| 926 |
It comes, it swells, it breaks upon the ear;
Millions have caught the spirit-stirring sound.
And we with joy, with transport uncontrolled,
Would in the chorus of our city join:
Thou noblest of the noble, welcome here!
Noble in high born deeds of spotless fame, --
Yes, in behalf of those who o'er us watch,
We bid thee welcome to this lovely spot,
Our peaceful home, where kindred souls are knit
In one sweet bond of friendship unalloyed.
It is not ours thy lineaments to trace,
The intellectual brow, the flashing eye.
Whose glance the language of the soul portrays.
But fancy's busy hand the picture draws,
And with a smile, the glowing sketch presents
To hearts that with anticipation throb.
How have we longed to meet thee, thou whose voice,
In eloquence resistless, like a spell,
Holds e'en a nation captive to its powers!
Well may Columbia of her son be proud.
Firm as a rock, amid conflicting storms,
Thou by her side hast ever fearless stood,
With truth thy motto, principle thy guide.
And thou canst feel as rich a gem is thine,
As ever graced the loftiest monarch's brow:
A nation's honor and a nation's love.
O'er Ashland veiled in winter's cheerless night,
Ere long will steal the gentle breath of spring;
And thou wilt sit among the shades embowered
Of ancient trees, whose giant branches wave
Around the quiet home thou lovest so dear.
The winding streamlet on whose pearly breast
The crescent moon reflects her silver light,
Will murmur on; and when the blushing morn
Calls nature from a soft and dewy sleep
The birds will glad thee with their gushing songs,
So sweetly caroled to the new-born day.
Once more, illustrious statesman, welcome here!
Language can do no more, these trembling lips
To our emotions utterance cannot give.
Yet we would ask, ere thou from us depart,
Oh, let thine accents greet each anxious ear.
Speak, we entreat thee, but one parting word,
That in the secret chambers of the heart
May live the memory of its thrilling tones,
When he who uttered them is far away.
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| 929 |
Now list ye, dear friends, I've a story to tell,
If I mistake not, 'twill please you right well.
You all recollect what a scene of confusion
Once reigned for a week in our good Institution,
For a being with manners exceedingly rude
On our sanctum sanctorum had dared to intrude;
His horrible grip threw us all in a frenzy, --
He'd a singular name, he was called Influenzy.
Though treated with Clements, yet all would not do,
He fearlessly seized on a Chamberlain, too,
Who struggled in vain, for the wretch held him fast,
And catching his voice cried, "I have you at last."
Our Board of Directors thought best to convene:
The result of their counsel will shortly be seen;
Our president, Pbelps, Mr. Alien, and Moore
Declared such a thing ne'er happened before;
And the best they could do was at once to expel him,
And appoint in due form a committee to tell him;
And as for his principles all must agree
He ought to be ruled by a K-i-n-g, --
But said Mr. Shelden: "My friend, Mr. Jones,
I move that the creature be pelted with stones."
"No, no," said the other, who thoughtfully stood,
"For then he might easily fly to a Wood,
Besides, I consider such treatment too harsh,
But, Cased in a Schell, let him sink in a Marsh,
With a Cross-bee around him to torture and try him,
And remember that Beers of all kinds we deny him,
We let him Thurst, on, am I right, Mr. Murray?
Whatever we do, must be done in a hurry:
At times he is in a Brown study, they say;
Now, I would suggest that we take him, to-Day.'
"To-Day, by all means," Mr. Murray replied.
With that Influenzy stood close by his side,
But just as an arm o'er his shoulder he put,
By Robertson Welch he was bound hand and foot;
Unlike to most captives his dungeon was spacy,
His judge, I am told, was remarkable Grade,
His fate, I am sure, I have no wish to deplore it,
And I've heard since like a martyr he bore it.
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