Far from her hallow'd grot, where mildly bright, The pointed crystals shot their trembling light, From dripping moss where sparkling dew-drops fell, Where coral glow'd, where twin'd the wreathed shell, Pale ISIS lay; a willow's lowly shade Spread its thin foliage o'er the sleeping maid; Clos'd was her eye, and from her heaving breast In careless folds loose flow'd her zoneless vest; While down her neck her vagrant tresses flow, In all the awful negligence of woe; Her urn sustain'd her arm, that sculptur'd vase Where Vulcan's art had lavish'd all its grace; Here, full with life, was heav'n-taught Science seen, Known by the laurel wreath, and musing mien: There cloud-crown'd Fame, here Peace sedate and bland, Swell'd the loud trump, and wav'd the olive wand; While solemn domes, arch'd shades, and vistas green, At well-mark'd distance close the sacred scene. On this the Goddess cast an anxious look, Then dropt a tender tear, and thus she spoke: Yes, I could once with pleas'd attention trace The mimic charms of this prophetic vase; Then lift my head, and with enraptur'd eyes View on yon plain the real glories rise. Yes, ISIS! oft hast thou rejoic'd to lead Thy liquid treasures o'er yon fav'rite mead; Oft hast thou stopt thy pearly car to gaze, While ev'ry Science nurs'd it's growing bays; While ev'ry Youth with fame's strong impulse fir'd, Prest to the goal, and at the goal untir'd, Snatch'd each celestial wreath, to bind his brow, The Muses, Graces, Virtues could bestow. E'en now fond Fancy leads th' ideal train, And ranks her troops on Mem'ry's ample plain; See! the firm leaders of my patriot line, See! SIDNEY, RALEIGH, HAMDEN, SOMERS shine. See HOUGH superior to a tyrant's doom Smile at the menace of the slave of Rome, Each soul whom truth could fire, or virtue move, Each breast, strong panting with it's country's love, All that to Albion gave the heart or head, That wisely counsel'd, or that bravely bled, All, all appear; on me they grateful smile, The well-earn'd prize of every virtuous toil To me with filial reverence they bring, And hang fresh trophies o'er my honour'd spring. Ah! I remember well yon beachen spray, There ADDISON first tun'd his polish'd lay; 'Twas there great CATO'S form first met his eye, In all the pomp of free-born majesty; "My son, he cry'd, observe this mein with awe, "In solemn lines the strong resemblance draw; "The piercing notes shall strike each British ear; "Each British eye shall drop the patriot tear! "And rous'd to Glory by the nervous strain, "Each Youth shall spurn at slav'ry's abject reign, "Shall guard with CATO'S zeal Britannia's laws, "And speak, and act, and bleed in freedom's cause." The Hero spoke; the bard assenting bow'd The lay to liberty and CATO flow'd;