A Williams Anthology | Page 3

them brutalizing man that they may govern him,--as friends to Humanity; as sharers in the happiness of our fellow-men, as Citizens of the world, our feelings are deeply affected. We commiserate the fate of our European Brethren; we weep over the awful calamities of anarchy and atheism.
But when we behold this Nation, not contented with its vast European dominions, but endeavouring to extend its Colossean empire across the Atlantic, every passion is roused; our souls are fired with indignation. We see that their object is universal domination; we see that nothing less than the whole world, nothing less than the universal degradation of man, will satisfy these merciless destroyers. But be assured, Sir, we will oppose them with all our youthful energy and risk our lives in defence of our country.
Untaught in the school of adulation, or the courts of sycophants, we speak forth the pure sentiments of Independence. We give you our warmest approbation. We behold with true patriotic pride the dignified conduct of our Chief Magistrate at this alarming crisis. We are highly pleased with the moderation, candor, and firmness which have uniformly characterized your administration. Though measures decisive and energetic will ever meet with censure from the unprincipled, the disaffected, and the factious, yet virtue must eternally triumph. It is this alone that can stand the test of calumny; and you have this consolation, that the disapprobation of the wicked is solid praise.
At this eventful period our eyes are fixed upon you, Sir, as our political Father, and under Providence we rely on your wisdom and patriotism, with the co-operation of our national Council, to perpetuate our prosperity; and we solemnly engage, that, while our Government is thus purely and virtuously administered, we will give it our whole Support.
These, Sir, are the unanimous sentiments of the Members of Williams College, who, though convinced of the evils of War, yet despise peace when put into competition with National Freedom and Sovereignty.
Signed by a Committee in behalf of one hundred and thirty Students of Williams College--
DAVID L. PERRY.?SAMUEL COWLS.?SOLOMON STRONG.?SILAS HUBBELL.
Committee.
WILLIAMS COLLEGE, June 19, 1798.
THE SWALLOW
From the Italian of T. Grossi by
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT 1813
Swallow from beyond the sea!?That, with every dawning day,?Sitting on the balcony?Utterest that plaintive lay!?What is it that thou tellest me,?Swallow from beyond the sea?
Haply thou, for him who went?From thee and forgot his mate,?Dost lament to my lament,?Widowed, lonely, desolate.?Ever then, lament with me,?Swallow from beyond the sea!
Happier yet art thou than I,--?Thee thy trusty wings may bear,?Over lake and cliff to fly,?Filling with thy cries the air,?Calling him continually,?Swallow from beyond the sea!
Could I too!--but I must pine,?In this dungeon close and low,?Where the sun can never shine,?Where the breeze can never blow,?Whence my voice scarce reaches thee,?Swallow from beyond the sea!
Now September days are near,?Thou to distant lands will fly,?In another hemisphere;?Other streams shall hear thy cry,?Other hills shall answer thee,?Swallow from beyond the sea!
Then shall I when daylight glows,?Waking to the sense of pain,?'Midst the wintry frosts and snows,?Think I hear thy notes again--?Notes that seem to grieve for me,?Swallow from beyond the sea!
Planted here upon the ground,?Thou shalt find a cross in spring;?There, as evening gathers 'round,?Swallow, come and rest thy wing.?Chant a strain of peace to me,?Swallow from beyond the sea!
Vidette, 1871.
MARTIAL, BOOK X
EPIGRAM 23
WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT 1813
Oh fortunate Antonius! o'er whose head?Calm days have flown and closed the sixtieth year,?Back on this flight he looks and feels no dread?To think that Lethe's waters flow so near.?There is no day of all the train that gives?A pang; no moment that he would forget.?A good man's span is doubled; twice he lives?Who, viewing his past life, enjoys it yet.
Quarterly, 1865.
EXEGI MONUMENTUM
TO MELPOMENE
"Horace,"[1] Ode 30, Book III.
E.C. BENEDICT '21[2]
I've a monument reared more enduring than brass,?Which is higher than pyramids built by the kings,?Through the rains and the tempests, unharmed, it shall pass, And the wear the corrosion of centuries brings.?For, not all shall I die, but my greater part still?Shall survive from the grave, and my fame shall increase Long as virgin and priest on the Capitol Hill?Shall ascend to their altars in silence and peace.?Where once Daunus of deserts and rustics was king,?Where swift Aufidus roars, in my praise shall be told?That, though humble in birth, I was foremost to bring?Into Italy's songs the Greek music of old.?Then, Melpomene, take to thyself all the pride?Of the glory thy merits so justly declare,?And now freely of Delphian laurel provide?A fresh coronal wreath to encircle thy hair.
Athenoeum, 1875.
[Footnote 1: The Melpomene of Horace was, I suppose, the Greek muse of singing, not the muse of tragedy, nor a general muse.]
[Footnote 2: Died 1880.]
THE SCULPTOR TO HIS STATUE
JOHN J. INGALLS '55[1]
"Thou silent, pallid dream, in marble stone!?No rare, sweet phantasie which my divine?And all unearthly-mingled soul has thrown?Around a glowing form, art