Phenix Gazette

SELECTED POETRY.
[From the Lynchburg Virginian]
LINES.
Intended as an answer to a piece which appeared in the
Richmond Enquirer of the 18th ult. in the Poet's
Corner, under the signature of S. R. H.

Yes, Clay is fallen, if the "slang"
Of that unanalysed ignorant gang:
Who cannot tell wherefore, or why
They raise 'gainst him the hue and cry
If the abuse and calumny
Of those who would be great as he--
Of those whom he has run before.
To honest fame--could make it so.
Yes, he is fallen, if we believe
The talk of those who daily weave
Their thousand inconsistent tales,
With which to fill some favorite's sails;
If we believe the slanderous lies,
That from the press so thickly rise,
Then to the "common pile" are flung,
Alike "unhonored and unsung."
But 'tis not so! As soon the tall
The pillared Alleghany fall"--
As soon yon blazing orb, the sun,
His annual circles cease to run;
As soon the moon and every star,
Run lawless, guideless thro' the air;
As soon destroying, horrid "War"
Thro' heaven roll its bloody car;
As soon, pale, haggard "Famine" roam,
Where plenty ever makes her home;
As soon "foul Pestilence" be found,
Where usual health always abounds.
He is not fallen, no, not he,
The ardent friend of liberty--
The advocate of man's best right--
A dread to tyrants in their might.
He is not fallen, nor will he be--
While worth is prized--his country free.
But when the earth its course shall turn,
When fire shall freeze and ice shall burn,
When winter shall begin in May,
And summer yield to frost her sway,
When pleasure shall have no alloy,
And "galling pain" be felt with joy,
When virtue shall fly far away,
And every creature will obey;
When blackest black shall be called white,
And all shall swear that wrong is right,
When freedom's hallowed temple falls,
And justice leaves her sacred halls,
When aristocrats shall rule the land,
And demagogues be in command;
When freemen shall to tyrants bend,
Then Clay will fall, and not till then.
PHILO G.