While patriot fiends, with dæmon glare, Rule, &c. Alone, amid the coil serene, New-England stands, and braves the scene, Majestic as she lifts her eye, The stars appear-the dæmons fly. At length the dawn, like that, which first Athwart our clime its radiance throws, Old Massachusetts' hundred hills A realm's acclaim the welkin fills, And thou, pale orb of waning light, Democracy, thou changeling Moon, Art doomed to wheel thy maniac flight, Unseen amid the cloudless Noon. Rule, &c. ODE. THE STREET WAS A RUIN. Written for, and sung at the Anniversary of the Massachusetts Chari. table Fire Society, June, 1804. THE Street was a Ruin, and Night's horrid glare While houseless, bewailing, Mute Pity assailing, A Mother's wild shrieks pierced the merciless air, Oh! fly to me, Mary; In the arms of your Edward, a pillow you'll find. In vain he called, for now the volum❜d smoke, A flash from the window brought Mary to view, She screamed as around her the flames fiercely blew ; Where art thou, mother! Oh! fly to me, brother! Ah! save your poor Mary, who lives but for you! Leave not poor Mary, Ah! save your poor Mary! Her visioned form descrying, On wings of horror flying, The youth erects his frantick gaze, Then plunges in the maddening blaze! The flaming room explores; Oh! Nature, such thy triumphs are, ODE. SPIRIT OF THE VITAL FLAME. Written for, and sung at the Anniversary of the Humane Society, May, 1804. Air ADAGIO. O'ER the swift-flowing stream, as the tree broke in air, Plunged a youth in the tyrannous wave; No ear heard his shriek; faint with toil and despair, RECITATIVO. See, Humanity's angel alights on the scene! Though the shadows of Death have dissembled his mien; See, his corse is redeemed from the Stream's icy bed, And a mother's wild grief shrieks, "Alas! he is dead!" Air-LARGO MAESTOso. Spirit of the Vital Flame, Touch with life his marble frame, " Bring thy torch of quenchless fire, ALLEGRO. Hither, sparkling cherub, fly! Mercy's herald, cleave the sky! To human prayer, benignant Heaven MAESTOSO. Spirit of the Vital Flame! A mother's tears with rapture burn! ALLEGRO ASSAI. Behold the quickening Spirit raise The trembling limb, the wandering gaze! Instinct listens! Memory wakes! Thought from cold Extinction breaks; Reason, motion, frenzy, fear, Religion's triumph, Nature's tear, 33 |