Thee, in whose hand the keys of Science dwell,

The penfive portrefs of her holy cell;

Whofe conftant vigils chafe the chilling damp

Oblivion steals upon her vestal-lamp.

10

The friends of Reason, and the guides of Youth, Whofe language breath'd the eloquence of Truth; Whofe life, beyond preceptive wisdom, taught

The great in conduct, and the pure in thought; Thefe ftill exift, by Thee to Fame confign'd, 15 Still speak and act, the models of mankind.

From Thee fweet Hope her airy colouring draws; And Fancy's flights are fubject to thy laws.

From Thee that bofom-fpring of rapture flows,

Which only Virtue, tranquil Virtue, knows. 20

When Joy's bright fun has shed his evening-ray,

And Hope's delufive meteors cease to play ;

When clouds on clouds the fmiling profpect clofe, Still thro' the gloom thy ftar ferenely glows:

Like yon fair orb, fhe gilds the brow of night 25 With the mild magic of reflected light.

The beauteous maid, that bids the world adieu,

Oft of that world will snatch a fond review;

Oft at the shrine neglect her beads, to trace
Some focial scene, fome dear, familiar face,
Forgot, when first a father's ftern controul
Chas'd the gay vifions of her opening soul :
And ere, with iron tongue, the vefper-bell
Bursts thro' the cyprefs-walk, the convent-cell,
Oft will her warm and wayward heart revive,

To love and joy fill tremblingly alive;

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The whisper'd vow, the chafte carefs prolong,

Weave the light dance, and swell the choral fong;

With rapt ear drink the enchanting ferenade,

And, as it melts along the moonlight-glade,

To each soft note return as foft a figh,

And bless the youth that bids her flumbers fly.

40

But not till Time has calm'd the ruffled breast,

Are these fond dreams of happiness confeft.
Not till the rushing winds forget to rave,

Is heav'n's sweet smile reflected on the wave.

45

From Guinea's coaft pursue the leffening fail, And catch the sounds that fadden every gale. Tell, if thou canft, the fum of forrows there; Mark the fixt gaze, the wild and frenzied glare, 50 The racks of thought, and freezings of despair!

But pause not then-beyond the western wave,

Go, view the captive barter'd as a slave!

Crush'd till his high, heroic spirit bleeds,

And from his nerveless frame indignantly recedes.

Yet here, ev'n here, with pleafures long refign'd, Lo! MEMORY bursts the twilight of the mind: Her dear delufions footh his finking foul,

When the rude fcourge affumes its base controul;

And o'er Futurity's blank page diffuse

The full reflection of their vivid hues.

'Tis but to die, and then, to weep no more,

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Then will he wake on Congo's distant shore ;
Beneath his plantain's ancient fhade, renew
The fimple transports that with freedom flew; 65
Catch the cool breeze that musky Evening blows,
And quaff the palm's rich nectar as it glows;

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The oral tale of elder time rehearse,

And chant the rude, traditionary 'verse ;

With those, the lov'd companions of his youth, 70 When life was luxury, and friendship truth.

Ah! why fhould Virtue dread the frowns of Fate?

Hers what no wealth can win, no power create!

A little world of clear and cloudless day,

Nor wreck'd by storms, nor moulder'd by decay; 75 A world, with MEMORY'S ceafeless fun-fhine blest, The home of Happiness, an honest breast.

But most we mark the wonders of her reign,

When Sleep has lock'd the fenfes in her chain. When fober Judgment has his throne refign'd, 80

She fmiles away the chaos of the mind;