Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-05-26
P0ETICAL.
[For the Spirit of Jeferson.l
HYMN OF LORENZO DE MEDIC1.

Nfr. Eaitor.-The following is a translation OF
hymn written by Lorenzo the Ma gnifcent, the head
of the Forenine Republic, In the early part oil the
fifteenth century and the father of Pope Leo X
The truth and subtinnty of the sentiments, the rich
gorgeousness of the imagery, the intensity and
depth the feeling, the force and vigor OF the eH-
presson, and the classical elegance and perfection
OF the style, 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 md
activity of the pontfcate of Leo Y, and the period
Immediately preceding-during which, among
Other things the earlier poems of the Platonic phy
losophy were cultivated with such assiduity and
success-reccived greater encoura cement and
impetus from any other individual of that age,
than from the great author of this wonderful poem.
'rhe obvious traces of that ply losoPhy which per-
wade il, show that he enabled, by the force OF
his genius, to rise above the environments of the
dead forms and superstitions with which the church
of that age surrounded him, and to contemplate i'll
the light of his reason, the Deity which nature
and revelation presented to him. The translation,
however, is very inadequate to convey to the Eng
lish reader, a full idea of the majestic grandeur
and profound piety of the original
Great God, by whose determined laws
all nature moves unccasng cause,
Whose power the universe cOntrolst
Who from the central poiat dccreed
That time his rapid iii sht should speed,
AS round the eternal circle rolls
At rest ThvscIf. yet active stiIl,
Thou ma st and CEangcst at Thy will
Unnuved alone, Thou movcst alli
Whilst matter, eager to assume
New forms, from Thee awaits its doom,
And hastcus at Thy powerful call
Firm on the ductle mass imprcst
Whate'cr Thy wisdom deems the best
Thou tashon'st with unbounded love;
Whilst a II the wondering eye surveys
Unfolds to reasons clearer gaze
The nob!er Archetype above
Resolved in Thy eternal mind,
Whate'er Thy providence designed
Its primal fashion there assumed
Till all in just dependence shown,
II future cha &C to Thee foreknown,
The whole in full perfection bloomcd
Then first thy mightier chain was bound
The struggling elements around.
fill each assumed its destined stand:
Thy power their contrarcs controlld,
And moist and dry, and heat and cold,
Were harmonIzcd at Ihy command
Nor scales the fire tn cmpyrcal height,
Nor sinks the earth's incuE bent weight
Beneath the central Gar kncss deep;
But tempered III proportions true,
Each binding each in order due
They learn their destined bounds to keep:
Dinuscd through all the mighty whole.
Thy goodness pours the living soul
That actuatcs each rcmotcr part:
Thy energy with CCasClcss lOrCc
ImPels the still returning course.
As midst the limbs the hcaving heart.
From Thee great Author, all that lives
lis stated boon OF life reCeIvcs,
Ere long again restored to Thee;
Each insect too minute to name,
Yet OWES portion OF Thy lanIe,
Part OF Thy numerous family.
RcspIcndcnt cars of fiery glow
From realms Of light to earth below
Thy animated offspring bcar
And when this mortal trial ends,
Again the glorious 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 sun which ne'er declines
Remove again its raPturcd sight.
Purge Thou, my God my visual ray;
Danish these earthly mist5 away,
Great centre towards which u II things tend
In Thee, lone, Eternal Mind!
The good their final refuge find,
Of all, Creator G u!de, and End.