Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

January—an Ode, for 1787

LO! mantled in a showery cloud,

Hail-storms and winds in thunders loud,

Stern Capri and Aquarius ride;

But when their agate key display

The ruby gates of orient day,

Applaud the infant year’s emerging pride.

Adieu! ye paths, now sought in vain,

Adieu to Memory’s painted plain,

While Phœbus holds his doubtful sway:

No music warbles through the grove,

No more with devious steps we rove,

For greater darkness shares the lingering day.

With plaints we view the hoary hill:

The snow-topp’d cot, the candied drill:

The river’s shining pavement floor:

The leafless wood, the sterile field,

With mists restrain’d, but half-reveal’d,

And cataracts’ loud surges’ lasting roar.

May Commerce ever sacred be,—

Bless’d offspring sprung from Liberty:

While circling time renews the strain;

Beneath a federal fostering care,

May ships unnumber’d ride in air,

Like lordly forests flow the trembling main.

Whate’er the temperate zones provide,

Whate’er the torrid regions hide,

Columbia’s sons, exert your powers;

With matchless gems and precious ore

Collected from each foreign shore,

Old Ocean rolls them to your favour’d bowers.

Let Discord fly, and shun the light,

And Love with Honour firm unite;

Again shall Plenty fill her horn:

For they who stored the barn and field

Shall taste the pleasing sweets they yield,

And bless the coming of each growing morn.

Let then the Attic wit prevail;

Let Mirth repeat the jocund tale,

With Harmony’s attractive mien;

Let Amity, the voice of Joy,

Let Love his pleasing wiles employ:

For Time will close the variegated scene.