The Enquirer

FOR THE ENQUIRER

TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

"Let Grief and Sorrow still embrace his heart that doth not wish you joy."

SHAKSPEARE.

Whilst pensive millions greet with honest praise,
The firm protector of their country's fame;
Whilst kindred genius, splendid trophies raise,
And consecrate, with pious zeal, thy name--
A Rustic Bard--his mite, would offer too--
He sings to virtue, when he sings to you.

Lo! where contending Despots from afar.
With ire incessant, wage remorseless war ;
Force the lern'd Patriot, by misery tost,
To seek the grave that holds his freedom lost --
Claum sole dominion o'er the uncharter'd flood,
And slake ambitious thirst in human blood :
Lo ! (here the Empureal Bandit o'er the plain,
Stalks with excelling mien 'mid thousands slain;
Round horrent brows, inglorious laurels bind,
Torn from the goaded-bosoms of mankind ;
Whilst Justice, prostrate, bleeds at every pore,
And Liberty exiled, is heard no more.

From such, the Muse, affrighted at the view
Returns to find humanity with you.

Illustrious man ! whose aims have been confin'd.
To serve protect--not immolate mankind--
Who never gave, amid thy whole career,
Virtue a sigh--or innocence a tear.

When stern oppression wav'd her iron arm.
O'er these fair realms, by power and avarice led;
When terror rung the tocsin of alarm ;
When Tyrants triumphed, and when virtue bled--
Dark was the time, and perilous the storm!
Loud scream'd the Eagle, from her Eyrie far,
Repulsive danger, scowl'd in every form,
And rapine followed in the rear of war
Then--whilst the tempest rav'd o'er earth and sea,
Thy hand announced us, Independent! Free !

In after times, when "alarum'd war" was o'er,
Virtue beguil'd, and Washington no more,
Lo ! oligarchy rear'd her frightful head !
Again oppression stalked with giant stride,
Ambition. pride, and treachery by her side .
Whilst Freedom stood appall'd, and Justice fled.

All was dismay--the people cried to you--
Thou com'st, omnipotent in virtue's might,
Tore the dark covering from delusion's brow;
Dispelld the gloom, and beam'd effulgent bright--
To Heaven, the Patriot paid the homage due,
And gave his heart to peace, and joy--and you,

Lo! steeped in tears of dew, the lily bends
Its blossom, chilled with eve's afflictions cold,
When rob'd in light the orb of day ascends,
Repels the tear, and gilds its leaves with gold;
Grateful. the floweret gives her breast to him,
Blooms in his sunshine, and prospers in his beam.

From that fair time that bade injustice cease,
Long hast thou rul'd supreme, with lenient sway
O'er Freedom spread the wing of halcyon peace.
And brush'd, as dews of morn, her fears a- way.

And when a lucent course of labour's o'er,
Thou fear'dst (still anxious to prolong her reign,)
That danger might result from serving more--
Back, what the people gave, thou gav'st again;
Relinquish'd rule, and to retirement bears,
The bright reflection now, of brilliant years.

How few that have, to patriotism true,
Thus power resigned--like Washington and you,

Enough, great Man !--why sketch with feeble art,
What lives embalm'd in every Freeman's heart
Why o'er those splendid actions longer dwell,
Which grateful patriots know, and love so well ?

History, with fond exactitude will trace,
Thy spotless life--unstained by guilt or guile,
And immortality's high annals grace,
With all thy dauntless sum of virtuous toil.

High too, the ambitious muse will proudly raise
Aonian monuments of deathless praise ;
The laurel'd wreath, compose with nicest care,
Unsullied by blood--unsullied with a tear ;
And fondly singing, learn the slave of state,
That to be good--is truly to be great.

Yes, Sir: If virtue bafles e'er the spell of time,
if justice e'er commands the trump of fame,
Bright o'er oblivion wilt thou soar sublime,
And earth's wide bounds reverberate thy name.

Thy name, with time, successful war shall wage,
Bloom unimpaired--and gather strength from age.

SEDLEY.