Classic Poem

'Twas nobly done ! the Muse's seat to raise
In this fair land, and earn immortal praise !
To civilize our first fam'd sires began,
'Twas yours to prosecute the glorious plan ;
They peopled delerts with unwearied toil,
Establish'd laws and till'd the fruitful soil ;
'Twas yours to call in each refining art,
T' improve the manners and exalt the heart ;
To train the rising race in wisdom's lore,
And teach them virtue's summit to explore.

What land than this can choicer blessings claim,
Where sacred liberty has fixt her name ;
Where o'er each field gay Plenty spreads her store,
Free as yon river laves the winding shore ;
Where active Trade pours forth her jovial train
O'er the green bosom of the boundless main ;
Where honest Industry's bright tools resound,
And Peace her olive scepter waves around ?
To such a state fair Science to convey,
And beam afar the philosophic day ;
To make our native treasures doubly blest,
Was sure a scheme to fire each worthy breast ;
Was fit for gen'rous patriots to pursue,
Was fit for learning's patrons — — and for you !

As from the east yon orb first darts his ray
O'er heav'ns blue vault, and westward bends his way,
So Science in the orient climes begun,
And, like bright Sol, a western circuit run ;
From eastern realms to Greece was learning brought,
What e'er Pythagoras or Cadmus taught ;
Her form illustrious Athens did illume,
And rais'd the genius of imperial Rome ;
From Latium's plains she sought Britannia's shore,
And bid her barb'rous sons be rude no more ;
Fierce nations roam'd around the rugged isle,
Till Science on its fields began to smile ;
Fair Cam and Isis heard no muse's strains,
Their shades were trod by wolves and fiercer Danes ,
Till with the A RTS Augusta 's grandeur rose,
And her loud thunder shook the deep's repose.
Just so, in time (if right the Muse descries)
Shall this wide realm with tow'ry cities rise ;
The spacious Delaware, thro' future song,
Shall roll in deathless majesty along ;
Each grove and mountain shall be sacred made,
As now is Cooper's hill and Windsor's shade.

Flush'd with the thought I'm borne to ages hence,
The muse-wrought vision rushes on my sense.
Methinks M ESSIAH 's ensign I behold
In the deep gloom of yonder shades unroll'd,
And hear the Gospel's silver clarion sound,
Rousing with heav'nly strains the heathen round ;
Methinks I hear the nations shout aloud,
And to the glory-beaming standard crowd ;
New inspirations shake each trembling frame,
The Paraclete pours forth the lambent flame,
In renovating streams on ev'ry soul,
While through their breasts celestial transports roll.
Stupendous change ! methinks th' effects appear ;
In the dark region sacred temples rear
Their lofty heads ; fair cities strike my sight,
And heav'n-taught Science spreads a dazzling light
O'er the rough scene, where error's court was found,
And red-ey'd slaughter crimson'd all the ground.

O haste, blest days ! till ign'rance flee the ball,
And the bright rays of knowledge lighten all,
Till in yon wild new seats of Science rise,
And such as you the arts shall patronize !
For this your names shall swell the trump of fame,
And ages yet unborn your worth proclaim.