Page:Posthumous works, in prose and verse - Ann Eliza Bleecker.djvu/396

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THE HUDSON.

Led by the hand of Truth, may they attain The height for which have thoufands figh'd in vain j Nor may a wifh ambitious ever rife, Save this, to be more virtuous and more wife; And by no defpot's iron laws confm'd, Enjoying the vaft freedom of the mind; But while they throng the domes of Liberty, May they her facred precepts ne'er profane; Nor while they boafl themfelves .' the virtuous/ra?' Qntftave beneath the cruel yoke retain. May thy fair daughters Wifdom's laws obey, Each thought ungentle from their breafts repel; And (kill'd in pious lore, to all difplay 'Tis not in beauty they alone excel. And may the GREAT SUPREME, when fhowering down, In rich profufion, all the joys of Peace, Thine offspring for his favourite people own, And hearts beftow the donor r s hand to blefs : Then fliall thy 'habitants indeed be blefl; Regions far diftant fliall revere thy name, And nations long of every good pofleft, Stile thee UNEQUALL'D in the Scroll of Fame. And thou, O RIVER ! whofe majeflic flream Hath rous'd a feeble hand to fweep the lyre, Thy charms fome loftier poet mail infpire, And Clio's felf fliall patronize the theme ; To