Lyric and Legendary.
Hail, ye mighty masters of the lay,
Nature's true sons, the friends of man and truth;
Whose song, sublimely sweet, serenely gay,
Amused my childhood, and informed my youth:
Oh! let your spirit still my bosom soothe,
Inspire my dreams, and my wild wanderings guide;
Your voice each rugged path of life can smoothe,
For well I know, wherever ye reside,
There harmony, and peace, and innocence abide.
Song sweetens toil, however rude the sound;
All at her work the village maiden sings;
Nor, while she turns the giddy wheel around,
Revolves the sad vicissitudes of life.
Those venerable ancient Song enditers
Soared many a pitch beyond our modern writers;
With rough, majestic strength they touched the heart,
And Truth and Nature made amends for Art.