Rejoice and laud the prospering skies! The kernel bursts its husks--behold From the dull clay the metal rise, Pure-shining, as a star of gold! Neck and lip, but as one beam, It laughs like a sunbeam. And even the scutcheon, clear-graven, shall tell That the art of a master has fashioned the Bell! Come in--come in, My merry men--we'll form a ring The new-born labor christening; And "CONCORD" we will name her! To union may her heart-felt call In brother-love attune us all! May she the destined glory win For which the master sought to frame her-- Aloft--(all earth's existence under) In blue-pavilioned heaven afar To dwell--the Neighbor of the Thunder, The borderer of the Star! Be hers above a voice to raise Like those bright hosts in yonder sphere, Who, while they move, their Maker praise, And lead around the wreathèd year! To solemn and eternal things We dedicate her lips sublime, As hourly, calmly, on she swings, Fanned by the fleeting wings of Time! No pulse--no heart--no feeling hers! She lends the warning voice to Fate; And still companions, while she stirs, The changes of the Human State! So may she teach us, as her tone But now so mighty, melts away-- That earth no life which earth has known From the last silence can delay! Slowly now the cords upheave her! From her earth-grave soars the Bell; 'Mid the airs of Heaven we leave her! In the Music-Realm to dwell! Up--upwards--yet raise-- She has risen--she sways. Fair Bell to our city bode joy and increase, And oh, may thy first sound be hallowed to--PEACE.[15] * * * * * THE GERMAN ART (1800) By no kind Augustus reared, To no Medici endeared, German Art arose; Fostering glory smil'd not on her, Ne'er with kingly smiles to sun her, Did her blooms unclose. No! She went, by Monarchs slighted Went unhonored, unrequited, From high Frederick's throne; Praise and Pride be all the greater, That Man's genius did create her, From Man's worth alone. Therefore, all from loftier mountains, Purer wells and richer Fountains, Streams our Poet-Art; So no rule to curb its rushing-- All the fuller flows it gushing From its deep--The Heart! * * * * * COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEW CENTURY (1801)