Is not the soul immortal? Whence its thought?

Its constant aspirations after bliss?

Its vast capacity for good, if nought

But a fortuitous element it is?

Away, nor preach a doctrine such as this. For by yon blessed sun-rise there's a road,

Be but our faith unmoved, we cannot miss,

That leads us to that ever-blest abode;

Where Mind perceives all things, not as here, thro' a cloud,

At Vevai lies our Ludlow, there he dwelt,

The patriot exile; there he loved to roam;

There to the Father of all Mercies knelt;

There Freedom woo'd him in her own sweet home,

Presenting to his view an ample tome

Wherein was writ (in characters how true)

That an unyielding spirit doth become

Man, when the many govern'd by the few

Give to their masters praise that to their God is due.

Yes, the fresh air that circumfused around

Bids us think nobly, mountains, too, sublime The soul; the free-wing'd things that here abound, Tell us that passive virtue is a crime,

When tyrants would destroy the work of time! Gaze on, thy feelings here will teach thee more Than doubtful legends, or than lying rhyme; Gaze on; and Heaven's magnificence adore! Does not thine heart exult now to its very core?

But gloomy Calvin, how couldst thou prevail›
With thy dark doctrines, and ascetic pride,
Where the ripe harvest smiles along the vale,
Where glows the vintage near Lake Leman's tide,

And all was mirth and cheerfulness beside?

Why didst thou not to northern regions hie,

Or in some dreary wilderness abide ?

Why spread thy faith where Heav'n and earth deny

The truths of thy heart-withering creed of destiny?

Yet Genius, eagle-eyed, has dared to raise

The torch of truth on high, and here his few, His favour'd, sons look'd up, with unblench'd gaze, On its eternal brightness; those who knew

The dignity of man and prized it too.

Alas! to her*, whose philosophic mind

Shew'd more than manly strength, a long adieu! What, though her thoughts were somewhat too refin'd; She yet was Freedom's daughter-Pride of womankind!

Sweet wanderer! art thou not happier now,

Climbing the mountain steep with fairy feet,
Thy cheeks carnation'd with health's vivid glow,
Not flushing with the ball-room's impure heat?
Is not thy simple rural feast, more sweet
Than gorgeous suppers, and the lovely things

That court thy steps, companions far more meet

For Nature's child, than those poor vain worldlings,

Who taint a woman's heart, then pierce it with their stings?

Madame de Stael.

Thou might'st a model to Canova be

For young Diana, with thy steps of lightness; And none of living sculptors, none, save he

Could image forth thy look of angel brightness.

His Psyche's scarce excels thy bosom's whiteness! Such as thou art, all-beauteous, and all-fair,

Oh, may'st thou never trust the world's politeness, But always breathe with joy as pure an air,

Fresh as is yon wild flower, that shuns the sun's full glare?

Had man no other duties he might live
In yonder vale; his second Paradise;

Enjoying all that pure content can give;

And while he lives, be, without learning, wise,

Winning by silent prayer his heavenly prize. But this must never be: he can't forsake

His post, though stung by calumny and lies. No! rather let him be the more awake!

Give back his foemen blows that he is forced to take.

It is the lot of all to be reviled,

And who can hope to 'scape that general lot?
Not I; the traitor-friend, who lately smiled

And cringed before me, now remembers not
Past favours; what, are benefits forgot?
Aye more, not mere ingratitude, but hate;
Hate, with his ready sponge, will quickly blot
Out from the memory's tablet sign or date

Of friendship there; and then hypocrisy will prate!

No matter; tares will grow up with the wheat ;

And none but knaves deem all mankind the same.

Though in society there be deceit,

Yet there prevails the love of honest fame; Still on her altars Friendship's holy flame Burns undiminished; misanthropes may rail

And sceptics smile, yet many could I name Whose generous zeal was never known to fail, Even in the hour of need, but then did most prevail.