Kentucky Gazette

A FRAGMENT.

FOUND IN A SKELETON CASE.

Behold this ruin! Twas a skull
Once of eternal spirit full!
That narrow cell was life's retreat!
This space was thought's mysterious seat!
What beauteous pictures fill'd the spot?
What dreams of pleasure long forgot?
Nor Love, nor Joy, nor Hope nor Fear,
Has left no trace or record here!
Beneath this mouldering canopy
Once shone the bright and busy eye-
But start not at the dismal void!
If social love that eye employ'd,
If with no lawless fire it gleam'd.
But through the dew of kindness beam'd,
That eye shall be forever bright,
When stars and suns have lost their light!
Here in this silent cavern hung,
That ready, swift and tuneful tongue,
If falsehood's honey it disdain'd.
And where it could not praise was chain'd;
If bold in virtue's cause it spoke,
Yet gentle concord never broke;
That tuneful tongue shall plead for thee,
When death unveils eternity!
Say, did these fingers delve the mine.
Or with its envied rubies shine?
To hew the rock or wear the gem,
Can nothing now avail to them.
But if the page of truth they sought,
Or comfort to the mourner brought,
These hands a richer meed shall claim,
Than all that waits on wealth or fame!
Avails it whether bare or shod.
These feet the path of virtue trod?
If from the bower of joy they fled,
To sooth affliction's humble bed
If grandeur's guilty bribes they spurn'd,
And home to virtue's lap return'd;
These feet with angels' wings shall vie
And tread the palace of the sky!
"That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once"-HAMLET