Hail, Conversation, heav'nly fair,
Thou bliss of life, and balm of care!
Call forth the long-forgotten knowlege
Of school, of travel, and of college!
For thee, best solace of his toil!
The sage consumes his midnight oil;
And keeps late vigils, to produce
Materials for thy future use.
If none behold, ah! wherefore fair?
Ah! wherefore wise, if none must hear?
Our intellectual ore must shine,
Not slumber, idly, in the mine.
Let Education's moral mint
The noblest images imprint;
Let Taste her curious touchstone hold,
To try if standard be the gold;
But 'tis thy commerce, Conversation,
Must give it use by circulation;
That noblest commerce of mankind,
Whose precious merchandize is MIND!