Of contemplation, by no sense of wrong TO THEE, TO THEE, Just God of Christianized Humanity, Shall praises be poured forth, and thanks ascend, That thou hast brought our warfare to an end, And that we need no second victory! Blest, above measure blest, If on thy love our Land her hopes shall rest, Thy law, and live henceforth in peace, in pure good-will. XLVI. ODE. THE MORNING OF THE DAY APPOINTED FOR A GENERAL THANKSGIVING. JANUARY 18; 1816. I HAIL, orient Conqueror of gloomy Night! Cheer'st the low threshold of the peasant's cell! In naked splendor, clear from mist or haze, Dazzling the vision that presumes to gaze. That bind thee to the path which God ordains Till, with the heavens and earth, thou pass away To us who tread below,) Do with the service of this Day accord. Divinest Object which the uplifted eye Of mortal man is suffered to behold; Thou, who upon those snow-clad Heights hast poured By pious men of old; Once more, heart-cheering Sun, I bid thee hail! Bright be thy course to-day, let not this promise fail! II. Mid the deep quiet of this morning hour, All nature seems to hear me while I speak, By feelings urged that do not vainly seek Apt language, ready as the tuneful notes That stream in blithe succession from the throats Of birds, in leafy bower, Warbling a farewell to a vernal shower. — There is a radiant though a short-lived flame, The towers of righteousness, He knows that from a holier altar came The quickening spark of this day's sacrifice; Knows that the source is nobler whence doth rise The current of this matin song; That deeper far it lies. Than aught dependent on the fickle skies. III. Have we not conquered?-by the vengeful sword? Ah no! by dint of Magnanimity; That curbed the baser passions, and left free Along a track of most unnatural years; Whose memory, spotless as the crystal beads He with enraptured voice will tell Of circumspect humanity; Shall show her clothed with strength and skill Firm as a rock in stationary fight; IV. And thus is missed the sole true glory At which they only shall arrive Who through the abyss of weakness dive. The very humblest are too proud of heart; And one brief day is rightly set apart For Him who lifteth up and layeth low; For that Almighty God to whom we owe, survive. but that we V. How dreadful the dominion of the impure! To Heaven;-who never saw, may heave a sigh; Of warfare waged with desperate mind The citadels of truth; By ignorance defaced, By violence laid waste, Perish without reprieve for flower or tree. VI. a distracted will, A crouching purpose, |