Classic Poem

At the Theatre, in Durham, accompanied by his Astronomical Lecture.

With what transporting extacy the soul,
Beholds this emblem of the glowing pole!
The solar system all at once display'd,
Refulgent bursting thro' the midnight shade!
The various planets in their orbits hurl'd,
And all the wonders of th' empyrean world.
Here rolling worlds perform their mystic rounds,
Their stated periods keep, and certain bounds;
Yet seem to act without support or cause,
Revolving round by nature's gen'ral laws!
With matter, motion, gravity, imprest,
As of those principles indeed possest.
Here order, grace, and harmony combine,
And constellations teach as well as shine;
For here description aids our mental sight,
Places their influence in its proper light,
And bids us, whilst those wonders we explore,
The great Creator fervently adore.
Here rhetoric flows, in union with truth,
Spontaneous from the lips of blooming youth:
The noblest morals, here, our souls engage,
That e'er, perhaps, were utter'd on the stage —
Morals, where every period tends to prove
The Deity's Almighty power and love!
Pursue, illustrious youth! with yonder sun,
The early race of glory you've begun!
Whilst gay licentious libertines, who stray
With heedless steps thro' vice's dangerous way,
Abasht, with awe, shall view the glorious scene,
Nor find a veil their infamy to screen.
Hail sacred science! taught by thee to soar,
Our souls the starry regions can explore;
Can quit this lower world, with thoughts sublime,
The illimitable universe to climb;
Immensity is open to our view,
And every glance beholds some object new.
Night had her sable canopy unfurl'd,
With gloomy grandeur o'er the spacious world;
The winds were hush'd, the ocean was serene,
And Cynthia rose to gild the solemn scene;
When from the skies, Urania, heav'nly maid,
Descending, shone refulgent thro' the shade;
An azure robe, a starry crown, she wore;
In either hand a radiant globe she bore;
Her aspect, tho' majestic, yet benign,
And grace and grandeur mingled in her mein;
The' inventress of th' astronomic plan,
To vindicate her science thus began:
" The soul of man was made to range the sky,
" And view its charms with philosophic eye;
" With anxious, keen researches, still to trace
" Th' unmeasurable labyrinths of space,
" And read distinct the various characters
" Of preaching orbs, and moralizing stars.
" Walker for this his Eidouranion made,
" Where most stupendous wonders are display'd.
" Proceed my son, the glorious task be thine,
" To shew th' omnipotence of power divine;
" The wide extensive universe explore,
" And soar where mortal never soar'd before!
" Go read mankind the lectures of the skies,
" And teach them to be truly blest and wise!
" Religion 's empress of the moral plan,
" The chief design, and sovereign good of man;
" This the grand point to which all motions tend,
" This their great source , their centre , and their end . "