22. For who, to dumb forgetfulness a prey, This pleasing, anxious being e'er resign'd: Nor cast one longing, ling'ring look behind? 23. On some fond breast the parting soul relies: Some pious drops the closing eye requires : E'en from the tomb the voice of nature cries, E'en in our ashes live their wonted fires. 24. For thee, who, mindful of the unhonor'd dead, Dost in these lines their artless tale relate, If, chance, by lonely contemplation led, Some kindred spirit shall inquire thy fate, 25. Haply some hoary-headed swain may say, "Oft have we seen him at the peep of dawn, That wreathes its old, fantastic roots so high, Mutt'ring his wayward fancies, he would rove: Or crazed with care, or cross'd in hopeless love. 28. One morn, I miss'd him on the accustom'd hill, Along the heath, and near his fav'rite tree : Another came; nor yet beside the rill, Nor up the lawn, nor at the woods was he. 29. The next, with dirges due, in sad array, Slow through the church-yard path, we saw him borne. Approach, and read (for thou canst read) the lay, 'Graved on the stone beneath yon aged thorn." THE EPITAPH. 30. Here rests his head upon the lap of earth, A youth to Fortune, and to Fame, unknown: He gave to Mis'ry all he had,-a tear: He gain'd from Heav'n-'t was all he wish'd-a friend. 32. No further seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode : CIX.-AN EVENING ADVENTURE. 1. Not long since a gentleman was travelling in one of the counties of Virginia, and about the close of the day stopped at a public house to obtain refreshment and spend the night. He had been there but a short time, before an old man alighted from his gig, with the apparent intention of becoming his fellow guest at the same house. As the old man drove up, he observed that both the shafts of his gig were broken, and. that they were held together by withes, formed from the bark of a hickory sapling. Our traveller observed further, that he was plainly clad, that his knee-buckles were loosened, and that something like negligence pervaded his dress. Conceiving him to be one of the honest yeomanry of our land, the courtesies of strangers passed between them, and they entered the tavern. It was about the same time, that an addition of three or four young gentlemen was made to their number: most, if not all of them, of the legal profession. 2. As soon as they became conveniently accommodated, the conversation was turned, by one of the latter, upon the eloquent harangue which had that day been displayed at the bar. It was replied by the other, that he had witnessed, the same day, a degree of eloquence, no doubt equal, but it was from the pulpit. Something like a sarcastic rejoinder was made as to the eloquence of the pulpit, and a warm and able altercation ensued, in which the merits of the Christian religion became the subject of discussion. From six o'clock until eleven, the young champions wielded the sword of argument, adducing with ingenuity and ability every thing that could be said and con. pro 3. During this protracted period, the old gentleman listened with the meekness and modesty of a child, as if he was adding new information to the stores of his own mind; or perhaps he was observing with a philosophic eye, the faculties of the youthful mind, and how new energies are evolved by repeated action; or perhaps, with patriotic emotion, he was reflecting upon the future destinies of his country, and on the rising generation, upon whom those future destinies must devolve; or, most probably, with a sentiment of moral and religious feeling, he was collecting an argument which no art would be "able to elude, and no force to resist." Our traveller remained a spectator, and took no part in what was said. 4. At last, one of the young men, remarking that it was impossible to combat with long and established prejudices, wheeled around, and with some familiarity, exclaimed, "Well, my old gentleman, what think you of these things?" If, said the traveller, a streak of vivid lightning had at that moment crossed the room, their amazement could not have been greater than it was from what followed. The most eloquent and unanswerable appeal that he had ever heard or read was made for nearly an hour, by the old gentleman. So perfect was his recollection, that every argument .urged against the Christian religion, was met in the order in which it was advanced. Hume's sophistry on the subject of miracles, was, if possible, more perfectly answered, than it had already been done by Campbell. And in the whole lecture there was so much. simplicity and energy, pathos and sublimity, that not another word was uttered. 5. An attempt to describe it, said the traveller, would be an attempt to paint the sunbeams. It was now a matter of curiosity and inquiry, who the old gentleman was. The traveller concluded that it was the preacher from whom the pulpit eloquence was heard; but no,-it was JOHN MARSHALL, the CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES. CX.-THREE DAYS IN THE LIFE OF COLUMBUS. DELAVIGNE. 1. ON the deck stood Columbus: the ocean's expanse, He sails, but the day shows no more than the night : 2. The pilot, in silence, leans mournfully o'er The rudder which creaks mid the billowy roar: "Columbus! 'tis day, and the darkness is o'er."— Day! and what dost thou see?"—"Sky and ocean. No more!" 3. The second day's past, and Columbus is sleeping, He traced for the Future, his sepulchre be? Shall that sea, on the morrow, with pitiless waves, Fling his corse on that shore which his patient eye craves? One day later,-Columbus, the first among men ! 4. But, hush! he is dreaming!—A veil on the inain, And now, on his dreaming eye,-rapturous sight!- 5. But, lo! his dream changes;—a vision less bright And the peaceful Cazique, 'mid their ashes expire: 6. Again the dream changes. Columbus looks forth, 7. They have conquered! The People, with grateful acclaim Look to Washington's guidance from Washington's fame ;Behold Cincinnatus and Cato combined In his patriot heart and republican mind. O, type of true manhood! What sceptre or crown In Freedom's behalf, sets his mark on the age: The lightning from Heaven, the sceptre from kings! 8. At length, o'er Columbus slow consciousness breaks,— He runs,-yes! behold it !-it blesseth his sight: What will Ferdinand say? and the Future? and Spain? In exchange for a world what are honors and gains? |