Classic Poem

—One form enshrines two souls wee're told,
By sage theologists of old;—
Such was the ancient Grecian creed,
(I only tell you as I read,)
But when from life they wing their way,
And quit their tenement of clay;
The sweet and social union ends,
They kiss, shake hands, and part like friends;
The one a spirit pure, refin'd,
'Ycleped (as we learn) the mind,
Straight to the empyreum soars,
And each celestial sphere explores!
On nectar and ambrosia feasts,
Of heaven's delicious viands tastes;
Revels with all the folk above,
Coquets with Juno,—drinks with Jove;
With Hermes argues,—hunts with Ph æ be,
And quaffs the bowl prepared by Hebe;
Revives its old scholastic knowledge,
To shew miss Pallas 'twas at college;
Feigns on the melting tones t' expire,
Of Apollo's heavenly lyre!
Applauds his sonnets or abuses,
Romps with the Graces or the Muses,
Alternate, Mars and Vulcan teases,
By ogling Venus when it pleases;
Joins in the urchin Cupid's gambols,
Supports his quiver in his rambles;
Or sings his amatory lays,
Or with his godship's marbles plays!
The other soul, a poor inferior,
And to the body scarce superior,
From whence it steers its flight below,
—To Messrs. Eachus and Co.
—Its obulus to Charon paid,
Led by some Cicerone shade;
At the dread tribune it appears,
Distracted 'midst its hopes and fears,
Friendless and trembling, lo! it stands,
To learn their verdict and commands;
Then to Tartarian horrors yields,
Or sports in gay Elysian fields!
But I, so little my ambition,
Will acquiesce with due submission,
That my superior soul shall fly,
To claim heaven's immortality!
So may my minor spirit prove,
An heaven on earth with those I love!