TO ELIHU BURRITT AFTER LISTENING TO HIS LECTURE ON

Pray deem it not presumptious in me

To give expression thus to what I felt

Last night, while listening to the poetry

In your discourse, as you on Commerce dwelt.

I know not if you ever wrote a rhyme,

Or framed your thoughts in a well measured line;

But sure I am your language so sublime,

Shows you possess a deep, poetic mine.

I listened with attention most profound,

As did the audience that before you sat,

Feeling as if I was on holy ground;

Which in my mind deep reverence begat.

And O, when you led us in spirit back

To Eden's God-formed, most delightful bowers.

Ere our great parents had endured the rack

Of sin-struck consciences among her flowers,

I almost fancied that I heard the birds

Warbling melodiously the praise of God;

While sinless man in soul-enraptured words,

Responded as he pressed the flowery sod.

And when Sin came, as with hot furnace-breath,

To blast the loveliness of all around,

And our progenitors first tasted death

With consciousness that they were naked found,

You did portray the scene so vividly,

Of their rude efforts at an uncouth dress,

That tears of pity from strong sympathy

Bedimmed my eyes to see their great distress.

And when you showed how God with skillful hand

Employed Himself to make them coats of skin,

I saw mechanic skill take higher stand

From this divine and early origin.

And O, I thought this fact should ever lead

Artificers to strive and manage well

Their several crafts; and show by word and deed

Their love to him who does in glory dwell.

Then, as I watched the progress made by Art,

And peaceful Commerce coming by degrees,

I felt it was your mission to impart

To this war-ravaged world such views as these.

My gladsome soul did to such views respond,

And utterance found before my God in prayer.

Hence caught fresh glimpses of the time beyond

The present age, which shall such glory share.

Go on, great champion of the Good and True,

Spread wide the messages of dove-eyed Peace,

And may God's richest blessing flow to you

Where'er you are, until your labors cease!