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TO THE MISSOURI.

And to the thought of sickness,-death-avaunt! Nor on my joys, unbidden guest, intrude: Forget it at the rout and brilliant hall,

And in the crowded ball.

Thou canst not always!-thou mayst shut thine eye
Upon the future in thy revelry;

But the unwelcome truth that thou must die,
In midnight's silence shall come over thee,-
Admonishing, that woven is the shroud,
Alike, for low and proud.

TO THE MISSOURI.

WRITTEN BEFORE THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE

OF MISSOURI WAS ADOPTED.

ROLL, vast Missouri! roll thy mighty wave,
Where savage mountains skirt the southern sea;
In foaming pride the woodless desert lave,
Where nature cleaves its rugged breast for thee.

Queen of the waters! waft to Indian shores
The fruitful tribute of a generous soil,

Where genius triumphs, where rich plenty pours
The glad exuberance of honest toil.

TO THE MISSOURI.

Go mighty billow! bear to Nature's child
The noblest boon compassion can bestow;
Improving arts, diffusive knowledge mild,

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The living fount whence happiness should flow.

Go tell the wretch the Whiteman yet can feel,

He yet can weep the wrongs that avarice gave; Though deep the wound, the Calumet shall heal, The Peace branch blossom on the hatchet's grave.

Roll on-uncrimsoned with pollution's stain,

The crime of Freemen still unknown to thee,To latest ages fertilize the plain, That proudly boasts the Ethiopian free!

TO THE MISSOURI.

WRITTEN AFTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI Was adopted, 1820.

To thee, Missouri! fancy woke the strain, [lay; While prescience hailed Compassion's simple She fearless sang of Freedom's sylvan reign, When Slavery's night should yield to smiling day.

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TO THE MISSOURI.

Raptured, she soared to fields of Eden bloom, And winged her way to hope's Elysian sphere,Alas, how changed! the vision fades in gloom, And naught remains but Pity's lonely tear.

Shame on the heart where avarice finds a rest,
And bids its victim seal the Negro's knell!
Shame on my country! that within her breast,
The hireling advocates of Slavery dwell.

Yet shall not feeling, manhood, ever sleep ;—
The Star of Liberty sets not in night,―
Where now in solitude its votaries weep,
Shall glory rise with new effulgence, bright.

Some happier age in Legislation's halls,

Thou Eloquence! wilt break the accursed chain; While Freedom's Genius towers along the walls, Nature shall plead, nor plead her rights in vain.

SONG OF JACOB TO RACHEL.

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SONG OF JACOB TO RACHEL.

Oн, who is she! ye swains declare,

What Shepherdess that wanders nigh? Is she a form of earth or air,

The maid that meets my ravished eye?

Her locks are gemmed with Hermon's dew, Like night's star ray her smiles are seen; eyes of morn's cerulean hue,

Her

Speak all the spotless soul within.

With sandals girt, to Haran's well,

At noon the fainting Hebrew came; Her charms he heard the Shepherds tell, They sang of love and Syria's dame.

The maid that smiles so sweetly fair,

Shall bless the weary pilgrim's toil; Like Sharon's rose her beauties are,—

The flower of blooming Padan's soil.

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Ан, no! Compassion yet imploring,
With balmy lip will sooth the sigh;
While Pity bends with look restoring,
The hapless maiden shall not die!

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The thorn of guilt may pierce the sinner,

Repentance will succeed the smart;

Religion's holy smile shall win her,

And Mercy heal the wounded heart.

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