternal Mind
The good their final refuge find,
Ufall, Creator, G u!de, and End.