The Wilmingtonian, And Delaware Register

For the Wilmingtonian.
DEPARTURE OF LAFAYETTE.

He is dash'd on the foam of the turbulent ocean,
Where the dark stormy tempest in revelry raves;
But the Brandywine moves with a beautiful motion,
And bears her lov'd guest o'er the billowy waves.

The sea-god has promised to guard his soft pillow,
When the lightning of heaven illumines the deep,
And to calm, in its rage, the wild dash of the billow,
When softly he sinks in the slumbers of sleep.

And the God of the skies, now enthron'd in his power,
Who has guided his steps 'mid the thunder of war;
Who has screen'd him from danger in battle's dark hour,
And written his name on eternity's scar.

To the land of his fathers, to his own native nation,
Shall the hero of fame, in his splendor restore,
And the plaudits of millions, fair Freedom's oblation,
Shall re-thunder the caves of old Gallia's shore.

He has gone to repose in the lap of his mother,*
To the home of his youth, and the land of his bloom;
He has dropp'd at Mount Vernon a tear o'er his brother,
Who is pillowed in death, in the night of the tomb.

He is gone to his country, and never, ah! never,
Shall America's Eagle o'ershadow the brave;
He has left us in hope, but departed forever,
For age must consign him to nature's cold grave.

No more shall his path be enamell'd with flowers,
Or the damsels of beauty sing praise to his name;
But the Muse with her harp in Arcadian bowers,
Shall gild it with gold in the temple of Fame.

*France.

MILFORD BARD.