The Vision
'TWAS in a beauteous verdant shade,
Deck'd by the genius of the glade,
With Nature's fragrant stores;
Where Fairy Elves light trip'd the green —
Where Silvan Nymphs were often seen
To strew the sweetest flowers.
Lethean air from tempes vale,
Wafted an aromatic gale,
And lull'd my soul to rest:
I saw, or musing seem'd to see,
The future years of Destiny
That brighten'd all the West.
The Muse array'd in heavenly grace,
Call'd up each actor in his place
Before my wondering eyes,
The magic of the Aonian Maid
The world of Vision wide display'd,
And bid the scenes arise.
I saw great FABIUS come in state,
I saw the British Lion's fate,
The Unicorns dispair;
Conven'd in Secrecy's Divan,
The Chiefs contriv'd the fav'rite plan,
And York-Town clos'd the war.
Nor could the dazzling triumph charm
The friends of faction, or its rage disarm —
Fierce to divide, to weaken and subvert:
I saw the Imps of Discord rise —
Intrigue , with little arts, surprise,
Delude — alarm — and then the State desert.
My soul grew sick of human things —
I took my Harp, and touch'd the strings,
Full often set to woe;
Conjur'd the gentle Muse to take
The power of future knowledge back —
No more I wish'd to know.
Rash Mortal stop! She cried with zeal,
One secret more I must reveal,
That will renew your prime:
These storms will work the wish'd for cure,
And put the State in health so pure,
As to resist old Time .
The free born mind will feel the force,
That Justice is the only source
Of Laws concise and clear;
Their native rights, they will resign
To Men an those rights define,
And every burthen bear.
The SACRED COMPACT, in a band
Of brothers, shall unite the land,
And Envy's self be dead;
The Body one, and one the soul,
Virtue shall animate the whole,
And FABIUS be the head.
Rous'd from the enthusiastic dream,
By the soft murmur of a stream,
That glided thro' the meads,
I tun'd my lyre to themes refin'd,
While Nature's gentle voices join'd,
To sing the glorious deeds.
When lo! HIMSELF, the CHIEF rever'd,
In native elegance appear'd,
And all things smil'd around
Adorn'd with every pleasing art,
Enthron'd the Sov'reign of each heart,
I saw the HERO crown'd.
Deck'd by the genius of the glade,
With Nature's fragrant stores;
Where Fairy Elves light trip'd the green —
Where Silvan Nymphs were often seen
To strew the sweetest flowers.
Lethean air from tempes vale,
Wafted an aromatic gale,
And lull'd my soul to rest:
I saw, or musing seem'd to see,
The future years of Destiny
That brighten'd all the West.
The Muse array'd in heavenly grace,
Call'd up each actor in his place
Before my wondering eyes,
The magic of the Aonian Maid
The world of Vision wide display'd,
And bid the scenes arise.
I saw great FABIUS come in state,
I saw the British Lion's fate,
The Unicorns dispair;
Conven'd in Secrecy's Divan,
The Chiefs contriv'd the fav'rite plan,
And York-Town clos'd the war.
Nor could the dazzling triumph charm
The friends of faction, or its rage disarm —
Fierce to divide, to weaken and subvert:
I saw the Imps of Discord rise —
Intrigue , with little arts, surprise,
Delude — alarm — and then the State desert.
My soul grew sick of human things —
I took my Harp, and touch'd the strings,
Full often set to woe;
Conjur'd the gentle Muse to take
The power of future knowledge back —
No more I wish'd to know.
Rash Mortal stop! She cried with zeal,
One secret more I must reveal,
That will renew your prime:
These storms will work the wish'd for cure,
And put the State in health so pure,
As to resist old Time .
The free born mind will feel the force,
That Justice is the only source
Of Laws concise and clear;
Their native rights, they will resign
To Men an those rights define,
And every burthen bear.
The SACRED COMPACT, in a band
Of brothers, shall unite the land,
And Envy's self be dead;
The Body one, and one the soul,
Virtue shall animate the whole,
And FABIUS be the head.
Rous'd from the enthusiastic dream,
By the soft murmur of a stream,
That glided thro' the meads,
I tun'd my lyre to themes refin'd,
While Nature's gentle voices join'd,
To sing the glorious deeds.
When lo! HIMSELF, the CHIEF rever'd,
In native elegance appear'd,
And all things smil'd around
Adorn'd with every pleasing art,
Enthron'd the Sov'reign of each heart,
I saw the HERO crown'd.
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