Henry J. Finn (1787-1840). The Tribute of Truth. Samuel Kettell, ed. 1829. Specimens of American Poetry

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Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829.

The Tribute of Truth

By Henry J. Finn (1787–1840)


THE GOLDEN 1 meshes of gay delight
That beckon the senses but to beguile
Have flash’d their mad and meteor light
On the soul, enslaved by the witching wile.

And passion has heated the heart of one,	5
Who deem’d him blest in its burning beam
As the simple fly, in the summer’s sun,
Floats on the ray, through its daily dream.

But the charm is gone—and the chain is cleft—
That menaced to bind my fancy ever;	10
Yet the link inlaid with gems, is left,
Which love has cemented ne’er to sever.

Farewell! for the rainbow tints are fled
From the wings of pleasure. But much more sweet
And pure, is the lovelier light that ’s shed	15
From thy look of life, when our glances meet.

And memory smiles at the distant sea,
Where the waters roll o’er the wreck of pride;
For the calms of summer have come with thee,
My boon, my blessing—and my bride!	20

Note 1. Finn, a native of Virginia, and for some years past a resident of this city. He is well known to the public as an actor of rare talent. He was formerly one of the Managers of the Federal Street Theatre. A dramatic piece entitled The Falls of Montmorenci, written by him, was represented and published in 1825. He is also the author of a comedy, with the title of The Phrenologist, which has been performed, but not published. [back]

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