Virginia Argus

REFLECTIONS on viewing the statue of General Washington.--By Miss E. L. H.--Composed a short time previous to a knowledge of the peace.

When Time's fell hand, whose dire resistless sway
Earth, sea and skies are fated to obey :
Whelms in the gloomy silence of the grave,
The glorious chieftain, or the warrior brave ;
How sweet while History, glad unfolds her store,
Fraught with those scenes which now exist no more;
With fond attention on the page to dwell,
Which loves the hero's glorious deeds to tell;
Or marks the sculptur'd monuments which rise,
With lofty grandeur towering to the skies!

Great Washington! Illustrious son of Fame,
(For sure thou may'st this glorious title claim;)
What fond emotions in the bosom rise.
When art displays to our admiring eyes,
The stately semblance of thy lifeless form,
Which braved so oft the battle's direst storm,
While victory's rays with dazzling lustre played
Around thy brow, and lightened on thy blade ;
While stern oppression fled before thy name,
And earth resounded with thy glorious fame!

O ! that thy lifeless hand again could wield
The sword of victory in the ensanguined field;
That thy cold heart, which long has ceased to beat,
Again could glow with freedom's kindling heat;
O ! that thy spirit, blest with joys divine,
Again could warm its sublunary shrine,
Reanimate thy cold and silent clay,
And guide Columbia's sons in Victory's way!