LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 n VVTQ 
 
-y 
 
 
SELE CTIOISTS 
 
 FROM 
 
 THE WRITINGS 
 
 OP THE LATE 
 
 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 WITH A 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 
 
 ial Work. 
 
 N E W Y O R K : 
 EDWARD O. JENKINS, PRINTER, 
 
 20 NORTH WILLIAM STREET. 
 1869. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 BIOGRAPHY ..... .3 
 
 PKOSE WRITINGS. 
 
 ORATION, Delivered before the Semi -Annual Meeting of the 
 " Union Humane Society,'' held in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, 
 May 18, 1818. ...... 91 
 
 ADVANTAGES OF BANKING, . . . . . .114 
 
 ADDRESS, Delivered before the St. Clairsville Chemical Society, 
 of which the Author was at the time President, February 25, 
 1821, 117 
 
 ESSAYS ON THE PRESERVATION OF MORALS, . . . 128 
 
 WASHINGTON. Oration, delivered in St. Clairsville, Ohio, on 
 
 Washington's Birth-Day, 1823, .... 138 
 
 THE LEXINGTON MOB, ... . 159 
 
 OBJECT OF THE SLAVE POWER, 
 
 ANCIENT DEMOCRACIES, . - 167 
 
 THE TREE KNOWN BY ITS FRUITS, . 169 
 
 AGRICULTURE AND MANUFACTURE, 172 
 
 THOUGHTS ON AGRICULTURE, . 179 
 
 ABOLITION BEFORE AND AFTER FEBRUARY, 1 833, 
 
 THE ISSUES OF MR. LINCOLN'S ELECTION, 
 
 THOUGHTS ON PROTECTION OF MANUFACTURES, 
 
 SELF-KNOWLEDGE, 
 
 ' THE OLD BACHELOR," 
 
 ON BANKING, . , 
 
 PROFESSION AND PRACTICE, 
 
 PERMANENCE IN THE TARIFF. . 
 
2 CONTENTS. 
 
 RAILROADS FOR DEFENSE, . . . . . .212 
 
 RANDOM THOUGHTS, . . . . . . 213 
 
 USURY LAWS, ....... 215 
 
 JURIES DECIDING BY MAJORITY A SUBSTITUTE, . . 218 
 
 THE DESIGN OF PROVIDENCE, ..... 221 
 
 POEMS. 
 
 THE NAPOLEAD ; In twelve books, .... 225 
 
 THE FATAL DISUNION, . . . . . .521 
 
 LAWRENCE, . . . . . . . 538 
 
 ROSSALINDA, . . . . . . .540 
 
 PASTORALS- 
 PASTORAL FIRST SPRING, . . . . . 541 
 
 PASTORAL SECOND SUMMER, ..... 545 
 
 PASTORAL THIRD AUTUMN, . . . . 549 
 
 PASTORAL FOURTH WINTER, ..... 555 
 
 THE BEREAVEMENT, . . . . . . 558 
 
 ROSALINDA, . . . . . . .559 
 
 OSSIAN'S ADDRESS TO THE SUN, .... 560 
 
 WISDOM'S COMMENDATION OF HERSELF, . . . .561 
 
 A DREAM. ....... 562 
 
 FROM " PROVERBS," ..... . 565 
 
 CHRIST WALKING ON THE SEA, ..... 565 
 
 PSALM I., ........ 566 
 
 FROM SOLOMON'S SONGS, ..... 567 
 
 JOB in. PARAPHRASED, . . . . . 568 
 
 YOUTH, ... .... 569 
 
 THE WRECK, ....... 570 
 
 THE SLAVE'S SOLILOQUY, . . . 579 
 
 NAPOLEON'S FALL AND MORAL GRANDEUR, . . . 573 
 
 To MY OLD HORSE SHANDY, .... 573 
 
 TRANSLATION OF PETRARCH'S ADDRESS TO VIRGIL, . . 575 
 
 PEACE, 577 
 
 THE CONSENT. . 577 
 DISPUTE BETWEEN LABAN AND JACOB, . . 579 
 To THE MUSES, .... 533 
 583 
 
CONTENTS. 3 
 
 ON VISITING AARON MERCHANT'S SCHOOL, JUNE, 1823, . . 587 
 
 ROSSALINDA, ....... 587 
 
 IMPATIENCE, ........ 588 
 
 ELEGY ON A CHILD, .... . 588 
 
 ODE TO DEATH, ....... 590 
 
 THE TRUE OBJECTS OF AMBITION, .... 591 
 
 ON BYRON'S DEATH, ....... 593 
 
 JEFFERSON AND ADAMS, . . . . . 594 
 
 INDULGENCE INVOKED FOR THOSE WHO ESTIMATE THINGS DIFFER 
 ENTLY FROM OTHERS, ..... 596 
 
 THE PRESENT, ....... 597 
 
 THE PAST, ....... 598 
 
 THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS TENDS TO PERFECTION, . . 599 
 
 THE MASTER PASSION RULES THE JUDGMENT. . . . 600 
 
 SEEK A COMPETENCE, . . . . . . 601 
 
 NIGTIT PASTORAL, ... . . 603 
 
 THE BRAVE, ........ 607 
 
 ON THE Pious MOTHER OF AUGUSTUS GRIFFIN, JUNE, 1811, . 608 
 
 CREATION AND REDEMPTION, . . . ". . 609 
 
 UTOPIA, ........ 612 
 
 To THE FLAG OF THE UNION, *> 614 
 
BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 THERE have been two and a-half centuries of American 
 history. The remote historian going over the annals of this 
 period with that judicial temper which only distance in time 
 from its conflicts, prejudices and passions, makes possible 
 will recognize therein three Epochs, whereof the conspicuous 
 events are, the Plymouth Settlement ; the Declaration of Inde 
 pendence ; and the Emancipation Proclamation. 
 
 To the first Epoch belong the names of Robinson, Carver, 
 Standish and their peers : their work was the establishment 
 of the Puritan Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To the sec 
 ond belong the names of Adams, Hancock, Jefferson, Wash 
 ington and their peers : their work was the making of a new 
 Nation, nominally, and, in many particulars, actually founded 
 on the principle of Liberty and Human Equality before the 
 Law. To the third belong the names of Lundy, Garrison, 
 Lincoln, Grant and their peers : their work was to make Ac 
 tual the Ideal given in the Declaration of Independence, in 
 volving, through the War of Rebellion, the Abolition of Slav 
 ery, and the recognition of the Civil and Political Rights of 
 men regardless of distinctions of race or color. The multitude 
 of events the conflicts, heroic deeds, warring of parties, and, 
 in the average result, triumphs of right over wrong which 
 make the bulk of our strange history, all group themselves 
 under, and serve to exemplify one or another of these Three 
 Epochs. 
 
 The Third Epoch began with the agitation of the Slavery 
 Question, bringing the great war, and culminating in National 
 
4 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Reconstruction on the basis of Liberty. This history cannot 
 be written during the present generation. The pen tliat accu 
 rately describes the events of the last half century, must be 
 remote from its passions, its anxieties, its party affiliations 
 and its triumphs. At this date we can do little more than 
 give the Coming Historian the material on which to work. 
 This material is largely in the lives and the works of its pio 
 neer thinkers and laborers. To furnish such material is in 
 part the object sought in this volume. We say in part, for 
 chief among our aims is the presenting a Memorial of great 
 Personal Worth. 
 
 In giving names of representatives of different phases of 
 what we call the Third Epoch of American History, we men 
 tion Lundy, Garrison, Lincoln and Grant. Of these the two 
 first named are pioneers. This volume will give the Biog 
 raphy and Literary Remains of one who was directly a co- 
 laborer with Benjamin Lundy, and indirectly with William 
 Lloyd Garrison in the early agitation of the question of Slav 
 ery in the Southern States ; and who lived to see that, at first, 
 most unpopular enterprise, triumph on the field, and become 
 vital and fixed in National and State Legislation. 
 
 In the sense of calling attention to the wrong of American 
 Slavery, it would be difficult to determine who are entitled to 
 the praise of being pioneers. Franklin, Washington, Jefferson, 
 and other friends of their race, did this. So palpable an evil 
 could not fail to stir the hearts and inspire the tongues and 
 the pens of good men brought into contact with it. An Anti- 
 Slavery Society was organized in Philadelphia in 1TY5, with 
 Benjamin Franklin for President, and Benjamin Rush for 
 Secretary. John Jay and Alexander Hamilton were succes 
 sively presidents of a similar organization in New York. Or 
 ganizations seeking the same end sprung up in several of the 
 other States among these Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. 
 The resistance to the admission of Missouri as a Slave State 
 in 1819, was due to the work of these Anti-slavery organi 
 zations. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 5 
 
 Opposition to Slavery, however, prior to the opening of the 
 present century, can hardly be regarded as particularly un 
 popular. It certainly raised no strong antagonism. It was 
 not accompanied with mobs and social ostracism. Whitney's 
 invention of the Cotton-Gin gave a new importance to the in 
 stitution ; and the value of slaves as products in the market 
 greatly increased. Then, as never before, avarice came to the 
 defence of the "peculiar institution." The public and the 
 private conscience was debauched. And an attitude of hos 
 tility to the " sum of all villanies," was to invite persecution. 
 The State gave it legal support. The Church, with here and 
 there a noble exception, succumbed to it. And to be an 
 avowed Abolitionist was to be a martyr. 
 
 "We characterize as the real pioneers the men who took a 
 position in opposition to Slavery and organized against it, at 
 the time when it cost great sacrifices* to do this. The men 
 who in defense of the slave were 'content to be hissed, hooted, 
 stoned and practically outlawed ; they who at great cost of 
 social position and personal outrage, plead for those in bonds 
 as bound with them, " despising the shame," are the Pioneers 
 of the Third Epoch of American History, whereof Reconstruc 
 tion, on the basis of liberty for all, is the culmination and 
 crown. Of this host of worthies, Benjamin Lundy was first 
 in the order of time though the antipathy towards him was 
 not so bitter as towards his successors, particularly Mr. Garri 
 son. Among his first and most constant coadjutors, was Thomas 
 Hedges Genin. 
 
 In the year 1780, Gen. Eochambeau, in command of a 
 French army, came to this country to operate against Eng 
 land by co-operating with Gen. "Washington in the war for 
 American Independence. He reached Ehode Island in the 
 month of July. In the Commissary Department, serving as 
 clerk, was a young man, a native of Labeurville, in the Dio 
 cese of Yerdun, in France John Nicholas Genin. He was 
 25 years old. Here he married an American wife, who, how 
 ever, did not long survive. For a second wife he married 
 Sarah Hedges, of East Hampton, Long Island a grave and 
 
6 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 thoughtful woman. She was six feet and one inch in height 
 three inches taller than her husband ; and was well-propor 
 tioned and straight " as an arrow." The husband was a very 
 impetuous, yet rigidly honest and considerately kind man. 
 Their son, THOMAS HEDGES GENIN the subject of this sketch 
 was born March 23, 1796, near Aquebogue, Suffolk County, 
 on Long Island. In his third year his mother died. In May, 
 1810, his father died. The son at the age of fourteen did not 
 inherit large property. The sale of the small farm left, after 
 paying all the debts, the sum of one hundred and ten dollars. 
 He had, however, secured what was better a fair educa 
 tion for the day and the community. He enumerates among 
 his attainments, " a good knowledge of arithmetic ; so much 
 of mathematics as relates to surveying and navigation ; some 
 knowledge from general reading, and a little grammar." He 
 also specifies, in a characteristic strain, " a few vulgar errors, 
 and abundance of room in the world." One of the " vulgar 
 errors" was the notion of " the indispensability of an academy 
 or college to one's erudition, as if a man were to be filled like 
 a beer-barrel, or were passive instead of active in the acquisi 
 tion of knowledge." 
 
 He had also what was better than education even : a royal 
 nature ; a conscience sensitive to right, and resistless in keep 
 ing him up to the full letter of what he deemed his duty ; a 
 vigorous intellect, which served him, and through him, the 
 community, in the advocacy of truths which the world, slow 
 to receive, most needed to know and apply ; an industrious 
 turn of mind that made his whole life a career of useful and 
 cheerful toil ; and a simplicity of taste, making his wants 
 few, and securing for him a large independence of fortune 
 giving him the means of greater usefulness. 
 
 "While perplexed with what he called one of his " vulgar 
 errors" in regard to academic and college training, he received 
 an invitation from William Woodhull, Esq., of Chester, New 
 Jersey, to reside with him. This gentleman had married his 
 grand-aunt. Hearing of the orphanage of his grand-nephew, 
 and being informed that in a recent religious excitement, in 
 which the bojs held prayer-meetings, young Genin had "dis- 
 
BIOGEAPIIICAL SKETCH. Y 
 
 tinguished himself," lie was kindly moved towards him. 
 Judge Woodhull graduated from Princeton College before 
 the Eevolution. For twelve years he had been a Presbyterian 
 minister. At different times he obliged the wealthy and re 
 lieved the poor by giving instruction. 
 
 On making his home with his newly-found uncle, young 
 Genin lamented his lack of college education. His patron at 
 once became interested in him ; and he gave him what infor 
 mation he could impart in regard to college studies. Genin 
 became student, and his patron instructor, at once. On the 
 second day after his arrival, he " recited " a long lesson. The 
 uncle was so pleased that he accompanied the nephew through 
 several sciences the following six months. 
 
 The regrets he experienced in consequence of his lack of 
 college education were remembered in after days, with no 
 little vexation, satisfied, as he became, that the occasion was 
 but a " vulgar error." Later in life, while writing of an idol 
 ized son whom he insisted on educating himself he gives 
 vent to his feelings and his conviction in a paragraph so full 
 of force, that we must transcribe it in this connection : 
 
 " The vulgar error that one cannot learn but at school is 
 the cause of much ignorance. The teacher, like a finger board 
 at the fork of a road, is useful, but not indispensable. The 
 one and the other merely point the course. The pupil must 
 do the labor of study or travel. Poverty is not an f uncon 
 querable bar,' and its inconveniences are more than counter 
 balanced by its incentives to exertion. The rich may feel the 
 spur of ambition, but it does not propel with the force of 
 poverty. The efficient student who feels no need of exertion 
 for a livelihood has merit as superior as labor from choice is to 
 labor from necessity, or acts of affection to those of interest. 
 There are some of all classes who will not try to learn ; and 
 as they cannot be filled with knowledge as a barrel is filled 
 with a pitcher and funnel, they remain ignorant. The wealthy 
 may waste money on such, but the industrious and frugal 
 middle class deserves a better fate than to be taxed to help 
 those who will not help themselves. A general respect for 
 intellectual acquirements induces exertions in the student. 
 
8 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 This is the basis of all successful mental culture of a people. 
 They must not exalt the ignorant, and neglect the intelligent, 
 if they would promote education or the public interests. The 
 people have more need of the services of the wise than the wise 
 of the notice of the people. Whether education be public or 
 private, success depends on the will and exertion of the 
 pupil. The advantages of either mode are nearly equal. If 
 by the private there is less contamination from evil example, 
 there is less knowledge acquired of human nature, and conse 
 quently less capacity for successful intercourse with the world. 
 Dr. Johnson remarks of Don Quixote that he was frequently 
 outwitted and imposed upon by Sancho Panza, though inferior 
 in mind, because Sancho possessed a meanness which the Don did 
 not suspect existed in human nature. A knowledge of what 
 is possible is necessary in order to judge of what is prob 
 able." 
 
 Genin was destined for the law, but before making discovery 
 of the fact, he tried various kinds of industry. In tlie spring 
 of 1811 he entered a dry-goods store in New Brunswick, to 
 ascertain how he "liked the business." It did not come up to 
 his wishes. He grew impatient to revisit his native Long 
 Island. He went there in March. He taught a school one 
 month at Patchogue, and three months at Orient. His next 
 change was to New York, where he went with letters from 
 Augustus Griffin to Elisha "W. King. Mr. King recommended 
 him to Joseph Strong as a clerk or a student-at-law. 
 
 His avocation was now fixed. He was to be a lawyer. He 
 remained with Mr. Strong two years. He completed his legal 
 term with Charles Baldwin, whom he describes as " a ripe old 
 bachelor, who, to influence the negotiations at Ghent, in 1814- 
 15, introduced a bill for New York to raise 10,000 men for the 
 United States." In what capacity Mr. Baldwin was serving, 
 that he could " introduce a bill," we are not informed. 
 
 While in the law office of Mr. Baldwin, Genin made the 
 acquaintance of New York's greatest Statesman, De Witt 
 Clinton, who had frequent occasion to visit there in the cha 
 racter of a client. On one of these visits, the eye of this dis 
 tinguished man fell on a manuscript translation of six cantos of 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 9 
 
 the poem of Quintus Calaber, on tlie war of Troy. The trans 
 lation was made by Richard Alsop, and had been left with 
 Genin for his perusal. In a humorous vein, Clinton, suspect 
 ing the law-student might be the translator, asked Baldwin 
 "the extent of poetical perpetrations in this office." From 
 this circumstance, quite an intimacy was started between 
 young Genin and De Witt Clinton. Some of Baldwin's plead 
 ings had been prepared by his student ; and these Clinton 
 examined, and expressed himself much pleased with them. 
 
 In the spring of 1816, Genin, at the age of twenty, became 
 a lawyer in due form, by admission to the bar in New York. 
 Among his papers we find an official document, with the bold 
 signature of Daniel D. Tompkins, dated, April 3, 1816, 
 appointing Thomas II. Genin to the office of Public Notary for 
 the State of New York. In the August following he was 
 married to Miss Ann Hillard, of Randolph, New Jersey. A 
 year after opening an office in New York, he moved to St. 
 Clairsville, Ohio, which -ever after was his home. 
 
 The warm recommendation of so eminent a man as De 
 Witt Clinton could not fail to secure him friends. Among 
 these was the Hon. Charles Hammond. This gentleman was, 
 at the time of Mr. Genin's arrival in St. Clairsville, about 
 moving to Cincinnati. It is an evidence of his estimate of the 
 moral and intellectual worth of the young stranger, that on 
 his resigning the office of Master Commissioner in Chancery, 
 at his recommendation the Court appointed Mr. Genin to 
 that responsible office. The mark of honesty and fidelity must 
 have been very conspicuous in his face, for during the twenty- 
 six years he was Master Commissioner in Chancery, he was 
 never required to give bonds. It was of course optional with 
 the Court to make this demand. As large sums of. money 
 passed through the hands of the officer, it was usual to require 
 bonds. We hardly need say that Mr. Genin never betrayed 
 the confidence placed in him. We may add here, that 
 Mr. Genin never forgot his friend and benefactor, Mr. Ham 
 mond. 
 
 Our sketch thus far embraces salient facts in Mr. Genin's 
 career to the date of his majority. At the age of twenty-one 
 
10 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 he is a lawyer, and has an office in the city of New York. 
 This brings us to the year 1817. It is a memorable date in 
 American history, for the preliminaries of the contest in Con 
 gress over the admission of Missouri as a Slave State, are in 
 progress. About this period the agitation of the institution 
 of Slavery, in any form, had become most unpalatable. The 
 Cotton-Gin and avarice had made it so. To take a position 
 as an Abolitionist was to have the doors to " good society " 
 closed. To plead for the slave was to become a social outcast. 
 To take part in the Anti-Slavery movement was to be hated, 
 and to be the object of all manner of evil saying. A man of 
 weak conscience or weak resolution ; a man who could tamper 
 with his moral convictions, and frame excuses for evading re 
 sponsibilities ; a man who prizes the world's applause more 
 than the Higher Approbation would not, by word, look, 
 or act show the Abolitionists sympathy, much less co-operate 
 with them. The file of the Columbian for January, 1815, 
 will be found to contain an article calling the Pulpit's atten 
 tion to Slavery. It was written by Thomas H. Genin, two 
 years before he opened his law office in New York. At this 
 date William Lloyd Garrison, at the age of eleven years, was 
 a " chore boy," living with his mother in Baltimore. 
 
 In May, 1818, Mr. Genin then but twenty-two years of 
 age delivered an Oration before the "Union Humane So 
 ciety," in Mount Pleasant, Ohio. It will be found in the 
 proper connexion in this volume a very earnest and argu 
 mentative protest against Slavery. At that date Garrison 
 was serving as an apprentice to a cabinet-maker, in Haver- 
 hill, Mass. The letters, speeches and acts of Mr. Genin at 
 this opening of the war upon the petted institution, show that 
 he was deeply sensitive to the essential wickedness of Slavery ; 
 that he was reckless of personal considerations in his antago 
 nism to it ; and that he was consecrated to the work of eman 
 cipation. These simple facts tell the story of his heart, will 
 and character ; prove him to have been a man of unselfish 
 fidelity to conviction, and one of the small band of real 
 pioneers in the greatest and grandest enterprise of modern 
 history. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 11 
 
 In order rightly to estimate Mr. Genin's relations to the 
 Anti-Slavery movement, we must pass in review the history 
 of the work as begun by Benjamin Lundy, and taken up and 
 carried forward by the philanthropist whom history is to place 
 on the highest pedestal of national fame "William Lloyd 
 Garrison. 
 
 Benjamin Lundy was born January 4, 1789, in Handwich, 
 K J, His parents were of the Society of Friends. At the 
 age of nineteen he went to Wheeling, Ya., where, serving the 
 first eighteen months as apprentice to a saddler, he lived 
 four years. While here he became an Abolitionist. After a 
 residence of two years in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, he began 
 business as a saddler in St. Glairsville, Belmont County ; where, 
 first of the pioneers, he organized an Abolition Society under 
 the name of " Union Humane Society." This devotion to the 
 cause of the slave was too exclusive to admit of worldly pros 
 perity. He literally impoverished himself that he might be 
 of service to those in bonds. His previous labors in his busi 
 ness had earned him a few thousand dollars ; but all was lost 
 in his zeal to promote liberty. In January, 1820, he started 
 the first Anti-Slavery publication, The Genius of Universal 
 Emancipation. It had a varied history. From Mount Pleas 
 ant he took the paper to Greenville, Tenn. From here he 
 took it to Baltimore, where, in 1829, he took William Lloyd 
 Garrison into partnership. Always taking his paper with 
 him, he went from Baltimore to Washington in 1838 ; from 
 there to Philadelphia in about 1834; to Illinois in 1838; 
 where he died August 22, 1839. Garrison wrote a Sonnet, 
 which shows his estimate of his early co-laborer : 
 
 TO BENJAMIN LUNDY. 
 
 Self-taught, unaided, poor, reviled, contemned 
 Beset with enemies, by friends betrayed ; 
 
 As madman and fanatic oft contemned, 
 Yet in thy noble cause still undismayed ! 
 
 Leonidas could not thy courage boast ; 
 
 Less numerous were his foes, his band more strong ; 
 
12 THOMAS HEDGES GENUL 
 
 Alone, unto a more than Persian host, 
 Thou hast undauntedly given battle long. 
 
 Nor shalt thou singly wage the unequal strife ; 
 Unto thy aid, with spear and shield, I rush, 
 
 And freely do I offer up my life, 
 
 And bid my heart's blood find a wound to gush ! 
 
 New volunteers are trooping to the field 
 
 To die we are prepared, BUT NOT AN INCH TO YIELD. 
 
 William Lloyd Garrison was born in iNewburyport, Mass., 
 December 10, 1805 consequently he was nearly seventeen 
 years younger than Lundy. After a childhood and youth of 
 extreme poverty and hardship trying to learn the art of 
 shoe-making in Lynn ; sawing wood from door to door in his 
 native town ; doing errands in Baltimore ; working as a cabinet 
 apprentice in Haverhill ; he at last found something conge 
 nial in the printer's art. In 1828, as editor of a paper in Bur 
 lington, Yt., when but twenty-three years old, he made a 
 strong Anti-Slavery demonstration in advocating the election 
 of John Quincy Adams as President. In an Oration, July 4, 
 1829, he made a bold assault on Slavery in Boston. Having 
 formed an acquaintance with Lundy on occasion of the visit 
 of the latter in 1828 to Boston he entered into partnership 
 with him in Baltimore in conducting The Genius of Univer 
 sal Emancipation. For an alleged libel on a slave-dealer, he 
 was thrown into prison, from which he was released by Ar 
 thur Tappan, who paid the fine and costs. After a period of 
 traveling and lecturing, everywhere producing a profound im- . 
 pression, he started the Liberator January 1, 1831 ; and con 
 tinued the same till the formal Abolition of Slavery by the 
 Constitutional Amendment. 
 
 Mr. Lundy was not an advocate of immediate emancipation. 
 He looked for the result through a gradual process. Mr. Garri 
 son is the pioneer of the cause of immediate, abrupt and uni 
 versal emancipation. He held and advocated this as a moral 
 conviction one which admitted of neither truce nor compro 
 mise. This gave him peculiar power ; and entitles him to the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 13 
 
 peculiar honor of being the leader of the American abolition 
 movement. 
 
 Some difference of opinion as to the question, whether or 
 not Mr. Garrison was the pioneer of the Abolition enterprise, 
 called from Mr. Genin a communication, which appeared in 
 the New York Independent for January 2, 1868. As show 
 ing the relation of Genin to Lundy, and his interest in the 
 early Anti-Slavery cause, we give here the article slightly 
 condensed. In view of the fact that Garrison had first avowed 
 the doctrine of immediate and universal emancipation, the 
 editor of the Independent had said : 
 
 " William Lloyd Garrison is the pioneer and founder of the 
 grand moral movement which generated the public sentiment 
 in obedience to which Slavery in the United States was abol 
 ished." 
 
 Fearing that this might be construed so as to detract from 
 the pioneer claims of his friend Lundy, Mr. Genin replied : 
 
 "Mr. Garrison is entitled to very great credit in this mat 
 ter. I would not detract from him, but would allow the just 
 claims of others. Garrison could have been scarce eleven 
 years old when Benjamin Lundy assembled by his importu 
 nity some persons who had virtue in abundance, but rusty for 
 want of use, at the tavern of William Sharpless, in St. Clairs- 
 ville, Ohio among them Charles Hammond, subsequently of 
 the Cincinnati Gazette to form an Abolition Association, 
 under the name of ' The Union Humane Society.' The record 
 of their proceedings, in Lundy 's hand-writing, is before me. It 
 is without date ; but the Thirty-fourth Article of the Consti 
 tution they adopted provides that * all persons who subscribe 
 this Constitution on or before the 20th day of April, 1816, 
 shall meet at Mount Pleasant on that day, for the purpose of 
 organizing the Society.' Under this Constitution, by Lundy's 
 exertions, eight local associations were formed, which sent 
 delegates semi-annually to Mount Pleasant for several years ; 
 and the Central Society was represented by delegates to the 
 
14 THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 Abolition Conventions held in Philadelphia. I was delegate 
 in 1819. 
 
 " The inhabitants of St. Clairsville, Ohio, indulged in some 
 pleasantries at Lundy's efforts, in 1818, 1819 and 1820, to sell 
 his little house in that town, for the purpose as he said, of 
 getting the means to publish an Abolition paper. In the lat 
 ter part of 1820 he arranged to have such a paper printed at 
 Mount Pleasant, called The Genius of Universal Emancipa 
 tion. The following letter of Mrs. Susan M. Wierman, of 
 Magnolia, Putnam County, 111., eldest daughter of Mr. Lundy, 
 gives its history : 
 
 " MAGNOLIA, February 14, 1867. 
 
 " ' ME. THOMAS H. GEOT, ESQ. : My sister, E. S. Griffith, 
 handed to me a letter from you, with a request that I would 
 answer it, as, being the oldest of the family, I would have a 
 better knowledge of the subjects embraced in your questions. 
 
 " c 1. The Genius of Universal Emancipation was com 
 menced at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, on the 21st of January, 
 1821, and was published there eight months. 
 
 " 2. I cannot give the date of the last number published 
 at Greenville, Tenn. ; but it was sometime in the summer 
 of 1824. 
 
 " ' 3. The first number published in Baltimore appeared on 
 the 24th of October, 1824 ; the last I cannot give the date of, 
 but it was about the first of the year 1830. The name of the 
 paper still remained the same, though the form was different ; 
 and the greater part of the time it was published in Baltimore 
 it was a weekly paper. 
 
 " ' 4. In the early part of the year 1828 my father visited 
 a large portion of the Middle and Eastern States, lecturing 
 and taking subscriptions for his paper. On this tour he be 
 came acquainted with William Lloyd Garrison, whose atten 
 tion was thus drawn to the subject ; and in the fall of the 
 same year father again saw him, and proposed to him to join 
 him in Baltimore; but he was then publishing a paper in Yer- 
 mont, and could not leave it. But sometime in the summer 
 of 1829 he came on, and entered into partnership with my 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 15 
 
 father, which lasted only about six months, when Garrison 
 was thrown into prison for an alleged libel on a Yankee cap 
 tain who was engaged in the slave-trade between Baltimore 
 and New Orleans. After his release he went to Boston, and 
 commenced The Liberator. Father continued the Genius a 
 few months longer in Baltimore, and then removed to Wash 
 ington City, about the first of the year 1830, where the paper 
 resumed its old form and again became a monthly. Sometime 
 in 1834 it was removed to Philadelphia, and put in charge of 
 Evan Lewis ; and father commenced his extensive journeys 
 through our Southern States, Texas, and Mexico. After his 
 return, he resumed the charge of the Genius, and also esta 
 blished a weekly paper, called the National Enquirer, devoted 
 mainly to the exposure of the schemes of the slaveholders with 
 respect to the annexation of Texas. This paper was purchased 
 by the Pennslyvania Anti-slavery Society, and on father's 
 retirement to Illinois the name was changed to that of Penn 
 sylvania Freeman, and John G. Whittier appointed editor. 
 My father resumed the publication of the Genius soon after 
 his arrival here, in 1838 ; but, owing to difficulty in getting 
 help, paper, etc., he could not issue it very regularly. He had 
 not published more than five or six numbers when his labors 
 were closed by death, on the 22d of August, 1839. The paper 
 was continued, under the name of Genius of Liberty, by B. 
 Eastman, our present consul to Bristol, England. It passed 
 through many changes, and is now represented by the Chicago 
 Tribune, which may justly claim a lineal descent from the 
 first anti-slavery paper in the United States. 
 
 " ' 5. We have no files of the paper only a few stray copies. 
 Nearly all the papers we have of any value were given to the 
 Chicago Historical Society, at their request. My father's most 
 valuable papers were nearly all destroyed at the time the 
 Pennsylvania Hall was burned by a mob, in 1838. 
 " c Truly yours, 
 
 "' SUSAN M. WIERMAN.' 
 
 " Mr. Lundy sold his house in St. Clairsville, closed his sad 
 dlery shop, issued the Genius of Universal Emancipation, 
 
16 THOMAS HEDGES GENEtf. 
 
 devoted himself, soul, body, and business, to the cause of abo 
 lition from the year 1815 until his death, in 1839. He pub 
 lished the first abolition paper, commencing in January, 1821, 
 and continued it with little interruption for nineteen years. 
 He lectured and traveled much, and urged others to aid the 
 cause. Not the least of his trophies is his bringing Mr. Gar 
 rison into the field. This recruit has done him distinguished 
 honor, though he did not appear in arms until Lundy had 
 been thirteen years engaged eight years as editor and five 
 as an efficient agitator in other respects. 
 
 "THOMAS H. GENIN." 
 
 Both Garrison and Lundy could in truth have said, that 
 they knew nothing save the slave and him down-trodden. Their 
 attainments, their talents, their industry, all tended to this 
 great end the emancipation of those in bonds. For the term 
 of more than a generation, Garrison would suffer no interest 
 to divert him from this one end. He would have no business 
 cares, no social relations, no enmities, no friendships, that 
 directly or indirectly came between him and the poor bond 
 man. He has lived, felt and toiled with an eye single to this 
 glory. He lives to witness a triumph such as seldom comes 
 to the philanthropist in his earthly days. 
 
 Mr. Genin was, by the necessity of his nature, compelled to 
 think of many things. To him slavery was the chief of evils, 
 and his antagonism to it enlisted his greatest enthusiasm. But 
 he was a man of business, of varied pursuits ; and all public 
 matters arrested his attention. He was always writing his 
 pen never lay idle. The press many of the weekly journals 
 near his Ohio home gave him a vehicle through which he 
 sought to influence the public mind. His mental industry 
 was prodigious. He studied everything. New discoveries, 
 inventions, movements, set him to the task of probing. He 
 had opinions on almost every subject. He was never hasty 
 in his judgments. He took time to search; yet he always 
 searched. 
 
 A collection of all his writings would make a running his 
 tory of the nation for the last half century. The Tariff as a 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 17 
 
 principle, and all the particular tariffs as measures ; Internal 
 Improvements generally and specially; Banking, and parti 
 cular Banking schemes ; Education, and the Common School 
 System; Agriculture; Cheap Postage, and how to make it 
 " pay," and in what ways, apart from money, it " pays ; " the 
 Railroad Enterprises, particularly as they affect Ohio ; Mobs ; 
 the Political Parties ; the Democratic Party, in which he saw 
 very little to commend ; John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, 
 and all the Presidents ; Annexation, Secession, and Disunion ; 
 the Sciences ; Poetry and Poets ; Mesmerism and Spiritualism ; 
 Criticism and Critics; in short, what people, as a whole, 
 through the several individuals, think of and write about, 
 Thomas H. Genin, of himself, felt his duty individually to 
 master, and discourse upon. But chief among them, Liberty 
 and Temperance held his attention. 
 
 Had it been a possibility for him to concentrate the energies 
 which, in fact, branched out in all directions ; could he have 
 given himself wholly to any one great interest such were his 
 ability, his fidelity, his industry, and his resolution, he would 
 have made a mark upon his age so deep as to have fixed the 
 public eye upon him. 
 
 The collection of papers and poems which makes the bulk 
 of this volume will be proof that we have not over-estimated 
 the variety of his gifts, the diversities of his operations, and 
 the persistence of his toil. But the papers which most exhibit 
 his powers are those which deal with the conspicuous enemies 
 of freedom. Dealing with slavery in the abstract, he shows 
 sense, foresight, and that prophetic faculty which is ever the 
 sijm of the earnest reformer. His oration, delivered before 
 
 O ' 
 
 the " Union Humane Society," in 1818, when but twenty-two 
 years of age, is the utterance of a prophet. The style is florid ; 
 an honest critic will say somewhat " stilted ; " shows the in 
 experienced rather than the matured rhetorician. It is the 
 warm, impassioned utterance of youth. But it comprehends 
 the slavery question ; arid is in its essence a history of what 
 came to pass years after it was written. 
 
 A year later, the " American Convention for promoting tho 
 abolition of Slavery " met in Philadelphia. The eight " Union 
 2 
 
18 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Humane Societies," of Ohio, determined to send in a report. 
 Mr. Genin was selected to prepare it a tribute to his compe 
 tency from older and more experienced men. It was published 
 in the minutes of the Convention. It shows that a year's ex 
 perience had toned down his rhetoric. It is practical, forcible, 
 and deals withfacts. Its brevity is such that it may fitly be 
 given in this connection, as exhibiting the spirit and vigor 
 and good sense of the writer. It is signed by Thomas H. 
 Genin, President, "in behalf of the Society." Considering 
 the date of its appearance, 1819, years before Garrison's 
 demonstration in New England it has a historic interest, 
 though it appears here as an important section in the biography 
 of its author : 
 
 " The semi-annual meeting of delegates from the eight local 
 Union Humane Societies of the State of Ohio, being desirous of 
 co-operating with the Abolition Societies, in the pursuit of ob 
 jects so dear to the well-wishers of mankind, is pleased with the 
 opportunity of being represented in their Convention, at a 
 time when humanity has much in jeopardy, when the national 
 legislature is pausing between vice and virtue, when even 
 republican law-givers are undecisive whether slavery should 
 not be sanctioned in their new States, although governments 
 less friendly to liberty are endeavoring to prevent the com 
 merce of blood. The philanthropist will excuse the errors of 
 ignorance, the impertinence of folly, and look with compassion 
 upon the weakness of human nature ; he smiles at the stupid 
 simplicity of those who assert that the negroes should be slaves, 
 because they are black or ignorant, though they had no com 
 mand of their color or education ; but has he not cause to 
 weep, if the same want of intelligence and common sense be 
 discovered in the national councils ? We have the pleasure to 
 announce to the Convention, that the feeling against slavery is 
 very general in our State ; and we have reason to believe, that the 
 constituents of those delegates to Congress, who countenanced 
 the extension of slavery, do not merit the disgrace of that con 
 duct ; it has awakened the fears of the people against the call 
 of a convention to amend the constitution of the State ; hear- 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19 
 
 ing principles so indicative of moral turpitude avowed by men 
 whom they had believed to be friendly to liberty, they are 
 fearful of trusting themselves, and will probably choose to 
 bear with the imperfections of the present constitution, rather 
 than risk it with men whose liability to err is certain, and 
 whose honesty is doubtful. "When we contrast the strength 
 of interest with the weakness of virtue with regard to their 
 government of human conduct, we have no reason to be sur 
 prised that the latter has not been more successful, but con 
 solation may be reaped from the fact, that in combats between 
 truth and falsehood, though the latter be supported by power, 
 the former will finally triumph; and that the increase of 
 knowledge and piety is the increase of liberty and justice. 
 We have seen the condition of the people of color greatly im 
 proved in some States, where avarice tempted less to injustice, 
 by the appointment of a future period when slavery should 
 cease ; and since many influential men in the Southern States, 
 seem to dread the difficulties in which slavery is involving 
 their country, perhaps these States may at no distant period 
 appoint a time after which those negroes that come into the 
 world, shall be free at a certain age, and be instructed in the 
 duties of civil life. A considerable portion of our white popu 
 lation have much to learn, in despite of prejudice and natural 
 weakness of mind, before they know themselves, or are capable 
 of acting consistent with the character of Christians, or patriots, 
 or can be instrumental in hastening the consummation of the 
 Christian plan, when all mankind shall unite in the love of 
 God and each other. 
 
 " It is doubtful whether the expense of colonizing the blacks 
 at any place, might not be appropriated more advantageously 
 for humanity : those that are now free, are in as good a coun 
 try as any to which they could be transported ; if it be ex 
 pected that the slave-holders will manumit their slaves that 
 are useful, to be colonized, the expectation must be founded 
 upon the supposition that man will act as he ought to and not 
 as he has done ; interest will not cease to influence human con 
 duct ; if such only are manumitted as are unuseful to the 
 master, few will be manumitted that are useful to themselves ; 
 
20 THOMAS HEDGES GEIttN. 
 
 no certain decrease of oppression then would be obtained by 
 colonization, but a certain loss of money and the ruin of means 
 that might be more usefully employed. 
 
 " It is our opinion that much might be done in the pulpit for 
 the cause in which we are engaged, for it is the cause of reli 
 gion ; we therefore suggest to the Convention whether it would 
 not be proper to invite the clergy without regard to the de 
 nominations to which they belong, to a participation in our 
 endeavours. The local societies have respectively done some 
 thing towards liberating those improperly held in bondage ; 
 some are engaged in considerable lawsuits in relation thereto : 
 it was deemed necessary to form an abridgement of the laws 
 in relation to slaves, that each member might be furnished 
 with a director in urgent cases ; this work has been partially 
 executed." 
 
 In dealing with men who, for selfish and party purposes, 
 were the champions of slavery or, what was less honorable, 
 the champions of measures which involved the strengthening 
 and perpetuating of Slavery, while all along there was a pre 
 tence of conviction and purpose hostile to the system Mr. 
 Genin's style was different. He was a very Luther in the 
 vehemence of his indignation, and the personalities of his 
 rhetoric. He " called names ; " and his effusions show no 
 unwillingness to use party phrases and terms of reproach. 
 
 During the Presidency of John Quincy Adams, Mr. Genin 
 was a young man. The slavery question was not up in very 
 conspicuous form. The strong effort that was in progress to 
 elect General Jackson was not based on the claims of the 
 "peculiar institution.'' But the real reformers of that day 
 saw that slavery was involved. Mr. Garrison saw this ; and, 
 though hardly out of boyhood, was doing more than a veteran's 
 work in Yermont advocating the election of Mr. Adams. The 
 South was embodied in the " hero of New Orleans," the North 
 in the " sage of Quincy." 
 
 A committee of prominent men in Ohio was appointed to 
 present at a public meeting a preamble and resolutions in sup 
 port of the claims of Mr. Adams, and the demerits of Andrew 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 21 
 
 Jackson. Mr. Genin was fixed upon as the proper person to 
 write the preamble. It glows with the passion of the time. 
 It is a transcript of the feelings, aims, and attitude of political 
 parties in 1827. Persons of the age of fifty remember the 
 passionate and party assertion, that the election of Mr. Adams 
 was part of a bargain which took away his competitor, Mr. 
 Clay, by putting him into the office of Secretary of State, then 
 regarded as " in the line of succession." The preamble alludes 
 to this. It advocates the re-election of Mr. Adams on the 
 ground of internal improvement, protection, and Northern 
 interests generally, which it was claimed the Jackson party 
 was pledged to injure. Speaking for the Committee, yet 
 speaking his own feelings and convictions, Mr. Genin 
 wrote : 
 
 " The Committee appointed to prepare resolutions for the 
 consideration of this meeting, beg leave to report, That hav 
 ing considered how our interests will be affected by change of 
 men in the National Government, we are led to the conclu 
 sion that our interests require no change, but demand our 
 utmost exertions to sustain the present administration; its 
 talents, principles, and measures are such as the lover of his 
 country, of domestic manufactures, and internal improvement 
 must approve. The men composing that administration have 
 been weighed by long experience, and not found wanting, 
 either with respect to talents, integrity, or due regard for the 
 laws and rights of individuals. Mr. Adams, Mr. Clay, Mr. 
 Rush, Mr. Barbour, Mr. Southard ; men who have deservedly 
 enjoyed the confidence of the Republican administrations of 
 Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison, and Mr. Monroe; men about 
 whose talents and principles there is no dispute ; whose char 
 acters need no "White-Washing Committees ; and of no one 
 of whom it can be said as Mr. Jefferson has said of General 
 Jackson, that 6 he has trampled under foot the constitution 
 and laws of his country.' In supporting an administration 
 composed of such men, we show that we know when we are 
 well off; that we really hold on to that which is good we 
 approve the bridge that bears us safe over ; and prefer the 
 
22 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 bird in hand to that in the bush. All the ordinary maxims 
 of prudence justify our course. 
 
 " As the administration suffers Southern opposition for pur 
 suing measures favorable to our views, gratitude as well as in 
 terest requires us to lend it our humble aid. We have tasted 
 some of the sweets of its policy, and wish not to see the pro 
 jects for internal improvement abandoned. We wish not to 
 see the flocks of sheep which are thickening upon our hills 
 disappear, for these flocks have already, in many instances, 
 afforded a market for hay and grain, at our doors. We could 
 not, with justice to ourselves, yield these advantages to ac 
 commodate any individual with an office, whether he were a 
 chieftain or a sage. The cultivator of a quarter section of 
 land will not consent to get from $20 to $40 per year less for 
 the produce of his land in order to advance the interests of 
 the cotton planters and General Jackson ; especially when 
 the farmer considers that the Southern politicians give him 
 nothing to indemnify him for this loss, but praises of the Gen 
 eral and abuse of Mr. Clay, to whom the West owes more than 
 to any other man. 
 
 " The attacks made on the administration have uniformly 
 proved its purity ; while too often the means employed in those 
 attacks have shown that the leaders of the opposition do not 
 believe the people possessed of sufficient intelligence for self- 
 government. But whether it may be inferred from hence 
 that they believe their chieftain would do well to ease the 
 people of self-government is very questionable though the 
 blame bestowed on the Paris Mission and countenance ex 
 tended by the Government to South American liberty, ought 
 not to have been addressed to Republicans ears ; and proba 
 bly it was meant to rally persons inimical to liberty, if there 
 be any such at this day under the Jacksonian standard. 
 
 "Since the testimony referred to by General Jackson to 
 support the charge of bargain, has been heard, and so far 
 from supporting has completely refuted the charge, it is no 
 longer a question whether a bargain was made, but whether 
 the General had the least ground to say one was proposed. It 
 seems that instead of persisting in the charge of the bargain, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 23 
 
 Ms partizans now desire to withdraw him from the action with 
 out loss of character for truth and veracity. 
 
 " In examining the claims of this candidate for the Presi 
 dency, (over a people whose safety lies entirely in paper con 
 stitutions and public virtue,) we have been at a loss to recon 
 cile his pretentions to republican support, with the truisms, 
 ' That what tends to impair the virtue of the people is de 
 structive of liberty ; That without a conscientious regard for 
 constitutions, by persons in authority, those constitutions are 
 useless ; That vices and infringements of constitutions and laws 
 may be encouraged by rewards as well as restrained by pun 
 ishments ; That to give distinguished reward to a distinguish 
 ed law-breaker, is to give distinguished encouragement to him 
 and others to trample on the laws; and, That to put the 
 Constitution into the keeping of one who has broken his 
 oath to support it, is the same as to put the lamb into the 
 custody of the wolf.' 
 
 " Many of the present Jacksonian leaders have accurately 
 described their chieftain, (before it suited their interest to sup 
 port him for the Presidency,) as a man without capacity ; and 
 what is worse, a man either regardless of the laws and consti 
 tution of his country, or too weak to understand them. The 
 outrageous violence done to Judge Hall and others about New- 
 Orleans ; the butchery of the militiamen ; the attempt to assas 
 sinate Senator Benton ; the attempt made to disgrace himself 
 in the National Senate by committing violence on the person of 
 Senator Eppes ; his butchery of Mr. Dickinson ; his conduct 
 in the Seminole war ; and his bloody and singular construc 
 tion of the 2d section of the Articles, all show that our inter 
 est in the morals, the laws, the liberties, the dignity, and the 
 honor of the nation would be ill consulted in his elevation to 
 the Presidency. 
 
 " It might be asked why a man with so many stains on his 
 character, receives the support of men of too much intelli 
 gence to be dazzled by mere animal courage, displayed in a 
 battle, a quality which hundreds who fought at New Orleans 
 possess in an equal, perhaps superior degree to General Jack 
 son ? This question is answered by the Southern newspapers. 
 
24 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 * 
 
 They say it is their interest to support General Jackson, for 
 want of a better Southern man. But why he should find 
 supporters here, where every public interest is opposed to his 
 elevation, is not easily seen, though doubtless there are sup 
 porters on both sides of questions which divide a people, who 
 are called office hunters, who merely take a side for private 
 ends, in which the public have no interest ; as whether a doc 
 tor gets 10 or 50 patients, or A or B enjoys the emoluments 
 of an office, does not, so far as patients or emoluments are in 
 view, concern the public. But whether a farmer gets a high 
 or low price for produce ; whether he has a home or foreign 
 market ; or no market at all ; whether the property of the 
 country is increasing in value or not, by the progress or dis 
 continuance of internal improvements, does materially concern 
 the public. The doctor or office hunter might not be much 
 affected by public distress ; at least the emoluments of the 
 office and proceeds of the patients might greatly outweigh all 
 inconveniences which taxes and low prices of produce could 
 impose, especially if they had no property to tax nor produce 
 to sell. 
 
 " If the people think for themselves, instead of listening to 
 such as have interests different from theirs, they will not fail 
 to do right to be the people of the country, not the people 
 of Jackson or Adams. They will make some distinction be 
 tween the hero of Orleans and the hero of the Southern policy. 
 In the race between the Southern and Northern interest they 
 will not stoop to pick up the golden apple in Jackson, and 
 entirely lose the prize, not only of the one but of the other 
 interest; for we are fully convinced that not merely the 
 Northern and Western, but the national prosperity will be 
 increased by the principles of the present administration, 
 though our Southern brethren will probably not be convinced 
 of this, save from the lessons of experience. 
 
 " At present there is but a very small majority in Congress 
 in favor of protecting manufacturers and making roads and 
 canals ; and should a President be elected opposed to these 
 measures, there would be a total blight of our prospects in 
 these important matters, for the concurrence of two-thirds of 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 25 
 
 the legislatures could not be had in their favor. That Gen 
 eral Jackson will oppose these measures there is no reasonable 
 doubt. He must do so or deceive the Southern States to 
 whom he will owe his success if elected. These States may 
 claim much for their trouble in persuading their Northern 
 brethren to embrace the hero, and besides may reasonably ask 
 that the dupers have the prize, and not the duped." 
 
 From the election of General Jackson to that of General 
 Taylor a period of twenty years the Pro-Slavery spirit 
 was working in various forms in various measures toward 
 pro-slavery empire. First it took the shape of free trade 
 (though having no natural relations to it) ; then of State sov 
 ereignty ; and, finally, in the more honest garb of a slave oli 
 garchy. Mr. Calhoun was at once the fanatic philosopher, 
 statesman, and embodiment of the movement. By speeches, 
 legislative votes and influence, and by private correspondence, 
 he urged forward the scheme. For these twenty years hardly 
 a demonstration was made but he was its inception and guide. 
 Failing in Nullification because the tariff question could not 
 unite the South he succeeded in the State sovereignty 
 scheme, working on the slavery issue. He wrote his friends 
 in the North that at last the South was a unit. Let there be 
 enough of Northern men with Southern principles to hold the 
 balance of power, and the South was master free labor sec 
 tional, and slavery national. This was his meaning, of course 
 not his words. 
 
 Clay, Benton, "Webster, Everett, and the whole body, of 
 well-informed Whigs and Abolitionists, saw all this. General 
 Jackson saw it, and made Calhoun his enemy for life, by 
 thwarting him in the nullification game. He did not give 
 Calhoun credit for being really anxious in regard to the agi 
 tation of slavery, or for much heart in what he said and did 
 indirectly in regard to it. The Nullifier found by experi 
 ence that the tariff question could not unite the South. An 
 agitation of slavery, he thought, could. General Jackson had 
 foreseen this, and had said that the protective tariff, as a pre 
 text for secession, would be laid aside, and that slavery agita- 
 
26 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 tion would be substituted. Mr. Calhoun had himself said 
 that this policy of a Southern Union must be shifted to the 
 slave question. 
 
 Mr. Genin writes in regard to Calhoun as if he had some 
 how got access to his most private thoughts ; and the result 
 showed that he thoroughly understood the great Carolinian. 
 When, therefore, Secession breaking out in 1861, a Peace 
 Congress was called, he wTote as searching an article as the 
 times furnished, to show that Calhoun still 'lives in his dis 
 ciples; that to get time was the only object; that nothing 
 less than secession was intended ; and that the talk of com 
 promise was a snare. And in writing on this matter, he went 
 over the whole previous history, from nullification to secession. 
 A better transcript of the original plan, and of the plot, of its 
 able leader, has not been written. From the files of old 
 newspapers he brought forth extracts clear and conclusive, 
 that the secession conspiracy did not date with the election of 
 Mr. Lincoln, but as far back as the administration of John 
 Quincy Adams. He wrote as follows to the Belmont Chron 
 icle, February V, 1861 : 
 
 " That your readers may judge whether a compromise with 
 the dis-Unionists will probably be made, or whether they pre 
 tend to listen to offers of compromise merely to gain time for 
 the seizure of forts and arsenals, and enable their co-conspira 
 tors in other States to accomplish traitorous designs, the fol 
 lowing extracts from letters have been copied from the Na 
 tional Intelligencer, of March and April, 1833, about two 
 months after the first traitorous movement of South Carolina 
 was supposed to have ceased. The friends of the Union 
 should act for its safety, and talk about compromises after 
 ward with those who do not keep them longer than suits their 
 interest. They have enumerated no real grievances, or any 
 but what can be redressed under the Constitution. Of course 
 we may infer that their real object is concealed : Can this be 
 to establish a monarchy ? 
 
 " The following extract is from a letter published by Judge 
 Win. Smith, formerly Senator of the United States from South 
 Carolina, in the National Intelligencer of March 19, 1833 : 
 
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH. 27 
 
 " ' The Tariff law of 1816,' he says, < was passed by a ma 
 jority of only five. Mr. Calhoun carried to its aid six South 
 Carolina votes. Had Mr. Calhoun and his five other voters 
 gone against the bill, it would have been negatived by a ma 
 jority of seven. This is a mere sketch of the part Mr. Cal 
 houn, Mr. McDuffie, Governor Hamilton, and General Hayne 
 acted in perfecting those systems which they now with one 
 voice publicly' proclaim as so oppressive, so unjust, and so un 
 constitutional, as to justify a dissolution of the Union at the 
 price of blood. Those gentlemen have shifted as if by magic, 
 and have, with a daring unexampled in the history of faction, 
 shifted their own ill-judged and ruinous policy upon the peo 
 ple of New England.' 
 
 "The following is an extract from a letter from South 
 Carolina, in the National Intelligencer of April 20, 1833 : 
 
 " * I am a member of the State Convention, and have just 
 returned from its session. In that body I heard expressions 
 and opinions, which convinced me that there was and ever 
 had been, lurking at the bottom of nullification, a fixed and 
 settled design to dissolve the Union, and set up a Southern 
 Confederacy. The project has been abandoned for the pres 
 ent, in consequence of the disapprobation which it has met 
 with from the Southern States. If they had shown any dis 
 position to aid South Carolina in her unnatural struggle she 
 never would have accepted of Mr. Clay's modification of the 
 Tariff.' 
 
 "A letter in the same paper, of April 27, 1833, from one of 
 the most respectable citizens of South Carolina, confesses that 
 he has come to the conclusion that there is a party there whose 
 object is to l>ring about a Southern Confederacy, and ultimately 
 a separation of the Union. He contends that the l nullifica 
 tion of the tariff was one of the schemes by which these poli 
 ticians hoped to accomplish their object ; that in this they 
 have been foiled, as they could not get a single State to join 
 them. They have now changed their ground. They will 
 new seek to form a confederacy by showing its necessity to 
 secure their property in slaves.' Hayne, Harper, Hamil 
 ton, McDuffie, and Turnbull have openly declared that the 
 
28 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN". 
 
 battle with the General Government was not over, that it is 
 just commenced. They correspond extensively with others in 
 Southern States who labor to disseminate their principles. 
 Their efforts will be systematic and untiring. 
 
 "In the same paper, of May 11, 1833, is a speech of two 
 columns by General William H. Harrison, delivered at In 
 dianapolis the previous winter, approving of General Jack 
 son's course against South Carolina. He says : ' Let us try to 
 make these infatuated men sensible of their error. Let us say 
 to them, Direct your rage by constitutional means against our 
 manufactories. Desolate the flourishing towns to which they 
 have given birth. Destroy if you will, if you must, the hopes 
 of the middle and western husbandman of adequate reward 
 for his labor. But spare, oh ! spare, the sacred institutions of 
 your country. Spare that Union which is the source of all 
 its prosperity in peace, and strength in war. For myself, I 
 am willing to do anything that is reasonable to satisfy our 
 brethren of the South ; but there appear to be difficulties in 
 the way almost unsurmountable. They require not only re 
 lief from the protective system, but that we should give up 
 the principle ! That we should reduce the imposts so that the 
 amount collected should be exactly equal to the ordinary ex 
 penses of the Government. That being done, they will agree, 
 provided it is admitted to be a concession on their part, that 
 the duties levied on the unprotected articles shall be equal to 
 those on the articles for which we claim protection. "Was 
 ever so extraordinary, and, I will add, so insulting a proposi 
 tion made in a spirit of compromise? We must not only 
 forego our right as a majority, to continue a measure which 
 has been adopted, as we believe, under the sanction of the 
 Constitution, but we must give up the principle. In other 
 words, we must surrender to the minority the right to explain 
 the Constitution for us !' 
 
 "Thus, according to the South Carolina Senator, Judge 
 Smith (the very best of witnesses), the ordinance of nullifica 
 tion and secession of November, 1832, was founded on a pre 
 tended grievance in a tariff of which the secessionists them 
 selves were the authors. The grievance of abolitionism was 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 29 
 
 so small that it was entirely overlooked when hunting pre 
 texts for the first secession from the Union. The tariif ques 
 tion was at that time found not wide enough to carry the 
 sugar planters (who needed a tariff) ; the slavery question was 
 therefore resorted to as embracing a greater number of States 
 of the same interest, and not because the secession leaders 
 thought slave-property seriously endangered by abolitionism. 
 
 "Slavery was not .mentioned in the secession of 1832. 
 Judge, then, if the North can compromise with the South 
 upon any other terms than that of being ' a slave to slavery.' J: 
 
 The conduct of South Carolina on occasion of the official 
 visit of Mr. Hoar as agent of Massachusetts to raise the ques 
 tion whether a State could, without accusation or trial, imprison 
 a citizen of another State that conduct has passed into his 
 tory. It is a representative fact of the twenty years up to the 
 Administration of Zachary Taylor. The reorganization of 
 Southern society has placed a very different class of men in 
 power and influence in that* State. But the old Oligarchy in 
 general, and Calhoun in particular, were truthfully represented 
 in the treatment of Mr. Hoar. In reference to it Mr. Genin 
 WTote a vigorous newspaper article, as full of sarcasm as of 
 argument, and replete with both : 
 
 " Dr. Watts says the word knave formerly meant a faithful 
 servant. The word chivalry is fa^st undergoing a change of 
 meaning. It is now applied to those that show all the timid 
 ity of guilt ; all the bullying and blustering of the coward ; 
 to those who claim it as a privilege to oppress the down-trod 
 den poor ; who pluck out the eyes of the objects of their op 
 pression, prohibiting their education under severe penalties ; 
 who go armed through fear of one another, who tie their foe 
 and then charge upon his back. In illustration, Mr. Hoar the 
 agent of Massachusetts, informs the Governor of South Caro 
 lina, that he has come to raise a law question before the Uni 
 ted States Court (a Court which that State had assisted to 
 erect, and which has five Southern and four Northern judges). 
 The Governor seems to have heard him with the feelings of a 
 culprit who sees an officer with a warrant ; for he runs to the 
 
30 THOMAS HEDGES GENIK. 
 
 Legislature with the news. This chivalric (using the word in 
 its modern sense) body is suddenly filled with apprehensions, 
 and forthwith confesses that justice is what it is most afraid of, 
 by resolving that the Governor shall expel the Representative 
 of Massachusetts from the State, notwithstanding his rights 
 under the Federal Constitution ; the benefits of which, and 
 not its inconveniences, South Carolina is willing to embrace. 
 Its advantages she would help to enforce ; its inconveniences 
 she would nullify. But while she thus tramples upon the 
 Constitution, she skulks behind it, that she may safely insult 
 Massachusetts ; well knowing that she has the Federal Gov 
 ernment in her hands, through the subservience of Northern 
 traitors. Would she dare to insult an independent State in 
 this manner ? Or would she dare to enforce her law against 
 colored seamen on board of an English vessel ? And what 
 sort of a State or people is that which fears that a poor black 
 sailor or two may subvert the general safety ? Are they of 
 the class described in Scripture as those that flee when no 
 man pursueth, while the righteous are bold as a lion ? I do 
 not know how a snake or toad may feel ; but knowing some 
 thing of human nature, I would scarce accept of existence on 
 the terms of feeling that my safety required me to attack 
 shadows ; to be afraid of everything ; to employ spies ; to 
 flee when no man pursued ; to take every bush for an officer, 
 like the thief in Shakespeare. No ! I would pray for death 
 to come and take the poor pusillanimous, cowardly, contempt 
 ible organization apart, that it might assist in some other form 
 of being less disgusting to heaven, less shameful to men. A 
 historian, speaking of the tyrant Domitian, says, ' His jealous 
 ies, increasing with a sense of his guilt, he was afraid by day 
 and by night ; and in proportion to his fears he became more 
 cruel.' The histories of all tyrannies is much alike. Fear, 
 meanness, cruelty, injustice, variously exhibited a Miss Delia 
 Webster may set a chivalric host to trembling. . There are 
 more Polanders than those oppressed by Russia." 
 
 A bill for the Annexation of Texas having, February 25, 
 1845, passed the House by a vote of 120 to 98, on the first 
 day of March was passed in the Senate by the close vote of 
 
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH. 31 
 
 27 to 25, and was signed by Mr. Tyler the same day just 
 three days before his term of office closed. A change of one 
 vote could have stopped the measure, averted the Mexican 
 war, and deferred for years the war of Secession ! It was the 
 greatest triumph the Slave Power had yet won. It really 
 made the Slave Oligarchs masters of the nation. It put them 
 into a position of such secure power, that nothing but their 
 own madness could have dethroned them. 
 
 The greatest amount of labor in his country's cause Mr. 
 Genin attempted, was the contribution he made to the effort 
 to prevent this monstrous folly. Men honestly opposed to 
 Slavery, were indeed filled with alarm. Few prominent men 
 of that crisis spoke or wrote with a clearer perception of the 
 significance of the scheme, in its bearing on the future of Slav 
 ery as a power in the nation, than the subject of this sketch. 
 The prospect of a large ascendency of the champions of the 
 institution in the United States Senate the sure result of 
 Annexation stirred the Anti-Slavery spirit of the Sage of 
 St. Clairsville. The stupid logic that annexation would not 
 make a new slave was potent to confuse not a few men of 
 Anti-Slavery spirit ; and to reconcile them to the measure. 
 But Calhoun's chuckle, in reply to a fling from Benton, " I, 
 then, am the author of annexation," was unmistakable. The 
 great Champion of Negro Servitude as a corner-stone of Ee- 
 publican Institutions, did not glory in the acquisition of Texas 
 without seeing therein a triumph of the South over the free 
 labor of the North. That measure carried, the Senate, to 
 all human appearance, became the Gibraltar of the Slave 
 Oligarchy. 
 
 In the political campaign which resulted in the election of 
 Mr. Polk, the Anti-Slavery men were divided as to the proper 
 policy to pursue. A minority distrusted Mr. Clay, and on 
 what they deemed principle, gave their votes for the Anti- 
 Slavery candidate, Mr. Birney. Others, knowing that in case 
 of Mr. Folk's election, annexation was certain, reasoned that, 
 even though Mr. Clay's Anti- Annexation views were not very 
 pronounced, yet his election was the triumph of the party 
 which, as a whole, opposed Annexation. They threw their 
 
32 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 votes for Mr. Clay. Among these were Mr. Genin. He en 
 tered upon the campaign with his accustomed weapon of 
 attack and defence the pen. The Bdmont Chronicle for 
 1844, contains ten elaborate articles, many of them filling col 
 umns, in advocacy of Mr. Clay's election. In these essays, 
 Mr. Genin went over the whole ground of the pending con 
 troversy. 
 
 The Anti-Slavery spirit and antagonism to Annexation, 
 dominate in- these newspaper articles. But the whole ques 
 tion involving tariff, protection to Northern industry and 
 commerce, is presented from every conceivable point of 
 view. The North representing free labor, and the South 
 representing slave labor ; the one embodied in Mr. Clay, the 
 other in Mr. Polk ; and the two arrayed against the other 
 this is the burden of those ten essays. 
 
 " Mr. Clay," he says, " has become identified with North 
 ern and Western interests ; Polk with the Southern, the cot 
 ton-growing and slave interests. Clay represents the agricul 
 tural and manufacturing interests, or the interests of the 
 farmers and mechanics ; Polk the cotton-planting and slave 
 interest, or the interest of the cotton-planters and the slave 
 holders. Polk favors the immediate Annexation of Texas, 
 that the market for slaves may be improved, and the number 
 of slave States increased, to outnumber and outvote the repre 
 sentatives of the other interests ; and is opposed to protect 
 ing our own mechanics or manufacturers, in order to repress 
 population, and restrain the rapid increase of voters in the 
 North and West, and induce foreign nations to admit cotton, 
 rice and tobacco, on favorable terms." 
 
 The Annexation he argued would bring an assumption of 
 Texas debts. " If Polk is elected," he gave warning, " the 
 treaty with Texas is to be confirmed, as a consequence our 
 public lands are to be absorbed by a few aristocrats. The 
 people are to be taxed to pay the debts of Texas, or standing 
 in her shoes, take the glory of repudiating her debts, if they 
 exceed ten millions. To do this would give us a comfortable 
 stock of infamy : our nation must be bankrupt in every sense, 
 in honesty, honor and purse, or pay all the debts of Texas. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 33 
 
 The mention of ten millions in the treaty, as the estimated 
 amount of the debts, does not exempt us, who assume her 
 responsibilities, from the payment of all her debts, for she be 
 comes merged in us. The government of whom payment 
 will be demanded, after annexation, will be ours, not that of 
 Texas ; for her national existence will be gone." 
 
 But a worse result would be war with Mexico : " Another 
 consequence of the confirmation of the treaty is a war with 
 Mexico, promised in advance by her minister. This, how 
 ever, is not alarming to her Oligarchy. They will only see 
 in war a chance to pour the resources of the nation into Texas 
 to raise the price of land and scrip, and to make fat offices 
 for their cousins. They will be willing to let the nation lose 
 a hundred millions if they can secure one million to them 
 selves, or merely advance their own relative weight in the 
 nation. The vast commerce we have afloat they have but 
 little or no interest in. They are valiant in exposing the 
 lives and property of others. They may think it easy to get 
 out of the war after they have sweated and reduced the thriv 
 ing free States down to a certain tarn en ess. But even they 
 ought to reflect that experience makes fools wise ; and that 
 their repeated experiments on the Democracy will at length 
 open its eyes." 
 
 A still more deplorable result, the nation, as guilty of 
 crime, would lose its prestige. At the close of the Kevolution- 
 ary War, " AVC were rich in public virtues. The prayers of 
 continental Europe were for us ; we had then no commerce 
 that had awaked the jealousy of other nations, we had Hol 
 land, France, and Spain in the field, with their colonies, cov 
 ering a large part of the world, contending on our side ; who, 
 together, made a population of at least seventy millions, to 
 which add our own three millions, and we have a population 
 of seventy-three millions, whose combined navies were supe 
 rior to that of England, ready to support our pretensions. 
 But in a war to rob Mexico of her territory, and extend sla 
 very where shall we look for allies ? Whose prayers will as 
 cend for us but those of the wicked ? All the morality, all 
 
34: THOMAS HEDGES GENTN. 
 
 the pure religion of the universe will point their thunders at 
 our guilty cause." 
 
 But not merely to sustain slavery as an institution ; not 
 only to strengthen slaveholders as a class; but along with 
 these things, to give dominance to a select number of slave 
 holders, an Aristocratic Few and Calhoun as chiefthe es 
 tablishing permanently the slave oligarchy : this was the 
 chief and controlling end to be secured in making Mr. Polk 
 President, and annexation was to be the instrument in his 
 hands. 
 
 In another article, the responsibilities and liabilities our 
 Government would assume by annexation, were stated with 
 great clearness. Under Tyler the annexation scheme had al 
 ready passed the House, but was thus far kept back by the 
 Senate. 
 
 " The people are asked to reverse the decision by electing 
 Polk. I pretend not to see into all the depths of that 
 treaty ; but some of its provisions ought to alarm every one ; 
 their tendency to inequality is so manifest. I allude to the 
 assumption of the responsibilities of the Texas government, 
 by the Government of the United States ; and to the unde 
 fined limits of Texas. This, in connection with the acts of 
 the Texas government, prescribing extravagant boundaries to 
 the Texas Republic, and granting whole States to single indi 
 viduals, indicate a fixed design to establish a perpetual ine 
 quality, not only in Texas, but in a large part of the United 
 States. On viewing the actors, one can scarce doubt that the 
 exciting of the rebellion of Texas against Mexico ; the mak 
 ing of large grants of her land to single individuals ; the 
 creation of her debt and its depreciation and sale, for from 
 two to six cents for the dollar ; and the project of the treaty 
 of annexation, were the parts of a plan for erecting a stupen 
 dous oligarchy. The stupidity of the North and West was 
 relied on to assist in accomplishing the speculation ; by which 
 immense riches would come to a few, and they, in return, 
 would rule the many. The word democracy was doubtless 
 deemed sufficiently narcotic to keep the reasoning powers 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 35 
 
 asleep ; for bold experiments had already been tried with the 
 word, on the purse, the morals, and the pride of consistency 
 of the people, with great success. John C. Calhoun had 
 found his individual advantage, in a few having all the politi 
 cal power in South Carolina. No wonder one so consistent as 
 he in pursuing his object of crushing free labor, merely va 
 rying the means by which he does it, now supporting and now 
 opposing the same measures, should desire, first, To have the 
 land of Texas granted chiefly to a few individuals ; second, 
 To have the land lying 'within the 'United States owned by 
 the same men, or granted in the same large quantities ; third, 
 The debts bought mostly by those in the secret, for two to six 
 cents on the dollar, paid off at par, with the interest thereon, 
 amounting perhaps to $1.50 or $1.80 for each dollar, as this 
 would afford both the means and the end; the means as 
 bringing a swarm of interested advocates for the treaty ; and 
 the end, as making oligarchs of the large scrip holders ; and 
 fourth, As the means of effecting the three preceding objects, 
 obligating the United States, by treaty, to pay all the debts of 
 Texas ; fulfill all her obligations, and issue patents to her land 
 claimants." 
 
 Pages might be filled with extracts equally pungent and 
 pertinent, from those ten articles in the Belmont journal. 
 Enough have been given to show those of a later day that Mr. 
 Genin comprehended the issue, and saw, with prophetic eye, the 
 consequences. Such as he were then called fanatics. Now, 
 history accepts them as the true prophets. 
 
 Mr. Polk, by the unhappy turn of the election in the State 
 of New York, was elected. Annexation had, in form, tri 
 umphed with the people we say in form, for the number 
 whose eyes were open to the real purpose of the measure was 
 comparatively small. Three days before Mr. Polk took the 
 oath of office, Texas was annexed so far as the action of our 
 Government was concerned. In the Belmont Chronicle, 
 March 21, Mr. Genin again prophesied what just before he 
 died became history. 
 
 " Congress (the lower House,) has, by annexing Texas, thus 
 far declared war against Mexico. What for? Plunder to 
 
36 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 perpetuate slavery, and raise the value of Texas scrip ! Eng 
 land will probably be a party in the war. The slave power 
 will contrive to mix the Oregon with the Texas matter, to en 
 list the West in the quarrel. A quarrel which might dissolve 
 the Union as the least of evils. If the Union permits itself 
 to be used to establish the slave power, the contest will be long 
 and terrible ; and if victory declares for the party whose stand 
 ard bears the motto, i Slavery or Death,' our liberties will be 
 gone. " The poor whites of the slave States, as well as those 
 of the free States, will be utterly crushed by the slave power. 
 The same meanness that makes them take the labor of the 
 poor for a peck of corn a week, will, on occasion, appear in 
 other things. The free States will vomit their ' doughfaces' 
 who have dared to commit them to a crusade against liberty, 
 through hope of office, to be given by the slave power. Eight 
 of the nine democrats from New York, who voted for annex 
 ation, were left out at the last election. They may not get 
 their reward just in the way they look for it, if I read rightly 
 the temper of the times. How many that would sacrifice 
 everything in a just cause, would find it almost impossible to 
 prevent themselves from doing justice to those vermin, who 
 have dared to shame their mother, give the lie to the Declara 
 tion of Independence, and proclaim that their country is a 
 nest of pirates. Especially after they have heard of the death 
 of their kindred in the sickly South, or seen the pale corpses 
 of their sons brought from the scenes of hateful war, and 
 worse than murdered by their sycophantic votes. The Con 
 stitution has been boldly violated. It could not be more so 
 if the slave oligarchy had turned Congress out of the Capitol. 
 They will whip Northern sycophants into their traces, as 
 often as it suits their interests to do so. They make the Con 
 stitution a bar to us ; it is thin air to them. It is seriously in 
 our way, if our rivers are to be improved, or internal com 
 merce promoted ; but not at all in the way of assuming the 
 debts of England or Texas. It is time we should teach our 
 own dogs not to bite us. Let no one get it into his head, that 
 if his child is called a calf, he must, therefore, sell it to the 
 butcher ; nor because one is called a democrat, that he must, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 37 
 
 therefore, be a slave to slavery, and do its bidding, though it 
 impoverish the people, disgrace the nation, and murder our 
 children. It is time we distinguished names from things. 
 
 " The contempt of the slave mongers for the ' doughfaces' 
 must be extreme. Ours ought to be inexpressible. They 
 shovel tilth with their costliest tools ; and would not, there 
 fore, stand on ceremony with the traitors. They show little 
 regard for General Jackson. While the United States adjoin 
 the possessions of England on the East and North, from the 
 Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, they publish the General's ap 
 prehensions of joining her on the Sabine, to the great amuse 
 ment of the world, and of the English editors in particular 
 thus showing, at one stroke, their opinion of the common 
 sense of the people, and their regard for General Jackson's 
 reputation. But nothing is too good to be sacrificed to ad 
 vance the power of the oligarchy. The interests of a very 
 large majority of the Southern people are trampled on to 
 promote this power." 
 
 Mr. Genin saw the culmination of all pro-slavery abomina 
 tion in the administration of President Polk. He looked upon 
 the man as weak. The power behind the throne was Calhoun. 
 Mr. Buchanan, while Secretary of State under Polk, was 
 regarded as servile in the hands of the Oligarchy eager to 
 consummate the work of annexation which, alone of all the 
 members of the Senatorial Committee on Foreign Affairs, he 
 had advocated. In an article entitled "War for Slavery," 
 published in the Belmont Chronicle, for March 31, 1845, he 
 thus expressed the anti-slavery estimate of public men and the 
 schemes of the slave-holder. In special allusion to Mr. 
 Buchanan, as head of the State Department, he said : " This 
 Northern man, with Southern, or slave-sustaining principles, 
 is to conduct all our foreign relations ; arrange matters with 
 Texas and Mexico ; settle the North-western boundary ; make 
 commercial treaties, wMle licking the feet of the slave power, 
 that demands that every thing be sacrificed to its political 
 preponderance, and to cotton and rice. Of course the foreign 
 ministers, whether taken from the North or the South, will 
 probably be men supposed to be capable of braving the detes- 
 
38 THOMAS HEDGES GEOTN. 
 
 tation of mankind, for the sake of the crumbs of office. They 
 will be mercenaries in the war of slavery against human rights, 
 ready to sacrifice northern interests to the slave power and 
 denounce Banks that have no vote on account of wealth, while 
 they uphold slavery, that gives votes to wealth." 
 
 Then to show the attitude of the Administration in respect 
 to foreign nations the efforts to induce Great Britain to fall 
 in with American propagandism of slavery, he adds : 
 
 "The Nashville Union, edited by a late United States 
 Senator, speaks of the selection of a minister to Great Britain, 
 as Mr. Folk's most important duty as 'the minister will 
 have to probe to the very bottom, the policy of that govern 
 ment as connected with our institution of slavery.' 'What 
 she has been doing to carry out her doctrines of universal 
 abolition of slavery, our government has a right to understand.' 
 ' He should have the moral courage to stand up in the face of 
 all Europe, and vindicate his country against the libellous 
 charges levelled at her reputation in connection with the in 
 stitution of slavery.' '"We believe that this momentous 
 question must soon come to a crisis.' 'Let the crisis first 
 come in a contest with England. Let all the civilized powers 
 of Europe be found arrayed on our side, and abolition at home 
 will give us but little further trouble.' This paper is said to 
 express Mr. Folk's views. If so, the war for slavery is to be 
 prosecuted. Civilized Europe, that despises slavery, is to be 
 made our ally ; at what price ? Will France assist us, if we 
 will take, free of duty, her manufactures of iron, cotton, 
 woollens, and silk \ Will the Germans assist us on like condi 
 tions ? For there must be great advantages offered them to 
 make them assist in rolling the wheels of civilization backward, 
 and trampling on the laws of God and nature. Can the slave 
 power purchase help by the sacrifice of the dearest interests 
 of the free States, and the oppression of a large majority of 
 the whites of the slave States of our Union \ That power 
 holds the reins of government, with all its means of bribery 
 and menace, and may sell us for its benefit. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 39 
 
 " And we are to be plunged into the horrors of war for the 
 support of this pretty slave institution! Texas annexed; 
 Mexico robbed ; the Oregon treaty violated by Congress ; war 
 provoked ; our lakes left undefended ; and no ship canal pro 
 posed by the government, from Chicago to the Mississippi, by 
 which to send war vessels to the lakes, while England, by the 
 "Welland canal, is prepared to put larger ones there than Com 
 modore Perry's flag-ship, of the last war. 
 
 " But what cares that government that imposed the embargo, 
 broke down the tariff, and lets millions upon millions of prop 
 erty be yearly destroyed upon our rivers ? Yes, what cares 
 that government for the destruction of the whole northern 
 frontier ? Its danger, and not its safety, is what the govern 
 ment seeks ; judging from its actions. Of the ten millions paid 
 yearly by the Mississippi valley into the federal treasury, what 
 paltry sums are returned to improve our rivers; and Tyler 
 has withheld even these." 
 
 Several of Mr. Genin's newspaper articles, more or less 
 directly relating to the Annexation Scheme, or to matters 
 growing out of it, have so prophetic a character, that we reserve 
 them to give, entire or in part, in the compilation of his 
 Literary Remains in this volume. Among these we include 
 his article in the Belmont Chronicle on " The Lexington Mob." 
 Cassius M. Clay had made himself very obnoxious to the Slave 
 Oligarchy by the vehemence of denunciations of the institu 
 tion and its abettors, in connection with his opposition to 
 Annexation. In 1845, after the election of Mr. Polk in 
 whose election the South had secured a great triumph and 
 Annexation was prospectively lost Mr. Clay started a paper 
 in Lexington, Kentucky, to advocate the cause of Emancipa 
 tion. He had incurred great hostility from his earnest opposi 
 tion to Annexation. He was a marked man ; and his paper 
 was feared. The legitimate way of counteracting his work 
 would have been a resort to argument. But Slavery never did 
 this when by moboeratic violence it found a shorter road to the 
 same end. And the press in Lexington was destroyed. Mr. 
 Genin's article on the outrage is both history and philosophy. 
 
40 THOMAS HEDGES GENIX. 
 
 The Annexation secured, the next game was to quarrel with 
 Mexico. Texas was large the area of bondage was greatly 
 extended. But a slice of Mexico was coveted for the same 
 purpose. The Abolitionists and Northern Whigs believed 
 that hostility with Mexico was not accepted by the party in 
 power, but that it was wickedly and ingeniously sought. 
 Where there is a will there is a way. Mr. Polk and his 
 advisers soon hit upon a scheme. 
 
 The final consummation of the Annexation Measure, conse 
 quent upon Mr. Folk's election, had, with grave reason, greatly 
 angered Mexico. It was a skillful device to ignite the flame 
 of her irritability, by assuming a boundary line between Texas 
 and Mexico which would rob the latter of territory she thought 
 rightfully her own. 
 
 Mr. Polk claimed a line considerably to the west of what 
 Mexico conceded. The boundary had in fact never been 
 definitely determined. The rival claims' made the territory 
 between the two points, " disputed territory." On that terri 
 tory Mexico had planted a military force. In view of this, 
 General Taylor, with a federal army, was ordered to the " dis 
 puted territory," and that President immediately sent a mes 
 sage to Congress calling for an army and supplies, submitting 
 a resolution with these words in the preamble : " Whereas, war 
 exists by act of Mexico" 
 
 Never was there a more ingenious device to trap a great 
 party. If the Whigs voted against the resolutions on account 
 of the preamble, they would be damaged in the eyes of the 
 people, on the ground of opposing the resolutions of refusing 
 supplies to a gallant army ! If they voted for the resolutions, 
 in order to protect the army, they put themselves on record, 
 as voting for the preamble, that the war existed " by act of 
 Mexico ! " The Democratic Party was too strong to admit of 
 any modification of this preamble. A few protesting against 
 the preamble, the majority voted supplies, and so went on the 
 records, as voting that Mexico was the guilty party ! 
 
 In common with the Abolitionists and Whigs of the day, 
 Mr. Genin characterized the preamble as a " lie." All through 
 the discussion of the merits of the Mexican war, the words, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 41 
 
 " the war exists by act of Mexico," were treated as a deliberate 
 falsehood. When a change in the political character of Con 
 gress attested the unpopularity of the war, the supporters of 
 Mr. Polk fell back upon the plight in which their tactics had 
 placed their opponents, in constraining them, against their 
 inclinations, to go on to the record, as voting that Mexico 
 took the initial step in the hostilities. Hence on every occa 
 sion they coupled allusions to the merits of the war, and the 
 relations of parties to it, with the preamble announcement, 
 that Mexico had begun the war. This led Mr. Genin to in 
 dite a brief and spicy article for the Belmont Chronicle. It 
 condenses the history of that phase of the war history, and is 
 a fair specimen of the party invective and party epithets of 
 the time. His article appeared February 18, 1847, as fol 
 lows: 
 
 " Will the political leaders of the Democrats never believe 
 that Mexico began the war f 
 
 " Who oft repeats a lie, 
 Himself deceives thereby ; 
 For as his memory fails, 
 His will o'er truth prevails. 
 
 " They would not let the ten millions of money and the fifty 
 thousand men be voted for, without the insertion of the lie. 
 They would not let a vote of thanks pass to General Taylor 
 without an effort to crowd in the same Ue, to wit : That 
 Mexico legan the war. It is laughable to see how they per 
 sist in exhibiting their own disbelief of it ; particularly Mr. 
 Polk. He occupies in his annual message many columns 
 to show that we have a right to make war on Mexico ; a 
 needless labor, if he believed the aforesaid lie to be a truth, 
 unless he thinks that we may not defend ourselves when at 
 tacked. What a pity that the people of the United States 
 have lost the good opinion of their servants at Washington, 
 who address them as if they had not intelligence enough to 
 be accountable beings. If the sovereign people bid the head 
 
42 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Jack to hoy or gee a little as he pulls the national cart, en 
 dangering the load, he brays out treason, " aid and comfort to 
 the enemy," and rushes on spilling from 50 to 100 millions in 
 the lap of Texas, in part, and claims to rebuke his masters, in 
 stead of being castigated by them. 
 
 " But the most degrading compliment that has found its 
 way from Washington ; one that carries more of hell on its 
 face and prospective misery, than pen can describe, is, that 
 our people are fond of war, right or wrong ; or that all wars 
 are necessarily popular with them. If the politicians have 
 judged correctly of the inclination of the masses for war, they 
 may well wish to preserve the Union ! Its dissolution would 
 be the signal for human butchery." 
 
 In a newspaper article published December 17, 1847, Mr. 
 Genin analyses President Folk's message to Congress, to show 
 how studiously the untruth in the famous preamble was put 
 forth. There is a string of quotations, which seen in juxta 
 position, are most significant. " The war in which the United 
 States were forced to engage still continues." " The Mexican 
 Government involved the two countries in war by invading 
 the territory of the State of Texas,' by striking the first How, 
 and shedding the blood of our citizens on our own soil.' 1 ' She 
 commenced hostilities.* 1 ' Though the United States was the 
 aggrieved nation Mexico commenced the war,' ' and we were 
 compelled in self defence to repel the invader? i The unjusti 
 fiable and unprovoked commencement of hostilities by her.' 
 4 A just war on our part, and one which by the act of the 
 enemy we could not honorably have avoided.' ( By her own 
 conduct we have been compelled to engage in the pres 
 ent war.' ' The war which Mexico has forced upon us.' 
 ' Their faithless Government which had commenced hostili- 
 
 Mr. Genin reasons that such constant reiteration of the al 
 legation betrays a doubt, on the author's part, of the truth of 
 the general statement. Men are content to say what they 
 honestly believe. But sincerity does not continually recur to 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 43 
 
 the allegation. Too much protestation is indicative of an un 
 easy conscience. Mr. Genin follows up the quotations with 
 an apt comment : 
 
 " When a servant told his master he had shut the gate the 
 third time, the master began to suspect he was lying ; but on 
 hearing him assert it the fourth time, he lost all confidence, 
 and on going to see if it was shut, found it wide open. 
 
 "By attempting to wrap wickedness in the cloak of justice, 
 Polk pays a compliment to the virtue of our people ; but 
 what opinion must he have formed of their sagacity ? Does 
 he suppose they cannot discriminate truth from falsehood? 
 He talks as if he had very little respect for the intelligence of 
 the people though he does them the honor to suppose they 
 have a sense of justice. "Will not schoolmasters be embar 
 rassed in correcting certain faults of youth if the urchin may 
 plead the President's example ? May not the little word of 
 three letters be at length supplanted and knock-downs come 
 off from the charge, "you have told a Polk?" The word 
 dun, it is said, came from one John Dun who was noted for 
 his obstinacy in the pursuit of debtors." 
 
 The anathemas heaped upon those who opposed the war, 
 to the effect that they were traitors, aiding and abetting their 
 country's enemies, were potent to silence the tongues of not a 
 few, who were at heart and in conscience convinced of its 
 iniquity on the part of the administration. But such 
 things affected the anti-slavery war-horse of St. Glairs ville, 
 about as much as a shower of sand would have daunted a 
 mail-clad warrior. His pen was ever ready, in the use of bit 
 ter invective, to uncover the " lie" and characterise the wrong. 
 Alluding to previous predictions all made good, he exclaims : 
 " We have war, destruction of the protective tariff, the sub- 
 treasury, almost total disregard of ^Northern and Western in 
 terests, emptying of the national purse into Texas, to benefit 
 her land speculators ; the nation made the slave of slavery ; 
 if Texas' debts are not assumed, ten times their amount in 
 curred to conquer land for her, and to make good her grants 
 
44 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 to individuals, to build up an' aristocracy ; a large army under 
 the rules and articles of war ; the agricultural wantonly sacri 
 ficed to the cotton planting interest. There is wanting only 
 direct taxation to complete the series of evils which it was 
 said would follow Folk's election ; this sweet morsel is re 
 served for the next succeeding session of Congress perhaps. 
 The slave-power will meet our detestable doughfaces to carry 
 this measure ; but it will not be ready to enforce it to the ex 
 tent of its wishes, until a sufficient military force is at its dis 
 posal. This force it may get on pretence of raising troops 
 for Mexico. Polk would not have dared to violate the Consti 
 tution by taking it upon himself to make war if he had not 
 been promised impunity by the clique behind the curtain. A 
 fourth rate man, invested with power, is commonly the tool 
 of first and second rate men, who make him do what they 
 would not do themselves ; just as they use a poker to stir a 
 fire, thrusting it where they would not put their own fingers." 
 
 Mr. Genin saw nothing but a conspiracy aiming at plunder 
 in the inception and progress of the war the lords of the 
 plantation dividing among themselves the spoils. " The slave 
 clique," he says, " agree to make each other rich ; start rebel 
 lion in Texas ; parcel out small quantities of land to the rank 
 and file ; take thousands of square miles to each of them 
 selves ; ' startle ' Tyler with proposing the treaty of annex 
 ation ; which he accepts, the Senate, however, rejecting. No 
 matter, the doughfaces annex by joint resolution while war 
 exists between Texas and Mexico, and thus declare war. 
 Polk then orders Taylor into Mexico. The Mexicans resist, 
 of course, and peace must not be made unless the bounds of 
 Texas are enlarged so as to enable her to make good her vast 
 grants of lands to individuals, and pay off her scrip. It was 
 thought our very intelligent people would not see into this 
 method of assuming the debts of Texas, and using the resour 
 ces of the nation for the benefit of as worthy a band of specu 
 lators as ever combined to build palaces with fools' money, 
 regardless of human misery ; the tears of parents, widows and 
 orphans." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 45 
 
 The audacity of waging war in the interest of slaveholding 
 speculators, at enormous cost of money and men, while every 
 species of industry in which the North and West were inter 
 ested ; the neglect of western rivers and lake-harbors on 
 grounds of constitutional scruples, while in defiance of the 
 Constitution, the Executive placed an army on disputed terri 
 tory : these things belong to the history of Mr. Folk's Ad 
 ministration. Mr. Genin's sarcasm and complaint put forth 
 in a newspaper article in March, 1848, are a transcript of 
 the feeling of the majority in the North and "West at the 
 period. He wrote : 
 
 " It is said that the Government of the United States has 
 sent persons to explore and survey the Dead Sea in the conti 
 nent of Asia a sea whose size is about seven miles by twenty- 
 four. The river Jordan falls into it. Its water is clear, and 
 so heavy with salt and bitumen that the human body will sink 
 in it no farther than the shoulders. As the grave of guilty 
 cities, it is an object of interest to all, and particularly to 
 those whose conscience upbraid them for the enormous wicked 
 ness of the Mexican war. While laws for the improvement 
 of our harbors and rivers are vetoed for a pretended want of 
 power in the Constitution to protect us from snags and storms, 
 which yearly destroy millions of property and hundreds of 
 lives, the President, it seems, finds no difficulty in sending an 
 expedition some 6,000 miles even without an appropriation by 
 Congress, merely to gratify curiosity. He may wish to know 
 the shape of its shores, its depths, and especially whether any 
 remains of the wicked cities can be found in it ; but it is not 
 unlikely that the intelligence that originated the adventure 
 wished to know what farther responsibilities the President 
 might be permitted to assume. The cat's-paw often has one 
 object, the wire-worker another. John Tyler was got to make 
 a treaty, annexing to the United States a State at war with a 
 foreign nation. Whatever he intended, the intelligence that 
 acted in the matter meant to involve us in war. Although 
 the Senate rejected this treaty, the same intelligence persisted 
 
46 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 in its object ; made Congress annex by a mere majority, or 
 attempt to annex ; for no legal annexation can exist until, 
 two-thirds of the Senate shall ratify a treaty of annexation. 
 So says Albert Gallatin among others, yet, though not in 
 point of law, in the Union, the votes of Texas have assisted 
 to impose on us the tariff of 1846, whose evils a foreign fam 
 ine has concealed. Though not lawfully in the Union, Texas 
 is there in fact, doing war upon free labor, and sustaining the 
 slave power a power that will expend for us sixty-two mil 
 lions the current year ending July 1, 1848, and, perhaps, an 
 nex Mexicans enough to give that race the balance of power 
 in all time to come, in this Government." 
 
 The Mexican war waged by a party, and urged for the pur 
 pose of keeping a party in power, was, in the not very remote 
 result, likely to overthrow that party from a cause that grad 
 ually became obvious. The brilliant victories of Gen. Zach- 
 ary Taylor had made him the idol of the people ; and Gen. 
 Taylor, though not, as he himself said, an " Ultra- Whig," was 
 nevertheless a Whig. Gen. Scott was leading a victorious army 
 towards the Halls of the Montezumas. And Gen. Scott was 
 an avowed Whig. The great success of the war had raised 
 up rivals in the opposition party : the prize was in imminent 
 danger of being snatched aw^ay. 
 
 Gen. Scott was outspoken in his belief that the Adminis 
 tration was arranging for him a defeat. Gen. Taylor, though 
 not so communicative, had the same impression, it was at the 
 time confidently believed. Official reports gave the gener 
 als large armies. Gen. Scott complained that they were paper 
 armies. In his report to the Secretary of War, September 
 18, 1847, he complained : " This army has been more dis 
 gusted than surprised that by some sinister process on the 
 part of certain individuals at home, its numbers have been, 
 generally, almost trebled in our public papers beginning at 
 Washington." He then states that he had at Contreras, 
 Churubusco and other places, August 20th, but 8,497 men, 
 and in the two days, September 12th and 13th, the whole 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 4ft 
 
 operating force was but 7,1S(T men, the remains of 10,738, 
 (after deducting those killed and wounded, and left in garri 
 son,) with which he marched from Jalapa. 
 
 A war correspondent, writing from the city of Mexico, 
 October 3d of the same year, said : " It is difficult to account 
 for the fact that we are here, in the great Capital of Mex 
 ico not the 22,000 paper men of the UNION, but what is 
 left of the 10,000 real men by whom the work of subjugation 
 has been accomplished. After a succession of battles each 
 one of which may be counted a forlorn hope after a succes 
 sion of victories each one of which was obtained over an im 
 mensely superior force * here amid the Halls of the Monte- 
 zumas ' the numerically insignificant band of Anglo-Saxons 
 has found a resting place from its toils and dangers." A 
 statement in the Administration organ, gave Taylor 9,000 
 men at the battle of Buena Yista. His actual force was less 
 than 5,000, if the General's statement is to be believed. 
 
 The temptation to ruin the successful generals, under the 
 circumstances, was very strong. It is a serious charge, how 
 ever, that a party in power would for any cause, be guilty of 
 so great a crime. Possibly the facts may be explained on 
 some other hypothesis. Mr. Genin, and the great body cf 
 Anti-Slavery men and Whigs, whom he represented, believed 
 the party of Polk capable even of so great a treason. In view 
 of the facts just given, he wrote : 
 
 " A reflecting people (declared by their demagogues to be 
 the most intelligent on earth) will see in this conduct of the 
 Union a conviction on the part of the Editor and his employ 
 ers, that both Scott and Taylor were not provided with forces 
 sufficient to insure victory. And why ? Ah, why ! Congress 
 certainly had- placed sufficient means at the disposal of the 
 Government, and all it demanded. Did the Government in 
 tend that those generals should be defeated ? Did its organ, 
 the Union, circulate a lie in advance of the expected defeat ? 
 with the view of throwing the blame of that defeat upon the 
 generals ? Was the Government alarmed at the popularity 
 of those generals ? Can the Government be so wicked as to 
 
48 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 try to sacrifice thousands of their brave countrymen merely to 
 depress political rivals ?" 
 
 The war over, Mexico humbled and her territory conquered, 
 and Gen. Taylor in the Presidential chair, the Oligarchy grew 
 yet more insolent. They met with unlooked-for virtue in the 
 President of their choice. But death soon removed him, and 
 the reorganized Administration was adapted to the next move 
 on the political chess-board. The " Wilmot Proviso," restrict 
 ing Slavery from new territory, was defeated. The Fugitive 
 . Slave-Law was passed, and enforced with every accompani 
 ment of insolence, oppression and brutality. 
 
 The South needed another pretext for aggression. -The folly 
 of the brave John Brown was opportune. The entire North 
 was laughing over the fright of Gov. Wise. Mr. Genin did 
 not believe the Virginia Governor frightened. He saw in his 
 seeming fear, a piece of strategy, making the most of Brown's 
 raid to fire the Southern heart. Among his unpublished 
 papers we find a letter, dated St. Clairsville, December 24, 
 1859, addressed to Sidney C. Genin, a nephew, from which 
 we make a few extracts : 
 
 " Gov. Wise is not as great a coward, perhaps, as his acts 
 indicate ; nor is the slave power as apprehensive of Northern 
 aggression as it pretends to be. The hubbub is made as part 
 of a plan to unite the South, so as to rule the North by pur 
 chasing the leaders of one of the parties in the North with 
 Federal offices these offices to be placed at' its disposal by 
 means of Southern united action. By making much noise 
 about Old Brown it hopes to reduce the size of the Republi 
 can Party, and unite the Southern people, so as to give the 
 slave power the strength of unity. Still the leaders,' (like the 
 French noblesse v?lier\ they joined with the extreme Democrats 
 against the moderates or philosophers in the revolution of 
 1790,) may set a ball in motion which they cannot stop at the 
 safe point. They threatened the dissolution of the Union if 
 Fremont was elected, though elected constitutionally ; which 
 means that they must rule or ruin. They thought to break 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 49 
 
 the Missouri compact, and then drive off plain farmers from 
 Kansas, by sending Mayor Buford with his three or four hun 
 dred ruffian Southerners with weapons instead of ploughs ; 
 but Brown and others sent them howling back to their South 
 ern employers. And Brown has given them a slight taste of 
 the same treatment, at Harper's Ferry, on behalf of liberty, 
 which Buford accorded in Kansas on behalf of Slavery. The 
 invasions of both Buford and Brown have luckily been re 
 pelled. The slave power began the contest, which may 
 end in the dissolution of the Union much sooner than the 
 slave power expects. It wants the Union as Pharoah wanted 
 to retain the Hebrews, and for a similar reason. With one- 
 third of the white population it has appropriated three-fourths 
 of the federal offices, the other fourth being sufficient to pur 
 chase the necessary amount of doughfaces for declaring Flor 
 ida and Mexican wars and purchasing slave territory, and giv 
 ing up territory in Maine and Oregon to which it had declared 
 our right was unquestionable, and certainly it would like to 
 thrust its evil hand into Northern pockets to purchase Cuba. 
 It is not content to work negro slaves, it must have Northern 
 men with collars with Southern principles. The Southern 
 leaders were probably never more bent on Union than now, 
 when loudly threatening disunion. They threatened disunion 
 in order to be allowed to have things in their own way to 
 make the timorous abstain from voting for Fremont, and con 
 tinue the sceptre in the hands of the slave power. The im 
 pudence of this slave power exceeds the imaginative powers 
 of most minds. About one-twentieth of the white population 
 of the South own slaves. This one-twentieth assume that it 
 is criminal, or at least highly incendiary, for the other nine- 
 teen-twentieths to discuss their own interests, lest it should 
 interfere with the interests of the one-twentieth. 
 
 " If it should be' discovered that it has allured Old Brown 
 to invade Virginia though very improbable it would be per 
 ceived that it might have done it on the same principle that 
 Douglass was allured to propose the breaking the Missouri 
 compact ; for the object is to keep up some pretext or ground 
 on which to agitate the subject, whereby the whole South 
 
50 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 may be kept together. If the invasion is without its seeking, 
 it is still a God-send, of which it evidently means to make the 
 utmost use in uniting the masters by the pressure of fear, and 
 by the political force of that unity intimidating the timorous 
 of the North, and encouraging the party in the Free States 
 
 that acts in concert with the slave power." 
 
 p 
 
 Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad. "With 
 every victory the insolence of the Slave Oligarchy increases. 
 Each outrage upon liberty successful led to another still more 
 audacious. The Mexican War was followed by most tyranni 
 cal legislation in Congress, offensive to the North. The Mis 
 souri compromise was repealed. Then came secession. Then 
 the long and dreadful war. And, at last, victory to the Right. 
 The nation was saved, and the oligarchy forever disenthroned. 
 Liberty was triumphant. As these later events came to pass, 
 Mr. Geniu had ceased to be young. But he had not ceased to 
 feel a deep interest in the welfare of his country ; and the sev 
 eral papers on the war of rebellion, which make a part of this 
 volume, may be left to tell in what spirit, in what clearness 
 of vision, in what fidelity to conviction, and in what intellect 
 ual strength, he did service for his country, in the hour of its 
 greatest peril. The nearness of the crisis renders needless for 
 the purposes of this Biographical Sketch a detailed analysis 
 of its conflicts and triumphs. 
 
 The gun fired upon Sumter opened a million eyes to the 
 purposes of the oligarchy. It did not open the eyes of such 
 as Thomas H. Genin. In the Secession Conspiracy, men like 
 Mr. Genin saw becoming actual what they had so long pre 
 dicted. And they did not fear the issue. The venerable sage 
 of St. Clairsville for the hundredth time flew to his pen. He 
 once more gave a warning not to tamper, not to compromise 
 with the conspirators. The spirit of his exhortation was, 
 Stand up for principle, fight for the Eight, and the end need 
 not be feared. He did not close his mortal eyes without the 
 glory of seeing all his patriotic prayers answered a nation 
 purified, saved, and made potent and active, on the side of 
 Liberty, regardless of Race or Color. 
 
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH. 51 
 
 In sketching the character, career, and work of Thomas H. 
 Genin, we have given prominence to his anti-slavery history. 
 This is the characteristic in which he has the greatest claim 
 upon the gratitude and reverence of the age in which he lived. 
 It is the feature which those who best knew and esteemed 
 him, will most care to see preserved in this Memorial. We 
 have, therefore, given a running sketch of the anti-slavery 
 history, from the demonstration of Lundy down to the aboli 
 tion of the institution through the war of rebellion. And, 
 omitting for most part other matters, we have traced Mr. 
 Genin's relation to that history in chronological and consec 
 utive order, using freely salient paragraphs from his writings. 
 In the publication of his more elaborate papers, such as it 
 seemed best to omit in this department, his work will find 
 recognition. Let him be known in coming time as the bold, 
 faithful, and intelligent Friend of the Slave the fearless and 
 effective champion of Freedom the unselfish Patriot, who 
 sought his country's welfare in seeking to amend its wrongs, 
 as well as to maintain its rights. Sacred be the memory of 
 the liberty-loving, patriotic sage ! 
 
 We have taken note of the fact, that by a necessity of his 
 nature, Mr. Genin was compelled to think of many things. 
 He could not concentrate all his powers upon any one enter 
 prise, no matter how vast, nor how much it might claim a 
 consecrated toil. All subjects, all interests, all enterprises, all 
 discoveries, must be brought in review by this many-sided 
 thinker. The papers which, in part, make the literary com 
 pilation presented in this volume, will be the tangible evi 
 dence of the variety of his gifts, and .the varied manifestations 
 of his laborious mind. 
 
 Next to the Slavery Question, Mr. Genin seems to have re 
 garded the question of a protective tariff of most importance 
 among matters of State or National concern. But he evi 
 dently saw a vital connection between the two. The South 
 was opposed to such protection to native industry, because 
 they saw therein a measure inimical to slave labor. Mr. 
 
52 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Gemn was a zealous advocate of protective tariffs, because, 
 among other things, he saw therein a way to strengthen free 
 labor in competition with labor by slaves. In a tariff he saw 
 an aid to freedom a foe to slavery ; so he thought. Hence, 
 in one of the series of articles in which he opposes the elec 
 tion of Mr. Polk, on the ground of opposition to annexation, 
 as a pro-slavery measure, it seemed to him no digression from 
 the main subject, but rather a legitimate phase of it to add. 
 
 " A word on the necessity of a tariff. Suppose we have a 
 tariff England wishes to destroy say our cotton manufacture. 
 She offers a premium of two cents a yard on all cottons ex 
 ported to the United States. Our manufacturers of that ar 
 ticle must then quit the business. They would even ship the 
 raw material on hand to England to be sold rather than work 
 it up at a loss. In two years or less the manufacture would ' 
 disappear ; the operatives be scattered ; gone to England for 
 work ; or become farmers. Then cottons would rise. Eng 
 land would regulate the supply according to the demand, and 
 not supply such an amount as to injure the market, as the 
 Dutch used to burn ship loads of spices in the East Indies 
 when the amount on hand was seen to be more than would 
 keep prices firm in Europe. What now sells for eight cents 
 would soon rise to twenty cents per yard, then the English ex 
 porter could afford to pay his government an excise duty of 
 three cents per yard. If that government should disburse ten 
 millions in premiums to destroy our manufactures, it would 
 soon be reimbursed twenty millions from the payment of ex 
 cise. Now, a tariff prevents foreign nations from attempting 
 such enterprises against us. Domestic competition keeps 
 prices as low as from the nature of things the article can be 
 made for. When the tariff is moderate the foreign article 
 swells the competition and aids in reducing prices after hav 
 ing paid the government a duty, which duty is paid by the 
 foreigners. If a man come to the St. Clairsville market with 
 butter, does he get any more for it per pound because he has 
 paid toll for it at the turnpike gate on his way thither ? Sup 
 ply and demand regulate price ; it falls with increased supply 
 and rises with increased demand." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 53 
 
 The relation of the Banking system to the slavery question 
 is not so obvious as that of the tariff. But in the develop 
 ment of party measures growing out of the administration of 
 Andrew Jackson, hard money, as well as free trade (except so 
 far as a tariff was an essential to the National revenue), be 
 came, along with slavery, a " Southern measure" at least the 
 strength of those measures was among the Southern politi 
 cians. Mr. Genin opposed Jackson. Accordingly, he be 
 came a champion of banking institutions, and a defender of 
 particular systems of banking. He studied the subject as a 
 political economist. He wrote of it as a philosopher, as well 
 as a partizan. A few of his essays on the general subject 
 will be found worthy of careful reading. They will appear 
 in the proper connection in this volume. 
 
 Mr. Genin was among the first to see the necessity of a re 
 form in Postal Laws. Cheap postage, he argued, would en 
 courage letter writing, strengthen social relationship, greatly 
 increase the spread of knowledge, and in various ways " pay," 
 in other senses than putting money into the treasury. And 
 he prophesied wisely as the result proved that cheap post 
 age would increase the revenue. The following petition to 
 Congress was drawn up by him in 1843. It is worthy of 
 preservation for the soundness of its reasoning, and the sage 
 wisdom it embodies : 
 
 " The undersigned, citizens of Belmont county, Ohio, re 
 quest that the postage be reduced to five cents on all letters 
 for all distances, not exceeding a half an ounce in weight ; 
 and that three cents be added for each additional half ounce ; 
 and that all printed matter be charged indiscriminately one 
 half cent per sheet of five hundred square inches and that 
 the franking privilege be abolished, because, 
 
 " 1. It will promote the public convenience to effect which 
 measures should be taken, whether they defray their own ex 
 penses or not next to measures of national defence, we could 
 scarcely be taxed for a greater good, if taxation would be 
 necessary to supply a deficiency which we do not admit For, 
 
 " 2. It will increase the revenue Thousands of business in 
 quiries will be made, which the present high rates discourage. 
 
54: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 The trunks and pockets of travellers will be disburdened of 
 lettters, private express will be discontinued, as well as other 
 rivals of the public mails. The affections will le cultivated, 
 and the Union cemented, for more than one-third the whole 
 population of the United States has migrated, and but for the 
 present prohibitive rates of postage would keep up an exten 
 sive correspondence with old friends and connections. Thus 
 the western social attrition would cast its. brightness on the 
 east, and the latter reciprocate the intelligence. 
 
 " 3. It will advance the cause of education As well by the 
 rapid interchange of productions, as by inducing correspond 
 ence between relatives and acquaintances, whose mutual crit 
 icism would greatly improve. Nor should those States, from 
 whose citizens the larger part of the revenue will be raised, 
 because of their capacity to write, object to this reduction, as 
 it seconds their policy. According to Dr. Isaac Watts and 
 other good authorities, nothing confirms the acquirements of 
 the stident and contributes to his improvement so much as 
 6 frequent and accurate composition.' 5: 
 
 Mr. Genin had ceased to be young when the railroad inter 
 est appeared in the community where he lived. It would 
 have been natural for one of advanced years to take a con 
 scientious view of the policy, and either appear or remain 
 silent in regard to the enterprise. On the contrary, he threw 
 himself with his constitutional vigor into this new arid better 
 method of developing the resources of the country. And not 
 only did he advocate the building of railroads, but he bent his 
 energies to the task of comprehending the principles on which 
 they should be built. He wrote of railroads, not only on the 
 score of their utility, but also in reference to topographical 
 conditions of their construction. He also saw at what points 
 railroads should touch; where they should find termini. 
 The course of valleys, the height of hills, the practicability 
 of bridging rivers, the natural centres of trade all these 
 things are discussed in a series of articles in the Belmont 
 Chronicle, entitled " Railroad to Wheeling." 
 
 As illustrative of his proclivity to master the science as 
 well as the financial importance of public enterprises, the fol- 
 
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH. 55 
 
 lowing essay entitled " A Word on Railroads," is worthy of 
 an insertion in this connection : 
 
 " Railroads are most cheap, permanent, and easily kept in 
 repair, when made on dividing ridges. Cheap, because the 
 earth to be removed is thrown downward, and immense quan 
 tities of it may be removed at less expense than the making 
 of a few feet of bridge in creek bottoms, near the mouths of 
 the numerous small rivulets, that fall into the creeks on either 
 side. Permanent, because exempt from the action of great 
 accumulations of water, which at times, covers the bottoms, 
 or sweep down the ravines, and are easily kept in repair ; be 
 cause the great changer of the earth's surface, the rain, has 
 power to do mischief according to the square of the distance 
 from the top of the ridge. As one looks from the top of a 
 dividing ridge, to the right and left, he sees the earth torn out 
 or gullied, deeper and deeper, in exact proportion to the rain 
 drops, concentrating into masses, acquired the strength of 
 union at first moderately indenting the soft earth, but, 
 farther down, breaking through the rocky strata, and forming 
 lofty precipices. Thus nature certifies as to where a railroad 
 may be most advantageously made. Ridge routes may be 
 shortened, from the ease with which, hills may be thrown into 
 hollows ; and the road, when done, is really done, and is not 
 to be rebuilt after every flood. Even if it cost more at first it 
 will prove cheapest in the end ; but it will be found cheapest 
 both first and last. 
 
 " Had I not seen how difficult it was for some road makers 
 to comprehend that the handle of a bucket is no longer when 
 lying down on the side of the bucket, than when standing 
 over it, I should not have thought I could throw any light 
 upon this subject. The locators of the national turnpike do 
 not seem to have understood this problem of the bucket 
 handle, more than King George comprehended how the apple 
 got into the dumpling ; a sad memorial of this exists about one 
 mile east of St. Clairsville, known as the hill of accidents. I 
 last week, at the request of the. driver, with all others in the 
 stage, got out and walked down the hill in the night, in a 
 
56 THOMAS HEDGES GENE*. 
 
 snow storm, reflecting that a similar curve extended sideways 
 to the right, would have saved us the trouble, and that possi 
 bly the Lord sent the ground, but the devil the engineer, as in 
 the case of the victuals and the cooks." 
 
 Mr. Genin's practical interest in agriculture is evinced in 
 the elaborate addresses he gave on the subject, which, for 
 most part, are presented in this volume. They evince original 
 thought, and have durable merit. 
 
 His essays " On the Preservation of Morals and Causes of 
 their Decline," published in the Wheeling Gazette, in 1821, 
 are also included in the present compilation. 
 
 Mr. Genin had what is often called a "literary turn." It 
 was a necessity with him to write. Had there been no such 
 art as that of writing, it would seem that he must have in 
 vented it. His tendencies required such a vehicle of thought, 
 such a method of communication. In early youth, as his ora 
 tion before the "Union Humane Society" in 1818 shows, he 
 had the faults of that gift or necessity. The rhetoric is stilted, 
 declamatory, and not a few of the sentences are over- wrought. 
 This, as the other papers evince, he rapidly outgrew, and his 
 style losing nothing in force became more natural. He is 
 always quaint. He is never feeble. He never wants for epi 
 thets. Comparisons came at his call. He is sarcastic, vehe 
 ment, searching. He never palters in a double sense. Am 
 biguity is at the furthest remote from being among his faults. 
 He had genius, and of course, the oddities which always ac 
 company genius. He was in a marked degree of eminence, 
 an Original Man. 
 
 Of the poetical works reprinted in this volume something 
 must be said. Particularly in regard to the greater poem, 
 "The Napolead, in Twelve Books," an interesting history 
 might be written. In a prosaic age, almost entirely given to 
 utilitarian pursuits, and in the least noble sense of the word 
 utilitarian, the attempt to write an epic seems a piece of 
 
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCH. 5? 
 
 audacity. The immediate impulse is to sneer at such insane 
 presumption, and gibbet the adventurer without the form of 
 accusation trial or sentence. And here we feel the necessity 
 of rescuing our author from the contempt a majority of read 
 ers will be inclined to bestow upon him, and this prior to all 
 examination, of the merits or demerits of the "Napolead," by 
 bringing before them at once, a statement which will be an 
 assurance that such rash judgment is not safe. 
 
 John Quincy Adams read the "JSTapolead," and was so af 
 fected by it, that he wrote the author a letter of thanks as a 
 matter of duty. De Witt Clinton gave it strong expressions 
 of approbation. Henry Clay wrote the author a favorable 
 judgment. The details will be given presently, but we 
 feel the necessity of thrusting the names of those witnesses at 
 once upon the reader's attention. John Quincy Adams was 
 himself a poet; he was a master in the realms of literature 
 and belles-lettres ; he was a judge of the merits even of epic 
 poetry. He may have over-estimated the " Napolead," or he 
 may not. Surely, whatever its imperfections, it must have 
 had extraordinary merits to have taken so much of the pre 
 cious time of that veteran scholar, and move him to put his 
 name to a letter of approbation. We cannot err, therefore, 
 in assuring ourselves of the reader's respectful attention, 
 while we give a condensed history of a poem which was ex 
 traordinary in its pretentious, and to which its author fully 
 believed time, which proves all things, would at last give the 
 infallible signet of approbation. 
 
 On examining a bundle of documents relating to this poem, 
 we find that proposals for publishing it by subscription were 
 issued at the city of 'New York, on 20th November, 1815. 
 The Columbian of llth January, 1816, edited by Wm. B. 
 Irwin, the Evening Post by Coleman, and Commercial Adver 
 tiser by Stone, of the same month, contain extracts from dif 
 ferent Cantos of the Poem without comment. 
 
 On the 14th January, 1816, the New York National Advo 
 cate, edited by Andrew Caldwell Mitchell, has a notice of the 
 poem, in which it says: "It is impossible to give a correct 
 
58 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 opinion of a whole work of which we have only seen a part ; 
 of that which we have seen, however, we feel no hesitation to 
 speak ; and our opinion is decidedly in favor of its merit. 
 There appears a vast deal of poetic fancy, and imagery, which 
 declares the author to possess that genius which ca-i alone 
 excel in this branch of literature" " The following is an ex 
 tract from the book we have seen (the 6th), and the reader will 
 perceive the fanciful and poetic arrangement of the author. 
 He has chosen Homer as his model ; and throughout he per 
 sonifies and gives corporeal agency to the passions, the attri 
 butes, the motives, and even the seasons when introduced." 
 The same was endorsed by the Long Island Star, January 31, 
 1816, edited by Aldeii Spooner, who publishes the same ex 
 tract. On the 24th of June, 1816, the National Advocate 
 contains a more extended notice of the work, stating that the 
 author maintains throughout his machinery one chain of rea 
 soning, showing the secret hand of Deity directing all events by 
 a variety of agents ; and adds : " while we do not announce 
 this as a faultless production, we feel a pride and pleasure in 
 recommending it as one of considerable merit, doing honor to 
 the genius of our country, and well deserving of encourage 
 ment." 
 
 Extracts from the poem were published in several successive 
 issues of the paper. For that of July 3, 1816, is the following 
 deprecatory notice from the Albany Advertiser, edited by 
 Theodore D wight, a Federalist. 
 
 " A new epic poem, in twelve cantos, called the Napolead, 
 by a native genius, is announced in the New York National 
 Advocate, as ready for the press. If his cantos are only of a 
 moderate length, the author must work quick if he has already 
 made up a poem worth the trouble of publication. In old 
 times it used to be a serious job to make a poem. "We mean 
 when such men as Milton and Dry den and Pope wrote." 
 
 " The foregoing remarks," said the Advocate, " are from the 
 dapper pen of Domine Dwight, ex-Secretary of the Hartford 
 Convention. That he should be the first to throw a stone at 
 a performance as yet novel in America, was perfectly in 
 character. We would rebuke his editorial sarcasm rather 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 59 
 
 from the anti- American feeling it displays, and the prejudices 
 it harbors, than from any motive of reflecting merit on the 
 Napolead, which, although far from faultless in its present 
 state, still, contains more beauties, more management, and 
 more poetic fancy than we have before met with in the genius 
 of America^ when directed to the arrangement of an epic 
 poem. 'By a native genius?' This is enough to awaken 
 his ire. Heavens ! can any man write an epic poem on this 
 side of the Atlantic who was not born, bred and educated in 
 the land of the Lord's anointed ? No, this would be a crime 
 against doctrine and creed," etc. To this Mr. Dwight rejoins : 
 
 " By some strange fatality we are peculiarly unfortunate in 
 all our intercourse with the enlightened editor of the National 
 Advocate. We used the words ' by a native genius ' to ex 
 press our gratification that the work was not foreign. We are 
 very friendly indeed to native genius. We hope soon to see 
 the epic, and promise to be pleased with it, if it is a good 
 one." 
 
 Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, December, 1815, endorses on the 
 first canto, that, " This composition evinces respectable powers 
 of mind, and a promising talent for versification. The rule 
 among the critics is, that there should be unity of action, and 
 a fortunate issue. It does not instantly appear how these two 
 requisites will be embraced in the poem. The personifications 
 of Philanthropy, Policy and Intrigue are perhaps the best 
 parts of the first book." 
 
 Gales & Seaton wrote : " From the cursory examination we 
 have given the work, we think it possesses merit." 
 
 The foregoing are notices of the poem while in manuscript. 
 In the fall of 1833 it was printed. No bookseller was inter 
 ested in it. A few copies were sent to individuals of distinction 
 in politics or letters. Henry Clay writes, April 21, 1835, that 
 " he had received a copy about a year previous, and hopes to 
 be excused for the omission to make in proper time his ac 
 knowledgments for the author's friendly attention and for the 
 pleasure derived from the perusal of the poem." 
 
 John Q. Adams writes a characteristic letter, which we give 
 without abridgment : 
 
60 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 "WASHINGTON, 9th May, 1835. 
 "THOMAS H. GENIN, ESQ., St. Clainnrffle, Ohio. 
 
 " SIK, The receipt of your poem, the Napolead, ought to 
 have been acknowledged many months since. My thanks for 
 your kindness in sending it to me should have accompanied 
 the acknowledgment, and the merit of the work was entitled 
 to a testimonial from me, which should not have 'been withheld. 
 Perhaps a prejudice against the subject of it has contributed 
 to the delay, which I cannot undertake to justify. Please to 
 accept my grateful thanks now, and believe me to be, very re 
 spectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 "J. Q. ADAMS." 
 
 " I forward with this a copy (bound) of an Oration upon 
 the Life and Character of Lafayette, of which I request your 
 acceptance." 
 
 On the 22d October, 1834, the Washington National In 
 telligencer contained a column and more of extracts from the 
 poem, with the suggestion that " the question whether Southey, 
 Cowper or Milton would have managed the subject better than 
 Mr. Genin, could be answered forty years hence with more 
 certainty than now." 
 
 By comparing dates, one may reasonably suspect this notice 
 induced Messrs. Clay and Adams to read the poem. 
 
 Mr. John Duffie, editor of the Journal and Enquirer, of 
 St. Clairsville, in the fall of 1834, rebuked Adam Waldie, 
 proprietor of the " Journal of Belles-Lettres," of Philadelphia, 
 for misquoting from the Napolead ; and then, without point 
 ing out any defect, attempting to sneer at it in five columns 
 of nonsense. To which Waldie replies, that " it argues little 
 judgment in Duffie to bolster up the attempt of Mr. Genin 
 for the London Athenaeum says of the Napolead : 
 
 " ' The days of epics, we suspect, are gone by ; or if they are 
 to be charmed back, it is not by Mr. Genin. Twelve books 
 of blank verse corresponding with Adam Smith's definition of 
 blank verse, that which has neither rhyme nor reason, are 
 something beyond an ordinary dose ; and we freely confess 
 that we could only swallow but a small part of the same. The 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 61 
 
 subject is too high and vast a one to be grasped by other hands 
 than the strongest.' ' 
 
 To this Duffie rejoins: " After this who will doubt the 
 sources from whence Waldie gets his astonishing powers of 
 discoursing upon men and books. Is it possible that neither 
 Homer, nor Virgil, nor Milton, nor Shakespeare, after all we 
 have heard of them, were men without rhyme or reason." 
 
 Joseph R. Chandler states in his paper of 1834, concerning 
 the Napolead, substantially^ " The genius of America has at 
 length achieved an epic poem, but it should have been written 
 in rhyme." 
 
 The New York Sunday Morning News of May 22, 1836, 
 contains a notice of the work said to have been written by 
 James Nack. He says : 
 
 " The author anticipates in a well written preface some of 
 the objections that may be urged against his poem ; but with 
 whatever ingenuity these objections are combatted, we cannot 
 forbear bringing them forward ; and, first of all, we object to 
 the subject. The career of Napoleon is of itself a magnificent 
 romance, to which fiction can add nothing without impairing 
 the interest. But the machinery is the most serious defect of 
 this poem, infusing into it a narcotic property. The insipid 
 ity of allegory has been fatal to more celebrated poets. All 
 the beauty and splendor of Spenser's genius cannot prevent a 
 feeling of languor from stealing upon the reader, whenever 
 personages are introduced, whose very names remind us that 
 they have only a figurative existence. It would have been 
 better for Mr. Genin to have dispensed with machinery alto 
 gether. It is no more essential to constitute a modern epic 
 than a chorus to entitle Shakspere's Othello to the. appellation 
 of a tragedy. Notwithstanding the serious defect we have 
 noticed, it must be allowed to contain many passages of great 
 merit ; and as an instance, we quote the spirited and pictur 
 esque description of Murat leading to the charge." 
 
 Gen. Lewis Cass, writing to the Hon. Benjamin Euggles, 
 from Paris, 9th June, 1841, says : " I have read the work of 
 Mr. Genin with great interest, and I think, considering the 
 difficulty of the subject, that he has acquitted himself of his 
 
62 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 task with no little ability. Many of his lines breathe the spirit 
 of poetry" 
 
 Professor IS". T. Cunningham writes, October 30, 1844, to 
 the author : " I have read your volume with much pleasure, 
 also with instruction. Want of time forbids my noticing par 
 ticular passages, especially where I "find so much to admire : 
 though I think I was most pleased with the sixth canto, in 
 part, owing to the excitement of the subject ; but principally 
 to the eloquent and masterly manner in which those thrilling 
 scenes are depicted. It has been said, with some justness, 
 that imagination could add nothing to the romance of Napo 
 leon's career ; but I think that you, without any attempt at 
 exaggeration, or straining after effect, have succeeded in 
 throwing around his history an additional charm and interest." 
 
 The New York Dispatch, of February T, 1858, contains 
 comparisons of descriptions of similar matters in the Iliad, 
 Paradise Lost and Napolead to show the manner in which 
 different authors use the same idea as to duty of station the 
 scales of fate and gigantic stature, conceding that as the 
 same nature is attempted to be described by all the poets, 
 there would be resemblances of description though each were 
 ignorant of the other's works. 
 
 " The Yast may, or may not be sublime, according to the 
 capacity of the reader. If it elevates and refreshes the mind 
 without causing an emotion of the ridiculous, it generally 
 approaches the grand or sublime. A man may be sublime in 
 action or sentiment ; but the vast in stature must be of ideal 
 beings. To be efficiently sublime, the idea should be easily 
 comprehended. Homer says Olympus was shaken by the nod 
 of Jupiter. This impresses most readers more forcibly than 
 the idea of immensity being moved, notwithstanding the in 
 finitely superior vastness of the effect of the deity's motion." 
 
 On the 19th of September, 1860, the Eev. J. M. Hedges 
 writes from Herkimer, N. Y. : "I have seen in the New York 
 Mercury some fine extracts from the Napolead ; by which 
 some critic has called attention to some passages of sublimity 
 found in that poem which gratifies me, as a proof, that it 
 has, what Milton desired for his poem, < a fit audience, though 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 63 
 
 few,' of appreciative and admiring readers. I did not pre 
 serve the number from which I cut out this enclosed criti 
 cism ; I think it was dated some time in October, 1859." 
 
 From the Mercury: "We take great pleasure in laying 
 before our gossipers a communication from a gentleman styl 
 ing himself ' Z.' He is evidently a scholar of quick discern 
 ment, and fully able to appreciate the sublime in poetry." 
 
 " ' On reading the poets I have sometimes underscored lines 
 that appeared to me sublime in sentiment or in description, 
 or particularly beautiful with a curve, serpentine or straight 
 line, to distinguish each kind. On looking back through the 
 pages read in past years, I find the mark denoting the sublime 
 in sentiment far less frequent than the others. Notwithstand 
 ing a supposed mental servility to English literature, an Ameri 
 can poem, which I read some twenty-five years ago, contains 
 more marked passages of this description than others of con 
 siderable celebrity. My attention was called to it by Joseph 
 R. Chandler, of Philadelphia, who stated in his newspaper 
 notice of the Napolead, that the genius of this country had at 
 length achieved an epic poem. Learning too that it was 
 written in Wall Street by a New Yorker, I felt the more 
 inclined to look into it, and on doing so, was thankful to Mr. 
 Chandler for his hint.' " 
 
 We add a few remarks on the foregoing notices of the 
 poem. 
 
 The history of literature shows that the world has been 
 slow in coming to an agreement on the merit of epic poems. 
 The unlucky judgments passed on them in former times and 
 reversed by posterity, have made the more capable critics un 
 willing to express opinions, and the incapable to sneer with 
 out pointing out beauties or defects, as dogs bark at the moon. 
 Some prefer to let the poem speak for itself by extracts ; oth 
 ers, while they praise very justly, claim it is not faultless 
 and recognize again the impossibility of perfection. 
 
 The subject and the machinery are objected to by Mr. 
 Nack. Still Dr. Mitchell thinks the. personifications of Philan 
 thropy, Policy and Intrigue are, perhaps, the best parts of the 
 first book. Possibly as he was an M. D. as well as an LL. D., 
 
64: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 he took a utilitarian view of the machinery, as adding to the 
 materia medica a useful narcotic. 
 
 The subject of the poem seems to be an object of general 
 distrust. It is thought too vast, and the poem likely to fail 
 in those matters of which statesmen take cognizance. But a 
 work that gave Henry Clay pleasure in the perusal ; that De- 
 Witt Clinton averred bore the stamp of immortality ; that 
 John Q. Adams writes of as possessing merit which entitled 
 it to a testimonial from him, that should not have been with 
 held a merit discerned in spite of his admitted prejudice 
 against the subject ; that Gales & Seaton considered meri 
 torious ; that Professor Cunningham approved for good rea 
 sons assigned ; that J. R. Chandler pronounced a success in 
 epic poetry ; that Lewis Cass read with great interest, and 
 thought, considering the difficulty of the subject, evinced great 
 ability in the author, such a work cannot be supposed to 
 have materially fallen short in the intelligence in which these 
 men were so distinguished. E~o subject of any book has yet 
 been exhausted. The most one can do is to treat a subject 
 well as far as it is discussed. Neither the London Atkenceum, 
 nor the other commentators on this poem have pointed out 
 any mismanagement of, or failure to treat the subject prop 
 erly. They seem to see in it a mountain they will not ven 
 ture to ascend ; and, therefore, deem it presumption in others 
 to attempt the ascent. 
 
 The subject of the poem is " vast ;" but, as far as explored, 
 from the above testimony, it has probably been well treated. 
 The author could not furnish brains as well as ideas, nor taste 
 for the grand and sublime to minds of no affinity for such 
 things ; which the Editor of the London Athenceum supposes 
 possible to be done by a poet of great genius, when he speaks 
 of " charming back an epic age." We would like to know 
 when such an age existed ? It was not. when Homer was so 
 little heeded that seven cities disputed as to which of them 
 he appertained. It was not in Tasso's or Milton's time. Al 
 though such writers animate the literature of long periods, 
 they have been slow in coming to the knowledge of the 
 masses. There has been, and will be in any age, but few who 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 65 
 
 take great delight in their majestic march of thought and 
 expression. These few will shape the judgment of the many ; 
 though they cannot impart to them the mind needed to feel 
 and enjoy the dignity and beauty of epic poetry. Hence 
 there are many who own and praise Paradise Lost without 
 reading much of it. 
 
 It is the style and spirit of a poem that make it interest 
 ing ; not its fortunate or unfortunate issue, nor its structure 
 with machinery or without it. In illustration of this, we 
 might refer to two translations of the Iliad. The unity of 
 action and successful termination is the same in both ; but 
 the tame and spiritless one is neglected, while that of the most 
 spirit and beauty of style is eagerly sought. An epic poem is 
 not expected to be a treatise on politics, strategy or tactics ; 
 but it should be correct on all matters of which it incident 
 ally treats. 
 
 The machinery in the JSTapolead might be abridged in some 
 parts of the work. Its action in the Sixth Canto is too long ; 
 but to dispense with it altogether is not desirable. It adds to 
 the vivacity of expression, instead of enumerating the reasons 
 that lead to a wise or prudent conclusion, and stating the 
 objections thereto, suggested by Pride or Vanity, these prin 
 ciples are given tongue, grace of form and action, and make 
 speeches in support of their respective views. It is probably 
 not more metaphysical than was originally the theogony of 
 the Greeks, Mars representing the principle of War, Yenus of 
 Love, Minerva of Wisdom, etc. 
 
 The Chevalier Ramsay claims to have discovered a resem 
 blance in all the mythologies of the nations bordering on the 
 Mediterranean Sea, growing out of the nature of things. All 
 have a supreme, a middle or atoning power, and a good prin 
 ciple opposed to the principle of evil. The author of the !N"a- 
 polead calls the principles by names significant of their na 
 ture ; not confining himself to one or another mythology for 
 names. He designates the Supreme God by the appellations 
 of Jove, Jehovah, Lord of Nature, Almighty : so Mars, War, 
 Discord, are used as synonymous words. The prosopopoeia is 
 in frequent use. While it is conceded that the reader's knowl- 
 5 
 
66 THOMAS HEDGES GENEN. 
 
 edge of the physical non-existence of the speaker or actor less 
 ens his pleasure, it may be claimed that his pleasure would be 
 still less without the vivacity of the oratorical manner of state 
 ment. The half loaf may be worth acceptance, since beings 
 more real for machinery cannot now be had. 
 
 The writer in the 'New York Dispatch seems, in effect, to 
 yield the palm of sublimity to the ISTapolead touching the nod 
 of Jupiter ; but offers a rule for its efficiency that would de 
 grade the epic Muse. He says it must be easily compre 
 hended to be efficient. Cotton might well have offered this 
 argument in justification, of his travestie of the Iliad. It is 
 better to raise mortals than bring down angels to their level ; 
 but when it can be done without sacrifice of dignity, an author 
 
 " Should let his words so well be plann'd 
 That blockheads can't misunderstand." 
 
 It is an amusing conceit that the sublime depends not on 
 its intrinsic merit or quality ; but on the capacity of the 
 reader. A volcano can shake a mountain ; but the Deity 
 alone can move immensity. In the Napolead the weighing 
 of the destinies seems to be a mental operation. In Paradise 
 Lost it is stated that the scales are yet on hand " betwixt 
 astrea and the scorpion sign," and the work was accomplished 
 by such physical appliances that Satan saw the operation, and 
 fled murmuring. The party vanquished in the struggle has 
 the lightest scale in the Napolead and Paradise Lost, and the 
 heaviest in the Iliad. 
 
 The plain sense of the Napolead is " that the Deity heard 
 the prayer of Alexander, and considered the respective merit 
 of France and Russia, and found that the merit of Russia was 
 greatest, and rendered judgment accordingly." The scales is 
 a mere figure of speech to describe the mental operation. 
 Which writer has used it most aptly or awkwardly we will 
 not undertake to decide. Homer describes the article as gol 
 den, Milton as composed of material globes, Genin as consist 
 ing of consideration. Jove could have decided quite as well 
 without the gold, or the globes ; but consideration was indis 
 pensable. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 67 
 
 An author may be glad to see his work condemned by per 
 sons of small capacity, as it shows the work is above the level 
 of their minds ; particularly if the same work is commended 
 by such men as DeWitt Clinton, J. Q. Adams, Lewis Cass, 
 and others above-quoted. 
 
 In 1816 the Federalists were abusive and the Democrats 
 eulogistic of Napoleon. Hence, probably, the former pub 
 lished extracts from the poem without comment, the latter 
 commented and approved. It may be inferred that the Fed 
 eral Editors saw something of merit in the poem, which re 
 strained their partisan action against its hero. Of the extracts 
 given by the Editors only two lines are repeated, showing that 
 interesting passages are not scarce. When carpers give no 
 reasons, we infer they have none to give. 
 
 The London Athenaeum refutes itself ; has " swallowed but 
 a small part" and assigns no error as to that part ; but in his 
 thoughtlessness the Editor runs foul of Shakespeare, Milton, 
 and others. Though all the greater epic poets have nourished 
 in spite of discouragements, he suspects the days of epics have 
 gone by, as if there had ever been a time when they were gen 
 erally patronized. 
 
 The writer in the National Intelligencer, without deciding 
 that the subject is impracticable, suggests that the question, 
 whether it could have been managed better by Southey, Cow- 
 per or Milton, than by Genin, could be answered forty years 
 hence with more certainty than now and giving no opinion, 
 furnishes extracts, that the poem may speak for itself. 
 
 May we infer from this that he doubted whether those 
 poets could have managed the subject better than Genin ? 
 
 The subject affords thought for many volumes ; but Genin 
 has not seen fit to discuss it beyond one volume ; and it should 
 not be expected that he would accomplish more than he in 
 tended. 
 
 In his biography of his son, Sylvester the lawyer and artist 
 he publishes one of his own letters, addressed to the son, in 
 the course of which is a characteristic allusion to the "!N"a- 
 polead." He was always conscious of the seeming presump 
 tion of venturing upon so ambitious a literary enterprise. Hence 
 
68 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 lie had no vanity in regard to it no conceit. He was con 
 scious, in a judicial way, that the poem had merit, and he 
 would not undervalue his own abilities by any affectation of 
 delicacy. This appears in the following extract from the let 
 ter alluded to : 
 
 " I would not advise one to attempt an epic poem, or even to 
 cultivate poetry beyond a portion of one's leisure, yet I would 
 not annihilate what I have done in poetry, or abandon its 
 enjoyment, for any pecuniary consideration. I should dislike 
 the responsibility of advising one to a course, in which the 
 chances of failure so far outnumber the chances of success : 
 and in which success itself is scarce discoverable, except by pos 
 terity. The same feeling makes one distrust his own judgment, 
 when he views what seems excellencies in the higher efforts 
 of literature and the arts, if made by a contemporary as to 
 whose merits the world has not yet agreed. I do not recol 
 lect of any one speaking otherwise than discouragingly to me 
 of the i Napolead,' except De Witt Clinton and Dr. Samuel 
 L. Mitchell, who at the same time cautioned me against ex 
 pecting any temporal advantages from it. My literary friends, 
 of less capacity, while they professed to admire my short pieces, 
 could see nothing but presumption in my attempting an epic. 
 This is so natural that I am surprised to have found an exception, 
 or a Clinton ; for I am not sure but he determined the opinion 
 of Dr. Mitchell." 
 
 With this literary history of the poem we leave the Napolead 
 with the reader. 
 
 Of the other poems in this volume, all save " The Fatal 
 Disunion," " A JSTew Year's Address," and " To the Flag of our 
 Union," appear in print for the first time. They are formed 
 on the plan of the older poets. The author's taste had been 
 formed by the reading of Dry den, Pope, and Thomson, before 
 the advent of Tennyson, and most of the American poets. 
 The manuscript betrays great care in composing ; the inter 
 lineations and alterations are numerous showing that in their 
 present form they are matured products, not spontaneous ut- 
 
BIOGEAPHIOAL SKETCH. 69 
 
 terances. They exhibit an extraordinary faculty for versifica 
 tion. The rythm is near perfection. They are not unworthy 
 of the pen that produced the great poem, which challenged 
 the admiration of John Quincy Adams and other literary- 
 masters. 
 
 In regard more particularly to " The Fatal Disunion," we 
 must add, that the approval of a few literary masters, and the 
 sneers of others not so well known to fame, awaited it. It was 
 a production of youth, making its appearance when the author 
 was but twenty years old. It may be well to insert an article 
 in reference to it, which appeared in the Olive Branch for 
 March 24, 1820, published in Circleville, Ohio, over the signa 
 ture of " Alpha," with which we shall leave the Poetical "Works 
 to the discrimination and judgment of the reader : 
 
 " The Americans have been accused by Europeans of being 
 devoid of poetical genius, because no poet equal to Homer, 
 Yirgil, or Milton, has appeared among us. Our libellers have 
 been ably answered by Jefferson and others. But it is a mel 
 ancholy fact, that we have produced but few poets ; though 
 Dwight, Barlow, and Trumbull, have sung in numbers as last 
 ing as our language, and have raised monuments to their fame 
 which will stand unimpaired by the ravages of time, until their 
 and our slanderers are buried in oblivion. 
 
 " But there are substantial reasons for our producing so few 
 poets, founded on our state of society. In Europe, rewards 
 are held out to genius, which are wanting here. There 
 rulers have patronized the poet, by conferring distinguished 
 honors upon him ; by giving an annual stipend, ample enough 
 in many cases to support him in ease, if not in affluence. 
 Critics there have been men of character, of high standing as 
 scholars, as men of talents, and of virtue. They never suffer 
 themselves to become mere 'word catchers,' or, as Horace 
 calls them, ' anceps verborvm? The moral aim of the author 
 is looked at in remarking on his productions. Such critics 
 never suffer themselves to descend to ribaldry and low abuse. 
 Modest merit is not unceremoniously trampled under foot. 
 As the eagle teaches her young to adventure on the feeble 
 
70 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 wing, in short essays, around the nest, so the able critic teaches 
 the truant Muse how to soar, until rising aloft on its full- 
 grown wings, it is lost to human sight in the full effulgence of 
 the raid-day sun. Such is the state of things in Europe, which 
 have produced the proud results we behold. 
 
 "But how changed is the scene here! We have a few 
 literary men who love learning for her own sake, scattered over 
 a vast extent of country, without patronage themselves, with 
 out political power, because they scorn to stoop to the low 
 arts by which only it can be obtained or preserved themselves 
 pelted in every dirty newspaper ; by every low wretch, who 
 wishes to prevent their rising in the estimation of the public. 
 They droop the wing, they cower beneath the frown of the 
 political quack, the illiterate ignoramus, and the anonymous 
 libeller. No sooner does some writer appear possessed of 
 genius, zeal, literature, and science, than every worthless 
 creature who can write his name, pounces upon him, in some 
 little newspaper. To contend with such wretches would de 
 grade any decent man ; to put up with the abuse unanswered, 
 would render him unpopular with the common people, as 
 wanting the spirit to defend himself. In such a dilemma, he 
 gives up all thoughts of attending to literary pursuits, and 
 turns to some professional business. Here and there one, in 
 despite of all that these worthless wretches, these self-styled, 
 would-be critics can do, boldy presses forward in his literary 
 career, until a want of patronage, and the urgent demands 
 of creditors, compel him to desist in his efforts, which, in a 
 different state of society, might have led him to fame as well 
 as to wealth. Others again, though never persecuted by this 
 low tribe of writers, because having no patron to bring their 
 works before the public eye, like the flowers in a wide wilder 
 ness, ' are born to blush unseen, and waste their sweetness on 
 the desert air.' 
 
 " These reflections pressed themselves upon my mind, on 
 carefully perusing the work whose title stands at the head of 
 this communication. Mr. Genin is a young man of much 
 promise, who now resides, and for several years past has resided 
 at St. Clairsville in this State." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 71 
 
 The personal peculiarities of Thomas H. Genin were very 
 striking. Socrates was " odd." In the same sense he was 
 u odd." Men of genius are usually eccentric at least they 
 seem so. Acting from themselves, rather than from what is 
 conventional, they impress with a sense of oddity those whose 
 law is the way " they" do it. 
 
 Mr. Genin was in his habits and manners a law unto himself. 
 He was simply himself. He was very hospitable ; and his recep 
 tion of friends was cordial. He assumed that his visitors knew 
 this could see it in his manner. Hence he seldom expressed 
 satisfaction on receiving them ; never urged them to " stay 
 longer" when they proposed leaving. To ask a man to stay 
 longer than he intended to stay, was to know better than that 
 Mend his own business ! It was to ask him to appropriate 
 for the benefit of his host time he had need to employ else 
 where ! And this was no fancy, no affectation. It was his 
 philosophy ; and he acted always from principle. But he had 
 a way of inducing friends to stay longer, when sure that in so 
 doing they would make no sacrifice. An amusing instance 
 may be here related. 
 
 Mr. John K Genin, of New York so noted in the Jenny 
 Lind epoch, and usually spoken of as " Genin, the New York 
 Hatter" was a nephew of Thomas H. Genin. When he vis 
 ited his uncle the satisfaction of the latter was expressed in 
 every way save the formal. When he left, the regret of the 
 uncle was unmistakable; who, however, never so much as 
 asked him not to hurry his departure. On occasion of one 
 visit, John the nephew reminded Mr. Genin that his large and 
 and valuable Cincinnati property needed looking after; and 
 he proposed on leaving to make a trip to the Queen City and 
 attend to the business suggested. This would add about a 
 week to his absence from his own business ; and he proposed 
 doing this. 
 
 "Have you time, John, to remain so much longer from 
 home ? Can you spare the extra week, to look after my Cin 
 cinnati interests, as well as not ?" 
 
 The nephew, presuming his proposition was to be accepted, 
 
Y2 THOMAS HEDGES GENEN. 
 
 promptly answered, that without any detriment to his business 
 or other duties, he could stay from home a week longer. 
 "Well, then," said the uncle, "stay here!" 
 
 Mr. Genin was a man of extraordinary courage. Like Nel 
 son, he never knew fear. In the midst of danger he was self- 
 possessed, and could act with judgment. He was known to 
 be a man of great property ; and it was known that he kept 
 large amounts of money and other portable valuables in his 
 house. And as his house was away from the village, alone by 
 itself, he was certainly in great danger at the hands of thieves 
 and other desperate characters. Late in life, he had no one 
 in the house save his housekeeper. Yet with a full knowledge 
 of his dangerous situation, he usually slept on a ground floor, 
 with loaded gun ready for thief, robber, or burglar. And the 
 situation did not even affect his imagination. 
 
 One night, returning to his home, he passed a grove. In 
 the grove he could descry the forms of several desperate look 
 ing men, evidently seeking to conceal themselves from his 
 sight, intending, no doubt, to spring upon, waylay him, and 
 rob him. All this flashed upon him at sight. With strange 
 coolness and presence of mind, he affected to draw a concealed 
 weapon, and hold it in readiness for attack ! He affected this, 
 but was in fact defenceless. But the ruse was successful, till 
 he got somewhat in advance of them. Then with his utmost 
 speed he ran for his home. The robbers pursued, but were 
 not able to overtake him till it became too much of a risk for 
 them to continue the game. Entering his house, he saw that 
 the robbers had been there. There lay his housekeeper on the 
 floor in a state of insensibility, and bleeding from blows which 
 the desperadoes had dealt her ! They evidently supposed they 
 had killed her. But not being able to discover the valuables, 
 they had watched the return of the proprietor, probably ex 
 pecting to extort a disclosure, and then perhaps act on the 
 maxim that "dead men tell no tales." The housekeeper's 
 wounds happily did not prove fatal ; and on her restoration 
 she told the tale of the violent entrance and murderous assault. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Y3 
 
 The occasion was a warning to Mr. Genin to remove his val 
 uables to a safer place of deposit ; and to have other men in 
 his house. But with original tactics, he proposed to plan a 
 different sort of protection. He had his bed moved to the 
 chamber. In the floor of the chamber he had three holes cut, 
 and the opening filled with loose pieces of board, which could 
 be easily removed. The plastering under the holes was taken 
 away, and the spaces covered with white paper, simply pasted 
 on. Explaining his queer fortification to a friend, he said : 
 
 " Now, sir, here are my gun and ammunition in the cham 
 ber ready for instant use. Robbers must enter the lower door, 
 and come up the stairway. That I have so barricaded as to 
 require time to force a passage. And before they can make 
 their entrance, I with my gun and the three c port holes,' can 
 easily act upon them, while they cannot act upon me. You 
 see, sir, I have command of the situation !" 
 
 His coolness, courage and self-control were traits of charac 
 ter well known. He would have defended his fortification, 
 and the " port holes" would have been put to use. In fact, he 
 was never after disturbed. 
 
 Boys used to infest his orchard. He cared little for the loss 
 of property. He cared more for the misdemeanor. He thought 
 the orchard thieves should be taught better. One day he took 
 a cord and tied together the limbs of the tree that was most 
 tempting, in such a way that one limb could not be shaken 
 without shaking^ every limb. Then the cord was continued 
 to the top of the piazza of his house ; and then so fastened to 
 a lot of tin pans and kettles that if a single bough was shaken 
 the pans and kettles, with horrid sound, would fall to the floor 
 of the piazza. Night came, and the orchard proprietor retired. 
 So soon as every room was dark, the thievish urchins came to 
 the choice tree. They shook a limb ! Suddenly there arose 
 such a din of horrid noises that the young robbers fled in con 
 sternation, so frightened that they never suspected the nature 
 of the strategy that occasioned their terror. And as they were 
 never informed, they never after invaded the orchard. They 
 would as soon have entered a haunted house on a dark night. 
 
THOMAS HEDGES GENLN". 
 
 Mr. Gen in had a quiet humor ; but his way of showing it 
 was peculiar. His manner was oratorical, and his fun was 
 put into phrases as stately as the sentences of Gibbon. A 
 " widower with money," it was natural to joke him to the 
 effect that he was game for the widows, who, if they did not 
 love him, would be tempted to try to make him think they 
 did. On a certain occasion, a friend rallied him on this point, 
 asking him which he most preferred, the widow's smiles or 
 ten per cent on his investments. 
 
 "Sir," said he, "the ancient philosopher has said that up 
 to the age of fifty-five love rules in the breast of man ; after 
 the age of fifty-five, avarice rules. Sir, I am more than 
 fifty-five !" 
 
 He had a fancy for reading what few men were tempted to 
 read. He had a passion for knowledge out of the beaten 
 track. One day a friend called upon him, and found him late 
 in the afternoon in his field, making a few needed repairs on 
 the fence. When commended for his industry, Mr. Genin 
 replied : 
 
 " I have devoted the former part of the day to the reading 
 of Milton on Divorce. Up to this day, I have never examined 
 that treatise of the English classic. Now I have done so. I 
 have this day read Milton on Divorce." 
 
 The question, " "What is the most healthy place ?" is an an 
 cient one. It is always being solved. Usually it is the town 
 or village " where I own several lots." Sometimes a more 
 unselfish and philosophical explanation is given, such as per 
 tains to climate, high ground, exemption from malarious dis 
 tricts, proximity to sea, lake, or river. At one time, Mr. 
 Genin addressed himself to the task of endeavoring to ascer 
 tain " the most healthy place." One is forced to smile at, 
 and at the same time admire, the peculiar wisdom his plan 
 evinced. It was inductive thoroughly after the canons of 
 Lord Bacon. He made an extensive tour, visiting, at remote 
 points, a large number of villages. In every place he entered 
 the graveyard, noted down the number of deaths . with the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Y5 
 
 respective ages on the tombstones, and then struck the average 
 age at which the people died ! 
 
 Pie believed in the Shakesperean maxim, " To thine own self 
 be true." What he thought of himself, he would say. In 
 writing of his son, he alludes to the father as " an accurate 
 lawyer." This was the simple truth. "We hold that it shows 
 moral courage for one to be true to himself, when the fashion 
 calls for self-depreciation. Mr. Genin had no faith in those 
 nominal Christians who are ever prating about their great 
 sinfulness, yet never give the particulars. He would have a 
 man express his honest thought, even though himself were 
 the subject. 
 
 That Mr. Genin had a passion for " saving things," can not 
 be regarded as another reason for calling him peculiar. Any 
 old garret, especially in farm houses, will attest that a dis 
 inclination to destroy things is not uncommon with the race. 
 He had this passion however in so extraordinary a degree 
 that it may be set down as a personal peculiarity. 
 
 We will give one example in which we are sure the reader 
 will see something of the ludicrous. Among the papers 
 placed in our hands for the preparation of this volume, we 
 find part of an old newspaper, from which he had torn some 
 thing he wished to use. What remained was nothing but ad 
 vertisements ; and a discolored, shabby fragment it is. We 
 think that " mankind in general " could have brought them 
 selves to destroy that. We found it carefully filed among Mr. 
 Genin's papers, and labled " Of no use ! " 
 
 He was always experimenting. He had an almost annoy 
 ing propensity to test opinions and judgments. Men who 
 made a boast of their wisdom, he would often humble by ex 
 pedients they could not themselves question. It amuses one 
 to read in his published letter to his son : "I would not in 
 spire a contempt for mankind ; but their boasted reason en 
 counters so many disturbing forces, that she, with difficulty, 
 sits uprightly on her throne. Envy and jealousy less often 
 disturb than weakness and pusillanimity. In my youth, 
 knowing the range of the reading of some literary 
 
76 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 friends, I offered for their opinion a few lines of poetry, 
 from an author of established reputation, as if they were my 
 own. They were considered faulty even ungrammatical ; 
 because the judges did not understand the application of 
 what we style the adverbial adjective, which gives such force 
 and beauty to our language. When I offered them some lines 
 of my own, as the composition of the same author, they could 
 discover no defect, though there actually was a small one, pur 
 posely left for experiment." 
 
 He would not however triumph over discomfited critics, but 
 recommend self-reliance, and the reducing of wants. He 
 adds : " The fallibility of human judgment is such, that it 
 should never be allowed to elevate or depress the spirits, but 
 merely be used so far as the reasons for it have weight to 
 enlighten the understanding. Follow nature, and, if human 
 opinions cannot keep pace with you, it is their, and not your 
 misfortune. One should render himself .independent of pa 
 tronage. It takes but little to support, in simplicity, the 
 painter, while he executes immortal works. The real wants 
 of man are easily supplied. Riches consist less in the num 
 ber of dollars, than the moderation of desire." 
 
 Though a man of theory, Mr. Genin was, in a marked de 
 gree, a practical man. He writes his son Sylvester, in a tone 
 which urges him to act upon the advice of a friend, and make 
 painting a past-time, and the law a business. " There is," he 
 tells him, " probably no man, whatever his success may have 
 been, that is satisfied with it, or with the appreciation of him, 
 or his works, by the world. Napoleon was not. His conver 
 sations with O'Meara, and Las Cases, are attempts to enlight 
 en mankind on this matter. Benjamin West, it is said, died 
 poor. There is a direct tendency to poverty in all who pay 
 but little attention to money after they get it ; who adopt no 
 measures to make it productive, and are deficient in economy 
 and management. Heirs of large estates, without cultivating 
 painting or poetry, frequently soon find their patrimony 
 evaporated. Great lawyers, notwithstanding the lucrativeness 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 77 
 
 of their profession, have often died poor ; for a leaky bucket 
 will, at length, be found empty. Judge Ruggles has shown 
 to me Colonel TrumbulPs letter of the 13th Dec., inst., stating 
 that your friends have not overrated your talents as a painter ; 
 but on account of the nature of our institutions, and the un 
 certainty of popular favor, he has advised you, as his friends 
 advised him, to make the study and practice of law your chief 
 pursuit, and historical painting the amusement of your leisure 
 
 An example of the practical turn of his mind is evinced in 
 a record of personal expenses from May to August, 1815. 
 Here is a memorandum for each day just what he bought 
 and what he paid. In those days the cost of living was nom 
 inally much less than now, yet it may surprise some to learn 
 that for the three months specified, the whole expense of liv 
 ing was $56 for rent $17.12 ; board, $20; clothing, $18.88. 
 This too in the metropolitan city ! "We judge that his income 
 began to improve, for during the next three months, his ex 
 penses rose from $56 to $74.37 1-2. His average board bill, 
 exclusive of rent, was $1.69 a week. He had the manliness 
 to live within his income. It is easy to understand how he 
 became the wealthiest man in his county. 
 
 A catalogue of his library of about 600 volumes, exhibits 
 the varied character of his tastes. Here are works on law, medi 
 cine, the military art, grammar, divinity, poetry, oratory. 
 We find few books of fiction ; though we are happy to note 
 Don Quixote in the list. 
 
 Remembering his own unhappy experience in the school 
 room, Mr. Genin conceived a prejudice against the professional 
 teacher that became a ruling passion. In his Biography of 
 his son, he says, he was determined " not to mar the happiness 
 of his children, if he could conveniently be their instructor. 
 Other circumstances conspired to confirm this resolution, par 
 ticularly what he thought the general incompetency of teach 
 ers, and the conviction that all scholars are self-made, whether 
 studying at home, or in a college ; and that even an illiterate 
 woman can, by judicious praise of learning and learned men, 
 
8 THOMAS HEDGES GENIET. 
 
 in the presence of children, make better scholars than a school 
 master, who cannot excite their ambition. If this be roused, 
 a child can scarce be prevented from making of himself what 
 he pleases. If he has the will he soon finds the way to learn : 
 text-bopks are procured, and the wise consulted." 
 
 In his office of teacher, his task, he says, " was often per 
 formed at the table, while eating ; a subject would be men 
 tioned ; some leading ideas stated, respecting it, and books 
 referred to for further information. A few days afterwards 
 the same subject would be mentioned, with the expectation of 
 hearing it illustrated, and generally the pupil was prepared 
 for the task ; taking sometimes new views, and offering rea 
 sons not contained in the books consulted. On reading a 
 newspaper, the mention of ports, cities and other points, pre 
 sented occasions for inquiry into their geographical position, 
 population, manners, customs, etc., and if the pupils could not 
 readily answer, a reference to maps ensued. Some ten rules 
 in arithmetic, including the four elementary ones, of well- 
 known practical use, were repeatedly impressed ; but no time 
 was lost in going through any treatise on that science, spend 
 ing weeks and months in attempting to solve a puzzle. The 
 same course was observed in mathematics. In grammar, the 
 memory was burdened as little as possible. In acquiring the 
 languages a knowledge of the words, and construction of sen 
 tences accompanied the study of the grammar." 
 
 He experimented according to his ruling passion on his 
 sons, respectively four and six years old, to determine whether 
 grammar can be taught at so early an age. This was his 
 method : " What is a noun ? It is a word that tells what we 
 can see, feel, or think of as fire, air, heat, water. What is 
 an adjective ? It is a word that tells what the noun is ; as 
 whether it is hard, soft, light, heavy, good, bad. Form a 
 sentence of the adjective and noun only. Good boy heavy 
 wood. What is a verb ? It is a word that tells the motion 
 of the noun, as whether it runs, falls, stands, sits, loves, hates. 
 Place a noun, adjective and verb in sentence. Good boy runs. 
 With these three classes of words, or parts of speech, we might 
 express our ideas ; but there are six other parts. What is an 
 
BIDGKAPIIICAL SKETCH. 79 
 
 adverb ? It is a word that tells something about the verb, 
 adjective, and sometimes another adverb. Place the noun, 
 adjective, verb and adverb in connexion. Good boy runs 
 nimbly ; is very wise ; runs very nimbly. Give a sentence 
 containing a word of each class, and a noun, in each case. 
 The yellow vine's pumpkin rolls swiftly near an orchard, and 
 oh, it vanishes ! This is sufficient to give some idea of the 
 method of instruction." He thought the method successful. 
 
 To ascertain whether any, or all of his three sons had any 
 talent for drawing, he, as usual, made a very ingenious experi 
 ment. He drew a portrait of the three brothers with a lead- 
 pencil, and laid them away in a file of newspapers, the origi 
 nals not seeming to take any particular interest in the art. 
 " Some three years afterwards, on turning over the leaves of 
 the newspaper?, as if by accident, these portraits were found, 
 and were exhibited to show what changes time had wrought 
 on their visages. Sylvester, on the same day, asked for paper, 
 on which, he said, he meant to draw all the distinguished 
 men. The next day, he presented to his father a tolerably 
 good likeness of Washington ; and soon after of JSTapoleon. 
 Some weeks then elapsed without further attempts to draw. 
 His father proceeded to copy the portrait of the Empress 
 Josephine. This recalled the son's attention to the art. He 
 formed the outline of a Josephine, without the features of the 
 face ; and expressing some doubt as to successfully copying 
 the face of a woman, his father proposed to make one eye, 
 and copy the features on one side of the face, and that the 
 son should copy the other side of it. The joint production 
 was not without harmony. It encouraged further efforts ; 
 and shortly afterwards he produced a tolerable likeness of the 
 Empress. He soon became enamored with the art, and some 
 half dozen miniatures, on ivory, were painted for his neigh 
 bors, at five dollars each. He then turned his attention to 
 painting in oil, and copied a portrait of his father, which had 
 been painted by A. D. G. Tuthill, in 1815. His likenesses 
 were very exact ; and lie was told by his acquaintances, that, 
 in his skill, he possessed an ample fortune ; . but his father re 
 marked, that the taking of portraits was rather a matter of 
 
80 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 talent, than genius, and somewhat mechanical, without afford 
 ing the advantages for thrift which are found in the trades of 
 the carpenter, saddler, or cobbler ; for these could avail them 
 selves of the labor of apprentices and journeymen ; but the 
 painter must necessarily earn with his own hands all he ac 
 quired ; that if money, or wealth, were the sole end of life, 
 there were better means of reaching that end, than the paint 
 ing of portraits ; and if glory were in view, it chiefly hovered 
 over the historical painter, between whom and the mere por 
 trait painter there was a great difference." 
 
 This experiment brought to light the talent of the son, Syl 
 vester, for historical painting ; in producing specimens of 
 which, he won the high praise of that artist of almost world 
 wide fame, Col. John Trumbull. 
 
 Mr. Genin never professed indifference to the opinion 
 his judicial superiors had of his services as Master in Chan 
 cery. In a letter to a friend, with his accustomed frankness, 
 he wrote : " I had acted as Master of Chancery twenty-six and 
 a-half consecutive years, holding the office by appointment of 
 the Judges in both the Common Pleas and the Supreme 
 Court. In acting as juror or finder of facts in both courts, I 
 looked for the appointment of a Special Master in the Su 
 preme Court, in the cases appealed, I having decided on the 
 case in the Common Pleas. But this was not done in a single 
 instance. On one occasion, the Supreme Judge cried out, 
 1 Mr. Genin, the Court are willing to allow you a larger sum 
 than you have set down for your report in this case. 7 I re 
 plied, that having acted in the case in the Court below, it had 
 caused me no more trouble than I had charged for." He 
 was, however, not a little pleased at this proof of the confi 
 dence of the judges. 
 
 He relates in the same letter another example : " In one 
 case after decrees, myself being party complainant, I moved 
 for appointment of a Special Master to make the sale. This 
 was the only Special Master appointed in my time. This 
 scrap of glory I think it proper to preserve, being well sus 
 tained by the records of the courts." 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 81 
 
 Though thoroughly plebeian in his sympathies and tastes, 
 Mr. Genin could not forget the fact that he was rich ; and he 
 sometimes complained that others took occasion to remember 
 that he had wealth, to do him injustice. Alluding to a partic 
 ular law case in which he was a party, he said : " The people 
 consider me so rich, that as jurors there is no need of regard 
 ing their oaths, even when a railroad company is my antago 
 nist, for the reason that I do not need. A jury was out all 
 night until 5 P.M. the next day, when they agreed to give me 
 $3,550 for $12,000 of injury." He adds that some of these 
 jurors wished to give him as low as $500. " I had testified," 
 he adds, " that the damage was about $6,000, not wishing to 
 state iny real opinion, for fear they might think me extrava 
 gantly wrong. A couple of the jurors thought I was ignorant 
 of the real injury, but could not well go above the $6,000, 
 and insisted on that sum." 
 
 In the religious experiences of his boyhood being seriously 
 wrought upon by a revival when but twelve or thirteen years 
 old he prayed that he might never be rich. He heard many 
 people older than himself declaim against the vanity of riches, 
 and in his boyish simplicity he supposed they really thought 
 and meant what they said ! That he might escape the " van 
 ity" was the burden of his petitions in the prayer-meeting. 
 When later in life he found himself, in spite of his prayers, a 
 rich man, he used to say, that the fault was not his own. 
 Wealth was thrust upon him ; he did not seek it. He bought 
 in 1819, for ten cents an acre, some thousand acre tracts in 
 Virginia. This land he tried to sell for a trifle tried to ex 
 change for other property. But he could at first find no pur 
 chaser. Circumstances, however, led to its great increase in 
 value ; and, contrary to his expectation and calculation, it be 
 came to him a source of wealth. He writes : " Providence, 
 you see, has paid not much attention to my prayers !" 
 
 Mr. Genin's family relations were, till death made its rapid 
 inroads, of the most affectionate and happy nature. But he 
 was destined to survive them all. His wife, a woman of ex 
 cellent worth, intelligent, faithful to every duty, and successful 
 in the management of her family, died in August, 1851. 
 6 
 
82 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 His oldest son, Thurston, a lawyer of very successful prac 
 tice, and a man of many virtues, enjoying the highest respect 
 of his community, died in September, 1848, aged twenty-eight 
 years. 
 
 His second son, Sylvester the lawyer and artist, to whom 
 frequent reference has been made in the foregoing pages died 
 in April, 1850, also at the age of twenty-eight. 
 
 The third son, Florin, and last of the family save the 
 father, died in August, 1856, aged thirty-two. He was a man 
 of much promise, who had always remained at the homestead. 
 
 The son Sylvester was evidently a man of great versatility 
 of talent. He stood high as a lawyer, and but for an unwill 
 ingness to crowd others seeking preferment, would in fair prob 
 ability have received the appointment of President- Judge of 
 one of the Circuit Courts. As an artist, a writer in the St. 
 Clairsville Chronicle says of him that " in youth, apparently 
 unaided and without instruction, he employed his pencil in 
 drawing portraits, landscapes and historical scenes, which he 
 continued at intervals to the close of his life. His produc 
 tions have been pronounced by competent judges as finished 
 specimens of painting, and do great credit to the art as well 
 as to the youthful artist. Among his works the writer of this 
 notice has observed the battle of the Granicus the landing 
 of Csesar in Great Britain the battle of Arbela the death 
 of Csssar the passage of the Red Sea by the Israelites the 
 rescue of the American prisoners by Jasper and Newton the 
 Woman of Monterey, and others, containing from six or ten to 
 seventy or eighty figures, in varied and expressive attitudes, 
 harmonizing with the leading idea of the design." He also 
 evinced unusual talent as a writer, both in prose and poetry, 
 and as a speaker. In 1855 his father prepared and published 
 a Memorial Work, embracing Selections from his works in 
 Poetry, Prose, and Historical Design: with a Biographical 
 Sketch. The work contains sixteen engravings, all save a 
 portrait of Sylvester, and portraits on one page of the Genin 
 Family transcripts of the Historical Paintings, to which ref 
 erence has been made. 
 
 The sons all died of consumption. ISTone were ever married. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 83 
 
 Writing, in June, I860, of his family, Mr. Genin said, " I 
 have no relatives nearer than nephews and nieces, by brothers 
 and sisters of half blood." 
 
 For forty years Mr. Genin lived on the same farm a half- 
 mile from St. Clairsville village. In all these years, sickness 
 and death, which swept away one by one all the members of 
 his family, had spared him. Pie writes in the summer of 
 1868 : " I am now enjoying good health." Before the coming 
 Fall had fully set in, he was, however, destined to follow wife 
 and sons to the " bourne from which no traveller returns." 
 
 Mr. Genin's last labor with the pen was an unfinished letter 
 to a gentleman in New York, in answer to a request for infor 
 mation in regard to the Genin family. The circumstance that 
 the letter was his last, and that it closes abruptly with an un 
 finished sentence, gives it a melancholy interest. But the 
 further circumstances that it gives more light pertaining to the 
 family history, and also exhibits, but a short time before his 
 death, his quiet humor, as fresh as in his younger days, greatly 
 increase its value. The letter is dated : 
 
 "Si. CLAIRSVILLE, October 18, 1868. 
 
 " DEAR SIR : To yours of the 13th instant, I reply that I 
 know of no family but our own bearing the name of Genin. 
 A man once told me he had seen a lawyer of that name in 
 New Orleans. On reference just now to John Livingstone's 
 list of lawyers for 1854 I see Louis Janin and Charles Janin, 
 but no Genin, on the list. I have sometimes examined city 
 directories, but never met with the name as belonging to an 
 other family. 
 
 " My father, John Nicholas Genin, son of John Nicholas 
 Genin, of Labeurville, Jurisdiction of Yerdun, embarked at 
 Brest, in his twenty-fifth year, and landed at Ehode Island in 
 1780. He was clerk in the Commissary's department. Took 
 Ann Tournier for wife, an American French Canadian, by 
 whom he had one son, the present John N.'s father, and one 
 daughter, who married John Hildreth. He took for second 
 wife Sarah Hedges, from whom I sprung her only child. He 
 took for third wife Mahala Jennings, who survived him, with- 
 
84 THOMA.S HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 out children. He was the only son of his father, whose last 
 letter to him describes the father as ninety-three years old. 
 He had, I think, an uncle, Claudius, in France. Seeing that 
 I had writ my name, Jennings, in my school book, he asked 
 why? Because, quoth I, the school-master commanded it. 
 He said it was the English of Genin. A vigorous gesticulation 
 ensued ' pauvre ignoramus ! If my uncle Claudius's estate 
 should descend this would be a sad name to present. Tell 
 him you are obliged, but your French name is good enough.' 
 " I know nothing of the woman you speak of " 
 
 This letter was written, it will be noticed, October 18, 1868. 
 On the morning of the succeeding day at three o'clock, he 
 passed away. The immediate occasion of his illness was not 
 disease, but a fall in his orchard but a few days before his 
 decease. He was so seriously injured that he was carried to his 
 house. A temporary recovery was delusive. It is evident from 
 the tone of his unfinished letter that he did not suppose the 
 injury at all dangerous. The last of his family, he was spared 
 the pain of long sickness. At the age of seventy-two he joined 
 his family the wife and three children in the world of souls. 
 The Belmont Chronicle, whose columns he had so often enliv 
 ened, in its issue for October 22, had this editorial article in 
 regard to his death, and his public and private worth : 
 
 " Thomas H. Genin, Esq., an old and much respected citizen 
 of St. Clairsville, died at three o'clock on the morning of the 
 19th instant. He fell in his orchard on the Thursday previous, 
 and had to be carried into the house. He recovered from that 
 attack in a measure, and on Sabbath day sat up and ate his 
 dinner as usual. 
 
 " Mr. Genin was born on Long Island, of French parentage, 
 in March, 1T96, and studied law in the city of New York. 
 While pursuing his legal studies he wrote ' The .Napolead,' an 
 epic poem, something in the style of Homer's Iliad, which 
 attracted considerable attention in the world of letters, as at 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 85 
 
 that time America was reproached with being without authors 
 or a literature of its own, and with importing its ideas and 
 
 books from England. On arriving at twenty-one in 181Y 
 
 he was admitted to the bar, and having previously married, 
 started to find a home in the then < Far West.' On reaching 
 the Ohio, he heard of Charles Hammond, then an eminent 
 member of the Belmont County Bar, and advised with him as 
 to his location. By the advice of Mr. Hammond he took up 
 his residence in St. Clairsville, and commenced the practice 
 of the law. In July, 1818, he was appointed by the Court of 
 Common Pleas Master Commissioner in Chancery, upon the 
 resignation of that office by Charles Hammond. He continued 
 in that position about twenty years. When he reached Ohio, 
 Mr. Genin was in limited circumstances. His wife owned a 
 large quantity of Virginia lands, but, located in a wild and 
 unsettled country, they were then of little value. By thrift 
 and economy he was enabled to purchase lands in Ohio and 
 elsewhere in the West, and the rapid development of the West 
 greatly enhanced the value of his lands, so that at his death 
 he probably ranked first among the wealthy men of our county. 
 He was the last member of his family. His wife died about 
 1851, Florin about the same time, Sylvester and Thurston 
 several years previous to that. Sylvester was a painter of 
 some promise. He died in Jamaica. 
 
 " Thomas H. Genin, whatever his foibles and eccentricities, 
 was a just man. He was exceedingly fond of society, and 
 would apparently never tire talking to those who called at his 
 quiet home or whom he met in town ; and, rare accomplish 
 ment, was the best listener we ever met with. Although of a 
 thoughtful disposition and somewhat brusque in his manner, 
 there was a frankness and lonhomie in his intercourse with 
 his fellow-men that made his society very acceptable. 
 
 " Mr. Genin, we believe, was the oldest member of the St. 
 Clairsville Bar. He was contemporary with Charles Ham 
 mond, Philip Doddridge, John M. Goodenow, and the other 
 great men so intimately associated with the early history of 
 our country, and we believe was the last link connecting us 
 with those mighty men. 
 
86 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 "The Bar held a meeting at the Clerk's office yesterday, 
 adopted appropriate resolutions, and resolved to attend his 
 funeral in a body." 
 
 The Chronicle for November 5, gives an official report of 
 the " Proceedings of the Belmont County Bar," in memory of 
 the deceased, as follows : 
 
 "A meeting of the members of the Belmont County Bar 
 was held at the Clerk's office, October 20, to give expression 
 to their sentiments on the occasion of the death of Thomas H. 
 Genin. The meeting was organized by calling Hon. B. S. 
 Cowen to the chair, and appointing St. Clair Kelly, Secretary. 
 
 " Appropriate remarks were made by B. S. Cowen, Peter 
 Tallman, L. Danford, M. J. W. Glover and K. H. Cochran, 
 Esqs., and other members of the bar ; and a committee consisting 
 of Hon. James Weir, Hon. D. D. T. Cowen, Peter Tallman and 
 M. J. "W. Glover, Esqs., was appointed, who reported the fol 
 lowing resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : 
 
 " Thomas H. Genin, a member of our bar, died on yesterday 
 morning at three o'clock, aged seventy-two years, and we have 
 assembled to express the sentiments and emotions to which 
 the occasion has given rise. 
 
 " Mr. Genin was the oldest member of the Belmont county 
 bar. 
 
 " Born in March, 1796, he was admitted to the bar in the city 
 of New York, in 1817. In the same year he emigrated to the 
 West. He was induced by Charles Hammond, then a practic 
 ing attorney of this county, to locate here, and he remained 
 here until his death. 
 
 " The journals of our Common Pleas Court show that at its 
 July term, 1818, he was appointed Master Commissioner, to 
 succeed Charles Hammond, who resigned. This office he 
 retained for more than twenty years. 
 
 " Although he has not been engaged in the practice of law 
 for several years, we, many of us, knew him as a ripe scholar, 
 a profound lawyer, a wise counsellor, and an able advocate, 
 and we continued to profit by his advice and information upon 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 87 
 
 questions involving principles of elementary law, up to the 
 time of his death. 
 
 " Pie did himself no more than justice when, in a published 
 biography of one of his dead sons, he referred to himself as an 
 6 accurate lawyer.' 
 
 "He was a man of far more than ordinary literary attain 
 ments, with a remarkable knowledge and recollection of his 
 tory, and he found time, in the midst of professional labors, 
 to write and publish an epic poem, not unknown to fame, 
 entitled ' The Napolead.' 
 
 " In the practice of his profession and in his business trans 
 actions, he has uniformly and deservedly maintained a reputa 
 tion for strict integrity. 
 
 "In his social and personal relations he was eminently 
 hospitable and companionable. 
 
 " The head of a numerous family, he has been, by several 
 years, the sole survivor of them, and now, in the fullness of 
 time, is about to be buried with them. Peace to his ashes ! 
 
 " We tender the relatives of the deceased our condolence in 
 their affliction. 
 
 " Resolved, That our Common Pleas Court, now in session, 
 be requested to adjourn, out of respect for the memory of the 
 deceased, and that we, with the officers of the Court, attend 
 his funeral in a body. 
 
 " Resolved, That eight of our number be selected to act as 
 pall-bearers. 
 
 " Resolved, That copies of these resolutions, and the pro 
 ceedings of this meeting, be presented to the relatives of the 
 deceased ; to our courts, with the request that they be spread 
 upon the journals, and to the papers of our county for publica 
 tion. " Signed, " JAMES WEIR, 
 
 " PETER TALLMAN, 
 " M. J. W. GLOVER, 
 " D. D. T. COWEN, 
 
 " Committee. 
 
 " And the meeting having made suitable arrangements for 
 attending the funeral, adjourned. " B. S. COWEN, CVn. 
 
 " ST. CLAIR KELLY, 
 
WRITINGS. 
 
 In compiling the Writings of Thomas Hedges Genin for 
 this Memorial Work, the Chronological Order is, as far as 
 practicable, followed except that the Prose and Poetry have 
 each a separate assignment. In the selections and the very 
 brief articles, little regard is paid to order, except that of 
 convenience. The Order of Time rather than the Order of 
 Topics, best presents the Literary History of the Author. 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 
 
 OKATICHST,* 
 
 Delivered before the Semi-Annual Meeting of the " Union Humane Society," 
 held in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, May 18, 1818, and first published by order 
 of the Society the same year. 
 
 THE light of knowledge has illumined our land. That 
 sacred light which inspires heroism with justice, gives ardor 
 to liberty and virtue, and unites men in brotherly love, is 
 ours. Shall it be our reproach, or our praise ? We have 
 heard knavery howl in the wilderness of ignorance, in quest 
 of human blood. We have seen avarice and prejudice sullen 
 and dreadful march, and many and seemingly insurmountable 
 barriers interpose against reason, giving stability to oppres 
 sion, root to injustice, sorrow to philanthropy, disgust to phi 
 losophy, offence to Christianity, and disgrace to human nature 
 in consigning a portion of the human family to hopeless Slav 
 ery. This evil, most sincerely to be deprecated, we have at 
 tempted to remove by the formation of this Society, whose 
 united intelligence and industry, it was hoped, might show 
 its wickedness to the good, its impolicy to the bad, its deform 
 ity to the world, and expose its dark foundations to the con 
 tempt of mankind, that the fire of avarice might slacken, and 
 
 * The youth of the Author, at the time but twenty-two years old, will 
 exempt the Oration from severe criticism on the score of its Sophomorical 
 rhetoric : a very obvious defect, which, however, in subsequent literary 
 efforts, he rapidly corrected. On the other hand, its prophetic character- 
 making it now almost a history, and its clear perception of the essential 
 wrong, and inevitable working of the institution of Slavery gives to it a 
 permanent interest. It may be treasured as a choice relic of Anti-Slavery 
 literature in the pioneer days of Agitation. 
 
92 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 the gloom of prejudice decrease respecting the Africans, and 
 their emancipation be gradually effected. 
 
 Whether success attend its endeavors or not, it has already 
 its reward in the goodness of its intentions. Happy is the 
 man who communing with himself can say, I intend well, 
 have done my duty, and have not abused the gifts of fortune. 
 He may unaffectedly despise the invectives of malice and the 
 sneers of envy ; like a rocky mountain that extends above the 
 storms into the placid empyrean, he may look unconcernedly 
 down upon the scanty stream of human praise that murmurs 
 at his base, and the rude tempests of malevolence that around 
 him roar. Who has done well with what he has, can lose 
 nothing by comparison with him that has made a proper use 
 of more. Those who obey the voice of reason and revelation, 
 as they must perform the duty of the philanthropist and pa 
 triot, may promise themselves a harvest of satisfaction in the 
 recollection of their deeds, independently of the capricious 
 world ; but many who acknowledge the government of both, 
 give themselves little trouble to understand either ; for, why 
 should the Christian, if he properly understand the basis of 
 his faith, look kindly upon Slavery, unless he would like to be 
 a slave ? In countenancing oppression does he do unto the 
 oppressed as he would have others do unto him if he were 
 similarly situated ? 
 
 Can a Christian understand in what justice consists, yet 
 view with careless indifference his fellow-man held in bond 
 age during life, and all his rights disregarded ? Is not the 
 man of color born with certain inherent unalienable rights as 
 well as other men ? If he be ranked among mankind, he is ; 
 or the authors of our Declaration of Rights err in saying that 
 men are born equal, and have such rights. It is clearly re 
 pugnant to the Constitution of the United States that one 
 class of citizens should be held in slavery by another, or that 
 Declaration was not meant as a summary of the rights in 
 tended to be guaranteed by the Constitution to all men within 
 the sphere of its influence, but as an instrument of empty pro 
 fessions, which might be practised or not as interest or humor 
 inclined. Surely right and justice are the same to a black as 
 
PEOSE WHITINGS. 93 
 
 to a white man ; like the God from whom they sprung, they 
 know no distinction of persons. 
 
 Let him not pretend to be guided by reason, who says that 
 the Slavery of the negroes is just or proper because they are 
 black, were uncivilized, or because they have not produced a 
 Newton or a Homer. Eeason, religion and the common sense 
 of mankind unite in disapprobation of Slavery. What, then, 
 but the foulest prejudice can induce people seemingly rational 
 and religious, to view with unconcern the dearest rights of 
 man trampled upon ? As the common hangman becomes in 
 different to the distress of his victim, so they become deaf to 
 the wrongs of the Africans. They have seen the negro de 
 spised. They have been taught to consider him inferior to 
 themselves. They have unfortunately mistaken his situation 
 for his nature. In him on occasion is the same regal dignity, 
 poetic ardor, philosophic profundity, and disquisitional sub 
 tlety which we have chanced to display. What flagrant irra 
 tionality attaches to those, who, after cutting off the legs of 
 an animal, require it to walk ; or after degrading the negro 
 and debasing his mind, require from him that intellectual 
 brilliancy which can only grow in the soil of Liberty and 
 Science. Homer has justly remarked 
 
 " Whom Jove condemns to see the servile day, 
 One half his virtue he conveys away." 
 
 No wonder then that we hear some simple people compli 
 menting themselves on their natural superiority to the Afri 
 cans, without adverting to the fact, that they would be the 
 same under the same restraint. But the man of sense, the 
 the Christian or Philosopher, will scarce set a higher value on 
 himself for the misery of others. These will discover in the 
 situation of the slaves abundant cause for shame, knowing it 
 to be their duty to improve and not debase their nature. Be 
 hold yon slave, naked, scarred with frequent stripes ; appa 
 rently thoughtless and jolly ; whose sole care is to avoid the 
 scourge; look, O man! and mourn the degradation of your 
 kind ! In that breast may be a heart that, in other circum 
 stances, had beat high to glory ; in that mouth a tongue that 
 
94 THOMAS HEDGES GENEST. 
 
 had poured conviction upon admiring senates. That an ob 
 scure, and perhaps worthless individual might have his farm 
 cultivated, while he wasted his time in idle amusements, his 
 superior in talents is reduced to the condition of a brute. Yon 
 der is another, bowed down with age ; sorrow is in his face ; 
 tears oft fall from his eyes ; he lives in perpetual celibacy, 
 determined not to leave a progeny of slaves ; he anxiously 
 awaits the friendly embrace of the grave, chiding the linger 
 ing years ; the offals of the harvest are his food ; hard is his 
 bed ; to him the night stretches forth no friendly hand, and 
 the cheering beams of the morning bring to him no joy ; his 
 life is misery ; his hopes are beyond the grave ; his happiness 
 is death ; his joy is immortality ! And why spread we thorns 
 around the African race ? Because God peculiarly favors our 
 land ? Wretched gratitude for heavenly mercy ! But injus 
 tice is its own poison. Should a government whose existence 
 depends on virtue sanction iniquity ? If it tolerate injustice 
 in Slavery, or in any other manner, though less extensive and 
 corruptive, does it not court destruction ? Does it not under 
 mine itself ? It ill becomes us to exercise the power we pos 
 sess in oppression. That righteous God from whom springs 
 all authority, gave not empire and liberty to these States to 
 hold the negroes in bondage. Power is given to be properly 
 employed ; and of him to whom much is given, much will be 
 required. As heaven is just it frowns on our injustice. Alas ! 
 religion upbraids, reason complains and humanity weeps, but 
 avarice is deaf; naught, I fear, will rouse its torpor but the 
 stern tribunal of Heaven ! There is no virtuous man that 
 would not rejoice at the emancipation of the negroes from 
 bondage. Their misfortunes were not the fruits of their own 
 faults. Their crime was that their labor afforded incense to 
 avarice, and their misfortune that avarice had power. Who 
 laments their state ill does his duty to himself, his God and 
 country, if he neglects any legal means that may effect their 
 liberation or better their condition. 
 
 What political reason can there be for continuing their 
 bondage ? Is the country at large benefited by their labor ? 
 Were the places they occupy settled with industrious yeo- 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 95 
 
 manry, interested in the morals and government of the land, 
 would not the ground be in a much better state of cultiva 
 tion ? Might not the country have greater confidence in their 
 assistance in war and peace ? "Would not property be more 
 equally distributed, and that disparity of wealth, so much to 
 be dreaded in republics, avoided ? I aver that the country 
 would have more real wealth and solid strength, if Slavery 
 was relinquished. 
 
 But are there not moral reasons paramount to every politi 
 cal consideration ? Indeed, moral and political reasons are 
 the same, respecting our internal regulations, if I understand 
 the principles of our Government. The iniquitous thraldom 
 of the Africans has impressed the foulest stain on our moral 
 character, and exposes in us disgusting inconsistency. At one 
 time we declare that all men are equal, and have equal rights 
 that are inalienable ; among these life, liberty and the pur 
 suit of happiness. A.t another, against our light and knowl 
 edge, against what we ourselves avow, and disregarding heav 
 en's justice, and the remonstrances of humanity, with flagit 
 ious hand we snatch those rights from the negro race, with as 
 much appearance of justice as the bandit shows when he mur 
 ders the defenceless traveller for his gold ; for the same end 
 that the pirate spreads his black sail ; that Britain arms the 
 ferocious savage ; that Spain destroyed the vineyards of Mex 
 ico ; and that Dionysins sold Plato into slavery all for the 
 gratification of degrading passions. 
 
 It is to be lamented that man has proved so undeserving 
 of the most signal blessings Heaven has bestowed, by mis 
 directing their application ; that spirit, useful as a medicine, 
 should be employed to metamorphose men into brutes ; that 
 power, instead of diffusing happiness and improving our 
 nature, should be exercised in oppressing and degrading man 
 kind ; that religion instead of inspiring universal charity, 
 creating general fondness for meritorious virtue, and teaching 
 men forgiveness and peace, should be made an instrument of 
 knavery, and whet the sword of contention, disuniting man 
 kind ; that the discovery of the compass, while it approxi 
 mated remote lands, interchanging their productions, and 
 
96 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 increasing the knowledge of the world, was made the con 
 ductor of the innocent Africans to misery too shocking to 
 describe, and guided the fearful tempest of Spanish lust 
 against the Indians of the south, on whom was practised 
 unexampled cruelty, instead of Christian benevolence. Not 
 withstanding the science and wealth it has scattered over the 
 world, it is difficult to determine the benefit or injury it has 
 done mankind : scarce a coast was visited but to gratify cupid 
 ity, practice cruelty, and arrogate dominion. 
 
 In seventeen years after the discovery and settlement of 
 Hispaniola, it was found that the natives were reduced from 
 the number of one million to fourteen thousand, owing to the 
 intolerable burdens imposed upon them by their unfeeling 
 masters ; but even that age of oppression and murder for a 
 moment listened to the voice of humanity and justice, de 
 nouncing their slavery. The ecclesiastics that were sent as 
 instructors into the island, Qarly remonstrated against the 
 maxims of the planters respecting the Indians, condemning 
 the repartimentos or distributions by which they were given 
 up as slaves to individuals, as contrary to natural justice and 
 the precepts of Christianity. Montesino, one of their num 
 ber, inveighed against it vehemently in the great church of St. 
 Domingo, to the chagrin of his hearers. The chief of the 
 colony complained to his superiors in Spain ; and they instead 
 of condemning^ applauded his doctrine, as well they might. 
 The Dominicans refused the sacrament to such of their coun 
 trymen as held the Indians in bondage ; so decisive was the 
 stand of the Catholic church against iniquity so vile. Appli 
 cation "was now made to Ferdinand for his decision. The 
 slaveholders, perhaps, believed that he better understood the 
 principles of justice than the whole body of the church, when 
 his interest and theirs were united. He appointed a com 
 mittee of his privy council, assisted by some of the most emi 
 nent civilians and divines in Spain, to hear the deputies from 
 Hispaniola in support of their respective opinions. This com 
 mittee, more dreading the displeasure of Heaven than the 
 frowns of their monarch, reported in favor of the Indians. 
 They were declared to be a free people, entitled to all the 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 97 
 
 natural rights of men. Nevertheless the oppression continued. 
 As this decision admitted the principles upon which the 
 remonstrance of the clergy was founded, they renewed their 
 efforts to obtain relief for the Indians with additional zeal. 
 But at length Ferdinand issued a decree, stating, among other 
 things, that the servitude of the Indians was warranted by 
 the laws of God and man ; that unless they were subject to 
 the immediate control of the Spaniards, they could not be 
 instructed in the Christian faith ; that the king and council 
 were willing to take the propriety of the measure upon their 
 own consciences ; therefore all religious orders should, for the 
 future, cease their invectives against the practice. Thus, 
 after admitting the right of the Indians to freedom, audacious 
 power fixes upon them perpetual chains ; and the justice of 
 the deed is accommodated with the conscience of a king and 
 his councillors ! A wretched standard of right. 
 
 Among the most urgent advocates for their liberty was 
 Las Casas. This man, finding that virtue was less respected 
 at the Spanish court than interest, proposed supplying the 
 place of the Indians, expected to be emancipated, by laborers 
 from Spain and negroes from Africa. It is unreasonable to 
 believe that one so earnest in the cause of humanity, and 
 respectable for talent, more prized the liberty of the Ameri 
 cans than Africans. His proposition is clearly meant to alle 
 viate what could not be cured. He knew the Indians were 
 within reach of* oppression, and that the Africans were three 
 thousand miles distant. The ships of his age were few and 
 small. He might, therefore, from the apparent difficulty of 
 obtaining negroes at that time, have promised himself the 
 liberation of millions of Indians for a small number of ne 
 groes. Tlie Spanish court eagerly accepted his proposition ; 
 but for a different object from what its author had in view ; 
 who intended to- lessen, while the court meant to increase, the 
 bondage of men. They were undoubtedly glad of an oppor 
 tunity to supply the rapid decrease of the Indians with the 
 seeming concurrence of the avowed enemy of their tyranny, 
 and while they concealed their perfidy, expose him to the 
 obloquy of the measure. In 1508 Charles Y. granted a 
 T 
 
98 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 patent to a favorite, authorizing its holder to import 4,000 
 negroes into Hispaniola. This was sold to some Genoese 
 merchants for 25,000 ducats, who immediately began the 
 work with the avidity of monopolizers, and organized that 
 system of damning traffic which has ever since whelmed 
 Africa in tears, and conspicuously stained the human char 
 acter. 
 
 The march of wickedness is swift. In 1619 a Dutch ship 
 sailing up James Eiver, sold part of her cargo of slaves ; and 
 this first sowed in Virginia the seeds of that upas, which has 
 grown with alarming rapidity, and will clandestinely continue 
 to expand so long as its roots are not extracted. The wor 
 shippers of mammon searched the world for a market to sell 
 mankind. While gold was in view and the seller had power 
 to reach it by kidnapping, and the buyer by encouraging the 
 crime, they little considered the end for which they were 
 made ; the bourne to which they were travelling, never to 
 return ; that their deeds were marked on the dread records 
 of eternity ; that while they made themselves rich for a mo 
 ment they were preparing to be poor forever ; or how they 
 would answer for the deeds done in the body. No, Cupidity, 
 thou wilt persist in thy course, unless Deity stand revealed 
 before thee, launching thunder at thy head. The orphan's 
 tears, the widow's sighs, the tiger's scream and wolf's howl 
 are alike to thee. Enter not (but alas ! thou canst not avoid 
 fate) the land of shades, there thou wilt meet the scorn of 
 Africa's ghosts, and learn too late the inferiority of proud 
 wealth to humble virtue. The trump of doom and judgment 
 of angry justice shall give mournful lesson to that heart that 
 scorned and oppressed the poor regardless of right, and bar 
 tered the happiness of man for paltry gold. What but 
 thoughtless ignorance, or shameless impudence, to speak of 
 slavery as right ! Where, I ask, is that right to be found ? 
 In the volume of God ? No, the suspicion is profane. In 
 the law of nature ? No, it is repugnant to all its provisions. 
 In the field of reason ? No, that field is covered with light, 
 and the object sought is a companion of darkness. Look in 
 the glooms of depravity, in the savage wilds of ignorance, in 
 
PROSE WETTINGS. 99 
 
 the loathsome, putrid fens of avarice, on hell's confines, na 
 ture's dotage, man's disgrace, where false beacons deceive the 
 traveller ; inquire there for that right and it will be readily 
 pointed out you will believe your informant or yourselves 
 much mistaken, for you cannot see it until you ascertain it to 
 be the right whereby the lion seizes the roe, whereby the wolf 
 devours the lamb. The lovers of justice, however learned, I 
 believe, never could discover that one body of people had a 
 legitimate right to the services of another. The reasons urged 
 at the court of Madrid for continuing the servitude of the 
 Indians, throw more light upon the depravity of their authors 
 than upon that subject. The Indians, say they, are inferior 
 in nature, cannot reason like Spaniards, and are indolent ; 
 therefore they seem marked out for servitude. The two lat 
 ter, I apprehend, mean nothing more than inferiority of im 
 provement. The same reasoning would subject the Spaniards 
 to the tyranny of France or England ; both countries being 
 superior to Spain in industry and arts. 
 
 We have seen that truth early conquered, as is customary, 
 when let to battle with falsehood. The Church viewed the 
 slavery as horribly vicious. A committee of the most emi 
 nent men in Spain, were of the same opinion. It was now 
 become useless to oppose justice in the field of argument. 
 The king, therefore, with an accommodating conscience pecu 
 liar to princes, determined in virtue of his power as best 
 suited his interests. 
 
 It is not known that the Spaniards urged color as an argu 
 ment against the Indians, which most people consider the 
 leading cause of the slavery of the Africans. Perhaps it was 
 deemed too monstrous an absurdity to obtain, even with the 
 vulgar, as their acquaintance with the Moors and Africans 
 must have taught them that human nature was not altered 
 by complexion ; or probably an idea so extravagant did not, 
 at that time, suggest itself. I believe the glory of discovering 
 the virtue of color may be exclusively claimed by some nomi 
 nal Christians of modern days. It is, doubtless, very wicked 
 to come into the world with a dark countenance ; yet I cannot 
 see how the negro could have done otherwise ; nor can I per- 
 
100 THOMAS HEDGES GENE*. 
 
 suade myself that it is proper to punish him for an offence 
 against our fancy which God committed. 
 
 The slavery of the Africans was introduced for the gratifi 
 cation of avarice, which, with its accustomed meanness, sought 
 its victims in a quarter whence the vengeance of their insulted 
 and abused nation could not pursue and punish. Had they 
 been white, and similarly weakened by disunion and igno 
 rance, they had met the same fate; avarice would have 
 prowled, and where prey could be made without fear of re 
 venge, it had been done. " The Saxons, during the eleventh 
 century (says an English historian), like some barbarians of 
 the present age, dealt in slaves. Great gains were drawn 
 from this commerce by the merchants of Bristol, till yielding 
 to the benevolent counsels of "Wulfstan, bishop of Worcester, 
 they ceased to pursue a custom so disgraceful to humanity." 
 He here blends the black with the white slavery, for indeed 
 they are not different. The Greeks and Romans knew no 
 distinction of color among their slaves. The vanquished in 
 war were often reduced to servitude by the victors, and no 
 right but that of power was pretended to justify a continu 
 ance of the bondage. 
 
 Where one nation cannot live in peace for the depravity of 
 another, by way of self defence it may be necessary to disarm 
 or disperse the offending state, and proper for the conqueror 
 to remunerate himself for losses and spoliations from the prop 
 erty or persons of the vanquished people. Here one party 
 declining to be just, submits to power, and must abide the 
 consequences, however afflicting. Here, under certain modi 
 fications, slavery might wear the appearance of political jus 
 tice ; it would resemble in some measure the bondage of a 
 felon for the breach of a municipal law. But no reason what 
 ever can be given that will be satisfactory to a virtuous com 
 munity, such a community as is necessary to the support of 
 republican institutions, to justify kidnapping the Africans 
 from their country, or continuing their bondage here ; a race 
 that had done us no injury, and were too remote, as well as 
 too weak, to give us offence. Perhaps some will concede it 
 was unjust to take them from their native shore, yet deem it 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 101 
 
 proper to hold them as slaves since they are here, believing 
 their masters by paying adequate considerations for their per 
 sons are justly entitled to their services. But the continua 
 tion of a wrong ought not to make it a right ; nor ought the 
 the receiver of stolen goods to consider himself more innocent 
 than the thief. The negro has a right to his liberty if he has 
 done nothing to forfeit it, and that right cannot be taken away 
 by any agreement between third persons, more than your 
 agreement with your neighbor would give him a right to my 
 services. 
 
 It has been said of the negro, as the Spaniards insisted of 
 the Indians, that he is inferior in nature, and unworthy to 
 rank with mankind ; that for the same reason, brutes are given 
 to the dominion of man, the Africans should be subject to his 
 sway. O ye fallible dependents on heaven's bounty ! do ye 
 arrogate superior privileges because ye have a white skin, and 
 view with uncharitable contempt the untutored negro ? With 
 the same propriety might the tree of the fertile vale view with 
 contempt the shrub of the sterile hill ; because Providence has 
 been unto us more benign than to others, should we treat them 
 contumeliously ? Should we not rather endeavor after that 
 amiable perfection, which consists in doing as we would be 
 done unto, and as God bestows on us superior gifts, consider 
 ourselves bound to make superior exertions in diffusing hap-* 
 piness ? Stormy is the ocean of time. It foams and thunders 
 under the rude tempests of destiny. On its waves empires 
 are seen rising upon empires, and disappearing in oblivion. 
 Here Africa is long benighted ; there Asia roves in bewilder 
 ing twilight; Egypt, long the seat of science, is buried in 
 darkest ignorance. The capital of Semiramis and Cyrus can 
 scarce be found. Greece, the improver of science, the land of 
 heroism, poetry and philosophy, has ceased to enliven the 
 social circle. Yes, she who conquered and civilized mankind, 
 is a wretched Turkish province. Italy has twice rolled in 
 light, and twice in darkness. France, Germany and England 
 at length emerge from the gloom of ages, and bask in the rays 
 of science. Strange, the nations most perfectly white, should 
 be the last to be attracted by her charms ! Strange, that the 
 
102 THOMAS HEDGES GVNIN. 
 
 negroes we affect to despise, were the first learned people, and 
 that letters are chiefly indebted to the swarthy race ! If Dio- 
 dorus Siculus, Lucian and Strabo have not erred, the first 
 written language was borrowed from the Ethiopians, with 
 many of the improvements that contributed to the boasted ex 
 altation of their neighbors. Theirs was the glory of Egyptian 
 Thebes, which Homer dignifies with the appellation of " Em 
 press of the world." The same author, to compliment them, 
 probably, for their superior accomplishments, makes Thetis 
 say, in Iliad, Book i. 
 
 The sire of gods, and all th' ethereal train, 
 On the warm limits of the farthest main ; 
 Now mix with mortals, nor disdain to grace 
 The feasts of Ethiopia's blameless race. 
 Twelve days the powers indulge the genial rite, 
 Keturmng with the twelfth revolving light, 
 Then will I mount the brazen dome and move 
 The high tribunal of immortal Jove. 
 
 And Iris in Iliad, Book xxm. 
 
 I haste to go 
 
 To sacred ocean and the floods below ; 
 E'en now our solemn hecatombs attend, 
 And heaven is feasting on the world's green end 
 With righteous Ethiops (uncomipted train) 
 Far on th' extremest limits of the main. 
 
 As the ancients believed the torrid zone to be uninhabitable, 
 and the Ethiopians occupied the perpetually green country in 
 its vicinity, our author considers them on the end of the world ; 
 thus identifying the situation of Ethiopia. Whence we may 
 infer the complexion of its people. They were the instructors 
 of the Egyptians, and the Egyptians of the Greeks. It was a 
 saying among the latter that letters were given to men by the 
 gods; perhaps Homer traced them to the Ethiopians, and 
 thence inferred that these people were the peculiar favorites 
 of heaven. "The Ethiopians," says Diodorus, "conceived 
 themselves to be of greater antiquity than any other nation 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 1Q3 
 
 upon earth, and assert that with them originated philosophy 
 and the science of the stars. Their situation certainly is infi 
 nitely favorable to astronomical observation, and they have a 
 more accurate division of the months and year than other 
 nations; born under the sun's path, its warmth may have 
 ripened them sooner than other men ; they suppose themselves 
 to be the inventors of divine worship, of all religious practices 
 and solemn assemblies. They have, like the Egyptians, two 
 species of letters, hieroglyphics and the alphabet ; but among 
 the Egyptians the first was known only to the priests, and by 
 them transmitted from father to son, whereas ~botli species are 
 common among the Ethiopians" "The Ethiopians," says 
 Lucian, " were the first who invented the science of the stars 
 and gave names to the planets, not at random and without 
 meaning, but descriptive of the qualities which they conceived 
 them to possess ; and it was from them that this art passed, 
 yet in an imperfect state, to the Egyptians." 
 
 Travellers have remarked that the appearance of the Sphinx 
 and other antique images of Thebais resemble the negro ; and 
 it is incontrovertible that by the term Ethiopian, the ancients 
 designated a people of black complexion, thick lips and woolly 
 hair. Ptolemy and Pliny speak of the Leucethiopes as a peo 
 ple less black than the Ethiopians. Sappho the poetess, among 
 other arguments to recall her white lover, tells him, although 
 she is brown, 
 
 " An Ethiopian dame, 
 
 Inspired young Perseus with a generous flame, 
 Turtles and doves of different hues unite, 
 And glossy black is paired with shining white. 
 
 Whereby it not only appears that the Ethiopians were much 
 darker than herself, but that prejudice against color was not 
 then so prevalent as it has since become, as open professions 
 of love were made between those of different complexions. 
 Solomon seems to consider it a mere deficiency in beauty. 
 He makes his swain say, " I am black but comely, O ye daugh 
 ters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of 
 Solomon." The inhabitant of Guinea, of another taste, ad 
 mires the deepest jet as the most beautiful color. The Indian 
 
104: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 of America is pleased with the redness of his complexion ! 
 The inhabitant of ~New Zealand views with pride the tattoos 
 or pricks made in his skin. The Otaheitan sees many graces 
 in an artificial mouth ; the Peruvian in a flat head ; the High 
 land Scot in a plaid and bonnet ; the Turk in an ample pair 
 of breeches, long beard, and shaved head. The ladies of the 
 civilized and the Indians of the uncivilized world, paint their 
 faces. All these modes are considered excellencies by their 
 respective votaries. How various is the taste of man ! How 
 happy that every people are satisfied with themselves ? 
 
 It is not marvellous that people remote from each other in 
 appearance or distance should entertain great prejudice in 
 favor of themselves, or that avarice should take advantage of 
 that prejudice to accomplish execrable purposes. We perpet 
 ually see the vulgar everywhere decrying their neighbors, 
 magnifying the glory of their own, and depreciating that of 
 other nations that cannot give offence with their colors. It is 
 a remnant of depravity which a little knowledge of the world, 
 and a moderate degree of reflection, will easily overcome. 
 
 The vast difference between the customs and appearance of 
 the African nations and those of our own, has induced the 
 simple among us to consider themselves as superior as that 
 difference is great ; while the simple among the Africans, for 
 the same reasons, may pay the same compliment to them 
 selves. There can be no dissimilarity between the white, the 
 black, the red or brown men, but their color, and the habits 
 into which they have respectively fallen ; and as each believes 
 his own color and habits the best, who shall decide that one 
 is superior to the other in nature ; or that the same principles 
 of justice are not applicable to all ? The Africans as little 
 deserve our tyranny as we their adoration, or that government 
 praise which suffers the oppression. If there be any merit in 
 giving the first hint toward improving our nature, or giving 
 the original impulse to the ball of science, though its magni 
 tude, velocity and splendor be increased by the exertions of 
 succeeding generations, the negro may claim that merit, and 
 instead of praying to live unabused, demands the gratitude of 
 mankind. 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 105 
 
 The wise fathers of our liberties have acknowledged that 
 " it is a self-evident truth that all men are created equal ; that 
 they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable 
 rights ; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of 
 happiness." Is it possible that the whole negro race can have 
 forfeited their rights by infringement of ours ? How long will 
 we continue to abuse justice and insult reason, by distributing 
 these rights unequally ? Shall it be said our superior bliss, 
 our civil and religious liberty, were given to show the hypoc 
 risy of our profession, and how undeserving we could prove 
 of heavenly favor ? The justice of the principle for which we 
 contend was admitted in Spain ; even by that privy council, 
 whose consciences \vere so flexible, till the rude tempest of 
 hell, stirred by avarice, rushed forth inexorably in Ferdinand's 
 decree blasting the fair flowers of humanity ; snatching the 
 scale from the hand of justice ; stifling her voice, and filling 
 heaven with prayers of innocence distressed. 
 
 The excuses offered in favor of slavery are lame. Their 
 miscreated front cannot face the light more than smoke can 
 withstand the whirlwind, or the pine resist heaven's forked 
 bolts. They travel on the bridge of prejudice ; Avarice by 
 their side supports their tottering gait. Haughty Indolence 
 and Tyranny look upon them with concern as they pass, 
 trembling to behold the sandy foundation on which they 
 stand. Religion upon them scowls, Reason sneers, and Wis 
 dom turns from them with contempt. The same reasons, 
 urged by our own countrymen, have been applied against 
 liberating the Christian slaves of Algiers. These polite and 
 humane people, it may reasonably be supposed, possess a great 
 similarity of feeling and sentiment to the slaveholders of this 
 country. This is the Algerine speech by Sidi Mehemet Ibra 
 him it was against granting the petition of the erika or 
 purists, who prayed for the abolition of slavery as unjust : 
 
 "Allah Bismillah. God is great, and Mahomet is his 
 prophet. Have these erika considered the consequences of 
 granting their petition ? If we forbear to enslave the Chris 
 tians, who in this hot climate will cultivate our lands, and 
 wait upon our families ? Must we not then be our own slaves ? 
 
106 THOMAS HEDGES GENDT. 
 
 and is not more compassion due to us Musselmans than to those 
 Christian dogs ? We have now 50,000 slaves about Algiers. 
 If we discontinue their slavery our lands will be uncultivated, 
 and our property will sink one half in value and for what ? 
 To gratify the whim of a whimsical sect. And will they in 
 demnify their masters for the loss ? can they do it ? or in doing 
 what they think justice to the slaves, will they do greater in 
 justice to their owners ? "Will the State do it ? And if we 
 free our slaves, what is to be done with, them ? Few will re 
 turn to their native country they know too well the greater 
 hardships they would there be subject to. They will not em 
 brace our holy religion, nor adopt our manners. Our people 
 will not pollute themselves by intermarrying with them. Must 
 we maintain them as beggars in our streets, or suffer our prop 
 erty to be the prey of their pillage ? For men accustomed to 
 slavery will not work for a livelihood when not compelled. 
 And what is so pitiable in their present condition? Were 
 they not slaves in their own countries ? Even England treats 
 her sailors as slaves ; they are condemned to work and fight 
 for small wages, and are not fed better than our own slaves. 
 Is their condition then made worse by their falling into our 
 hands ? No, they have only exchanged one servitude for 
 another, and I may say a better ; for here Islamism shines in 
 full splendor, and they have an. opportunity of learning the 
 true doctrine ; thereby saving their immortal souls. In their 
 own land they have not that chance ; sending them home, 
 then, would be sending them out of light into darkness. 
 
 " I repeat the question : What is to be done with them ? I 
 have heard it suggested, they might be colonized in a distant 
 land, where they might flourish as a free state ; but they are 
 too ignorant and lazy, if colonized, to govern themselves. 
 While serving us we provide them with every thing, and they 
 are treated with humanity. The laborers in their own countries 
 are, as I am informed, worse fed, lodged and clothed. Their 
 condition is, therefore, already mended, and wants no further 
 improvement. Here they are not compelled to cut one an 
 other's Christian throats, as in their own countries. If these 
 religious bigots, that now teaze us, have freed some of their 
 
PKOSE WETTINGS. 107 
 
 slaves, it was not humanity that moved them to the action, it 
 was from a conscious burthen of a load of sins, hoping by such 
 sacrifice to be excused from eternal damnation. How grossly 
 do they mistake the divine Alcoran ! Are not these two pre 
 cepts, to quote no more : ' Masters, treat your slaves with kind 
 ness ' ' Slaves, serve your masters with cheerfulness and 
 fidelity' clear proofs that it admits of slavery ! From the 
 same sacred book we learn, that God has given the world to us 
 musselmans as fast as we can conquer it from the infidels. Let 
 us then hear no more from these erika ; this wise council will 
 doubtless prefer the comfort of us true believers to these Chris 
 tian dogs, and dismiss their petition." 
 
 We are told the divan came to this resolution, " That the 
 injustice of enslaving the Christians was doubtful ; but that it 
 was the interest of Algiers to enslave them was certain ; there 
 fore let the petition be rejected." 
 
 This speech, I believe, contains all the objections that the 
 imbecility or depravity of this country has urged against negro 
 freedom. Their refutation would be the refutation of our own 
 Algerines. It may not be necessary to answer them respect 
 ing ourselves ; as the most stupid person among us can easily 
 perceive that he ought not to be enslaved, although he deems 
 it proper to enslave others. 
 
 As this speech was said, to have been delivered in the year 
 1687, the orator could not have had the example of St. 
 Domingo before him, where emancipated slaves pursue a bet 
 ter course of moral instruction and civil legislation, than is 
 pursued in many States of Europe ; and have proved them 
 selves abundantly diligent in defending their acquirements, 
 and preventing new aggressions ; nor the example of some of 
 our States, where reason has outrun prejudice, particularly 
 New York and Ehode Island ; where emancipated slaves rival 
 their former masters in wealth and industry ; and where no 
 evil consequence has followed their admission to the privileges 
 of freemen ; save that some misanthropists may have mourned 
 the improvement of human nature as the wolf laments the in 
 vading splendors of morn. But of such their master, Satan, 
 has reason to be ashamed ! 
 
108 THOMAS HEDGES GETOT. 
 
 This orator seems unacquainted with the motives of human 
 action. "Where there is no incentive to exertion it is folly to 
 look for industry. It must be extraordinary generosity in a 
 slave to make that exertion for the benefit of his master (espe- 
 pecially if he be cruel) that he would make for the benefit of 
 himself; hence, in every country, servants and slaves are, with 
 very few exceptions, considered idle by their employers and 
 masters. But because they will not labor industriously, when 
 they have no inducement, does it follow that they will not when 
 they have ? What freeman will say, Were I a slave I should 
 exercise the same diligence I now do ? In his present state 
 his industry is considerably augmented, for the same reason 
 that he appears a nobler being ; for pursuing the dictates of 
 his own wisdom, it is necessary that he think before he act ; 
 whereby he imperceptibly enlarges his understanding and 
 ennobles his nature, while he discovers new fields of industry. 
 
 Those who ask what shall be done with them if they be 
 emancipated, show that they are more disposed to provide 
 excuses for vice than incentives to virtue. The galled jade 
 winces. The timid will confound difficulties with impossibili 
 ties, as they commingle the airy shapes of disordered fancy 
 with horrid realities, and tremble at what has no existence. 
 The opponent of a plan will pretend to find difficulties in its 
 completion that do not exist. It was once feared the fleet of 
 Columbus would be irrevocably wrecked, by gliding off the 
 end of the world. It is now apprehended by some fathers, 
 that if the condition of the Africans be improved, their daugh 
 ters will become their wives. Our Algerine anticipated no 
 such consequence ; he did not believe his brown women would 
 be enamored of the Christians, and probably he formed a cor 
 rect opinion of their taste have you, kind parents, a correct 
 idea of the taste of your children ? Others dread they should 
 give testimony in our courts ; as if a free negro was less sus 
 ceptible of moral impressions, or had less dread of the penalties 
 of perjury, than a white man ; or as if a jury was less capable 
 of judging of the credibility of one than the other. I suppose 
 these set high value on their abilities ; they had better distrust 
 their understanding, it is certainly very defective ; truth will 
 
PEOSE WETTINGS. 109 
 
 not change her garment to sit upon the lips of the African ; 
 she will sooner disclaim all connection with those who assert 
 it. These people would sustain no injury if they were to think 
 oftener than they speak ; read the Scriptures with better in 
 tentions'; and pray sincerely that prejudice might not lead 
 them into error. 
 
 A mode of disposing of the negroes 'has been recommended 
 by a Colonization Society, established at "Washington. I hope 
 this Society was intended to contract the empire of slavery, 
 but I fear it will perpetuate and extend it. If there be two 
 millions of blacks at present in the United States, and our 
 population double in twenty-five years, eighty thousand are 
 annually born; all our resources would be inadequate to 
 remove this amount to Africa in the same time. Their num 
 bers, therefore, cannot be diminished by colonization ; although 
 many free negroes, who probably are suspected of giving danger 
 ous counsel, and many who are aged and useless to their mas 
 ters might thereby be safely stowed away in Africa, where 
 they would not alarm tyranny, nor, in their decay, be burthen- 
 some to those who feast on their youthful labors. This would 
 suit the slaveholders, if the Northern States would share in the 
 expense of the transportation ! No place on our own continent 
 ought to be selected for a colony of blacks, lest they might 
 prove as unpleasant neighbors as the Indians, and more capable 
 of doing harm. If there was ground to apprehend that the 
 whites might become openly hostile to each other, there must 
 be stronger reason that hostility will exist between them and 
 the blacks, when in distinct bodies on the same continent. 
 Foreign powers, whose best weapon against us is the creation 
 of domestic difficulties, would not be idle when so fair an 
 opportunity for mischief presented. 
 
 As it is certain that the negroes will ever remain among us, 
 it is easy to see what should be done with them. They should 
 be enlightened and formed for good citizens. Were the slave- 
 holding States actuated by a wise policy, they would not long 
 delay to adopt a plan of gradual emancipation and instruction 
 which, by giving hope, would prevent insurrection ; and, 
 giving freedom, would accompany it with discretion and vir- 
 
110 THOMAS HEDGES G-ENIN. 
 
 tue. In proportion as the negroes are removed from the pros 
 pect of their inferiority and disgrace, they will partake of 
 human dignity ; they who have been rendered callous by the 
 lash of tyranny, and habitual disrespect, will acquire all the 
 tenderness of affection, jealousy of reputation, pride of excel 
 lence, and fire of heroism. When they can reap for them 
 selves what they have sown when they can obtain the rewards 
 of merit, by enjoying the immunities of power, the confidence 
 reposed in talent, and the honors of distinguished virtue, their 
 industry will be excited to display all the greatness of the 
 human mind. 
 
 They very imperfectly understand in what happiness con 
 sists, who pretend it exists among slaves. Those who are 
 satisfied, though justice be denied, their feelings disregarded, 
 and their reason insulted, can certainly enjoy no enviable 
 contentment. Neither our own, nor the slaveholders of 
 Algiers, I apprehend, would be so delighted with masters to 
 provide their food and direct their actions, as not to pray de 
 voutly for liberation, and willingly forfeit the opportunity 
 of basking in the rays of Islamism or Christianity, for the 
 enjoyment of liberty, though she conducted them through 
 her groves, and they quaffed her nectarine streams in the 
 ragged attire of poverty. But why is it asserted that slavery 
 has happiness? that degradation is exaltation? Why but 
 that conscience stings, growling against unjust oppression 
 and audacious wrong ? To elude the relentless lash of this 
 wakeful monitor, the recreant tyrant interposes a barrier of 
 absurdity and lies, which, while it confirms the prejudice of 
 the weaker, affords the wiser a momentary respite from be 
 holding the frightful picture of their hearts. 
 
 The futility of the arguments resorted to by the Algerines 
 and their brethren in this country, tend no less to show their 
 similarity of feeling and interest than the practice of Mahom 
 etans and Christians, notwithstanding the vast difference 
 in their faith ? Why need they dispute about matters of 
 belief and principles of conduct, when they agree so exactly 
 in what is deemed the truest test of principle in their prac 
 tice ? Surely you think those travellers foolish, who, unable 
 
PROSE WHITINGS. Ill 
 
 to see or taste any difference iir the fruit of two trees, sadly 
 cudgeled each other because one insisted that the tree of the 
 fairest appearance was not of the same nature as the other. 
 Christians, embrace the Mahometans the dispute, between 
 you has become unimportant. Your fruit, by which your 
 true nature is known, appears to be the same ! Is the millen 
 nium approaching or receding ? The lion, it seems, may lie 
 down with the lamb in vice if not in virtue. 
 
 It is clear, then, that color can give neither advantage nor 
 disadvantage, nor forfeit the rights of its possessor. That 
 the negro is not inferior in nature to the rest of mankind, 
 and consequently is entitled to all the privileges we can justly 
 claim ; that the Africans have done nothing to forfeit their natu 
 ral rights ; that there is no just political reason for holding them 
 in bondage ; and that their servitude, as it is unjust, is a dis 
 grace to this country. The truth of those positions may be 
 intuitively seen, unless the mind be deplorably corrupted by 
 avarice or darkened by prejudice. It is said the quiver of 
 argument is exhausted in vain where these have influence ; 
 but when the people at large, in whom lies the power of 
 redressing the evil, are too corrupt to obey, or too prejudiced 
 to understand the voice of humanity and justice, they will 
 be as incapable as unworthy of governing themselves ; they 
 will be no longer the source of power, but deservedly the 
 victims of tyranny. It is hoped a time will speedily come 
 when all will be surprised that it was thought necessary to 
 resort to the present arguments to undermine slavery, to de 
 molish a column of depravity in a Christian land ! A great 
 people flourishing under the influence of republican institu 
 tions, and boasting of their superior felicity, should not long, 
 out of gratitude to God and respect to themselves, neglect to 
 do justice to the Africans. They should remember that their 
 injustice renders those blessings a reproach ; that their gov 
 ernment has no solid basis but the virtue of the nation ; that 
 one vice leads to another ; that the slaveholders cannot be 
 strictly moral, for they must partake of the degradation of 
 their slaves ; they cannot be republicans, they cannot be 
 Christians, nor can they be happy. Happiness is not the 
 
112 THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 companion of the unjust ; dignity communes not with, vice, 
 nor republicanism with tyranny. Are there republicanism 
 and despotism under the same government ? A kingdom 
 divided in itself shall fall. "Will a petty tyrant, who holds 
 property by virtue of power (not by virtue of justice), be in 
 general a good member of that society, the purity of whose 
 laws and whose existence depends on the virtue of its mem 
 bers ? Will rights be equally distributed by any but such as 
 love justice and equality ? Those in the habit of oppressing, 
 or arbitrarily directing their slaves, imperceptibly lose all 
 respect for their equals. As avarice usurps the place of 
 equity, they despise their inferiors in wealth, and are regard 
 less of the means of gratification, rushing over the throne of 
 justice, virtue and religion, to enjoyment. As pride usurps 
 the place of wisdom, their minds are weakened by the in 
 dulgence of passion, and that meekness is banished from 
 their hearts, which is the parent of greatness. They become 
 little men and great devils. Habitual tyranny assumes pirat 
 ical manners. The slaveholder disregards the feelings of 
 others ; is insolent to the poor. From the usurpation of the 
 rights of negroes he finds the transition to the usurpation of 
 the rights of others not difficult, as both can be done with 
 the same conscience. The barrier of modesty restrains wan 
 tonness, so the sanctity of right restrains usurpation. It is 
 with the former as the latter, when a breach is once made 
 their influence ceases ; and he who keeps the African in bond 
 age would do the same with his own countrymen were it in 
 his power. That he does not do it, thank heaven and the 
 laws ; but that he has the disposition to do it may be easily 
 discovered in his deportment. The impolicy of continuing 
 slavery is obvious. Will we nourish a viper in our bosom 
 which, while it stings us, offends God ? The example set by 
 this society of devotion to the cause of emancipation, will not 
 be useless. Those who deserve prosperity will not be called 
 in vain to the assistance of virtue. The dark cloud of Slavery 
 that hovers over our land, showering blood, disgracing our 
 name, and threatening to hide the benign countenance of 
 heaven, or clothe it with devouring vengeance, will dissolve 
 
PROSE WETTINGS. 113 
 
 in tears of joy ; majestic virtue and consoling religion 
 brighten like the flowery plain at the approach of the rosy 
 morn, when the propriety of holding our fellow-men in bond 
 age is universally and seriously examined. 
 
 O Slavery ! thou fiend of the night of ignorance ! thou 
 shelterest thyself under the lies of avarice ; but its deceits 
 cannot conceal thee. The sun of reason, revelation and jus 
 tice displays thy deformity to human eyes. Virtue draws 
 her sword against thee. Insulted heaven points at thy gorgon 
 head its thunders. Hell will mourn ; Heaven will rejoice at 
 thy fall. Thy votaries shall learn, though late, that its for 
 bearance was not acquiescence. When divine vengeance is 
 tardy its severity is increased. Thou disgracest mankind. 
 Thou writest inconsistency, cruelty, misanthropy and irre- 
 ligion on the American name. Thou dost bury States in in 
 dolence. For thy support, those who attempt to enlighten 
 the mind are deprived of day. Savannah inflicts stripes and 
 fines on such as instruct thy victims, for thou art hostile to 
 knowledge. Thou art indeed a companion of darkness. For 
 thee Africa laments the murder of millions of her sons and 
 daughters fallen in factious war, or voluntarily buried in 
 ocean's deeps, that the billows more friendly than Christian 
 arm might mingle their lifeless corses with the sands of their 
 native shores, whence they were untimely and cruelly snatched 
 away, no more to behold the scenes of early delight, their 
 pleasing homes and relations dear. Yes, Slavery, thy path is 
 blood, thy breath is sorrow, thy food is iniquity ; memory is 
 burdened with thy evils, and fancy sickens at thy horrors. 
 
114 THOMAS HEDGES GENES'. 
 
 ADVANTAGES OF BANKING.* 
 
 I herewith send you two dollars, the sum you once chari 
 tably gave me, when I approached you as a beggar ; accept it, 
 and my best wishes. I will now tell you how my condition 
 was made better. You recollect I used to sing patriotic songs, 
 from which you may have inferred that I was a patriot so 
 true, as to be unwilling to make a fortune at the expense of 
 my country and that was the case ; but remember that hu 
 man nature is weak, and temptation strong ; placed between 
 interest and patriotism it grieved me that my own good was 
 not the good of the public. Self at length prevailed. I spoke 
 to an engraver to make me $100,000 of bills, or bank paper, 
 for which I was to pay him $200, half in hand, the remainder 
 in two years. It was not easy to pay the first $100 as you 
 may see from the means employed to raise the money. I sold 
 my rifle-gun for $20, and hired my son Tom to neighbor 
 Mosely, to attend mason for six months for $30, which that 
 generous man paid in advance. I borrowed $5 of Mr. Cob 
 ble, the ditch-digger, for which my wife was to make his 
 negro man two straw hats ; my friend Hobble, generously 
 lent me $10 in consideration that my wife would spin tow for 
 him the next winter. All the clothes of my family that could 
 be spared, including my short breeches, sold for $20. There 
 being yet $15 wanting, I persuaded Molly to sell our bed, to 
 which she rather hesitatingly assented (it being then six years 
 since she had been accustomed to lie on the floor upon straw). 
 This, together with the bedstead and one sheet and blanket, 
 produced $16. Thus by bereaving myself of everything I pos 
 sessed, even pledging the future labor of my son and wife, 
 the $100 was raised, and paid, and the bills struck oif. 
 
 I next thought of a charter, though I despaired of obtaining 
 it, when I recollected there were none of my friends at court ; 
 
 * This paper was written in 1819, tlie Author being then but twenty-three 
 years of age. It appeared in the Philanthropist for September 5th, the 
 same year. It was written in the form of a letter addressed to " Pleuron," 
 and appeared over the signature of " Money-shadow." Later in life, he was 
 led to modify the views here put forth. 
 
PEOSE WETTINGS. 
 
 the lawyer Thawokumstavey had given me pleasant ideas of 
 the privileges of incorporated bodies : that they could not 
 die, that they could only be attached by their property, which 
 I believed they might secrete, and thus do roguishly with im 
 punity. 1 was convinced that a chartered bank had decided 
 advantages over an association, or an individual ; for I pay 
 special attention to the safety of the person, which is not easily 
 concealed, as every man carries a phiz of his own, while prop 
 erty has the same countenance in every man's pocket. If you 
 meet a dollar in the ale-house, though he was actually con 
 cealed there to avoid his creditors, he will show no symptoms 
 of guilt, nor denote by his name to whom he justly belongs ; 
 which, when I was a beggar, I often wished was the case ; for 
 I very rationally concluded that it would make the pockets of 
 many gentlemen too noisy to be carried far. The improba 
 bility of success made me decline attempting to get a charter, 
 and I sallied forth on my own responsibility, which I have 
 just described. I caused, with more modesty than many a 
 worse bank than mine has shown, my notes to be drawn pay 
 able in the current paper of the country. 
 
 Immediately 011 the receipt of the first package from the 
 engraver, I took horse and saddlebags, went into different 
 towns, bought some goods, made some exchanges of paper, 
 and succeeded in employing some agents to vend my paper. 
 To make a long story short, I presently had the whole of my 
 bills in circulation ; many drafts were early made upon my 
 bank, which I always met with the current paper of banks as 
 destitute of specie as my own. It was not long after my bank 
 went into operation, before I boasted of having specie enough 
 in its vaults to answer all demands. 
 
 The interest which the public obligingly pays me for the 
 same, amounts to $6,000 per year ; this sum will content me, 
 unless the community prove refractory ; in that case I may 
 determine to let my paper die in their hands. I am as much 
 surprised as you can be, that the people pay me this tax, for 
 the sake of valuing their property 10 instead of 4, and seeing 
 themselves occasionally sacrificed to gratify my caprice ; but 
 I am content to become rich if they are to be poor. You need 
 
116 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN/ 
 
 not be told that I feel consequential ; for the adage you for 
 merly so often repeated, " Put a beggar on horseback and he 
 will ride to the devil," probably directs your judgment yet. 
 Without denying the truth of this proverb, I insist It ought 
 not to be applied to me, for two reasons : First, that our bank 
 ing concerns ought not to be in the hands of beggars. Sec 
 ond, because the influence I have over the fortunes of men, is 
 sufficient to natter the vanity of a- prince ; if for amusement 
 I call in $40,000 or $50,000, the land around me will not 
 bring half its former price. I then see myself invited to par 
 take of good dinners ; the wealthiest men of the country ap 
 proach me, cap in hand, begging for a loan as earnestly as I 
 besought you for the said two dollars herewith transmitted. 
 Thus you see it is in my power to buy with my own rags 
 at half price, all the land over which my influence extends. 
 I lately called in some thousands for fear of a draft from the 
 United States Bank, and if the sheriff, at the next court, does 
 not return on many executions, "not sold for want of bid 
 ders," I am much mistaken ; for the appraisers seldom think 
 that land must be valued according to the amount of money 
 in circulation ; and, although I have withdrawn from circula 
 tion half of my paper, they will, I doubt not, appraise as high 
 as they would have done a year ago. It is unnecessary to 
 inform you with what facility I replaced my bed and short 
 breeches, and paid the remainder of my debt to the engraver. 
 This can be imagined easier than described ; nor need I tell 
 you that I have commanded my children to refrain from vul 
 gar company, and look to their rank. If you could see my 
 son Thomas, who contributed as above-stated towards collect 
 ing the aforesaid $100, you would wish he was your own. 
 Indeed, my whole family are greatly altered. My wife is no 
 longer a companion of the common people, and she intends 
 some time or other to learn to read. I shall soon be capable 
 of reading the Bible myself, and in my next letter I presume 
 I shall not be compelled to employ an amanuensis. 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 
 
 ADDRESS 
 
 Delivered before the St. Clairsville Chemical Society, of which the Author 
 was at the time President, February 25, 1821. 
 
 To obtain a knowledge of the laws which govern the material 
 world, I would define to be the object of the chemical phi 
 losopher. " Laws," says Montesquieu, " in their most general 
 signification are the necessary relations resulting from the 
 nature of things. In this sense all beings have their laws ; 
 the Deity his laws ; the material world its laws ; the intelli 
 gences superior to man have their laws ; the beasts their laws ; 
 and man his laws." " As we see the world, though formed by 
 the motion of matter, and void of understanding, subsists 
 through so long a succession of ages, its motions must certainly 
 be directed by invariable laws ; and could we imagine another 
 world, it must also have constant rules, or must inevitably 
 perish." "Thus the creation which seems an arbitrary act, 
 supposeth laws as invariable as the fatality of the atheists. It 
 would be absurd to say that the Creator might govern the 
 world without those rules, since without them it could not 
 subsist." " These rules are a fixed and invariable relation. 
 Between two bodies moved it is according to the relations of 
 the quantity of matter and velocity that all the motions are 
 received, augmented, diminished or lost ; each diversity is uni 
 formity ; each change is constancy." " Before there were 
 intelligent beings, such beings were possible ; they therefore 
 had possible relations, and consequently possible laws." 
 
 Man subject to passion and pain, as a physical being, is like 
 other bodies governed by invariable rules, but in proportion as 
 he may govern himself, he is liable to become removed from 
 his Creator. Hence the necessity of religion to remind him 
 that although free to regulate his conduct, yet he is account 
 able for his deeds. 
 
 It has not been determined whether brutes are governed by 
 the general laws of motion, or by a particular movement. It 
 is by the allurement of pleasure that they, as well as man, 
 preserve their species. They have natural laws, because they 
 
118 THOMAS HEDGES GEJSTEST. 
 
 are united by sensations ; yet they do not invariably conform 
 to them. " These laws are better observed by vegetables, that 
 have neither intellectual nor sensitive faculties." In propor 
 tion as the being has spontaneous motion, it seems liable to 
 deviate from the course of nature. The material world, then, 
 is the most constant and most subservient to the laws impressed 
 by the Creator from eternity. In the study and attainment 
 of a knowledge of these laws, which are uniform through all 
 the diversity, and constant through all the changes of matter, 
 we gradually " look through nature up to nature's God ;" but 
 it must be our doom to admire rather than comprehend the 
 immense magnitude and unlimited divisibility of matter. 
 The sun, planets and comets of our system, if beheld with re 
 gard to the fixed stars, the supposed suns of other systems, 
 seem like a family collected in a small cabin in the bosom of 
 a vast wilderness. All the stars that sparkle on the brow of 
 night occupy a space comparatively small, since it is said more 
 stars are discovered in one constellation by the telescope than 
 the naked eye perceives in the whole heavens. 
 
 Descending in the scale of nature, we find a like gradation 
 from minute objects to others infinitely more subtile. Where 
 the subdivisions of matter terminate is undiscovered, and may 
 ever be unknown ; but it is believed they have a termination, 
 and that the elementary particles of bodies are solid, uncom- 
 pounded and incapable of change by nature or art. From 
 microscopical observations, animals are discovered, thousands 
 of which, assembled in one mass, could not be discerned by 
 the unassisted eye ; each of these possesses all the organs of 
 life, and propagates its kind. From the inconceivable minute 
 ness of the particles of light that penetrate in all directions 
 the pores of transparent bodies, it appears that the subdivi 
 sions of the particles of matter descend beyond the power of 
 imagination to conceive ; and that nature is inexhaustible by 
 man. We stand then amidst infinity, a portion of which we 
 attempt to measure with finite means ; from what is under 
 stood of the properties of matter in one shape, we proceed to 
 exhibit it in another, certain that it is incapable of decay and 
 influenced by immutable affinities. 
 
PEOSE WETTINGS. 119 
 
 " Organic forms with chronic changes strive, 
 Live but to die, and die but to revive ; 
 Immortal matter braves the transient storm ; 
 Mounts from the wreck, unchanging but in form." 
 
 The fable of the Phoenix is said to have been a favorite em 
 blem of the chemists. 
 
 " For when Arabia's bird by age oppressed, 
 Consumes, delighted on his spicy nest, 
 A filial Phoenix from his ashes springs, 
 Crown'd with a star ; on renovated wings 
 Ascends exulting from his funeral flame 
 And soars and shines another and the same." 
 
 The carcass of the man or brute as it is decomposed, mingles 
 with such parts of matter as attract the parts disengaged in 
 the process of decomposition. Thus the means that consti 
 tuted the goodly frame, the temple of honor and ambition, 
 would be surrendered to the general mass of matter, whence 
 they had been taken in the shape of food and respiration. 
 Again the body forms a part of the inanimate earth, a portion 
 thereof 
 
 Mingled with the breeze ; 
 
 Flits o'er green hills, brown vales and seas ; 
 
 Glides in the stream, blooms in the rose ; 
 
 Rides on the surge or in the tempest blows. 
 
 The hydrogen that is disengaged from the dead body, hav 
 ing a strong affinity for oxygen, would probably unite with 
 that gas and fall upon the earth in a refreshing shower ; or 
 should it combine with nitrogen and form ammoniacal gas, 
 the result would probably be the same. 
 
 Another and equally potent affinity with that which drew 
 the sexes together in life, when they displayed beauty and in 
 telligence, unites their decomposed bodies with the kindred 
 atoms after the withering tempest of death has blown. But 
 this union is not shackled with punctilious calculations of 
 rank, or artificial formalities. The affinity is felt, and the 
 connection is complete. How oft may the parts of the slave, 
 
120 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 even of the brute, have been grappled with eager force by the 
 matter that was once a constituent part of a body before which 
 nations trembled. The influence of pride and shame, and all 
 the caprices of the mind having ceased to check or divert them 
 from their natural road ; they silently but plainly evince the 
 common parentage, and eternal equality of man. In him 
 matter is exhibited in its noblest mould, animated for a time 
 with an imperishable spirit, impressed with the image of God- 
 beaming dignity, and endowed with faculties to explore and 
 comprehend much of the surrounding creation. What pity 
 he should nurse or yield to ungenerous propensities, become 
 the sport of passion or instrument of oppression for the want 
 of a moderate knowledge of himself ! The study of philosophy 
 is well calculated to dethrone our pride, to temper our ambi 
 tion, and increase our rational enjoyment ; it leads imper 
 ceptibly to the practice of virtue. No wonder that the prince 
 of Latin poets, although floating on the full tide of renown, 
 solicits to repose in her shade : 
 
 " Give me the ways of wand'ring stars to know, 
 The depths of heaven above and earth below ; 
 Teach me the various labors of the moon ; 
 And whence proceed th' eclipses of the sun ; 
 Why flowing tides prevail upon the main, 
 And in what dark recess they sink again ;. 
 What shakes the solid earth ; what cause delays 
 The summer nights and shortens winter days." 
 
 " Happy the man who studying nature's laws, 
 Through known effects can trace the secret cause ; 
 His mind possessing in a quiet state, 
 Fearless of fortune and resigned to fate ; 
 Whose mind unmoved the bribes of courts can see ; 
 Their glittering baits and purple slavery ; 
 Nor hopes the people's praise, nor fears their frown ; 
 Nor when contending kindred tear the crown, 
 Will set up one or pull another down." 
 
 With calmness he hears the thunder above and enjoys the 
 storm. He finds a companion in inanimated nature; and 
 
TKOSE WRITINGS. 121 
 
 holds converse with matter in its various forms. The water 
 divested of its caloric, covering the world in the shape of 
 snow, with dreary beauty gives a sober pleasure equally with 
 the attractive mildness of the summer stream. He views the 
 world as his brother, and perhaps with the amiable Cowper, 
 would not willingly number among his friends the man that 
 would needlessly set foot upon a worm, considering it an or 
 ganic form like himself in the great chain of being. The 
 oyster, the polypus w T hich is the last of animals and the first of 
 plants, the mimosa or sensitive plant, that shrinks at the touch, 
 the dionea that closes its leaves if a fly settles upon them, and 
 the various kinds of mosses that become dried in summer, but 
 revive in winter, and which seem nearly allied to matter, to 
 tally inanimate all these possess the necessary organs of life 
 variously, but fitly disposed. 
 
 The distinction of sex is not alone confined to the animal 
 world ; it is said that the chief merit of Linnseus consists in 
 his making the sexual discriminations of plants the foundation 
 of his system. Before his time, perhaps, this distinction was 
 not generally known or acknowledged. He rather accepted 
 than discovered the fact, that plants had the same sexual rela 
 tions as animals ; for Herodotus observes that the Babylonians 
 were accustomed to transport the flowers of the male to the 
 female palm-tree, to assist the operations of nature in the pro 
 duction of fruit. Aristotle and his pupil Theophrastus, and in 
 the last century Hasselquist, Kay and Millington, and Grew, 
 the author of the Anatomy of Yegetables, appear to have 
 been acquainted with the sexes of plants. The last named 
 author expressly declares that every plant is male and female; 
 and has pointed out the resemblance and offices of their parts 
 of fructification and generation. 
 
 , The philosophers Plato and Empedocles asserted that plants 
 had affections or passions, and some modern naturalists as 
 Ray, Cardas, Watson and Percival, seem, upon close inspec 
 tion, to favor that opinion. The analogy of plants with ani 
 mals cannot fail to be interesting. The former is covered 
 with bark, the latter with skin. Leaves fall at certain seasons, 
 like the hair of animals and the feathers of birds. The leaves 
 
122 THOMAS HEDGES GENES'. 
 
 may well be considered as the lungs, from the quantity of air 
 they are known to absorb and exhale. The philosopher then, 
 it may be supposed, cannot behold plants with such un neigh 
 borly air as those who know less of their nature and uses. 
 While he views the innumerable leaves of vegetables waving 
 in the breeze, he is convinced that they are as many laborers 
 constantly purifying the air, which has been rendered im 
 pure by the respiration of animals. 
 
 " For, while the vegetable tribes inhale 
 The genial moisture from the parent vale, 
 Their vegetating organs decompose 
 The salutary compound as it flows ; 
 Select the hydrogen with nicest skill, 
 And mould it into resin at their will. 
 The oxygen, abandoning the mass, 
 Combines with heat and changes into gas ; 
 Which from its inmost cell each leaflet pours 
 In vital currents through its myriad pores ; 
 And thence by vivifying tempests hurled 
 From pole to pole, it cheers a fainting world." 
 
 He contemplates, with pleasure, the decomposition of the 
 atmosphere by the lungs of animals, which receive from the 
 air its oxygen and caloric, and reject its injurious properties, 
 as nitrogen and carbonic acid gas. To preserve this heat 
 thus taken from, perhaps, a freezing air, he sees the hand of 
 a wise providence affording clothing of furs and wool, which, 
 being bad conductors of heat, are well calculated to prevent 
 its escape. The Russians clothe themselves with fur because 
 it is a worse conductor of heat than wool. Sheep are natives 
 of temperate, bears and ermine of the coldest climates. He 
 admires the wild variety of nature on beholding those animals 
 that are not furnished with the means of taking heat from 
 the atmosphere, change from hot to cold with the medium 
 they inhabit, and contemplates the analogy of these animals 
 with plants, both being alike dependent upon the sun for 
 motion. " Frogs have been frozen so as to chip like ice, and 
 yet when gradually thawed have been completely reanimated." 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 123 
 
 Man, quadrupeds and whales possess the means of taking 
 caloric from the atmosphere through lungs ; "but all are de 
 pendent upon the great fountain of light and heat. 
 
 " Unseen by whom had nature mourned ; 
 No smile her Efchiop cheek adorned ; 
 Pale night had spread her specter'd reign, 
 And death-like horror ruled the scene." 
 
 While he treads upon calcareous mountains he feels borne 
 above the ocean by the ruins of former life. 
 
 " For in vast shoals beneath the brineless tide, 
 On earth's firm crust testaceous tribes reside. 
 Age after age expands the peopled plain ; 
 The tenants perish, but their cells remain. 
 Whence coral walls and sparry hills ascend 
 From pole to pole, and round the line extend." 
 
 Indeed, he who is familiar with nature has a constant and 
 very agreeable companion ; but the pleasure cannot be com 
 pared with the utility to be derived from chemical science. 
 It not only gives food to the mind for delightful contempla 
 tion, but it furnishes the stomach and the pocket with sub 
 stantial fare. Commerce revives at her approach ; economy 
 listens to her precepts with high expectations ; life itself 
 rejoices at her march. She points out the noxious gases, 
 their residence and their antidotes. She fixes beacons in the 
 ocean of animation by which life may avoid the dangers that 
 lurk beneath. She is the friend of the farmer and the manu 
 facturer, and of most mechanic trades. 
 
 The researches of the chemist extend to all material bodies. 
 The matter possessing the greatest levity and the greatest 
 solidity is alike subject to his inquiries. The air that we 
 inhale and the food that nourishes are constantly decomposed 
 by the chemical laboratory of the body, to effect changes in 
 which how greatly are medicine and pharmacy dependent 
 upon the assistance of chemistry. A physician would cer 
 tainly be a dangerous operator upon the system unless he 
 
124: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 knew the chemical affinities of the medicine administered. 
 It is said that all animal and vegetable poisons destroy by de 
 oxidizing, or taking the oxygen out of the blood ; while, on 
 the contrary, metallic poisons are baneful in consequence of 
 carrying a superabundance of oxygen into the blood. There 
 fore substances which contain a large portion of oxygen are 
 the real antidotes to animal and vegetable poisons. And 
 those substances which have a strong affinity for oxygen, but 
 contain none thereof in themselves, are the proper antidotes 
 to mineral poisons. " Many thousand lives have been lost," 
 says Parks, " by poison, which might have been saved if the 
 physician had been in possession of the knowledge which 
 he may now acquire by a cultivation of chemical science. 
 And though the operation of many of the poisons upon the 
 system be, in these days, well understood, nothing but a 
 knowledge of chemistry can enable the practitioner to admin 
 ister such medicines as will counteract their baneful effects." 
 
 The farmer is also peculiarly interested in chemical re 
 searches. Those who can take no delight in understanding 
 the nature and properties of matter in its various forms, will 
 nevertheless take pleasure in the contemplation of a fruitful 
 harvest and the increase of their wealth. It is important to 
 know the relation of the manure to the soil by an ampliza- 
 tion of both. It is said by the same author that " some kind 
 of lime is injurious to land, and will render land hitherto 
 fertile sterile. A knowledge of chemistry will show the far 
 mer when to use lime slacked and when unslacked, and how 
 to promote the putrefaction process in his composts, and at 
 what period to check it, to prevent the fertilizing particles los 
 ing their virtue. It will teach him the difference in the prop 
 erties of marl, lime, dung, mud, ashes, alkaline salt, water," 
 etc. A distinguished chemist, Lavoisier, cultivated two hun 
 dred and forty acres of land on chemical principles, in order 
 to set a good example to the farmers ; and his mode of cul 
 ture was attended with so much success that he obtained a 
 third more of crop than was obtained by the usual method, 
 and in nine years his annual productions doubled. Butter 
 and cheese and their preservation, and the art of curing and 
 
PROSE WETTINGS. 125 
 
 preserving beef, ham and bacon, and all animal and vegetable 
 substances, are dependent upon chemical principles, as are 
 the arts of dyeing, bleaching, tanning, glass-making, print 
 ing, working metals, etc. The economy with which the 
 manufacturer may proceed by a proper knowledge of chem 
 istry, is well exemplified by the fact related by Parks, that 
 " till lately the makers of alum bought alkalies of every de 
 scription. An accurate analysis of alum has now discovered 
 that potash and ammonia are the only alkalies which enter 
 into the composition of alum ; and consequently that large 
 sums have been expended by the manufacturer for an article 
 of no use." The manufacturer of vinegar may, from this 
 science, learn to oxygenize his liquids in the shortest time and 
 in the easiest manner. The manufacturer of soap may ascer 
 tain the quantity of alkali the substances he employs contains, 
 and make selections of the substances ordinarily employed 
 that will prove most profitable. "He will," says Parks, 
 " learn in choosing his tallows, how to avoid those which con 
 tain a large portion of sebacic acid, which require much more 
 barilla than good tallow, and yet produce less soap. He will 
 know how to oxidize common oils and oil dregs, so as to give 
 them consistence and render them good substitutes for tallow. 
 He will know how to apportion his lime, so as to make his 
 alkali perfectly caustic, without using an unnecessary quan 
 tity of that article. He will be aware of the advantage 
 which may be derived from oxygenating the soap while boil 
 ing. A knowledge of the chemical affinities will teach him 
 how, at a cheap rate, to make as good and as firm soap with 
 potash as with the mineral alkali, and how to take up the 
 heterogeneous salts so as to give the alkali full opportunity 
 of combining with the oils and tallows, etc. ; and he will 
 know how to make use of the waste leys so as to decompose 
 the salts which they contain, and convert them to good and 
 servicable alkali to be used in future operations." Although 
 the pursuits before mentioned may prosper without chemical 
 aid, yet they cannot advance with that certain success and 
 possible economy of means as they might with the assistance 
 of chemistrv. 
 
126 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 It has properly been called a fascinating, as well as useful 
 science. Its constant application to everything around inces 
 santly exemplifies its beauty and utility. While others sur 
 vey the material world with indifference and thoughtlessness, 
 the chemist beholds it with eager curiosity, drinking from the 
 prospect sweet drafts of instruction. To him only is the full 
 magnificence of creation displayed. What has been said of 
 the painter may truly be applied to the chemist. " The 
 volume of nature is laid open to him; his attention is 
 directed to the vast and to the minute ; and his imagina 
 tion clings to perfection with ineffable delight." 
 
 The philosopher, and especially the chemist, has but little 
 inducement to seek the company of frivolous companions, or 
 to haunt the circles of dissipation to supply the fleeting hours 
 with enjoyment. In the endless variety of nature he may 
 continually and unweariedly enjoy the solid grandeur of- 
 truth, displaying all the beauty and harmony that history has 
 related or poetry imagined ; for this unceasing diversity is 
 not the monotony so happily alluded to in the following lines : 
 
 " The best of things above their measure cloy, 
 Sleep's balmy blessing loves enduring joy ; 
 The feast, the dance, whate'er mankind desire, 
 E'en the sweet charms of sacred numbers tire." 
 
 As the variety is endless, so is the satisfaction. But, as I 
 before intimated, this science, as connected with philosophy 
 in general, leads imperceptibly to a knowledge of ourselves. 
 " Know thyself," has long been considered a saying of infinite 
 importance. Thales the Milesian was accounted the first 
 among the ancients who taught the necessity of this knowl 
 edge. The doctrine was promulgated by his successor ; and 
 the precept was at length consecrated in golden letters at 
 Delphos over the door of the temple of Apollo, to signify 
 that it was dictated by that god. Cicero observes that the 
 reason of its being supposed to be divine was because it ap 
 peared to possess too much sentiment and wisdom to be of 
 human origin. It is owing to a want of this knowledge 
 that we fall into the greatest of our errors. If we properly 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 127 
 
 knew ourselves, the most of us would not wander abroad to 
 reform others, but would seriously endeavor to effect a refor 
 mation in ourselves. We should more willingly watch our 
 own than the faults of others. This aversion to see our own 
 failings is thus forcibly expressed by some one of the ancients : 
 " Every man carries a bag or wallet, one end hanging before, 
 the other behind him. Into the one before he throws all the 
 faults of his neighbors, and into that behind he carelessly 
 throws his own faults ; so that while his own are concealed 
 he keeps the foibles of others constantly in view." Though 
 man has a considerable understanding of the -arts and sciences, 
 a want of this knowledge will cause him to be proud of his 
 attainments and of himself. Pope judiciously advises to 
 " drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring ;" for shallow 
 drafts intoxicate the brain, " but drinking largely sobers us 
 again." A divine of no common attainments observes that 
 the reason why great scholars are generally more humble than 
 their inferiors, is because in the magnitude of their acquire 
 ments they usually acquire, with other things, a good portion 
 of self-knowledge, which ballasts their understandings, and 
 enables them to behold themselves in a proper light. 
 
 Upon this subject, it would require great ingenuity in a 
 person of mere common reading to say anything new or orig 
 inal, for every author on morals or religion has said something 
 in favor of self-knowledge. Pride is constantly called the 
 child of self-ignorance. Let a man look about and within 
 himself, and he will find enough to make him humble. The 
 self-knowledge of Socrates was brilliantly displayed in the 
 following incident : When the populace were about to stone 
 a physiognomist for asserting that Socrates was, if he could 
 judge from his countenance, naturally a rogue, the philoso 
 pher calmed their rage by observing that it was true. He 
 was naturally a rogue ; but by the force of moral precepts he 
 had restrained himself from the commission of unworthy 
 actions. 
 
128 THOMAS HEDGES GENII*. 
 
 ESSAYS ON THE PRESERVATION OF MOEALS.* 
 
 NUMBER ONE. 
 
 THE reader of history lias not failed to observe that virtue 
 and liberty have always existed together, and that the ruin 
 of republics begins with the corruption of morals. Those 
 who design the oppression of a people, tempt their virtue, art 
 fully undermine their morals, and lull them " with lethargic 
 charms." Philip of Macedon had not found an JEschines in 
 Athens, nor her citizens indifferent to the warnings of De 
 mosthenes, had they not been corrupted by the practices of 
 Pericles and his unworthy successors. To insure the favor of 
 the Athenians, Pericles nattered their pride and gratified their 
 idle desires, from the public treasury : he gained popularity ; 
 but his country lost her strongest support. It is a custom to 
 blame individuals (as Pericles in this case), but may it not be 
 correct that while they seek favor of the public, their acts are 
 the echo of public opinion, and the mere consequence of the 
 principles which influence the main part of the community. 
 
 Often when we accuse public actors of corrupting, their 
 offence consists in not breasting the tide of corruption an 
 Aristides seldom appears. Reason yields so imperceptibly to 
 the current of desire, that a majority of any people receive 
 favorably what affords them pleasure without laboring to 
 weigh present advantages with future consequences. Instead 
 of despising the man who flatters their vices for their votes, 
 they permit the insult to their judgment to bribe their affec 
 tions. From suffering themselves to be bribed by a shaking 
 of hands, to vote for a worthless candidate, they will pres 
 ently allow a glass of whiskey to effect the same ; and at 
 length, that sense of propriety which virtue and knowledge 
 inspire, is so blunted, that the candidate wounds no delicacy 
 by asking, nor the voter by promising a vote. This inevit 
 ably leads to a loud and empty legislature, whose course will 
 
 * These Essays were first published in the Wheeling Gazette, in 1821, 
 under the general title, " Remarks on the Necessity of Preserving Morals, 
 and the Causes of their Decline." 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 129 
 
 be as shameless and bold as the means which its members 
 employed to procure their election. A member who buys 
 votes, no matter at what price or for what commodity, may 
 himself be bought. If he is mean in trifles, he is doubly so in 
 matters of importance. From a legislature composed of such, 
 it is in vain to expect attention to public morals. Men who 
 would rise by passing themselves upon the people, as a coun 
 terfeiter passes his false money, will not be desirous to pro 
 mote knowledge. Their legislative acts will not cross their 
 private interest, for the promotion or protection of morals. 
 
 Such, nevertheless, correctly represent their constituents. 
 Did ever a foolish sovereign choose wise counsellors ? Or 
 will a people who look kindly upon the father of their vices, 
 elect virtuous representatives ? From the acts then of a 
 State's representatives, may be formed a correct estimate of 
 the morals of its citizens. The mischief begins with the peo 
 ple, and with them is the remedy. To men interested in pro 
 moting ignorance and vice, it is useless to point out the dan 
 gerously demoralizing tendency of their measures. It is to 
 the body of the people themselves, that argument can be use 
 fully directed. As it is their interest to preserve and perfect 
 public morals, they will view with indignation what tends to 
 their corruption. "When alarmed at the consequences of their 
 slumber, they will say : Why did ignorance invite our suffra 
 ges, but because we gave her encouragement? Why did 
 vice have the impudence to ask our support, but that when 
 he invited us to prostitute our votes, he knew to whom and 
 what he was speaking ? Let us nourish then that respect for 
 knowledge which shall lessen the confidence of ignorance, and 
 create such a detestation of vice and impudence, as shall com 
 pel men to approach us at least in the guise of virtue and 
 modesty. Then the candidates and their caterers will not 
 dare to propose a bribe in any shape, nor adopt measures de 
 structive of morality, when elected. This must lead to purity 
 in our laws, and wisdom in our councils ; for a very different 
 sort of men from those who thrust themselves into every one's 
 way, will rise to view : too honest to blind others to their defects. 
 They will have no inducement to promote ignorance and im- 
 9 
 
130 THOMAS HEDGES GENTN". 
 
 morality, to preserve their places. Cleanse the stream in its 
 source, else look not for purity in its progress. Send bank 
 rupts to the legislature, and laws unfavorable to the collection 
 of debts will follow. Elect men who attempt to divest the 
 people of impartiality, by propagating falsehood, circulating 
 whiskey, begging and threatening, and if laws injurious to 
 morals are not the consequence, it will be owing to the silence 
 of private interest, or because men have not the ability to dis 
 cern what that interest demands. 
 
 These rules have exceptions. There may be an honest and 
 patriotic bankrupt, and there may be men who employ vile 
 means to get possession of a post which they occupy with 
 integrity, when obtained ; but there are few who are deaf to 
 the persuasion of self-interest. The laws of Ohio regulating 
 the collection of debts, are certainly very demoralizing in 
 their tendency. They are calculated to sow the seeds of dis 
 honesty beyond their own limits, whatever the motives of 
 their authors. Neighboring States may, with reason, fear the 
 contagion of that faithlessness which they are calculated to 
 nourish and defend ; and, if it is the right of their citizens, it 
 is their duty to expose what is aimed at the foundation of 
 republican government at the virtue of the people, for all 
 are concerned in the consequences. All should resist what 
 tends to debase good morals, even in the domestic circle of a 
 single family ; how much more should we feel interested when 
 the law-givers of more than five hundred thousand citizens 
 adopt measures that cannot fail to injure the shield of liberty. 
 That a few debtors should be deprived of their property, is a 
 matter of little importance compared with the demoralization 
 of a people. " Laws," says Montesquieu, " must accord with 
 the principle of the government." Yirtue is the principle of 
 republican government. "When laws in republics tend to 
 weaken this principle, they hasten the dissolution of the gov 
 ernment. 
 
 NUMBER TWO. 
 
 The laws of Ohio regulating judgments and executions, 
 provide that the debtor may surrender to the officer such 
 property as the debtor selects ; if it be personal, it must not be 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 131 
 
 sold but for half, if real, for two-thirds of its appraised value. 
 If no sufficient price be offered on the day of sale, personal 
 property may be returned to the debtor on his giving security 
 for its delivery at the expiration of six months. This may 
 be repeated as often as there fails to be purchasers at half the 
 appraised value. The debtor retains possession of real estate 
 until it sells at two-thirds of its appraised worth. The 
 sheriff or constable has the selection of the appraisers, and 
 administers the oath, which he may do at the end of every 
 six months, in the same case, until the cost of the mercy of 
 the debtor deprives him of all hopes of paying his debts, and 
 prevents the creditor from receiving his demands. I have 
 said the cost of the mercy may deprive the debtor of hope to 
 pay his debts. I wish the mercy may not deprive him of the 
 disposition to pay them. There are few who have not seen a 
 fond, simple mother attempt to prevent the correction of an 
 offending child, and know her to be rather weak than wise in 
 so doing. A legislature does not act with more prudence that 
 screens folly, extravagance, presumption and roguery, from 
 the wholesome discipline which our foolish fathers thought 
 necessary to confine the visionary speculator in the bounds of 
 sober utility ; to teach the man of pleasure that his ease ought 
 not to deprive industry of its reward, and to advise roguery 
 that honesty is the best policy. 
 
 The appraisement of debtors' property is often such as to 
 render the judgment unavailing ; he generally provides for 
 the levy, that property with which he can best dispense, and 
 which he calculates most unsalable : as grind-stones, wood 
 clocks, fence rails, so situated that their conveyance from the 
 debtor's land would exceed their value, tomb-stones, etc. If 
 half the appraised value of this unsalable property does not 
 exceed the sum for which it can be bought, perhaps of the 
 appraisers themselves, it is an exception to a general rule. 
 It must not be expected that a law which strikes at the root 
 of morals will long be well executed, if its execution depends 
 on the virtue which it destroys. The manner in which this 
 law is executed, requiring many oaths to be administered by 
 grave sheriffs and constables, will not tend to make tender 
 
132 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 consciences. I scarce need repeat what is so often remarked, 
 that the frequency of oaths lessens their influence ; as we grow 
 familiar, we lose respect for this guardian of truth. What ob 
 trudes upon us we behold with indifference ; even the sun the 
 most great, bright and useful of things, is generally viewed 
 without reverence because it is so frequently seen. 
 
 NUMBER THKEE. 
 
 The sentiments which the Ohio law inspires ; the example 
 which it gives of disregard to oaths ; the temptation which it 
 presents to person who are governed more by fear of punish 
 ment than love of virtue ; the advantage which it gives rogues 
 over honest men ; the imputation of roguery which it casts 
 on the good by taking from them the means of fulfilling their 
 contracts ; the excuses which it affords persons of equivocal in 
 tegrity for not performing their contracts, thus encouraging 
 falsehood and hypocrisy ; its inducements to extravagance in 
 debtors, to the injury of creditors, whereby the money that 
 should be applied in payment of debts, within the State, is 
 sent to the Atlantic cities (to trace it no further) to purchase 
 some conveniences but more luxuries ; the cost which it heaps 
 on judicial proceedings, and the increase of litigation which 
 it causes these are some of its odious features which disgust 
 the moralist, and give the patriot pain, while he contemplates 
 its provisions, or witnesses its practice. It will inspire the 
 feeling that promises are not sacred ; that as it is fashionable 
 to cheat, it is folly to be honest ; that oaths are toys and mere 
 matters of form ; that the gratification of desire should not 
 yield to the claims of justice ; that dissimulation is not a vice, 
 and that candor is the portion of fools. 
 
 I have before observed that the frequency of oaths, in this 
 law is calculated to destroy their influence. The subject on 
 which they are employed (that of estimating the value of 
 things) connected with their frequency, is also well calculated 
 to hasten the decline of their importance. Even when the 
 appraisers have acted conscientiously, and judged correctly, a 
 great many, disagreeing with the opinion of the appraisers, will 
 believe they have done otherwise, and view their conduct as 
 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 133 
 
 an example of the futility of oaths. To preserve their sanctity, 
 the legislator should not employ them, but from great neces 
 sity, upon a subject on which it is seldom that two have the 
 same opinion. Most subjects, indeed, admit of difference of 
 opinion, but not in the same degree as that of estimating the 
 value of property, represented by, and constantly varying in 
 price, with the quantity of the circulating medium. Oaths 
 should not be employed to be disgraced, nor be represented to 
 the people like a Sardanapalus at his distaff. A republican 
 legislator does ill to weigh gold against virtue, or to adopt 
 laws destructive of morals, to secure some imprudent debtors 
 against the possibility of oppression by the creditors. The 
 remedy will be found worse than the disease. Because a finger 
 is sore must the heart be cut ? Because some spendthrifts and 
 drunkards, some bad calculators and a few knaves are in debt, 
 must the palladium of our liberty, our virtue, be sacrificed ? It 
 cost our fathers something more both in lives and property, 
 than the debtors, creditors, and their gear would number ; but 
 children who expend fortunes hoarded by their parents, and 
 sunshine patriots, who gather loaves and fishes over the 
 veteran's grave, are often too wise to respect the principles of 
 the ancestors. Those persons are seldom sued who are known 
 to pay when they can. Of ten that are pressed by their cred 
 itors, eight deserve it. Suppose creditors are destitute of 
 humanity, there are few so indifferent to public opinion as to 
 unjustly drive their debtor to extremity. The abuse of a 
 power to coerce the debtor is not so probable as the necessity 
 of it is certain. It is not by immuring a debtor in jail, or 
 sacrificing his property, that the creditor in general expects to 
 be benefited. It is the fear which the debtor entertains of 
 these events that makes him industrious to earn, careful to 
 save, desirous to pay, and cautious of holding out false colors, 
 to obtain credit. The latter is a mode of stealing that seldom 
 fails to be successfully practised, and with impunity where 
 the laws are even secure against debtors. What a fine oppor 
 tunity does the Ohio law afford to this class of thieves ! 
 
 The votary of virtue never plunges at once into the full 
 practice of vice. The defences of morality are gradually, and 
 
134: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 almost imperceptibly forced, until the whole bulwark is 
 demolished. As an inconsiderable current, overflowing an 
 embankment, increases as the ground gives way, until it 
 bears down all opposition; so vice gathers force at every 
 encroachment on the province of virtue, until the latter is 
 destroyed. We turn not from the contemplation of beauty to 
 look with delight on deformity ; but by indulgence of desire, 
 and frequent concession to temptation, we are presently 
 brought to view with pleasure the ill features of vice. When 
 a dandy first presents his awkward mode for the imitation of 
 the wiser part of mankind, they often view the impertinent 
 innovator with disdain, but growing by degrees accustomed 
 to his dress, they see it without contempt, at length with 
 pleasure, and finally adopt it themselves. Such is the fascina 
 tion of fashion ; such the consequence of indulgence and non- 
 resistance of trifles. A little concession at one time, and a little 
 at another, to the claims of desire, and virtue is soon over 
 thrown. It is not unlike small expenditures in pecuniary 
 matters, where we too often forget that a fortune is composed 
 of small sums. At first we may look with disgust on the 
 man who neglects his promise, or who, able to satisfy a judg 
 ment, takes shelter under the law. We blame the seduced 
 and overlook the seducer ; we abate no severity on account of 
 the temptation of the law, and the weakness of human nature. 
 Similar breaches of good faith, often occurring, the iniquity 
 becomes fashionable, and dishonesty gives little offence, unless 
 it attack ourselves. At length our sentiments are changed 
 respecting moral obligations ; no tie but interest, no rule but 
 force, and no principle but fear, govern our actions. 
 
 All republics, when arrived at this stage, have dissolved, 
 despotisms rising on their ruins. Who sees the state of public 
 morals in Rome immediately preceding and after the conspir 
 acy of Catiline but pronounces the nation ripe for those events 
 which established the throne of Augustus ? The same causes 
 in France gave Napoleon a crown, and the same want of vir 
 tue and knowledge in the body of the people of South America 
 justifies our government in not hastily acknowledging their 
 independence ; for they may be unfit for such a form of gov- 
 
PROSE WETTINGS. 135 
 
 ernment as we would gladly approve. To prevent the cor 
 ruption of morals should be the endeavor of all, especially 
 Legislators; and when those, through private interest, or 
 ignorance of the principle of their government, promulgate 
 laws of a contrary tendency, like the one which I have seen 
 fit to notice in these essays, it is wished the people may know 
 it as soon as they feel the effect ; inquire into the cause thereof, 
 and apply the proper remedy. 
 
 NUMBER FOUR. 
 
 Among the causes of moral depravity is party distinction, 
 by which the attention of people is drawn from the man to 
 the party whose interest he espouses. Although in our country 
 the spirit of faction has much subsided, many will attempt 
 to kindle it anew because they feel their insignificance very 
 sensibly increase, since they are staid on their own merit. As 
 those who deem a principle good do not discover its conse 
 quences to be bad, so their defects were unnoticed by all who 
 looked for perfection in the members of their party. 
 
 The partisan who sees the decay of his importance will talk 
 with apparent sincerity of the necessity of factions in a State. 
 He wants an opportunity to get the nation into a war about 
 names, that by a name he may get what would be denied to 
 his merit ; certain that his morals or abilities will be little 
 regarded, if he does not bear what blind partisans most esteem, 
 the name of Madisonian, Clintonian, Democrat, or Federalist. 
 
 As empty men derive importance from faction, we should 
 not be surprised that they have discovered its usefulness ; but we 
 might well be astonished if men of abilities, who sufficiently 
 appreciate the honors of office, to despise them unless rightly 
 obtained, should pronounce it worthy in object, or moral in 
 means. "With what disgust must these look on partisans who 
 endeavor to darken the mind with prejudice, and banish im 
 partiality by such expressions as " Who is not for us is against 
 us," " Who unites with a party shows a manly spirit, and 
 decision of character," etc. I have often smiled at these say 
 ings, and purposely conversed with the speaker afterwards to 
 discover whether he was inspired by knavery or ignorance. 
 
136 
 
 THOMAS HEDGES GENINT. 
 
 The greater number of these sagacious ones, I found, owed all 
 their confidence in their maxims to ignorance. They were 
 propagating with sincerity the invention of knaves, and for 
 doing what they considered their duty, perhaps sought no 
 reward, though they sometimes gazed on the public loaf. 
 These are a sort of manure for another's crop, or a field which 
 designing men cultivate for their own purposes, where they 
 too often reap an abundant harvest from seed of delusion. 
 Not one of them has sufficient humility or self-knowledge to 
 suspect himself imposed on or deceived. Such believe they 
 are supporting principles, when they only support men who 
 are frequently destitute of good principles ; for most partisans 
 look more to the party a man espouses than to his integrity or 
 knowledge. 
 
 If factions are injurious to a State, men of great integrity 
 and talents will not unite with them, though men of great 
 ambition may, who usually justify themselves by " necessity, 
 the tyrant's plea." The venerable John Adams has attributed 
 to necessity what he may have done of a party character. I 
 hope he has benefited his country and posterity, by expressing 
 his fear that " party Presidents and party Governors will be 
 injurious, if not destructive of our excellent institutions." 
 After the fire of ambition slackens, every partizan of common 
 understanding, who has bestowed but little attention on the 
 history of factions, must regret that any act of his life was to 
 promote the dominion of a party. I wish every factionary 
 possessed Mr. Adams's candor, and a better excuse for his 
 error. Though it might have been necessary for the gratifica 
 tion of his ambition to favor a party, it could not have been 
 necessary to do so for the happiness of his country. 
 
 All who are above the meanness of courting a faction, are 
 charged with disaffection to the Government, in a State that 
 is governed by factions. The severe practitioners of virtue are 
 shunned; their integrity is feared by both parties by the 
 knaves, because they dread the truth ; by the ignorant, be 
 cause they suppose their party and correct principle are the 
 same ; and conclude that he who is inimical to the former, 
 must be destitute of the latter. In such a State, the compar- 
 
PEOSE WETTINGS. 137" 
 
 atively undeserving rule, whose object is more the protection 
 and welfare of their party than the country. They court all 
 who can forward their interest, and try to ruin all who cannot 
 be corrupted. The leaders of faction require from their fol 
 lowers implicit obedience. Their subordinate tools of decep 
 tion are encouraged to labor in their cause by rewards of 
 office ; not for their merits as men, but for their drudgery as 
 caterers. Hence we have seen the dregs of society in official 
 stations which respectable people would gladly have accepted. 
 We have seen vice set above virtue ; gross indecency triumph 
 over modesty ; ignorance over knowledge, and folly over wis 
 dom ! Does faction then promote virtue and strengthen the 
 guard of liberty ? Does it not promote dissimulation, corrup 
 tion, and provide fit materials for slavery ? 
 
 Beside these evils, history abounds with immediate ills of 
 faction. From a desire to exalt the party, its directors have 
 generally, I might say uniformly, not spared the State where 
 the interest of the party and State have interfered. The Han- 
 nonian faction, by withholding supplies from Hannibal, when 
 in Italy, saved Rome and ruined Carthage ; for Hannibal de 
 clared he was not compelled to withdraw from Italy by the 
 Romans, whom he had constantly defeated, but by Hanno and 
 his party, who were bent on the ruin of the Barcan family ; to 
 crush which they destroyed Carthage itself. The attempts of 
 a faction to ruin Alcibiades gave to Athens, after many great 
 misfortunes, her thirty tyrants. Who recalls the story of 
 Marius and Scylla, the former murdering the friends of the 
 latter, and Scylla repaying the violence on the adverse faction 
 with usury, while Rome reeks with the gore of her best citi 
 zens ; or of the equally bloody discord of Caesar and Pompey, 
 who recalls these and does not execrate the damning genius of 
 party spirit ? Poland has died of wounds inflicted by her 
 factions. What France has suffered, and what it was feared 
 we might ourselves suffer from like causes, is in the memory 
 of most of our citizens. The bounds I propose myself admit 
 not much detail. The pages of history are equally amusing 
 and instructive ; there the reader may convince himself that 
 parties, or factions, are highly injurious to morals, and directly 
 
138 THOMAS HEDGES GENET. 
 
 hurtful to the State. In our country there should be no par 
 ties except as they represent virtue and knowledge opposed to 
 ignorance and vice. The merits of persons, and not of names, 
 will then be weighed. 
 
 WASHHSTGTOK 
 
 Oration, delivered in St. Clairsville, Ohio, on Washington's Birth-Day, 
 1823.* 
 
 " First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
 countrymen," is the citizen whose nativity we commemorate. 
 His should be no idle eulogium. 'Tis not enough that w T e 
 applaud his merit ; we do him most honor by practising his 
 precepts and imitating his conduct. What we approve with 
 words, but deny by deeds, is rather degraded than honored by 
 our notice. "What boots it that a rogue lauds an honest man ? 
 Why a promoter of faction, a foe to morality, a mover of dis 
 union of our confederacy, an instigator of jealousy and hatred 
 against particular nations, an enemy to institutions for the 
 general diffusion of knowledge, or an office-hunter without 
 capacity to perform official duties, bestow praise on Washing 
 ton? Not surely because he respects the principles of the 
 man ; his actions declare that he is governed by other motives. 
 Our hero was not merely to be admired, but imitated. He 
 had the dignity of Cato, without his pride; the magnanimity 
 and perseverance of Csesar or Alexander, without the criminal 
 ambition of the one, or the licentiousness of the other. His 
 idea of excellence was not confined to the splendor of conquest? 
 the direction of armies, or the possession of power. With him 
 honesty was essential to greatness. Other nations may boast 
 the heroism of their sons ; to the heroism of Washington, we 
 may add the praise of wisdom and justice. How pre-eminent 
 
 * The ornate rhetoric, so conspicuous in the author's earlier writings, does 
 not desert him in his Eulogium of the Father of his Country. It is, how 
 ever, full of wisdom, of patriotic counsel, for the most part forcibly ex 
 pressed. 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 139 
 
 is he who saved his country, over those who owe their impor 
 tance to their country's ruin. Americans will long remember 
 his services. May they never forget his precepts, nor cease to 
 emulate his virtues ! 
 
 Whether beheld " riding the whirlwind and directing the 
 storm " of revolution, or in the calm of peace, wisely adminis 
 tering the government of his nation, he is always its guardian ; 
 never the oppressor. He lives for his countrymen ; not his 
 countrymen for him. As General or President, he ornaments 
 the office, while the office adds nothing to his real dignity. He 
 sought not emoluments ; the public good was the object of his 
 solicitude. His disinterestedness is proved by his refusal of 
 pay for his services. Unlike Cincinnatus, he cannot be accused 
 of favoring the designs of a faction; yet his meekness and 
 willingness to abandon official stations were not exceeded by 
 the ploughman Dictator. Possessor of a considerable estate, 
 and enjoying the esteem of the royal government, vulgar 
 minds might have thought he had more to lose than gain, by 
 venturing his own with his country's fortune; yet greatly 
 daring, he launched into the ocean of our troubles, and cut 
 our way to empire over financial embarrassment and European 
 discipline. Above the tide of destiny he stood, in our darkest 
 day, like the sun above terrestrial storms, irradiating the 
 gloom of the period with his unconquered spirit. Still rising 
 with the occasion, his greatness increases with our danger. As 
 meteors seem most brilliant in darkness, so his genius was 
 most conspicuous amidst difficulties. Like Sertorious or Cato, 
 while he existed fortune could not discourage with her frowns, 
 nor prosperity seduce by her smiles. Intrepid he leads the 
 young republic through seven winters' snows, up the slippery 
 height of fortune, to independence. At length, the conqueror 
 of his enemies and himself, he resigns his command, and retires 
 to Yernon's shade. 
 
 A wise man has said that all is vanity and vexation of spirit ; 
 but surely those deeds that command the applause of justice 
 that renown which grows in the soil of virtue the conscious 
 ness of deserving well, cannot be vain. Chiefly those who 
 have sought objects unessential to happiness, complain of the 
 
14:0 THOMAS HEDGES GENTN". 
 
 vanity of human pursuits, modestly ascribing to Providence 
 the consequences of their own folly. Such 
 
 " Fondly thinking to allay 
 Their appetite with gust, instead of fruit 
 Chew bitter ashes," 
 
 because they mistake shadows for substances, flowers for fruit, 
 and seek happiness in external pomp and circumstances, and 
 not in the satisfaction of the mind, or the consciousness of 
 having " acted well their part." Yet those objects are not 
 unworthy of pursuit, because they are not the foundation of 
 happiness : 
 
 " Perish the lore that deadens young desire, 
 Pursue, poor imp, th' imaginary charm ; 
 Indulge gay hope, and fancy's pleasing fire ; 
 Fancy and hope too soon shall of themselves expire." 
 
 Our Washington sought and merited the praise of true 
 greatness. With him all was not vanity and vexation. He 
 knew better the value of things than to barter justice for power ; 
 to deceive his country for titles and diadems ; to abandon the 
 dignity of virtue, for the gratification of a juvenile desire, for 
 the admiration of fools and the contempt of the wise. He 
 well distinguished the visionary and useless from the real and 
 beneficial objects of pursuit. He labored to establish that 
 virtuous liberty, " one day, one hour of which is worth an 
 eternity of bondage." He gave distinguished assistance in 
 rearing our civil policy, and has left us lessons for its preserva 
 tion, which wisdom and experience have approved, and which 
 need only be contemplated to be admired. His fame springs 
 from substantial blessings bestowed on his country by his valor 
 and wisdom, that her gratitude, noblest of sentiments, and 
 highest of duties, will keep him in perpetual remembrance. 
 It is not only a " life in others' breath," that he might have 
 promised himself after his descent to the tomb ; but an exist 
 ence in man-exalting institutions, of which millions enjoy the 
 
PEOSE WKITINGS. 141 
 
 benefit ; and in the conduct and principles of many future sons 
 of Columbia, who smit with the love of honorable deeds, would 
 emulate his fame ; whose bodies would be animated by his 
 spirit, and whose lives would be a reflection of his own ; for he 
 knew that the friends of his country and her free government, 
 would not omit to reiterate his counsels, applaud his conduct, 
 and recommend his example to their children, " the joy of the 
 present, and the hope of the future age." 
 
 For this we honor his memory ; for human applause cannot 
 penetrate the " dull cold ear of death," nor add to the quiet 
 repose of the mighty dead. That ardent eye which ranged 
 through the ranks of undisciplined warriors, and that heroic 
 spirit which plunged him between hostile fires, are extinguished. 
 His ear is deaf to the voice of honor ; even deaf to the wrongs 
 of his country once how swift to hear ! how quick to avenge ! 
 'Tis for the benefit of the living that we commemorate the 
 dead ; to point to youth the excellence and reward of virtue 
 and patriotism; the lessons of experience, and the example of 
 the wise and good. When Greece won immortal renown by 
 the intelligence and conduct of her sons, eulogiums were pro 
 nounced and statues erected in remembrance of departed 
 worthies. In this way were sown the seeds of great exploit. 
 Before the eyes of the children were displayed the glorious 
 achievements and virtues of the fathers, that they might 
 imitate their conduct and profit by their experience. The 
 respect shown to merit, enamored them of glory. The Persian 
 Tigranes, observing they preferred honor to interest, would 
 have dissuaded his monarch from the invasion of people, whose 
 prejudices were on virtue's side, and whose principles must 
 render them victorious. He justly considered that if men 
 would hazard life in pursuit of wealth, a people who preferred 
 honor to riches, would seek opportunities to face danger, and 
 joyfully yield their lives for distinguished renown. 
 
 Though " storied urn, or animated bust," cannot recall the 
 spirit of the dead, yet it may rouse the living to shine with a 
 brilliance that shall rival the glory of departed merit. When 
 we see the statue of Washington, or hear his character deline 
 ated, we are reminded, that we owe our lives and knowledge 
 
142 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 to mankind, that the height of our virtue is to serve them ; 
 that the good are superior to fortune ; in short, of all that 
 is excellent in a general, a statesman, a father, husband or 
 citizen. 
 
 Westmoreland, Virginia, gave birth to our patriot, in the 
 thirty-second year of the eighteenth century. Ten years alter- 
 wards, death bereaved him of his father. His education de 
 volved on his mother. The virtuous matron employed her 
 scanty means to give a noble direction to the talents of her 
 son. At the age of fifteen, we find him a midshipman in the 
 British navy ; at nineteen, one of the Adjutants-General of 
 Virginia, with the rank of Major ; and immediately there 
 after engaged in an enterprise that required the greatest pru 
 dence and vigor to accomplish : to penetrate the country to 
 the river Le Boeuf ; to remonstrate against the occupation of 
 the Ohio country by the French ; to discover their designs ; to 
 conciliate the native tribes ; and procure useful intelligence. 
 This he performed with great patience and perseverance, jour 
 neying in solitude through a vast wilderness, till then unex 
 plored, amidst the cold rains and snows of autumn, over rivers 
 of difficult passage, and among unfriendly tribes of Indians. 
 He viewed the country with a soldier's eye, and marked an 
 eligible situation for a military post at the junction of the 
 Monongahela and Alleghany rivers, which was afterwards 
 occupied by Fort Duquesne (the place where Pittsburgh now 
 stands). 
 
 The following year, at the head of 400 men, we observe 
 him attempting the dislodgement of the French from Fort 
 Duquesne, in which he displayed so much genius and intre 
 pidity, that although unsuccessful he was glorious. The Legis 
 lature of Virginia, impressed with a high sense of the bravery 
 and good conduct of these troops, voted their thanks to Col. 
 Washington, and distributed money among the soldiers. The 
 next year Gen. Braddock arrived in America. He had heard of 
 Washington's talents, and invited him to serve in the intended 
 campaign as a volunteer aid-de-camp. Though dangerously 
 ill of fever, our hero persisted in accompanying this general, 
 and recovered his health just in time to participate in that 
 
PBOSE WRITINGS. 143 
 
 fearful conflict which ended the days of Braddock and half 
 his army. Every aid-de-camp but Washington was soon killed 
 or wounded : for three hours he rode undismayed through the 
 files of war, bearing in all directions through the deadly battle 
 the orders of his general. Two horses died beneath him : four 
 bullets perforated his garment : but surely the Deity, in kind 
 ness to mortals, that day turned from his heart the missiles of 
 death, and reserved him for the accomplishment of his ben 
 evolent purposes to mankind ; to wield the sword of revo 
 lution, and greatly aid in constructing our fabric of govern 
 ment. So highly at this time was he appreciated by his 
 countrymen, that they generally believed and declared, that 
 if he had been commander the disaster would have been 
 avoided. 
 
 The Assembly of Virginia directed sixteen companies to 
 be raised to protect their frontier settlements, exposed by 
 Braddock's defeat to Indian invasion ; appointed Washington 
 their commander, and, such was their opinion of his prudence, 
 they empowered him to name his field-officers. Thus, at the 
 age of twenty-three, when others begin to hope to deserve it, 
 he had actually obtained the distinguished confidence of his 
 country. The force at his disposal w r as incompetent to give 
 the needed protection. Murder blighted the happiness of the 
 cottage, without distinction of age or sex. The silence and 
 darkness of night were often interrupted by the shrieks of 
 innocent sufferers, and the conflagration of their humble 
 abodes. Our patriot mourned over the calamities he could 
 not prevent, with parental tenderness. He thus expressed 
 his feelings in a letter to the Governor : " The supplicating 
 tears of the women, and moving petitions of the men, melt 
 me with such deadly sorrow, that I solemnly declare, if I 
 know my own mind, I could offer myself a willing sacrifice 
 to the butchering enemy, provided that would contribute to 
 the people's ease." He incessantly urged the British com 
 manders, and the government of Virginia, to effect the reduc 
 tion of Fort Duquesne. At length his plan met the approba 
 tion of Gen. Forbes, who with 800 men, accompanied by our 
 hero and his Virginia regiment, about three years after the 
 
144 THOMAS HEDGES GEOTN. 
 
 defeat of Braddock, took possession of this fort. The bene 
 fits derived from its acquisition, proved the soundness of his 
 judgment who advised its capture, which secured an extensive 
 frontier from the miseries of savage war. 
 
 We now see him resigning his commission receiving the 
 thanks of his regiment. At the age of twenty-seven, he was 
 united in marriage with Mrs. Custis. For fifteen years he 
 devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, except occasionally, 
 when he acted as Judge in his county. He displayed wisdom 
 as a member of the House of Burgesses, where he firmly op 
 posed the principle of taxation asserted by the parent State. 
 
 But now Tyranny is seen approaching from the east. The 
 sages of the land assemble at Philadelphia, and remonstrate 
 against his coming but in vain. Though unprovided with 
 the implements of war, they possess that spirit which disdains 
 dishonor, and they look round for a commander, whose native 
 fortitude cannot be shaken by fortune, favorable or adverse, 
 to lead feeble and ill-armed bands against the formidable 
 enemy. The great command is conferred, by an unanimous 
 vote of Congress, upon Washington. He accepts the honor, 
 but refuses the emolument annexed to the office. By this he 
 was better enabled to serve his country ; for, however pure 
 the intention, or upright the conduct, there are not wanting 
 persons of depraved morals and little souls, who assign bad or 
 sordid motives to good actions. He immediately left the Con 
 gress, of which he was a member, to enter upon the duties of 
 his important station. On his way to Cambridge he received 
 the most flattering civilities, and the American Army before 
 Boston hailed him with the most joyful acclamations. Ere 
 this he was styled the soldier of America ; now he was beheld 
 as its father. In that Congress, where all were great, his pre 
 eminence had been acknowledged. In that field, where all 
 were brave, his bravery had been distinguished. He had now 
 not only to direct the movements of the armies, but often to 
 provide their subsistence, advise the Congress, and prevent 
 despondence in the people. How well he performed these 
 difficult parts, the historians of our revolution have declared. 
 
 By erecting redoubts on Dorchester's Heights, he presently 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 145 
 
 compelled the evacuation of Boston by the enemy. Then 
 turning his attention to JSTew York, he arrived there just in 
 time to snatch a considerable army from ruin, by stealing 
 them unperceived by night from Long Island, where, during 
 the preceding day, they had maintained unequal and peri 
 lous conflict. His subsequent escape from York Island into 
 West Chester, and thence into Jersey, notwithstanding the 
 efforts of the enemy to prevent it, displays consummate ad 
 dress and superior prudence ; especially when it is considered 
 that to effect this, it was necessary to render his army, other 
 wise weak, formidable by its positions ; and that he had not 
 only to make the most advantageous array of his troops, but to 
 inspire them with courage. In attempting this, he exposed 
 himself to imminent danger. "While endeavoring to with 
 draw his troops from York Island, he observed them at one 
 point shamefully retreating, without an effort to preserve the 
 advantages their position afforded. " 'Twas then," says his 
 biographer, " his usually tranquil mind was torn by passion. 
 He recollected the declarations of Congress, of the army, and 
 the people, preferring liberty to life, and death to dishonor, 
 and contrasted them with the present scandalous flight. His 
 soul was harrowed with apprehensions that his country would 
 be conquered, her army disgraced, and her liberties destroyed. 
 He anticipated in imagination, that the Americans would 
 appear to posterity as high-sounding boasters, who blustered 
 when danger was at a distance, but shrunk at the shadow of 
 opposition. Extensive confiscations and numerous attainders 
 presented themselves to his agitated mind. He saw in imagi 
 nation new formed States, with means of defense, and with 
 glorious prospects of liberty before them, leveled to the dust, 
 and such constitutions imposed on them as were likely to 
 crush the vigor of the human mind ; while the unsuccessful 
 issue of the present struggle would, for ages to come, deter 
 posterity from asserting their rights. Impressed with these 
 ideas, he hazarded his person a long time between his own men 
 and the enemy, with his horse's head fronting the latter, as 
 if in expectation, that by an honorable death he might escape 
 the unhappy doom of his country. His aids, and the confi- 
 10 
 
146 THOMAS HEDGES GENBST. 
 
 dential friends arounds his person, by indirect violence com 
 pelled him to retire, and save a life for public service, which 
 a sense of honor and a gust of passion seemed to have devoted 
 to almost certain destruction." 
 
 Our infant cause now reeled under the blows of adversity. 
 Our hero, yielding to necessity, flew before the storm. On his 
 retreat through lS"ew Jersey with a much diminished army, 
 despair, remorse and terror flapped their dark pinions over the 
 continent, and damped even the spirits of the brave. The ill- 
 provided few that yet followed the standard of our hopes, were 
 about to abandon the unblest war with the expiration of their 
 term of service. 'Twas then we beheld one who had not de 
 spaired of the republic, walk through the shivering ranks, and 
 calling each soldier by name, adjured him not to forsake his 
 suffering country. Upon the citizens of Pennsylvania, upon 
 the Governors of the States, upon Congress, he urges the 
 necessity of exertion. "A character to lose an estate to 
 forfeit the inestimable blessing of liberty at stake, and a life 
 devoted, (he says,) must be his excuse." 
 
 Unexpectedly he re-crosses the Delaware, captures a consid 
 erable body of his enemies, and by his bold movements, more 
 than his real force, compels the enemy to contract the sphere 
 of his operations. Through the year 1776, he confined the 
 British to their posts in New Brunswick and New York, and 
 revived the hopes of his country, with only the shadow of an 
 army. In the year following, by reinforcing the army op 
 posed to Burgoyne, he rendered himself less able to oppose 
 the movements of Howe at the well fought battles of Brandy- 
 wine and Germantown ; thus evincing his preference of the 
 general welfare before his own military glory. Amidst the 
 distresses of his army at Valley Forge, we find him busy in 
 reforming abuses, and suggesting the means for raising and 
 providing an army for the ensuing summer, with which he 
 attacked and defeated the British at Monmonth. 
 
 How well he allayed the animosity against our allies, lest it 
 should injure our cause ! What difficulties did he not over 
 come, in reconciling his troops to injuries and injustice for the 
 benefit of their country ? What faith must the Congress have 
 
PEOSE WETTINGS. 
 
 reposed in his judgment, that abandoned a scheme for the 
 conquest of Canada, which they had deliberatively resolved 
 upon, on its meeting with his disapprobation ! The designs 
 of certain sections of the army, injurious to our cause, were 
 frustrated by his prudence and management. By the attack 
 on Stony Point and Paulus Hook, he diverted the foe from his 
 ravages in Connecticut ; and at length, by his repeated solici 
 tations, having obtained a competent force to co-operate with 
 the troops of France, in concert with them he compelled the 
 surrender of Cornwallis, and the acknowledgment of our inde 
 pendence by the parent State. 
 
 The pecuniary embarrassment of the Government rendered 
 it unable to fulfill its undertakings with the army. As the 
 soldiers considered they had been neglected when their services 
 were indispensable, they believed they would be wholly disre 
 garded when peace had lessened their importance. The pros 
 pect of being discharged from the service of what they termed 
 an ungrateful country, to spend the remnant of their days in 
 begging of those who had been saved by their valor, induced 
 them to think of forcibly obtaining justice. With this view, 
 an eloquent anonymous address was circulated among the 
 troops, directing the officers to meet on the next day, to adopt 
 measures to secure a redress of grievances. Washington, in 
 stead of using the discontented army to constitute himself an 
 Iturbide, a Napoleon, or a Caesar, employed all his influence 
 to reconcile them to the Government, and restore confidence 
 in its justice. He delayed the meeting, and in the interim 
 urged privately on each officer the impropriety of its object, 
 and at the meeting itself delivered a speech, in which he " in- 
 treats the officers not to sully the glory they had acquired, 
 but rely on the justice of Congress, who he doubted not would 
 well reward their meritorious services ; and he conjured them 
 in the name of their common country, as they respected the 
 rights of humanity, and as they regarded the military and na 
 tional character of America, to express their greatest horror 
 and detestation of the man who might wish, under any spe 
 cious pretence, to overturn the liberties of their country, and 
 who wickedly attempted to open the floodgates of civil dis- 
 
148 THOMAS HEDGES GENES. 
 
 cord, and deluge their rising empire in blood." That they 
 would thus obtain their wishes, defeat the designs of their 
 enemies, who were compelled from open force to resort to 
 secret artifice ; give another distinguished proof of patriotism, 
 rising superior to sufferings the most complicated, and by the 
 dignity of their conduct afford occasion for posterity to say, 
 when speaking of the glorious example they had exhibited to 
 mankind, " Had this day been wanting, the world had never 
 seen the last stage of perfection which human nature is capa 
 ble of attaining." None was hardy enough to oppose his ad 
 vice. "While they were softened by the eloquence of their 
 beloved commander, they adopted a resolution in which they 
 assured him, " that they reciprocated his affectionate expres 
 sions with the greatest sincerity of which the heart was capa 
 ble." Thus by his influence over men, who had the greatest 
 confidence in his integrity, a calamity was averted, that might 
 in its consequences have destroyed or endangered our recently- 
 acquired liberties. 
 
 How dear he was to his army, may be perceived from the 
 tenderness of the scene at parting with his officers at New 
 York. Taking them by the hand, he wished their future days 
 might be happy as the past had been glorious. Then passing 
 to the place of embarkation, they followed him in melancholy 
 silence. " On his entering the barge to cross the Hudson, he 
 turned towards these companions of his glory, and by waving 
 his hat bid them a silent adieu." The stern countenances of 
 the careworn warriors, glistening with tears, hung in mute 
 attention upon the departing form of their loved commander ; 
 who, first in peace, had been first in peril ; who had stood 
 foremost against all assaults of troubles their bulwark, their 
 guide in darkness, and great example of fortitude in times 
 that tried the souls of men. 
 
 The army disbanded, he proceeded to Annapolis to resign 
 his commission to the Congress that conferred it seven years 
 before, when the colonies had no assurance of foreign assist 
 ance, and were unprovided with disciplined troops, money, 
 experienced ofilcers, forts, or arms. The assembled fathers of 
 his country received him as the guardian and founder of the 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 149 
 
 republic. While they beheld the victorious hero retiring to 
 the humble citizen, struck with the majesty of his virtue, arid 
 remembering the dangers and difficulties through which they 
 had passed together, their hearts swelled with emotion tears 
 of admiration and gratitude stole down the cheeks of sages. 
 "Washington felt the general sympathy, and a tear rolled over 
 his firm and placid countenance. After a decent pause, he 
 proceeded to u offer his congratulations to Congress to sur 
 render into their hands the trust committed to him, and 
 to claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of his 
 country." 
 
 Behold him now on the banks of the Potomac enjoying 
 that tranquil dignity before which crowns and thrones crum 
 ble into dust. The extension of inland navigation ; the im 
 provement of agriculture ; the union of the States, and the 
 perfection of the federal government are his themes. The 
 Legislature of Virginia adopted his plan, and gave him one 
 hundred and fifty shares in the navigation of the rivers Po 
 tomac and James, that, to use their expression, " a work which 
 will be a monument of his glory, may be made also a monu 
 ment of the gratitude of his country." He directs the shares 
 to be conveyed to the use of a seminary of learning in the 
 vicinity of each river ; thus honoring their gratitude, with 
 out converting the boon to his own private purposes. 
 
 He presided in that Convention which framed our present 
 Federal Constitution, and formed a more perfect union of the 
 States. After its adoption, all eyes were turned towards him, 
 as the person most fit, by his firmness and decision, to wield 
 the executive power of the Union. The friends of our coun 
 try desired that the untried constitution might have the influ 
 ence of his high character to support its infant march, until 
 the people should entertain that respect for its importance, 
 and confidence in its utility, which would insure its lasting 
 authority. He was elected with unanimity ; but it was not 
 without hesitation that he accepted the important trust. He 
 viewed his abilities with a " distrustful scrutiny" how un 
 like some modern office-hunters ! and fearing that he had com 
 mitted an error in taking the high station, hoped it would be 
 
150 THOMAS HEDGES GEOTN. 
 
 " palliated by the motives which misled him, and its conse 
 quences be judged by his country with some share of the 
 partiality in which they originated." 
 
 The energy, firmness and ability with which he adminis 
 tered the government, showed he was not less able to steer 
 the lofty course of state than to guide the car of Bellona. 
 Sycophants were not in his train. His appointments, to use 
 his own language, were made " with a sole reference to jus 
 tice and the public good." Candidates won his attention in 
 the field of knowledge and virtue. Knowing these were the 
 shield of liberty, he would not discourage them by promoting 
 the ignorant or vicious, however great their claim on the 
 score of friendship, private services, or influence with the 
 mob. His regard for the public, his patriotism, exceeded all 
 private considerations. 
 
 How little must the ambassador from the French Republic 
 have known of "Washington's character when he imagined 
 that the enthusiasm of our citizens would hurry the govern 
 ment over which he presided into the vortex of French policy ! 
 He who had defied the British king, with his thousand ships, 
 at a time when destitute of almost everything but hope and 
 bravery, could not be reasonably expected to be driven from 
 his course by the bellowing of the mob, the howling of dema 
 gogues, or the supercilious dictation of the servant of a foreign 
 dominion. 
 
 During his rule, many most difficult matters were adjusted. 
 The war with the Indians was vigorously prosecuted and suc 
 cessfully terminated; the disputes with Spain and England 
 were settled, and a policy adopted with respect to the Euro 
 pean belligerents, which was not departed from by his suc 
 cessors, and which has greatly promoted our prosperity and 
 happiness. 
 
 At length, " after eight years service in the office of Presi 
 dent, at the commencement of which period he found the 
 United States in a state of great depression, and at its con 
 clusion left them advancing with gigantic steps in agriculture, 
 commerce, wealth, credit and reputation ; and being in the 
 sixty-sixth year of his age, he announced his determination 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 151 
 
 of declining a re-election," in an address to the people, in 
 which he earnestly exhorts them to preserve the union of the 
 States, " indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of 
 every attempt to alienate any portion of our country from 
 the rest ;" and " distrusting the patriotism of those who, in 
 any quarter, may endeavor to weaken the bands which now 
 link together the various parts." 
 
 To shun all combinations and associations for political pur 
 poses, as destructive of the principles of our government. 
 
 To guard against innovation upon its principles, which may 
 be done by altering the Constitution gradually, and thus 
 undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. 
 
 To avoid parties and party spirit the worst enemy of popu 
 lar governments, " which in different ages and countries 
 has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a fright 
 ful despotism, but leads at length to a more permanent 
 one." " Its continual mischiefs are sufficient to make it the 
 duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it." " It 
 serves always to distract and enfeeble the public adminis 
 tration. It agitates the community with unfounded jeal 
 ousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one party 
 against another, foments occasional riot and insurrection. 
 It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which 
 find a facilitated access to the government itself through 
 the channels of party passions : thus the policy and will of 
 one country are subjected to the policy and will of another." 
 
 To promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions 
 for the general diffusion of knowledge. 
 
 To prepare for war in times of peace. 
 
 To observe good faith and justice to foreign nations. 
 
 To promote virtue and morality, being cautious how we indulge 
 the opinion that it can be done without the aid of religion. 
 
 To confine the administrators of government in their con 
 stitutional spheres, so one department do not encroach on 
 another. 
 
 To avoid antipathies against particular nations, and passionate 
 attachments to others. 
 
152 THOMAS HEDGES GEK1N. 
 
 And to have as little political connection with foreign nations 
 as possible, that we be not involved in their broils. 
 
 In offering his countrymen this advice, " he dared not hope 
 it would control the passions, or prevent our nation from run 
 ning the course which had hitherto marked the destiny of 
 nations ; but nattered himself that it might be productive of 
 some partial benefit, moderate the fury of party spirit, warn 
 against the mischiefs of foreign intrigue, and guard against 
 the impostures of pretended patriotism. 
 
 Soon after his retirement from the Presidency of the Union, 
 the voice of his country again called him to lead her armies 
 and avenge her injuries. Though unwilling, he felt it his 
 duty to obey the summons. France had flagrantly violated 
 our rights, and refused or neglected to atone. Convinced of 
 this, he would not " intrench himself behind his age and in 
 firmities," but proceeded to organize the legions of war. On 
 the accession of Bonaparte to the government of France, he 
 composed the growing quarrel ; but Washington was num 
 bered with the dead before tidings of this reconciliation 
 reached our shores. Full of days and glory, he retired to 
 slumber with his fathers. Full forty-five out of sixty-seven 
 years and nine months he had lived for his country. No man 
 had conferred equal benefits on his nation or on his race. His 
 fall drew tears from millions. The veteran warrior, who had 
 waded with him through the gloom of his country's misfor 
 tunes ; the matron who had been saved by his valor ; the 
 statesman whom his arm had shielded and vindicated ; the 
 blooming youth whose heart had been fired by the story of 
 his deeds ; the philosophers, the friends of civil liberty, and 
 the good of every clime, deplored his doom. Their com 
 mon father was no more ; their great exemplar had become 
 the victim of all-conquering death ; the instructor of nations, 
 the pride of human nature, could only be seen and contem 
 plated in his works, works pregnant with the happiness of 
 man ! Let those who cry their party follies, and move the 
 genius of faction, cast one look at the lesson of the mighty 
 dead, and learn the impropriety of their conduct. Yes, ye 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 153 
 
 who endeavored to alarm your simpler fellow-countrymen 
 with the appellations of federalism and democracy ; you who 
 live in the rays of peace, and gather harvests over the grave 
 of the martyrs of liberty, listen to the counsels of the best of 
 men and greatest of patriots, and resolve, if you revere his 
 memory, respect his wisdom, or love your country, never more 
 to nourish party spirit, so emphatically by him pronounced 
 dangerous to its happiness and liberty. Or if you would 
 judge for yourselves, uninfluenced by his opinion, search the 
 long records of ages past. See Carthage ruined by factions'; 
 hear Athens groaning beneath her thirty tyrants ; view Rome 
 deluged in the blood of her citizens, and her government 
 overthrown ; see Poland rendered contemptible, and finally 
 partitioned by her neighbors ; observe France seeking shelter 
 in despotism ; and see the energies of our own country half 
 paralyzed in the late contest with Britain through the ascend 
 ency of party spirit. Go contemplate the miseries it has pro 
 duced, the republics it has destroyed, the blood it has effused, 
 and then be convinced, if you can, that parties are useful in 
 a State to any but knaves that they are not, in the language 
 of Swift, " the madness of many for the benefit of a few ;" 
 the mean which vice employs to set itself above virtue ; which 
 ignorance approves, because it exalts her over knowledge ; 
 which folly adores, because it raises her over wisdom ; which 
 the unworthy, the madly ambitious of every clime, have advo 
 cated ; which the good and the wise of all countries have 
 condemned ; which Robespierre adored, and Washington de 
 spised. 
 
 Let not those who love liberty foster an instrument of tyr 
 anny. The errors of well meaning ignorance may be dis 
 covered too late for correction. When some ill-designing 
 knave shall drag the majority, chained by their prejudices to 
 his car, triumphantly ov<ar our constitutional limits, bearing 
 off our palladium, and the sting of despotism wounds, then, 
 from the babbling of beardless boys, catch-penny patriots, and 
 thoughtless propagators of corruption, all eyes will turn to 
 wards the maxims and principles of him who advised his coun 
 trymen without an intention, or motive, to deceive them, as 
 
154: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Dives looked from the fiery gulf to Abraham's bosom, and as 
 the prodigal son reverted to his father's house. Experience 
 gives sagacity to fools ; but her instruction is often dear, and 
 may come too late to be useful. It is the privilege of wisdom 
 to see what folly is obliged to feel. When office-seekers rec 
 ommend faction, when they solicit you to prostitute your 
 votes on the ignorant or vicious tell them to excel Washing 
 ton in wisdom before they dispute his precepts, and prove, like 
 him, devoted to their country's welfare before they require the 
 rejection of his counsels for the adoption of theirs. So they 
 may discover that their folly or knavery is detected, and you 
 be enabled to avoid their errors. The motives and views of 
 men who contradict, or disregard the counsel of our greatest 
 friend, should never pass unobserved. We should ever re 
 member that none can have greater claims than he on our 
 confidence, on the score of integrity or wisdom. When we 
 see him exhorting his soldiers to obey the laws, and confide 
 in the justice of their country, resisting the temptation to em 
 ploy them for his own aggrandizement; when we see him 
 refusing all emoluments attached to the several high and labo 
 rious offices which he filled ; when we see him sacrificing pri 
 vate friendships and enmities to the public good ; when we 
 see him firmly breasting popular prejudice, and nobly risking 
 his popularity in support of his country's honor; when we 
 behold him venturing his life and his fortune for our liberty, 
 and ranging through deadly fields in pursuit of freedom, or 
 honorable death, can we doubt that the happiness and glory 
 of his country inspired his advice ? 
 
 The Congress who conferred his commission was composed 
 of no vulgar statesmen. They met not to talk, but to act. 
 " Lords of the lion heart and eagle eye," they had boldness to 
 dare, and penetration to discover the means of accomplishing 
 their great designs. High in danger, as in honor, their safety 
 demanded the exertion of their best judgment in the selection 
 of a commander in chief. The gilded insects of peaceful days 
 were then seldom seen disporting around the helm of state. 
 Intrigue and favoritism were unknown, or comparatively silent 
 beneath the frowns of gigantic peril. That Congress sought 
 
PROSE WETTINGS. 155 
 
 merit, and found it in Washington. Let not him, then, be 
 considered deficient in wisdom or knowledge, to whom such a 
 Congress, on so great an occasion, gave so important a trust ; 
 whose disapprobation could induce them to alter their resolves ; 
 and who, at an embarrassing state of our affairs, could preside 
 over this infant republic for eight years with superior success. 
 No other man has given so much proof of patriotism and 
 abilities united in the same person, or has more deserved the 
 implicit confidence of his countrymen. He stood unblamed 
 and uncorrupted on the dizzy height of prosperity ; (how few, 
 alas ! have deserved the praise !) On his life the muse of 
 moral wisdom delights to dwell. He has proved worthy of 
 admiration, of imitation, of immortal renown, which philan 
 thropy and virtue will celebrate through succeeding ages; 
 which will resound in the songs of future bards, when the 
 freedom and dignity of man is their theme. Should we, then, 
 disregard his admonitions, and listen to persons of doubtful 
 integrity and inferior wisdom? Yield certainty for uncer 
 tainty the tried counsellor for the untried ? May not his pa 
 triotism or wisdom be distrusted, who denies the correctness 
 of his precepts, approved by history, the voice of the wise of 
 other days, and communicated at the close of a glorious and 
 useful life, from his lofty and divine seat, the most exalted 
 eminence which fancy can conceive the hearts of the wise 
 and good ? If a people disregard counsels emanating from 
 such sacred height, may they not justly be accused of that 
 madness with which Heaven afflicts those intended for de 
 struction ? 
 
 Nations are generally deluded of their liberty. It is seized 
 by wolves in the garb of sheep. When a demagogue would 
 imitate Julius Csesar, he will pretend to the moderation and 
 virtue of Washington. Heed not, therefore, the tongues of 
 men, but observe their actions. Learn from their fruits the 
 sincerity of their professions. Know they have their own, 
 and not the good of their country in view, who create parties 
 or factions, notwithstanding they loudly proclaim that Wash 
 ington is their guide. As vice assumes the appearance of vir 
 tue, that it may receive the homage of the good ; so his prin- 
 
156 THOMAS HEDGES G-ENTN. 
 
 ciples have been professed, and his name invoked, by those 
 whose actions evinced that they were not influenced by the 
 one, nor regardful of the other. Base ingratitude ! ungener 
 ous insult to the virtuous patriot, who sleeps in death, to pro 
 fess to be directed by his principles, while you blow the fires 
 of faction ; decry knowledge by exalting ignorance ; condemn 
 virtue by promoting the vicious ; hasten the disunion of the 
 States, by expressing fears and arguments of its necessity, 
 and precipitate your country into war, by exciting prejudices 
 against particular nations and undue attachments to others ! 
 Associate not that name, so dear to social order, so dear to 
 the friends of civil liberty, with practices so injurious to our 
 country's welfare. 
 
 How much cause have we to rejoice at his birth, whose valor 
 and wisdom so conspicuously aided in founding our repub 
 lic, and who still in the pages of his Farewell Address, would 
 shield it from its enemies ; by whose assistance we established 
 a government, which is the hope of mankind ; and by the story 
 of whose life we are enabled to indulge the proud reflection, 
 that our country has given the human race its most glori 
 ous ornament and sincerest friend. The thraldom escaped, 
 the blessings obtained, and the importance acquired by this 
 nation under his direction, might fill each bosom with gener 
 ous sentiments, and induce the votaries of freedom to hail with 
 joyful emotion the return of that day, by his birth made big 
 with the glory of human nature, and the dignity and happi 
 ness of millions. 
 
 But while we rejoice for the blessings he conferred, it were 
 ignoble and unwise not to partake of his solicitude for the fu 
 ture. Unceasing vigilance is necessary to preserve what cost 
 our fathers and him so much to obtain. Let us therefore pro 
 mote the general diffusion of knowledge, which he recommends 
 " as an object of primary importance," and which is necessary 
 to frustrate the designs of factionaries, and detect the strata 
 gems of ambition. It will insure excellence in arts and sci 
 ences, and simplicity and dispatch in the administration of the 
 government. In obtaining knowledge, men imperceptibly ac 
 quire virtue, and are unfitted to be the caterers, dupes, or tools 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 157 
 
 of faction. It presents the deformity of vice, " which to be 
 hated needs but to be seen." Its radiance exposes those un 
 principled agitators of States, who delight in the gloom of 
 ignorance, and would destroy the political fabric, that they 
 might rise to importance amidst its ruins. As it guards 
 against internal, as well as external enemies, we might, while 
 appropriating millions for defense against the latter, do well 
 to remember that money could be usefully expended in guard 
 ing against the former, the most dangerous to republics. Be 
 sides, the ambition of literary excellence ought to animate a 
 people, whose government possesses superior perfection, and 
 invites intellectual enterprise. Under its benign influence, 
 the human mind may be expected to form loftier designs, and 
 take bolder excursions than in countries less favored of lib 
 erty. Should we, then, suffer the gifts scattered promiscu 
 ously among us, to be like seed thrown upon a rock, or like 
 gems in " the deep, unfathomed caves of ocean," or flowers 
 that bloom unseen, " and waste their sweetness on the desert 
 air ?" Apply the chisel of education to the shapeless stone, 
 and grace and beauty will be developed. A liberal system of 
 education would be our glory, as our shield. Nor should we 
 grudge the cost of obtaining an object, by Washington and 
 the most distinguished philosophers considered necessary to 
 the existence of republican government. What our fathers 
 ventured their property and lives to obtain, should we refuse 
 to preserve, because of the expense of its preservation ? It is 
 not only our duty to deliver the liberty we received from our 
 ancestors unimpaired to posterity; but by practising their 
 precepts, progress in the improvement they begun, and accom 
 pany it with additional security in the increased ability of the 
 people for self-government. 
 
 Why should we boast of our superior institutions, our civil 
 and religious liberty ; that our humblest and proudest citizens 
 submit alike to the majesty of the laws ; and that we are gov 
 erned by rules of our own construction unless we promote 
 what alone can insure their continuance and respectability ? 
 Why is our government the boast of philosophy, and the pride 
 of science, unless we, who are so much indebted to them for 
 
158 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 its blessings, contribute nobly towards their general diffusion 
 among the people ? May that which gave existence to our 
 institutions, be provided to guard and preserve them ! May 
 we be first in knowledge, as in liberty that when foreign na 
 tions, admiring the perfection and solidity of our free institu 
 tions, observe the general intelligence and magnanimity of 
 the people, they may exclaim, " Such will deserve the felicity 
 they enjoy, who impose on themselves burdens to improve and 
 dignify human nature, and perpetuate their pre-eminent privi 
 leges. Kings may envy their prosperity, and repine at their 
 successful experiment in government, which refutes the propo 
 sition, that a people cannot be sufficiently enlightened to gov 
 ern themselves." 
 
 Could our liberties be preserved without intelligence in the 
 people, or should the riches expended in giving the intelligence 
 be preferred to liberty, we might treat the subject of general in 
 struction with indifference. But liberty is not only preferable 
 to riches, but to life ; and as light is not more necessary to 
 vision than knowledge to those who govern themselves, we 
 cannot be indifferent to the general diffusion of information, 
 without an equal indifference to liberty itself. By leaving 
 our children secured in the enjoyment of our freedom, we shall 
 do them more service than the wealth expended in providing 
 the security could possibly confer. And as liberty would 
 scarce be a blessing to posterity, unless accompanied with 
 knowledge, its general dissemination is a duty we owe them, 
 and the martyrs of the revolution, who perished in ways un 
 numbered, in prison ships, and in the tempest of battle. This 
 performed, we shall grace the dignity and merit the happiness 
 their valor bestowed. Then, though fatal accident, pernicious 
 vice, or civil discord, shall in future days demolish this man- 
 exalting structure of civil polity, we cannot justly be accused 
 of having sown the seeds of its ruin, by permitting ignorance 
 to abound, and the generation succeeding us to wander in 
 darkness, exposed to the depredations of cunning demagogues, 
 and the arts of foreign intrigue ; but will deserve the distin 
 guished honor of being deemed worthy of Washington. 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 159 
 
 THE LEXINGTON MOB * 
 
 What is held by force admits not of discussion. I do not 
 allude to what is held against the negroes, but to what is held 
 against the non-slaveholding whites. This class has the value 
 of its labor reduced very low, by the competition of slave-labor, 
 and its lands depressed in value by the existence of slavery. 
 Some 600,000 whites in Kentucky are seriously injured, in all 
 their interests, for the accommodation of some 30,000 slave 
 holders. These well know that their non-slaveholding popula 
 tion will submit to the disadvantages of slavery only so long 
 as they are kept in darkness. Hence common schools have 
 met with little or no favor in all the slave States. Hence force 
 is so readily applied to prevent discussion ; for discussion 
 brings light, and light will show the interests of a large 
 majority sacrificed to the convenience of a small minority. 
 This majority, if enlightened, would make less serviceable 
 brutes for drawing the car of slavery ; they might even think, 
 like our mechanics, that unpaid and coarse fed penitentiary or 
 slave labor ought not, for the profit of the State or a lordly 
 slaveholder, to come in competition with their own, since they 
 have families to feed, clothe, and school ; and therefore must 
 get for their labor more than what will merely serve to coarsely 
 feed and clothe the laborer. It is this white, non-slavehold 
 ing population that the slaveholder is afraid of, and wishes 
 therefore to preserve from Cassius M. Clay's paper. They 
 have no serious apprehension that publications that recommend 
 to the slaves non-resistance, submission and forgiveness, as 
 such papers as Clay's do, when they address the slaves at all, 
 will stir up rebellion in that class ; especially as they know 
 their slaves cannot read. No, they fear that greatly injured 
 class whom they have tried to keep in ignorance, even when 
 pretending to favor their education, denominated poor whites. 
 
 There lies before me Duff Green's United States Telegraph 
 of September 15, 1835. It contains a prospectus for a news- 
 
 * First published in the Belmont Chronicle, September 5, 1845. 
 
160 THOMAS HEDGES GE1ON. 
 
 paper, the Examiner, to be devoted, lie says, " to the vindica 
 tion of the rights and interests of the slaveholders of the South." 
 He remarks, " the South has nothing to fear from a servile 
 war. "We do not believe that the abolitionists intend, nor 
 could they if they would excite the slaves to insurrection. 
 The danger of this is remote. We believe that we have the 
 most to fear from the organized action upon the consciences, 
 and fears of the slaveholders themselves ; from the insinuation 
 of their dangerous heresies into our schools, our pulpits, and 
 our domestic circles / the abolitionists can only thereby accom 
 plish their object." "We must satisfy the consciences and 
 allay the fears of our own people. We must satisfy them that 
 slavery is of itself right ; that it is not a sin against God ; that 
 it is not an evil, moral or political." 
 
 Poor man ! in offering himself as pope to absolve for the 
 sin of slavery, the slaveholders could see only the merit of 
 good intention ; for the Examiner soon expired for want of 
 support. They know too well the folly of contending with 
 Truth. Discussion they abhor. By force they hold their 
 prey ; and by force exerted through mobs, they will, if they 
 can, repress all discussion touching the propriety of sacrificing 
 the interests of 600,000 whites, to the convenience of a class of 
 some 30,000. A resort to force is the old trick of aristocracies. 
 Does Tiberius Gracchus attempt to advance the interests of the 
 common people ? The aristocrats know how to make that very 
 people kill him. Does his brother Caius attempt the same thing ? 
 He meets the same fate. Does Cassius attempt a distribution 
 of land among the people, land got by war, and unjustly 
 appropriated by the aristocrats to themselves? A plan to 
 ruin him is forthwith contrived ; nor three consulships and two 
 triumphs, nor the remembrance of his great actions, could save 
 him. The people, acting as the blind tools of the aristocrats, 
 condemned Cassius to die, and the quaestors instantly threw 
 him from the Tarpeian rock in their presence. Deprived 
 thus of their dog, the sheep were at the mercy of the wolves, 
 at whose artful suggestion they had destroyed him. The 
 aristocracy " rose in contempt for the people, who lost courage 
 in proportion, and soon reproached themselves with injustice 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 161 
 
 as well as imprudence, in the condemnation of the zealous 
 defender of their interest." 
 
 The case of Melius and Manlius, in short, the history of all 
 aristocracies, is similar. Whoever attempts to invade what 
 the aristocrats term their rights and privileges, in order to 
 promote the interests of the people, will meet with fraud and 
 violence. The people readily listen to the wolf, and follow 
 him as their leader, if he assumes a suitable name. They are 
 made to kill their best friends and destroy their best institu 
 tions, to benefit the cunning few, who hold them in contempt, 
 and only natter to betray them. A good writer, remarking 
 on the struggles between the nobles and the people of Rome, 
 says that " prejudice and passion appear to have governed the 
 people, without the least appearance of their being rational 
 creatures, or moral agents ; such was their ignorance of arts 
 and letters, all the little advantages of education which then 
 existed being monopolized by the patricians." Those who 
 seek to enslave will not seek to enlighten. The horse, if he 
 knew his power, would not let a puny boy abuse him. 
 
 OBJECT OF THE SLAVE POWER 
 
 ARBITRARY Governments let the people talk and publish on 
 all subjects but such as weaken the power of the Govern 
 ment. As yet, Americans may discuss all subjects but that 
 of Slavery. Such discussion assails the actual government 
 of the Union, or those who wield it. Usurpers seize one 
 privilege at a time. What indirectly affects the slave oli 
 garchy is not yet forbid to be discussed. Let us then improve 
 the day of freedom while it lasts, for the night of despotism 
 may not be far off. The purchasers of medicinal pills are 
 often cautioned against counterfeits. Let the taker of polit 
 ical pills scrutinize their composition rather than the name 
 on their envelope. The true republican pill contains no anti- 
 protective nor pro-slavery ingredients. Its operation will not 
 11 
 
162 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 bring us at the feet of foreign nations, nor bow down the 
 mass of the people of the South and North to the slave oli 
 garchy. 
 
 It has been stated that the object of this oligarchy was, 
 above all things, the advancement of its own power, even at 
 the temporary expense of its own pocket ; that it was distinct 
 and separate from the mass of the Southern people ; and that 
 to subserve its main object, it sought to reduce the great body 
 of the people (unschooled) of the South, as well as the free 
 men of the North, to a level with the laborers of Europe, by 
 the following, among other measures : 
 
 1. Free trade, to bring the ill fed, low paid laborer of 
 Europe in competition with ours, driving our mechanics from 
 employment, and destroying the farmer's home market, and 
 making wages as low as in Europe. They would have foreign 
 pauper labor as well as slave labor in grinding competition 
 with free white labor, to prepare the whites for slavery. 
 
 2. Granting the public lands to a few, under the operation 
 of the treaty with Texas (an index of their views), that when 
 the mechanics and others are crowded out of business, they 
 may not find shelter, even in the wilderness, except as renters, 
 day laborers, etc., at low wages. 
 
 3. Direct taxation, resulting from free trade ; and driving 
 small freeholders into the class of renters or into beggary, and 
 increasing largely the Executive patronage. 
 
 4. A standing army of 200,000 men to enforce the last 
 measure and tame the spirits of the people, governed in time 
 of peace by the rules and articles of war. 
 
 5. The sub-treasury to lock up the specie and control the 
 money concerns of the country and all connected therewith. 
 
 6. War, to aggravate the foregoing measures ; its miseries 
 falling heaviest on the middle class and the poor. The clique 
 would gain offices and army contracts by it. They tried to 
 get us into a war by the Texas treaty, without the interven 
 tion of Congress. They would rule without consulting the 
 people. 
 
 Some may think that experiments enough have been tried, 
 under cover of Jackson's popularity, to prove that one might 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 163 
 
 attempt to assume kingly power without much risk to him 
 self, provided he retained the republican name and forms of 
 proceeding, like Caesar and others. The negligence of many 
 to attend elections has been supposed to invite usurpation, and 
 to show an indifference as to who ruled. But sluggishness 
 from a feeling of security is far from indifference. It would 
 be of little use, however, for these virgins to awake too late. 
 The death of republics has always been preceded by sleep. 
 The people have generally forged their own chains, adopting 
 measure after measure, under false guides, until their liberties 
 vanished. Sometimes not discovering the loss during the first 
 tyrant's reign ; for, though holding the rod, he did not see fit 
 to be cruel. Worried by their own misgovernment, while 
 being prepared for the yoke, they might even have thought 
 they had hit, at last, upon a happy expedient, in finding a 
 ruler who knew how to be re-elected during his life, and to 
 have his heir elected after his death without an opponent. 
 Rome lost her liberties long before Tiberius made her yelp 
 under the scourge. 
 
 What an aspirant might effect after the measures above 
 mentioned had fully gone into operation ; after free trade had 
 driven the mechanics upon overdone and pining husbandry, 
 and this had thrown them back upon the army and navy ; 
 and these, surcharged, had tossed them on the poor-house or 
 the wilderness ; after an army of excise officers had overrun 
 the country and swelled the tide of beggary, and American 
 reached the level of European wages ; after the sub-treasury 
 had exerted its strength and showed the money power whom 
 it must obey; after the 200,000 men had come under the 
 lash, and become the giant tool of the government ; after war 
 had added his impoverishing and distressing influence ; after, 
 in short, the aspirant could tempt for poverty, overawe with 
 the lash the treasury and the sword, aided by his excisemen 
 and spies thrust into every nook and corner, I see not why 
 he should delay issuing letters of nobility to the clique. The 
 spirit of Slavery, I doubt not, looks to anti-tariff and free 
 trade as the most important of its measures. It has already 
 attempted to infect the abolition party with the doctrine. 
 
164: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 How ghastly would be the smile of the demon to see both 
 democracy and abolition dragging his curse-encumbered meas 
 ures over the blasted hopes of three-fourths of the nation. 
 But the South is not without its sentinels. They have 
 sounded the alarm, and are dispersing the mists spread over 
 their minds by the designing few, who would help a class at 
 the cost of the people. 
 
 The slave oligarchy seek to oppress the free whites South 
 and North. Foreign pauper labor, slave or penitentiary 
 labor, brought in competition with other labor, soon brings 
 it down to a level with the labor of those miserable classes ; 
 and renders the laborers more fit for slaves, tame and ignorant. 
 
 A tariff is more for the benefit of the nation than for the 
 manufacturers. When the farmer is protected, the manufac 
 turer and mechanic are also necessarily protected. When the 
 farmer buys foreign manufactures he buys as much foreign 
 grain as the manufacturer eats, while making the articles, 
 and deprives himself of a home market for his produce to 
 that extent. A tariff protects the farmer more than the 
 manufacturer, for the farmer is confined to the place ; the 
 manufacturer is not confined in the same degree. He can 
 transfer his capital to the country that offers him the best 
 inducements. Our manufacturers may dread competition 
 with the greater capital and cheaper labor of Europe ; but 
 they have more reason to dread the attacks of her govern 
 ments ; and it is chiefly to be shielded from these that they 
 ask the protection of our own. It needs a government to con 
 tend against governments. If there were no sufficient tariff 
 of protection, foreign governments could, in less than eigh 
 teen months, exterminate our manufactures, by giving bounties 
 to their citizens or subjects for exporting their fabrics to this 
 country. These bounties would all be got back again after 
 our manufactories were destroyed, in the shape of an excise 
 imposed on those same exporters, who, for one dollar got as 
 bounty, could (on account of the great profits after they get 
 the control of our market) afford to pay back to their govern 
 ment two dollars as excise. Prices would rise ; a duty would 
 still be paid to government, but to a foreign government in- 
 
PROSE WETTINGS. 165 
 
 stead of our own. The English exporter would pay the duty 
 into English hands, on England's shore, and for the support 
 of England's government, instead of paying it into American 
 hands at our custom-house, and for the support of our own 
 government. Thus, some governments will have duties on 
 the goods we consume ; for there is no European government 
 that will neglect to tax everything within its reach that can 
 bear it ; and why may not our own government receive those 
 duties as well as another ? 
 
 The proposition that the consumer pays the duty, though 
 not true but for a short time, as to any article we have the 
 capacity to supply to the extent of our consumption, is yet 
 generally true as to an article which we have not the capacity 
 to supply to that extent. Tea, coffee and sugar we have not 
 the capacity to supply to the extent of our wants, consequently 
 the duty forms a part of the cost ; and though the price de 
 pends on the supply and demand at the time the consumer 
 buys, yet generally the price is higher on account of the duty, 
 because it is the competition of foreigners who have all paid 
 a duty, that fixes the price^ and not the competition of our 
 citizens. The competition of foreigners may sometimes, for 
 a few months, reduce prices ; but this reduction gives them 
 the hint not to return until there is a prospect of good profits. 
 Not so with domestic competition, which keeps prices per 
 manently down to the living point. The manufacturer with 
 his buildings, machinery, hands and raw materials, must suf 
 fer great loss if he stop business to wait for high prices. He 
 goes ahead, continues to buy the farmer's produce, employ 
 the laborer, and furnish a cheap article of clothing. If we 
 had the capacity to supply ourselves with sugar, as we have 
 to supply ourselves with hats, shoes, woollens, cottons, etc., 
 the duty on foreign sugar would generally fall on the foreign 
 producer, because the domestic competition in the article 
 would determine the price. If there is a business in a coun 
 try more profitable than other pursuits, capital flies to it, until 
 it establishes an equilibrium between them, just as water flows 
 until it finds a level. The more permanence and confidence 
 is given to a business, the more it will be followed, and the 
 cheaper its products will be afforded. 
 
166 THOMAS HEDGES GENIK. 
 
 Foreign governments have given permanent protection to 
 the capital and industry of their people, who know to-day 
 where they will find their rulers twenty years hence. They 
 arrange accordingly. This gives a great advantage over us, 
 independent of their greater capital and cheaper labor. If 
 it he true that our manufacturers make great profits, what 
 prevents a rush of capital into the business but distrust of our 
 laws ? Will capital not seek the best investment ? And if it 
 will, what danger can there be that exorbitant profits can be 
 long enjoyed ? The rivalry of capital soon brings down 
 prices ; and when these get too low in one it quickly finds 
 another pursuit. If we would have capital wed with our la 
 bor, and give the farmer a home market, we must protect it 
 against foreign governments. If we do not, then foreign la 
 bor, as low fed and almost as ill paid as our penitentiary 
 labor, will pour its products upon us until our mechanics are 
 reduced to work for a bare subsistence, and our manufacturers 
 are driven to England or France or to other pursuits. The 
 cotton planters, however, have less to fear from this want of 
 protection ; for Europe grows no cotton to pour back on them 
 and drive theirs out of the market and their laborors out of 
 the field. As cotton and negroes keep up in value, capital 
 will seek investment in them. But the cotton planter would 
 not get goods cheaper than he now does. Foreign govern 
 ments will take care of that, if the foreign manufacturers and 
 merchants do not. He cannot escape the laws of his condi 
 tion. He will get his foreign goods by the same northern 
 ports, heavily charged with freight, commissions and profits, 
 and at greater expense than he now gets them ; but the loss 
 will be compensated by his satisfaction at seeing that the 
 population of the free States is somewhat checked, and that a 
 part of it has approximated to the condition of his slaves, 
 and that he is nearer his object. I allude of course to one of 
 the class who seek power without regard to the general wel 
 fare, and whose strength consists chiefly in their capacity to 
 deceive honest men, by making them draw a monarchical 
 vehicle, while they think themselves attached to a democratic 
 one. Christ foresaw that His saints would be made to drag 
 Satan under a better name ; He therefore wisely cautioned 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 16 Y 
 
 them to judge the tree by its fruits. Let men judge the 
 party by its measures ; and in judging of measures, not en 
 tirely disregard the opinions of all our Presidents. 
 
 ANCIENT DEMOCRACIES. 
 
 DK. GILLIES the historian says that Democracies sprang up 
 in Sicily, which universally ended in tyrannies. Agathocles, 
 a popular military leader, by general consent was appointed 
 guardian of the peace and provisional general of the republic. 
 After taking an oath to preserve the democracy he was en 
 trusted with a body of troops, which he soon increased on 
 pretence of reducing some malcontents at Erebita. He was 
 careful to enlist only ruffians and vagabonds, who had no sym 
 pathies with the great mass of the people. He led them against 
 the council of six hundred, and then let them loose on their 
 adherents belonging to every respectable family of Syracuse ; 
 all parties were pillaged and murdered alike. The slain ex 
 ceeded four thousand, and upwards of six thousand fled into 
 banishment. The massacre lasted two days and two nights. 
 
 On the third day he summoned the citizens to the market 
 place and told them that, having purged the republic of cor 
 ruption^ he now wished to resign. His guilty abettors, of 
 course, opposed his resignation. He then, with seeming re 
 luctance, agreed to retain power on condition that he were not 
 clogged with colleagues. The condition was accepted, of 
 course, by the murderers immediately around him. From this 
 time forward, though he made no outward show of royalty, he 
 exercised the power of a king, and began to think how he 
 could use his democrats to most advantage in getting more 
 territory. The Carthagenians held a part of the island. He 
 proceeded to dislodge them. The towns of Messene and 
 Lauromenium contained some citizens whose intelligence and 
 virtue he feared. On pretence of laying important business 
 
168 THOMAS HEDGES GENES'. 
 
 before them, he got above six hundred of them assembled, and 
 butchered all. He then set out for Agrigentum to execute that 
 town, but the arrival of sixty Carthagenian ships saved it. The 
 Carthagenians sent a large army to oppose this annexationist ; 
 and his democrats soon found themselves wonderfully deprived 
 of creature comforts and of their relatives. Being well bled 
 and scantily fed, they worked in Agathocles' harness twenty- 
 eight years with great humility. 
 
 They were occasionally chastised, to remind them perhaps 
 of his oath to preserve the democracy. For instance, the 
 Egestans, not readily delivering their money to him, he mas 
 sacred the largest portion of them, and sold the boys and girls 
 to the barbarous Brutii for slaves. The town, containing ten 
 thousand families, was depopulated in one miserable day, and 
 afterwards became a receptacle for banditti and assassins, 
 naturally abounding in a country long engaged in war. He 
 did not succeed in his scheme of annexation at last. Many 
 hundred thousand lives were lost and both Carthage and Sicily 
 rendered very wretched. The poor people, thus trodden under 
 foot, never threw their rider. He was poisoned by one of his 
 household, a youth named Menon, whom he saved for domestic 
 servitude on the destruction of the town of Egesta. He died 
 in his seventy-second year. He nourished after Aristotle 
 published his work on politics, which has been said to contain 
 all the principles of Human Government. But no people, 
 ancient or modern, have been too wise to get a master, either 
 in one man or a clique. Slavery has been denned to be the 
 subjection of an individual or a people to the will of another. 
 If the subjection is effected by fraud instead of force it is not 
 the less slavery. If a clique of Texan land and scrip specula 
 tors expended the blood and treasure of a people for their 
 private benefit ; that people are already involved in practical 
 slavery, while boasting of their theoretical liberty ; a plight 
 often illustrated in the history of former republics ; hence the 
 saying so frequently repeated, that a nation may lose its liberty, 
 and not discover the loss for a hundred years. What the 
 Romans lost under Julius and Augustus, they found irretriev 
 ably gone under the vicious Tiberius. The experiments on 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 169 
 
 the Constitution tolerated in Jackson, must necessarily yield 
 their bitter fruits in the reigns of his less virtuous succes 
 sors. 
 
 THE TKEE KNOWN BY ITS FKUITS. 
 
 LIBERTY is the security of rights both of person and property. 
 For this security the people have been driven by the rabble 
 to fly to the Monarch as the lesser evil. The most common 
 means which monarchists employ to reach their object, is to 
 urge democracy into licentiousness, and thus make it appear 
 equally ridiculous and dangerous to the middle classes ; who 
 for safety of person and property, feel obliged to take shelter 
 under the strong arm of a Cossar, a Cromwell, or a Bona 
 parte. 
 
 The philosophers, who started the French revolution, lost 
 the power of guiding it to rational liberty because the mon 
 archists assumed the democratic mantle, and in the name of 
 liberty committed all sorts of ridiculous and disgusting excesses. 
 This gave the nation such a dread of the tyranny of the rabble, 
 ignorant attorneys, apostate priests and judas demagogues, that 
 it has ever since pertinaciously adhered to the monarchical 
 form of government. Even Lafayette, when Charles X. was 
 dethroned, invited Louis Philippe to take the sceptre. He 
 would not place it in the hands of the people. He remembered 
 that, when liberated from the prison of Olmutz, he had fled to 
 despotic Denmark, and there remained some two years, and 
 until Napoleon had turned the legislative body out of doors 
 and out of office, when he ventured to return to his native 
 France. Such had been his confidence in what was called a 
 republican government, that he preferred banishment to being 
 within its power. 
 
 The monarchists are now agitating the poor class of society. 
 A threat that the free States should feel the inconvenience of 
 what the speaker was pleased to term " their white slaves," was 
 made a while since on the floor of Congress, and agrarianism 
 
170 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 was thenceforth expected to appear. Several agrarian papers 
 are now published, sustained, of course, by the very poor and 
 destitute. The delusion has reached some editors of other 
 papers. Some of them are probably honest ; mar-plots often 
 are an( J still are the most efficient tools of their enemies. 
 
 The monarchists know how to make a people wise in their 
 own conceit. Every experiment on their understanding is 
 prefaced with compliments to their sagacity. Thus made to 
 deem themselves exempt from error, they undermine the fabric 
 of liberty until it falls, without suspecting the misfortune to 
 be the necessary result of their labors. Only convince the 
 middle class that their property is in danger, and the protec 
 tion of a monarch with his troops is soon to be tolerated if not 
 invoked. Every doubt created in a republic as to the safety 
 of person or property is a step towards monarchy. Our 
 country has been cursed with monarchists ever since the 
 revolutionary war. At its close from one-fifth to one-third of 
 the population were suspected of disliking the new state of 
 things. They assumed popular names and bestowed unpopular 
 epithets on their opponents. Their fruits were seen formerly 
 in insurrections, attempts to infringe vested rights, and in 
 using weak Presidents for experiments on the Constitution to 
 see how far the people would permit its infringement. Even 
 while the virtuous founders of our government lived, these 
 foes of republicanism ventured to make their attacks through 
 the supposed ignorance and prejudices of the people, whom 
 the monarchists never will admit with sincerity to be capable 
 of self-government. Take an early instance. In the year 
 1780 cur revolutionary army was paralyzed by the emptiness 
 of the Treasury, and three hundred thousand pounds were 
 raised by voluntary subscription in Philadelphia. This was 
 made the basis of a bank headed by Kobert Morris, and it re 
 lieved the wants of the army. Congress, in 1781, incorporated 
 the subscribers to the fund under the title of " The Bank of 
 North America." In 1782, the Assembly of Pennsylvania 
 also incorporated it. After the war was over, and the great 
 services of the bank partially forgotten it was attacked with 
 the usual arguments addressed by knaves to fools. The 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 171 
 
 Assembly was petitioned to repeal the charter ; a select com 
 mittee reported in favor of the appeal, thus tyrannically in 
 vading private property without perhaps suspecting themselves 
 the select tools of monarchists. This was in 1786. Thomas 
 Paine came to the rescue. His writings had done great exe 
 cution on the monarchists while the sword was drawn. A 
 broadside from his ink-horn against their fraud was equally 
 effective. He vigorously assailed both the assembly and the 
 petitioners, and he was given the chief credit of averting the 
 contemplated act of despotism. Doubtless the monarchists 
 had a spite at an institution that had relieved the revolution 
 ists in their utmost need, and came near being revenged, by 
 exciting the people against their benefactors. Wretched the 
 sheep, if the dogs are killed at the suggestion of the wolf! 
 "Wretched the people who, neglecting to judge the tree by its 
 fruits, mistake names for things / who swallow arsenic, if it be 
 styled democracy, or whiggery, or abolitionism ; who forget 
 that honesty is the best policy ; that righteousness exalteth a 
 nation ; that republics are founded entirely on virtue, and that 
 as her precepts are disregarded, not merely monarchy, but 
 despotism, is approached. The monarchists, the wolves in 
 sheep's clothing, have used many honest men as their tools, who 
 would dislike very much to see their vocation in its true light. 
 My object is not to reproach individuals, but to discriminate 
 the monarchical from republican measures, the fruits show 
 whence they sprung. The fruits show the design of the wire- 
 workers. The republican tree is one of virtue ; it bears no 
 fruit of aggressive war, of plunder, injustice, robbery of in 
 dividuals or of nations. It yields no armies, but such as self- 
 defence requires ; no measures but such as benefit the greatest 
 number. It neither divides the hard earned farm of a hundred 
 acres with a lazy vagabond, nor does it grant whole States, 
 twenty-four thousand square miles, for a nominal consideration 
 to one individual, as was done in Texas. All these are mon 
 archical fruits. The intelligence that suggested such measures 
 intended to undermine liberty, no matter what name was 
 assumed, or what tool was employed. 
 
172 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 AGEICULTUKE AOT> MANUFACTUKE. 
 
 WHAT most promotes the interests of agriculture ? It is a 
 knowledge of correct methods of performing its details ; of 
 obtaining the greatest advantages with the least labor ; deep 
 plowing, and plowing along the sides of hills on a water 
 level, thus preventing the washing away of the soil ; subsoil 
 plowing and a judicious succession of crops ; the proper se 
 lection and application of manures ; early breaking up of the 
 ground, exposing it to the action of frost, whereby insects are 
 destroyed and the soil mellowed ; leveling down grass with 
 a heavy roller and plowing it under ; spreading lime on the 
 surface, there to be carbonized some years and then plowed 
 into the ground ; cutting timber in the right season and 
 rendering structures permanent and convenient ; the forma 
 tion of agricultural societies ; the offering of premiums for 
 the best crops ; golden medals ; speeches in praise of agri 
 culture ? All these are useful, but the whole of them com 
 bined do not constitute that which most promotes the interests 
 of agriculture. 
 
 What, then, can this thing be which most promotes that 
 very important of human pursuits ! Let us look over the 
 world and find where agriculture has most nourished ; where 
 land has reached its highest value ; where, consequently, its 
 products bring the best price ; for there is undoubtedly a cause 
 for such an effect ; and whatever is the cause of such agri 
 cultural prosperity, that cause unquestionably is the very thing 
 which most promotes the interests of agriculture. There is a 
 spot where agriculture has attained its highest perfection ; 
 where, consequently, it has received its highest reward ; and 
 to that spot the agriculturists of other nations are looking 
 with the hope of sharing a part of that reward. I need not 
 say that England is that spot. But what has enabled Eng 
 land to so encourage her own agriculture as to advance it be 
 yond that of other nations ? 
 
 It was the establishment of a good, constant and convenient 
 market at home for agricultural products by the establish- 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 173 
 
 ment of all sorts of manufactures ; affording a vast amount 
 of materials for commerce ; for commerce presupposes some 
 thing to exchange. Yes, it is a good, constant and convenient 
 market that most promotes agricultural interests. The loom, 
 the anvil, the plow, are natural allies, and must give to each 
 other mutual support or all will be sufferers. 
 
 The townsman, by consuming the products of the farmer, 
 advances the interests of farmers. There is nothing ludicrous 
 in the inhabitants of towns and cities forming agricultural 
 societies. If they do not sow and reap they can increase the 
 numbers that eat, and thus perform a capital service for the 
 farmer, who is less obliged by being told how to increase his 
 crop than in getting a just reward for his labor. The towns 
 man can materially aid the interests of agriculture by merely 
 consulting and advocating his own ; by refuting the sophistry 
 invented by the shrewd, to be retailed by the simple, for 
 retarding the growth of our towns here at home by support 
 ing towns abroad, by encouraging foreign and discouraging 
 our own manufactures. The townsman may increase the 
 number of consumers of agricultural products by contriving 
 various methods of living in towns, establishing manufactories 
 of all kinds, be it for the manufacture of pitchforks, cottons, 
 woollens, lawyers, doctors, shoes, scholars, in short, any 
 thing but idlers, and even they have mouths not altogether 
 unserviceable to the farmer, whatever effect they may have 
 on the financial affairs of the boarding-house. It is a just 
 proportion between town and country, between consumer and 
 producer that makes the markets of the farmer as constant 
 as the wants of nature. It is the proximity of farms to towns 
 and manufactories that makes the market convenient. It is 
 the flourishing condition of the towns and manufactories that 
 makes the market good. 
 
 If every article used by our people were manufactured here 
 at home, what new towns would spring up ! How vastly 
 would the old ones increase! What a market they would 
 afford for the produce of farms ! And if besides supplying 
 our wants they manufactured a surplus for exportation to 
 foreign countries, as is done in England, how very good as 
 
174: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 well as constant and convenient would be that market. Such 
 a market would afford the best premium for the encourage 
 ment of agriculture, the golden medal, the annual prize to all 
 instead of one, nor this affected by erring judgment ; the 
 substantial eulogium on the hard-fisted calling would there 
 be found offering a steady incentive to human industry. In 
 sure to the farmer a constant good price and he will soon dis 
 cover the method of raising good crops, little caring for the 
 fingering of the plow-handle by kings, or for any honors or 
 praises bestowed on the occupation by soft-handed gentlemen 
 by whatever accident distinguished. The American farmer 
 disdains the assumption of superiority implied in a reference 
 to the condescension of notables towards his calling. What 
 he wants is the full reward for his labor. He wants the con 
 sumer at his side. He wants a good, constant and convenient 
 market. Well, how shall that market be created ? How shall 
 our towns be multiplied and enlarged ? Can it be done by 
 importing wheat from Europe in the shape of earthenware, 
 broadcloths, cotton fabrics 1 For here let me state a very 
 curious and remarkable fact, supposed to have been often 
 overlooked, the foreign manufacturers do eat while engaged 
 in the manufacture of these things, and for sizing and other 
 purposes consume a great deal too, as one may judge from the 
 many thousands of barrels of flour consumed at the manu 
 facturing town of Lowell alone. Can towns be increased 
 here while we give ' the most of our patronage to towns 
 abroad ? and pursue the bad policy at great expense to our 
 selves in paying freight, commissions, insurance, on the pro 
 duce exported to great distances, and the same charges on the 
 articles received in exchange, neglecting the sure and con 
 stant market which might be created at home, for the preca 
 rious foreign market, dependent on the accidents of famine, 
 peace, or war, good or bad crops in Europe, and the caprice 
 of European governments. 
 
 L scarce know how to illustrate a matter so plain. We 
 have only to open our eyes and see that where manufacturers 
 have made most progress there is most commerce, and there 
 agriculture receives its highest reward. Where is land of 
 
PEO8E WRITINGS. 175 
 
 most value ? Where it brings the most rent ; and this is 
 where it is most convenient to good markets, to New York, 
 Philadelphia, Baltimore, London. It is where it lies near the 
 most consumers of its produce. If you could give to "Wheel 
 ing the size of Philadelphia, you w^ould proportionately in 
 crease the value of land in the vicinity of Wheeling, for then 
 butter, eggs, beets, cabbage, articles not sent to foreign mar 
 kets, and to be sold near home if sold at all, in short every 
 product of the farm, would bring a better price and near our 
 own doors. If by an act of your will you could do it, would 
 you not place such a city, such a market in the midst of your 
 county ? Would you not, if you could, bestow on your farm 
 a tenfold value. 
 
 If you cannot create such a city, such a market at once by 
 an effort of your will, there is something you have the power 
 to do, and that is to try to provide for agriculture a home 
 market, by steadily adhering to the policy of building up our 
 own towns, protecting our own artizans and manufacturers 
 against the competition of foreigners, and it is desirable to 
 have the market somewhat nearer than Massachusetts or 
 Maryland. To attain this end we must invite, not repel 
 capital, and reliance must be placed on farmers themselves. 
 
 It is clear, we should invite capital to the State by all just 
 means, not overlooking the sanctity of its rights, for it flies 
 away at the touch of injustice. It will bear no unequal bur 
 dens. Should you exempt those from taxation worth but 
 thirteen hundred dollars, in order to oppress those worth 
 more than that sum, you will cut down the tree for its fruit. 
 Capital will not remain with you, if you permit demagogues 
 to practice legislative thefts, or robberies upon it, much less 
 will it come into the State from abroad. Confidence is very 
 important. Capitalists have too often suffered by changeable 
 legislation not to dread it. They will select States for their 
 operations, where they most expect stability of laws and re 
 gard for justice. Though it might serve your interest to be 
 stow favors on capital, this would not be required ; it would 
 ask nothing but justice. 
 
 Eepelling capital represses manufactures, and consequently 
 
1Y6 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 injures agriculture, by depriving it of consumers. It also in 
 jures commerce, by depriving it of materials for exchange, 
 and lessening its profits, by confining it to things of great 
 weight and little value. Were wood exported in the form of 
 ships, boats, tables, chairs, bowls ; were iron exported in the 
 form of knives, scythes and other cutlery : would not the cargo 
 be of twenty-fold more value than if it were of the raw mate 
 rials ? We find the commerce of every country has increased 
 with the increase of its manufactures. 
 
 Though our smaller capital and higher wages cannot easily 
 overmatch the greater capital and cheaper wages of Europe, 
 yet if foreign governments would not interfere in the con 
 test between our and their manufactures, by offering premi 
 ums or by other means, ours would ere long successfully com 
 pete with theirs in many articles besides cottons. But to 
 require infancy to vanquish manhood ; one dollar to outweigh 
 a hundred ; a pigmy to contend with a giant, with the giant's 
 governmental board of trade always in session watching the 
 progress of the battle, and ready and determined to throw its 
 weight into the giant's scale, if necessary for determining the 
 contest in his favor : all this seems more like condemning the 
 weaker party to destruction than giving him a fair chance for 
 his existence. It resembles the exposure of the malefactor to 
 contend with the lion without a shield. 
 
 The early settlers of Ohio who tilled her soil before turn 
 pikes, railroads, canals, and the genius of Fulton brought the 
 cities of the seaboard near ; before manufactures were at 
 tempted west of the Alleghany, and before capital could estab 
 lish and sustain a currency in the West: have recounted their 
 hardships for want of money ; a want resulting from the lack 
 of a market. Having no market, they willingly gave away 
 their produce to the traveller in exchange for his company 
 and his news, and thus were compelled by hard fortune to 
 win the praise of hospitality. It took a great deal of produce 
 to get a few of the coarser productions of the arts. Money 
 was seldom seen. Generals St. Clair and Wayne's marches 
 against the Indians made eras of prosperity that for a while 
 twenty dollars worth of property was not sacrificed for one 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 177 
 
 dollar at a constable's sale ; but the silver scattered by the 
 armies soon passed to the Atlantic cities to pay for goods, 
 and came back no more. The inhabitants could fight Indians, 
 go forty miles to mill, use wooden pegs for nails ; but they 
 could n't pay debts without money, and this they could not 
 get in sufficient amount to supply their very few wants. This 
 came from having the mechanic, the loom and the anvil too 
 distant from the plough. If the little money got from all 
 sources had been paid to manufacturers of woollens, cottons, 
 pitchforks, scythes, knives, spades, hoes, ploughs, within this 
 county or its neighborhood, it would have been handed back 
 to the farmers for the productions of their farms, gardens and 
 orchards, instead of going over the hills and far away, never 
 to return. 
 
 Experience, .reason, common sense, all proclaim that the 
 pursuits of a people should be diversified to render them inde 
 pendent and comfortable. Without such diversity of pursuits, 
 they must necessarily be poor as a people. The perfection of 
 a nation's economy consists in its complete independence of 
 other nations for all the productions of agriculture, which its 
 climate and soil are capable of producing. Such a nation 
 may exchange its apples for oranges ; its wheat for coffee ; 
 and in dealing with nations that are behind the intelligence 
 of the age, it may exchange its manufactures for its coin, or 
 commodities. A large part of the eight hundred millions on 
 the globe are in a semi-barbarous state, and mere producers 
 of raw materials, and well adapted to enrich the manufactur 
 ing and commercial nations, whose intelligence has enabled 
 them to march in advance of the rest of the world. Had we 
 manufacturers enough to consume all our agricultural pro 
 ducts, they would manufacture a vast surplus of articles for 
 exportation ; thus affording a convenient, constant and good 
 market at home for the farmer, a profitable employment for 
 the mechanic, and a great increase of the value and amount 
 of the materials for the world-encompassing merchant. It 
 was the united energy of these three interests, mutually sus 
 taining each other, that enabled Britain, though laboring 
 under a debt of eight hundred millions, to subsidize a great 
 12 
 
178 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 part of Europe, and repel the tide of conquests that threat 
 ened, guided by the genius of Napoleon, to overwhelm the 
 world. 
 
 The invitation of cotton to wheat to accompany it to Eu 
 rope to market, is like the invitation of the fish to the owl to 
 go to swim. No cotton is grown in Europe, but abundance 
 of wheat is raised there. For the last fifteen years, the aver 
 age price of wheat at Odessa, in Russia, has been about fifty 
 cents, at Dantzic, in Poland, abo'it eighty cents, and at Phila 
 delphia about one dollar and twenty-five cents per bushel. It 
 may be inferred, therefore, that could a perfect free trade be 
 established, our wheat could scarcely enter into successful 
 competition with the wheat of Europe. We must erect our 
 own market at home. We must not voluntarily sink our 
 selves into the colonial condition, into the condition of the 
 semi-barbarous nations. We must look upon all who advise 
 us to do so with compassion for their infirmities. 
 
 The Census of 1840 shows that the whole amount of capi 
 tal invested in manufactures of all kinds, including hats, caps, 
 tanneries, grist and saw-mills, etc., did not exceed in the whole 
 country, the sum of $212,339. The proportion is scarcely one 
 dollar invested in manufactures, to seventy-five invested in 
 agriculture. Now what sort of jig can such a political body 
 dance, with the agricultural leg seventy-five times longer than 
 the manufacturing one ? It must needs play the cripple, and 
 pay or beg its way to distant markets. 
 
 The spontaneous productions of nature afford but a scant 
 subsistence for man in the savage state. Necessity turns his 
 attention to the cultivation of the earth. And to do this his 
 first application is to art. The artisans construct the plough, 
 the sickle, and all the varied implements for cultivating and 
 gathering crops ; the carriages, houses, clothes, and they 
 necessarily constitute the right leg and the right arm of agri 
 culture ; for without their auxiliary labor the operations of 
 husbandry would be weak, inefficient and extremely left- 
 handed. Who contemplates a man scarce thinks of him 
 except as a whole, a unit, having certain qualities and pow 
 ers resulting from a combination of all his parts. It would 
 
PEOSE WETTINGS. 1T9 
 
 not occur, that he might be deprived of a leg, or arm, with 
 advantage to himself, or that these limbs have no necessary 
 relation to the perfection and utility of the body. He would 
 not extol one limb as more worthy than the rest, seeing all 
 are useful. So in contemplating a political body, one cannot 
 reasonably assign the pre-eminence in importance to agricul- 
 culture, or to manufactures ; both give equal grace, strength 
 and independence to the State. Agriculture leans on manu 
 factures, and manufactures in turn lean on agriculture, as the 
 limbs on which one walks support and depend upon each 
 other. 
 
 THOUGHTS ON AGKICULTUKE. 
 
 THE general rules which apply to business lose none of their 
 importance in their application to agriculture, particularly 
 that of having a place for everything and keeping everything 
 in its place ; that of doing what is to be done in the right 
 time ; that of driving business instead of being driven by busi 
 ness ; that of arranging to avoid, rather than invite accidents ; 
 that of making sale, when one can do well, rather than wait 
 to do better ; and that it is better to secure a competence, 
 than to risk it for great wealth. 
 
 But whatever gives perfection to agriculture will be sure to 
 follow a constant and convenient market. Who has a profit 
 able business will soon adopt the best order or method of pros 
 ecuting it. Wrong steps will be pointed out by experience. 
 Whatever is done in the arrangement of fields, buildings, or 
 fences should be well done. In the plan of buildings, a mis 
 take is a source of lasting annoyance, and the best way to 
 avoid it is not to rely wholly on one's own invention ; but 
 look carefully into the plans of others, and ascertain what ex 
 perience has elicited respecting their advantages and defects. 
 
 The durability of fences is much affected by the time of fell- 
 ing the timber. The commissioners of the navy advertise for 
 timber, to be cut between the 20th October and the 20th 
 
180 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 February. From inquiries which I have made, and from my 
 own observation, I am inclined to think that the best time for 
 cutting timber is soon after the first hard freeze in November, 
 and that rails of small size are least liable to decay. A worm 
 fence should be laid on a stone foundation, sunk about 9 inches 
 in the ground ; perhaps a less depth might answer. It should 
 be, however, beyond the disturbing action of frost. The stone 
 will incline to the side that is first thawed, and permit the 
 fence to slip down to the ground. Fences along steep declivi 
 ties, placed on such a foundation, will stand with permanence. 
 Among the manures, lime is the most enduring. The land 
 on which it is once spread will never cease to feel its influence. 
 As a proof of this, I need only refer to the limestone land it 
 self it is uniformly found to be the most fertile of all the up 
 lands, and quite incapable of being worn out. The leaves 
 have fallen as many thousand years on the other lands as 011 
 that which abounds with limestone. Yet the latter is most 
 fertilized ; hence it may be inferred that limestone has a prin 
 ciple of fertility in itself that is constant. Years ago I came 
 to the conclusion that lime affects vegetation by conducting 
 carbon from the atmosphere to the roots of plants. I thence 
 inferred that the best way of applying it to land was to 
 spread it on its surface and there let it remain, to be carbon 
 ized as long as the land could be spared from the plough, and 
 afterwards at every ploughing going to such depths as would 
 be best for turning up the lime to the atmosphere. At every 
 ploughing there would be an increased burial of the lime, until 
 but a small portion of the whole quantity spread on the land 
 would remain on its surface in contact with the air. Conse 
 quently, the land would appear to feel the eifects of the lime 
 less than formerly ; not because the lime had diminished in 
 activity ; but because a large proportion of it had lost the op 
 portunity of carbonization, by being deeply mized with the 
 soil. But though the effect of a given quantity would thtfs 
 be lessened after being stored into the soil, the land would 
 still continue to feel the influence of the lime it had received 
 in proportion as its scattered particles come in contact with 
 the atmosphere. On enquiry of the late James Barker, who 
 
PKOSE WRITINGS. 181 
 
 had used lime some 50 years in Chester county, Pa., he in 
 formed me that formerly the practice there was to plough and 
 harrow in lime with wheat ; but that for the last 16 years it 
 was found better to spread on sward and leave it there some 
 two or three years before ploughing it in. Others have receiv 
 ed the same counsel from experience. Stabler, in a late essay 
 on renovating worn out lands, recommends a similar applica 
 tion of lime, and considers its pulverization by frost and rains 
 as one of the advantages of this mode. 
 
 If the limestone were ground as fine as flour, it would im 
 mediately act as a manure, being fully carbonized ; and then 
 to harrow it in with wheat would seem to be the best way to 
 apply it. The burning expels its carbon, which it must re- 
 acquire from the atmosphere before it aids vegetation, other 
 wise than in hastening the decomposition of matter. The ap 
 plication of fire to limestone, to be used for agricultural pur 
 poses, is mainly to disintegrate it or reduce it to powder. If 
 this end could be accomplished without fire, or, if burned lime 
 could be recarbonized without being thinly spread out to the 
 air, it might be harrowed in on seeding, and its advantages 
 be more immediately realized. In whatever way lime is 
 spread on land, it gives to it not a temporary but a permanent 
 fertility. It makes a change of the soil from bad to good, and 
 imparts a value to the farm much above the cost of putting 
 on the lime. A farmer in New Jersey informed me that he 
 had more than doubled the value of his farm by hauling lime 
 16 miles at a cost of 15 to 20 cents per bushel at the kiln. In 
 this country there is scarce a farm but could be limed at an 
 expense not exceeding four cents per bushel. 
 
 In 1839 I was on Long Island. A vessel arrived there 
 laden with leached ashes, worth 15 cents per bushel. The 
 farmers rushed to the port with wagons, eager to purchase the 
 article. I noticed the captain of the vessel refusing to sell 
 over a certain number of bushels to some of his customers, 
 because he had let them purchase more than their proportion 
 of his former load, insisting that their neighbors must have an 
 opportunity to purchase as well as they, I mention this fact 
 as worthy of consideration by those who gather but from ten 
 
182 THOMAS HEDGES GENIET. 
 
 to fifteen bushels of wheat from an acre, while they let their 
 leached ashes and other manures go to waste, and lie as ob 
 structions about their dwellings and stables ; who burn log 
 heaps in the midst of limestone quarries, without attempting 
 to make lime ; who, when their land promises to pay an inter 
 est of fifty to one hundred per cent for all that is lent to it in 
 the shape of manure, still remain indifferent to the advantages 
 of the offer, and persist to plough an acre for 12 J bushels, in 
 stead of ploughing it for 35 bushels, as if their intelligence 
 was chiefly directed to the saving of labor in the gathering, 
 or harvesting of the crop, and not to increasing its amount. 
 
 I noticed that a farm of 200 acres had been divided into 
 four parts by the law of descent. One of the heirs informed 
 me he raised more grain on his one-fourth of the old farm 
 than his father had raised on the whole of it in his time. He 
 said he had borrowed money on mortgage by demonstrating 
 to the lender that by putting the money on the land in the 
 shape of manure, it would yield to him some 40 per cent more 
 than the interest demanded for the loan ; the lender being 
 one of those men who would not make a loan unless he was 
 satisfied that the borrower might be benefited by the intend 
 ed use of the money. The result had more than justified his 
 hopes. He enriched his land, which, yielding generous crops 
 in return, enabled him to erect buildings, pay off the mortgage, 
 and was then educating his children, having all the conven 
 iences, and enough, for his good, of the luxuries of life. His 
 land would scarce return the seed sowed upon it when he 
 undertook its improvement. He had used various manures, 
 and all with more or less advantage. 
 
 A stitch in time, too, in this matter, is important. A crop 
 of grass must be produced before it can be ploughed in. This 
 method of preserving the fertility of soil should be resorted 
 to before the land gets too poor to bring a crop worth the 
 trouble of ploughing under ; otherwise instead of being the first 
 it must necessarily be the second step in improving the soil ; 
 the first being the application of the manure to produce grass. 
 
 In an uneven country too much attention cannot be paid to 
 prevent the washing off of the soil by rains. The original soil 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 183 
 
 is of more importance than one might suppose, until he con 
 siders how many thousands of years the hand of nature has 
 been employed in its production. Strip a piece of ground of 
 all its soil, especially ground destitute of limestone, and attempt 
 to restore it to fertility by manuring it ; you will be surprised 
 to find in the course of twenty years how much manure such 
 a piece of ground will take, without after all being equal to 
 the adjoining land which retains its soil. It may have brought 
 good crops from manure ; but as soon as the strength of the 
 manure is exhausted, its comparative barrenness appears. 
 Deposit a four-horse wagon load of stable manure in a forest, 
 and ten thousand years afterwards how much of it will exist 
 in the shape of time-elaborated soil ? A very few shovels full, 
 perhaps not more than one ; but what remains will be pregnant, 
 like our rich soils, with the elements of vegetation, capable of 
 aiding in the production of a thousand crops without suffering 
 further material diminution, whatever changes it may undergo 
 by the operation of its affinities. "When our farmers lose a 
 shovel full of soil, they lose that which was once a large mass 
 of matter, the essence of a large heap of vegetable and organic 
 remains, the spoils of death, in his unnumbered centuries of 
 triumphs. 
 
 The washing off of this soil may be prevented by deep 
 ploughing along the sides of slopes on a water level. The 
 ploughing for this purpose, as for all other purposes, should be 
 done at times when the ground is not so wet as to bake or dry 
 into hard clods, but turns up mellow so as to readily dissolve 
 the whole of an ordinary shower of rain sub-soil ploughing, 
 which some have extended from eighteen inches to thirty and 
 thirty-six inches in depth, would effectually enable a hill side 
 to soak up a considerable shower. No grass field, woods, or 
 unploughed surface should lie above the ploughed part of the 
 slope, lest the water, suddenly gliding down to the loosened 
 earth, should sweep it away. 
 
 Creases of any size should never be made up and down the slope. 
 I have experimented with a light harrow ; first harrowing the 
 field, by keeping at a water level, along the side of the hill, 
 and afterwards, at one end of the field, going a few times up 
 
184 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 and down the hill. Though the creases left by the harrow were 
 small, they caused the field at that point to be washed four fold 
 more than at the point where the last touch of the harrow was 
 along the side of the slope on a water level. Shallow plough 
 ing exposes the soil to be washed off of slopes, as dust from 
 the roof a house. 
 
 The cornstalks, the straw, in short, all vegetable refuse, 
 should be left on the fields, in preference to setting it on fire ; 
 it should not be burned, for it aids in preventing the formation 
 of gullies, while decaying, gives lightness to the soil, and re 
 turns to the land the carbon and hydrogen received from it. 
 The limbs of trees, or brush heaps, should be left, when not 
 too much in the way, to gradually rot, and be scattered. 
 
 It has been observed that the refuse of any crop is the best 
 manure for a like crop. It is said that if corn stalks are cut 
 in the fall, and buried in a deep furrow between the rows, and 
 corn be planted on the top of these buried stalks, the next 
 spring, a good crop will result ; and that the same field may 
 thus be used for corn, any number of years in succession, with 
 out a perceptible diminution of its capacity to yield the same 
 crop. Vine dressers have declared that manure from the 
 leaves and twigs of the vine is necessary to keep the grapes 
 from being deteriorated in flavor. Probably the manures for 
 orchards and vineyards might be improved by the addition of 
 decayed limbs and vines, and the substitution or addition of 
 fresh soil. These stationary bearers of a long succession of 
 crops may, in length of time, exhaust the ground on which 
 they stand of some of the needful properties for well flavored 
 fruit, and this exhaustion may, perhaps, be in part the cause 
 of the barrenness of old trees ; as young apple trees are known 
 not to grow well on the places recently occupied by old ones. 
 
 Charcoal has been found to be a durable manure, and, where 
 wood abounds, is not unworthy of attention. A Mr. Yail, of 
 Kew Jersey, publishes that its force is little injured after 
 sixty-five years. Fruits add to the value of farms, corning 
 annually without the labor demanded by grains. The grape, 
 the currant, the peach, produce by and before the fourth year 
 after planting. Of the grape, the Catawba and Cape or 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 185 
 
 Schuylkill appear to be the most desirable ; and of plums the 
 damson is most deserving of regard, as constant in bearing 
 and little affected by the curculio. It is said the most profit 
 able orchard is that which bears the longest keeping apples 
 of only four or five kinds, best known in the markets. An 
 orchard of summer and fall apples for hogs is as useful for 
 their support as the ground it occupies could be made to be, if 
 cultivated in corn. About two-thirds of such apples should be 
 sweet, the rest of various degrees of sourness. I have had hogs 
 of medium fatness killed, after being fed only on grass and 
 apples, and their flesh, it was thought, possessed an equal if not 
 superior solidity to that of hogs which had been fed on corn. 
 Apple trees should be planted about forty-five feet apart, 
 intermixed with well rotted manure, in a hole large enough 
 to contain ten bushels of rich mould, be trimmed but lightly, 
 and ploughed so as not to cut the roots. If the lower limbs 
 are permitted to remain, they will by the time the tree is half 
 grown, incline so near the ground as to shut out the sun, and 
 kill the grass and weeds beneath, and thus cultivate themselves. 
 Hogs and poultry, by rooting and devouring insects, both cul 
 tivate the trees and enable them to yield fairer and better 
 fruit. The cutting off of the lower limbs of apple trees, to 
 enable teams to pass under the tree, or for other cause, thwarts 
 the purpose of nature in shaping the tree, and prevents its 
 exterior surface from occupying as large a space for taking the 
 sun and air as the perfection of its fruit requires. I have 
 noticed that peach trees, when well manured and ploughed, are 
 more capable of resisting the infirmities to which they are 
 subject, particularly the attacks of insects or worms, and 
 the cold of winter, owing to the vigorous constitution which 
 such cultivation imparts ; but as the ends of limbs of swift 
 growth may be killed by frost, it is best to moderate their 
 speed to give solidity to the wood. The attack of the insect 
 is probably the effect of which cold is the cause. The cold 
 may cause putrefaction of the juices or sap of the tree. This 
 attracts the insect to deposit its eggs in the bark between 
 wind and ground ; the destruction of the tree soon follows ; 
 though I have prolonged the existence of trees thus assailed 
 
186 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 for some years, by digging out the worms, applying lye nearly 
 boiling hot to the roots, and putting about four quarts of dry 
 wood ashes around the body of the tree, so as to lie in contact 
 with the body from the surface of the ground down to the 
 lateral roots. In the spring of 1828, I planted one hundred 
 peach trees. Fifteen of them were exposed some three or four 
 days on the surface of the ground, having been overlooked on 
 planting the others. In the spring of 1830, I examined all 
 the trees, and found the worm in none but these fifteen, which 
 I treated with hot, scalding water and dry wood ashes, on 
 removing the worms ; these trees continued to grow, but died 
 about' four or five years sooner than the others, which lasted 
 seventeen years. The ground was well manured the first 
 year, and was ploughed the five succeeding years. The next 
 ten years it was in grass annually mown. The amount of the 
 crop gradually diminished as the distance from the time of 
 manuring increased. Some thought this orchard lasted longer 
 than there was reason to expect it to last ; as, just before it 
 was planted, peach trees in this region had been generally 
 swept away, and few persons had much hope of raising them 
 at all ; but I think if the manuring had been repeated, and 
 the ploughing continued as often as once in three years, the 
 orchard, or the greater part of it, would still have survived, 
 as have a couple of trees so situated as incidentally to enjoy 
 those advantages. 
 
 The provision of winter pasture for stock has been found 
 useful as cheap. After mowing a field of grass in July, and 
 putting the hay in stack around a tree, to prevent its falling 
 on the cattle, I have let the second crop grow up for winter 
 pasture. On turning the stock upon it with liberty to eat at 
 the stack or the pasture, they were observed generally to pre 
 fer the latter when the snow did not prevent their access to 
 it, and the pertinacity with which they pawed away the snow, 
 at times, in order to reach it, showed they liked it better than 
 the hay of the stack. But I have understood that stock will 
 not fatten so well on such pasture as on hay ; for, though 
 palatable, it is less nutritious than ripe, well cured grass. The 
 green blades taken into the mouth with the older grass prob- 
 
PKOSE WETTINGS. 
 
 ably affords an agreeable sauce, which makes the food more 
 palatable than the best of hay. Many years ago this method 
 of wintering stock was obtruded upon my notice by the refusal 
 of a horse to be caught on the evening of a snowy day in the 
 latter part of November. After trying in vain to corner him, 
 he was left, as I supposed, to suffer the consequence of his 
 perverseness, to lie out in the snow. There was a hay stack 
 in his lot, and the grass grown after July was mostly stand 
 ing. Some days afterwards, on visiting the lot, I found the 
 horse, although the snow was fourteen inches deep, had not 
 been at the stack, having preferred to paw for grass. He 
 was kept in the lot all the winter, and he took from the stack 
 not an hundred pounds of hay in the whole time. The two 
 succeeding winters he was kept in the same way. He was 
 all the stock I possessed. I then resided in town. In the 
 beginning of March, at the close of his last winter, his sleek 
 ness and fine appearance were such, that I felt inclined to ex 
 hibit him to my neighbors as an illustration of an improved 
 method of wintering animals of his species. He was brought 
 into the stable. As he had been fed no grain since the prev 
 ious November, I prescribed for him hay, with one quart of 
 shelled corn for the evening feed. The next morning, awhile 
 after he had been fed, I entered the stable, and found the 
 horse unwell, with his morning feed, seven quarts of shelled 
 corn, lying in his trough. He would no longer eat ; in short, 
 he died the succeeding day. About seven quarts of corn in 
 stead of one had been given the preceding evening. 
 
 The inference is, from the facts in the case, that the transi 
 tion from winter pasture to grain should be gradual ; that 
 one must superintend his own business himself, if he would 
 be certain to have it done right ; and that one may pity a 
 horse for exposure to the weather when there is little cause 
 for it ; for in an open field where he can take exercise he can 
 keep much warmer than in most stables. I have, since the 
 experiment with the horse, adopted this method of wintering 
 cattle and sheep, and found it particularly advantageous as to 
 sheep, but sheds should be provided to shield them from cold 
 rains, and afford to them a dry bed. 
 
188 THOMAS HEDGES GENEN". 
 
 ^Pasture and meadow land should not be trod by stock from 
 about the middle of March to the middle of May. The frost 
 leaves the land mellow, and it should be kept so until the 
 grass gets up. Animals put on before the grass is up thick 
 hunt for the tender shoots over a large space in a short time, 
 and, without benefiting themselves, materially do a serious 
 injury to the ground, making it hard, and thus diminishing 
 its capacity to produce for the season some 50 per cent. 
 
 A plum-orchard should be planted on high ground, in a 
 place expected to be daily frequented by hogs and poultry, or 
 in a paved or hard trodden yard, that the insect called curcu- 
 lio may be crushed, devoured, or otherwise prevented from 
 placing its egg in the plum, and cause it to fall from the tree 
 when about two-thirds grown. I have never got plums from 
 trees standing in untrodden, mellow ground, except the dam 
 son, without taking measures to repel this insect. I have 
 saved a crop of plums by tying a hen with her chickens to 
 the body of the tree, when the plum was about the size of a 
 pea, and keeping her there some four weeks. Her splutter 
 ing and scratching for food in the loosened soil averted the 
 curculio. 
 
 The sun blight of the pear-tree may be stopped by cutting 
 the blighted limbs nine inches below the dead part and burn 
 ing them, or by removing the ground around the body of the 
 tree some three or four feet, until the upper surface of the lat 
 eral roots are uncovered, and applying hot, boiling lye. One 
 and a-half bushels of wood ashes boiled a while in eighteen 
 gallons of water were (both the lye and ashes) thrown on the 
 roots of a pear tree about nineteen inches in diameter. The 
 tree revived, and has borne fruit for many years. Three- 
 fourths of its top was dead when the remedy was used. 
 
 The disease called the gaps destroys many chickens, if they 
 run at large with the hen about long inhabited dwellings, 
 probably on account of being over-fed with worms ; for the 
 disease seldom prevails in recently improved places. They 
 escape it, near old buildings, when the turkey acts as their 
 mother, as she does not scratch for worms. Stationing the 
 hen in a coop with her brood some twenty rods from wood 
 
PKOSE WHITINGS. 189 
 
 pile&> old buildings and rubbish, and feeding them there, will 
 avoid the disease. The dish in which they drink or feed 
 should be daily washed. 
 
 In thus stating the results of some of my own observations 
 and experience, I am conscious that what is valuable therein 
 is already known, and what is new is probably of little im 
 portance ; still the valuable may be welcomed as an old ac 
 quaintance, and the new may aiford material for considera 
 tion and experiment. 
 
 ABOLITION BEFOKE AND AFTEE FEBRUAKY, 
 
 1833. 
 
 SEVERAL Abolition Societies were formed about the time 
 the Federal Constitution was going into operation, when its 
 true construction was not generally understood. Petitions to 
 abolish Slavery were presented to Congress. They were re 
 ceived and referred to a Committee, who reported that the 
 General Government had no power to abolish Slavery in the 
 States. This report was acquiesced in, and the Abolition 
 Societies thenceforth sought by moral suasion to move the 
 State Governments to abolish it. It was abolished in New 
 York in 1828, and in other Northern States at other periods. 
 Dr. Franklin, Dr. Benjamin Kush, the Society of Friends, 
 Chief Justice Jay and many other good men were engaged 
 in this work of gradual emancipation. Many eminent men 
 of the South condemned Slavery, though they tolerated it. 
 Judge Tucker, of Yirginia, in 1798, published a plan for its 
 gradual abolition. Thomas Jeiferson could print his acknowl 
 edgment of its iniquity, and say that he " trembled for his 
 country when he reflected that God was just, and that His 
 justice would not sleep forever," without being blamed for 
 uttering a truth. In October, 1819, there was a convention 
 of Abolitionists held in Philadelphia, composed of delegates 
 from Abolition Societies in New York, Delaware, Pennsyl- 
 
190 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 vania, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. It appears from its 
 minutes to have been the sixteenth convention. It was occu 
 pied with plans for excluding Slavery from the Territories, 
 preventing the Slave Trade, kidnapping of free negroes, the 
 education of the blacks, their colonization and gradual eman 
 cipation. 
 
 In 1817 there were eight Societies in Belmont and Jef 
 ferson counties, Ohio, whose delegates met semi-annually, 
 at Mount Pleasant, in Jefferson county, to promote gradual 
 emancipation. The convention of these Societies published a 
 large edition of an oration delivered before it in May, 1818, 
 for gratuitous distribution in the South and East. This speech 
 appeals to the self-interest, in time and eternity, and to the 
 sense of justice in man ; insists that all races are brutalized 
 by Slavery, white as well as black ; and on the authority of 
 Diodorus Siculus, Lucian and Strabo claims that the dark- 
 skinned race were the first learned people, and the inventors 
 of letters, and instead of praying to live unabused, might 
 demand the gratitude of mankind. It objects to colonization 
 abroad or at home, and recommends gradual emancipation, 
 preceded by education sufficient to form good citizens. 
 
 Benjamin Lundy, then a saddler in St. Clairsville, soon 
 afterwards began to publish an Abolition paper, called The 
 Genius of Universal Emancipation / the first of the kind. 
 After publishing it in Ohio for some time, he moved with it 
 to Greenville, Tennessee, where he published it several years. 
 A copy of it, No. 8, vol. ii., is before me, dated Second Month, 
 1823, Greenville, Tennessee. It has a frontispiece of a driver 
 and gang of slaves, with the American flag floating above. 
 Below he asks the American people to note " the detestable 
 traffic in human flesh," " and LOOK AT IT again and again," 
 and then say whether they " will permit so disgraceful, in 
 human and so wicked a practice to continue." He claims 
 that the slaveholders do not generally justify slaveholding, 
 but inquire what shall be done ? arid ask to be shown a plan 
 of practical emancipation. Mr. Lundy removed with his 
 paper from Tennessee to Baltimore. There he took William 
 Lloyd Garrison as partner. Lundy died, and Garrison removed 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 191 
 
 to Boston. Lundy differed from his Abolition friends in Ohio 
 by advocating colonization. He was not molested on account 
 of his Abolitionism in either of the Slave States, for Mr. 
 Calhoun had not as yet dropped the Tariff and taken up the 
 Slavery question, as best calculated to unite all the Slave 
 States. It was said he had despaired of reaching the Presi 
 dency of the Union, and wished to be the head of a Southern 
 Confederacy. He found the Tariff question would not cap 
 tivate the sugar growers, for they needed a tariff, but all were 
 alike interested in Slavery, and the agitation of the negro 
 question was deliberately inaugurated. 
 
 Of course the agitators would try to alarm the people of 
 the South by imputing sanguinary designs to the peaceable 
 Abolitionists, who at that day were mostly Quakers. The 
 Abolitionists indignantly denied the imputation, and confi 
 dently referred to their acts and writings to show that they 
 had only addressed the consciences of the masters. Still the 
 Southern politicians persisted in charging that the kind- 
 hearted and peaceable philanthropists had most wicked pur 
 poses. There was not enough of Abolitionism in the North 
 to answer the ends of the Southern Confederacy politicians. 
 It was supposed that one of their measures to increase it was 
 to raise a mob in New York against Lewis Tappan. He and 
 his brother Arthur had been giving some thirty thousand dol 
 lars a year for religious and charitable objects, and might, if 
 " rubbed against the grain," apply all their means to Aboli 
 tion. This mob was in 1834 ; the Tariff Compromise in 
 February, 1833. The year 1835 exhibited, consequently, an 
 increased Abolition excitement, and, instead of gradual, the 
 masters were exhorted to immediate Abolition. Though 
 Benjamin Lundy could publish his paper, with its satirical 
 frontispiece, for years in Tennessee and Maryland unmolested, 
 yet Tappan could not express liberal sentiments in a Free 
 State without being mobbed ; and this in less than two years 
 after Calhoun had dropped the Tariff and taken up the 
 Negro. The Southern gentlemen then in the city of New 
 York were charged with getting up the mob, I know not how 
 justly. I see in the newspapers of that time that the Aboli- 
 
192 THOMAS HEDGES GENIK. 
 
 tionists gave notice of holding a meeting at Clinton Hall, 
 on 2d of October, 1833, and that a placard was put up 
 through the city, signed " MANY SOUTHERNERS," requesting 
 all persons from the South, and all persons interested in 
 the subject of the meeting, to attend at the same hour 
 and place and express the true feeling of the State on 
 this subject. A disorderly mass did attend, compelling the 
 Abolitionists to withdraw to another place called Chatham 
 Street Chapel. Their opponents organized and passed reso 
 lutions at Clinton Hall against interfering with Slavery. 
 "While at the chapel the Abolitionists adopted a constitution 
 for a Society for immediate emancipation, therein declaring 
 its object to be to elevate the character and condition of the 
 people of color, " but will never countenance the oppressed 
 in vindicating their rights by resorting to physical force !" 
 " Lawful, moral and religious means, by appeals to the con 
 sciences, hearts and interests of the people," is what they pro 
 pose to resort to. Might they not do this without blame ? 
 Might the slaveholders not be argued with to show them 
 their true interest, their obligations to God and man, involv 
 ing their happiness or misery in time and eternity, without 
 doing them a wrong ? Would it injure them to enlighten 
 them ? Whether they got up the mob or not, it played into 
 their hands, or gave them what it was supposed they wanted, 
 an increased Abolition excitement in the North, and some 
 thing of a bugbear for them to point at while trying to 
 frighten the South. At the same time the masses of the 
 South were filled with intense prejudices against the North. 
 A man from Belmont county, who resided some fifteen years 
 ago at Augusta, Georgia, informed me, about that time, that 
 the " common people," as he called them, were very bitter 
 against the whole North, often saying they would rather trade 
 with Europe than any of the Free States. Others have 'con 
 firmed his statement. The Southern people have thus been 
 prepared for conflict with the North long before President 
 Lincoln was thought of for the Presidency. 
 
 In pursuit of their object the alarming and uniting the 
 South the politicians have made the most of all events in any 
 
PEOSE WETTINGS. 193 
 
 degree chargeable to Abolition. . Hence, Governor Wise, after 
 the United States Marines had subdued John Brown and his 
 followers, runs Old Virginia to one hundred and eighty thou 
 sand dollars of expense in guarding against pretended dangers, 
 gasconading and making " a fuss," as if bent on furnishing 
 materials for writers of comedy and farce. Not so. He was 
 neither coward nor fool in that thing. He was alarming and 
 therefore uniting the South, and making it a more compliant 
 tool in the hands of political jugglers. 
 
 The use of an united South to the political leaders for gov 
 erning the Union is so plain, that some have thought their 
 negro agitation had no object beyond presenting thereby a 
 power with which to bargain with the leaders of one of the 
 Northern parties ; by uniting with which they got control of 
 the Government. This seems to have been the plan pursued, 
 whereby for fifty or more years the South, with scarce one- 
 third of the white population, have taken about three-fourths 
 of the federal offices and dictated the laws ; the other fourth 
 of the offices being conferred on the obedient. But as soon as 
 the presidential patronage is lost, as soon as the South sees it 
 must cease to rule the whole Union, it raises the standard of 
 rebellion. The whole North had acquiesced in the report of 
 the Congressional Committee, and were only seeking by moral 
 suasion to remove gradually the fetters of Slavery, when South 
 ern politicians by their arts and emissaries increased and inten 
 sified Abolitionism in the North for the purpose of uniting 
 the South. 
 
 Duff Green, Calhoun's editor, in 1833 proposed to publish 
 a newspaper for Southern circulation. He says in his Pros 
 pectus, in substance, that " the South had heretofore erred in 
 admitting Slavery to be a moral and political evil and pro 
 poses by his paper to show that Slavery is right in itself. 
 That what is to be feared is not what the little knot of Aboli 
 tionists in the North may do, for indeed they do not address 
 the slaves at all, but this is to be feared that the consciences of 
 the masters may become too tender to hold slaves. And his 
 paper will sear the consciences of the slaveholders." This 
 Prospectus was published several weeks in the United States 
 13 
 
194: THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Telegraph. Considering Duff Green's position in reference to 
 Calhoun, this prospectus should go far in exculpating the 
 Abolitionists from any improper designs on the South at that 
 time, and confirms the opinion of Clay and Madison. 
 
 Mr. Clay, in his speech in the Senate, of February, T, 1839, 
 alludes to this fostering of Abolition excitement by the South 
 in these words : " I say it with profound regret, but with no 
 intention to occasion irritation here or elsewhere that there 
 are persons in 'both parts of the Union who have sought to 
 mingle Abolition with politics, and to array one portion of 
 the Union against the other" 
 
 Mr. Benton, in his speech against the repeal of the Missouri 
 Compromise line, of 1820, delivered in 1854, says, " and now 
 what is the excuse for this breaking up of ancient compro 
 mises, for arraying one-half of the Union against the other ? 
 What is the excuse for all this turmoil and mischief? We are 
 told it is to keep the question of Slavery out of Congress. 
 Great God ! It is out of Congress, completely, entirely, and 
 forever out of Congress, unless Congress drag it in by break 
 ing down the sacred laws which settled it." " What advan 
 tage do the Slave States expect from this bill ? Certainly an 
 extension of Slave power. This may prove a fallacious expec 
 tation. The question of Slavery in these Territories will be 
 a question of numbers of majority for or against Slavery 
 and what chance would the slaveholders have in such a con 
 test ? No chance at all. The slave emigrants will be out 
 numbered and compelled to play at a most unequal game, not 
 only in point of numbers, but also in point of stakes. The 
 slaveholder stakes his property, and has to run it off or lose it 
 if out- voted at the polls." 
 
 Thus Clay and Benton recognize the real agitators of Slav 
 ery. Benton's speech shows that he was ignorant of two 
 things that the introducers of the bill were probably not igno 
 rant of. First, the intended march of Major Buford with 
 some three hundred Georgians and South Carolinians, and the 
 march of Senator Atchinson's Border Euffians to drive off, or 
 wipe out, as they said, the Free State settlers in Kansas, and 
 thus prevent the out-voting. And, second, the Dred Scott 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 195 
 
 Decision, to prevent the necessity of the slaveholder running 
 off his slaves or losing them. Could Benton have conceived 
 of these changes and violations of law, he might not have 
 added, in the same speech, " I see nothing which slaveholders 
 are to gain under this bill nothing but an unequal and vexa 
 tious contest in which they are to be losers." For Benton 
 thought of lawful means only. 
 
 His last word to the American people denounces the con 
 duct of the Administration for u suppressing and concealing 
 the evidences of a foreign negotiation, that is surrounded by 
 circumstances which connect it with a scheme to bring on a 
 separation of the Slave from the Free States. "I speak," 
 says he, " of the Gadsden negotiation, and of fifty millions he 
 was authorized to give for a broadside of Mexico, with a port 
 on the Gulf of California, and a railway to it to suit the Uni 
 ted States South, after the separation, to which point all the 
 schemes of a Southern Pacific Railroad tend, while the public 
 are made to believe they are hunting the best way to Califor 
 nia, where they mean it shall never go, because California re 
 jects Slavery." Benton further says that, " In the year 1830 
 some Southern politicians, having some private griefs of their 
 own to redress, and some ambitious objects of their own to 
 accomplish, conceived that a separation of the States, and an 
 erection of a new republic South was the way to accomplish 
 their purposes, and at that object they went to work, pretext 
 ing their operation with ' the oppressions of an unconstitu 
 tional Protective Tariff.' 
 
 " With this view, and upon this pretext, the first Southern 
 (South Carolina) Convention was held November, 1832, which 
 passed the Ordinance of Nullification and Secession, declar 
 ing the revenue laws null and void, fixing the first day of 
 February then next ensuing for the secession, and levying an 
 army to maintain her attitude. The Jackson Proclamation 
 of December, 1832, denouncing the penalties of high treason 
 on all who should commit the overt act under that Ordinance ; 
 and the full belief that he would do what he said, balked that 
 project and gave birth to the Tariff Compromise of 1833, by 
 which Protective Tariff, as a pretext for secession, was laid 
 
196 THOMAS HEDGES G-ENIN. 
 
 aside, to be substituted by the Slavery agitation. The substi 
 tution was instant and notorious. On returning home from 
 Congress, Mr. Calhoun told his friends that the South could 
 never be united against the North on the Tariff Question 
 that the sugar interests of Louisiana would keep her out, and 
 that the basis of the Southern Union must be shifted to the 
 Slave Question, and shifted accordingly it immediately was. 
 Incontinently all the nullification newspapers opened for a 
 secession for that new cause, filling the country with alarm 
 for the safety of slave property. In less than three months 
 after the Protective Tariff pretext for secession, the new pre 
 text had been installed in its place, and so fully developed as 
 to be seen by all observers. Mr Clay saw it, and on the 27th 
 of May, 1833, in a letter Mr. Madison, expressed his appre 
 hensions of this new danger, and declared his disbelief of any 
 foundation for the alarm which was attempted. Mr. Madison 
 immediately replied, reciprocating both his apprehension and 
 disbelief." ' 
 
 " It is painful," says Mr. Madison^ " to see the unceasing 
 efforts to alarm the South by imputations against the North 
 of unconstitutional designs on the subject of the slaves. You 
 are right. I have no doubt that no such intermeddling dis 
 position exists in the body of our Northern brethren." 
 
 These facts, this design of Disunion, seen by Clay and 
 Madison in May, 1883 charged on the South by Clay in 
 February, 1839 and stated by Benton to have originated in 
 disappointed ambition in 1830, sufficiently explain why the 
 lawful election of a President that will not be a tool of the 
 Slave Power, is the signal for raising the standard of rebel 
 lion. If the Slave Power cannot rule, it will secede ; and, 
 raising armies on pretence of secession, it steals a march in 
 accumulating military force, with which, if circumstances in 
 the North were favorable, it might possibly hope to establish 
 a monarchy over the whole country. The blindness with 
 which that Slave Power has been followed, may have given 
 it hopes we scarce dream of. It has dared to trample on the 
 morality of mankind, under which Thomas Jefferson con 
 demned Slavery, and on the Christian religion, by whose 
 
PKOSE WRITINGS. 197 
 
 light John Wesley saw that Slavery was the " slim of all vil 
 lainy." It has got its Church South, with this gigantic in 
 iquity tied to its neck, giving the lie to all its professions, 
 making of it a tool to save Slavery, instead of sinners. While 
 it used the Tariff pretext it boldly denied the truths in politi 
 cal economy, as it has those contained in the Declaration of 
 Independence ; so tangling up the ideas of their partisans, on 
 religion, morals, political economy and human rights, as to 
 excite the astonishment of those who conversed with them. 
 
 Had Lincoln not been elected, the day of secession would 
 only have been postponed, not abandoned. His election 
 merely shows the Slave Power that it has ceased to have a 
 tool in the President, or has ceased to rule the whole Union, 
 with whose money it had hoped to purchase Cuba, and other 
 slave territories. For the former two hundred millions were 
 named. The five millions paid to Spain for Florida ; the 
 some forty-five millions to prevent its sheltering runaway 
 slaves ; the sixty or seventy millions for warring for Texas ; 
 the fifteen millions paid to France for Louisiana ; the fifty 
 millions hovering around the Gadsden treaty ; the twenty mil 
 lions to Mexico by Trist's treaty ; show that the Northern 
 purse, which yields two-thirds of the revenue, is a convenient 
 affair, and its transfer to Republican hands not to be toler 
 ated by persons born to rule ; whose selfishness has sacrificed 
 the Democratic Party in ungrateful return for all its losses on 
 their account. 
 
 From the foregoing facts we see that Abolitionism was not 
 even complained of, much less assailed with violence, until 
 Calhoun dropped the Tariff and took up the Slavery Ques 
 tion, with which to unite the South, that its political force 
 might be wielded, we may presume, for the benefit of politi 
 cal leaders ; but certainly not for the benefit of the mass of 
 the Southern people. 
 
 The respectable citizens of the North and the South held 
 the same opinions as to the injustice and immorality of Slav 
 ery. Mr. Jefferson in his letter to Dr. Price says there are 
 some exceptions just as there is found at times a thief or a 
 murderer in every community ; but this was before 1833. 
 
198 THOMAS HEDGES GENEST. 
 
 Up to this period we hear no complaints againt the Aboli 
 tionists by the South. But as soon as Calhoun shifts from 
 the Tariff to the Slavery Question, as soon as it becomes the 
 interest of ambitious political leaders to array one portion of 
 the Union against the other, then it is proposed to sear the 
 consciences of slaveholders, and accusations of all sorts are 
 made against Abolitionists to spread alarm for the safety of 
 slave property. It is plain, that these leaders would be sorely 
 tempted to procure petitions to abolish Slavery in the District 
 of Columbia, and to make the loudest of noises at the entrance 
 into Congress of a petition of that sort. To make the new 
 question available many strings would likely be pulled be 
 sides those of mere falsehood in charging Abolitionists with 
 designs and acts which they refuted continually by their writ 
 ings and their conduct. 
 
 Those whose penetration does not go beyond the surface of 
 affairs may wonder w r hy it should be wrong to preach to slave 
 holders on justice, righteousness and judgment to come ; but 
 Duff Green's prospectus shows that such preaching might 
 make their consciences too tender to persist in the sin, and 
 this might diminish the political force intended to be based 
 on Slavery or on the Union of numbers interested in it. When 
 it is found that Slavery is so worthy and sacred an institution 
 that it sits above the rights of man, above morality, above 
 religion, and when it meets these they must give it the road, 
 as being superior to each and all of them, it will then be seen 
 how wrong it is to attempt to preach to slaveholders. As a 
 nation we must be punished for tolerating Slavery if the 
 Scriptures are true, and give another proof " that those who 
 deal with evil feel its fangs." 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 199 
 
 THE ISSUES OF MR. LINCOLN'S ELECTION.* 
 
 THERE was, in 1860, a Republican and a Democratic party. 
 The Republicans opposed the extension of Slavery. The 
 Democrats favored such an extension. The firing on Sumter 
 created a new party. All that remained of intelligent pa 
 triotism joined this new party, assuming the well-deserved 
 name of LTnion Party. The storm of patriotic indignation 
 burst from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. The Repub 
 lican and Democratic parties were forgotten, dissolved and 
 merged in the Union party. This party had the field alone 
 for more than a year. 
 
 Doubtless the slave power did not go into rebellion with 
 out making arrangements with the Northern traitors to assist 
 in the villainy. But these secret allies of slavery were awed 
 into silence by the general rising of the people. At length, 
 after the excitement had somewhat subsided, Yallandigham 
 organized a party in opposition to the Union party the man 
 who had boasted he had never voted a dollar to repress the 
 rebellion. We need no proof, though there is proof enough, 
 that the rebels would not have commenced open war on the 
 nation without assurance of assistance from their subordinate 
 party leaders in the North ; and it was expected that some 
 of them, both in civil and military life, would prove to be 
 traitors ; and the rebellion has accordingly produced Vallaii- 
 dighams as the revolutionary war produced tories. The 
 people could not tell who were traitors until they observed 
 the fruits ; and the fruits, often but dimly seen through mists 
 of fraud, at length revealed the true character of many who 
 had possessed the confidence of honest Democrats. 
 
 Jeif. Davis, in his last speech in the United States Senate, 
 had ground for saying that the " war would be prosecuted on 
 Northern soil" The letter found among his papers in Mis 
 sissippi from ex-President Pierce encouraging rebellion, tells 
 him, in case of war, the streets of Northern cities will be 
 stained with blood, and that the North will have enough to 
 
 * First published in the Belmont Chronicle, October 5, 1865. 
 
200 THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 do at home, and the Southern rebels have often accused the 
 Northern Democratic leaders of treachery in not keeping 
 promises of assistance. 
 
 Behold, honest Democrat, the gulf in which you came 
 near being plunged because you would not take the trouble 
 to investigate and think for yourself. Be thankful to your 
 Broughs, Tods and other Democrats, who, joining the Union 
 ists, saved you from war on Northern soil. You who have 
 principles should not follow leaders of no principles the 
 sorry tools of rebellious aristocrats. These unprincipled 
 leaders are accused of treachery because they did not arm 
 and share the bloody-bones part of the game. Did the slave 
 holders not know that sycophants, who mostly follow office- 
 huuting for a living, are not reliable in bloody extremities ? 
 These assisted to murder the. brave and increase the public 
 debt by prolonging the war as far .as their courage permitted. 
 From the nature of things they were necessarily a selfish, 
 cowardly class, who would have delivered their own brothers, 
 chained and bound, over to the slaveholder, if they could 
 have done it without gun-shot and sabre wounds. It is 
 strange the rebel Davis expected them to do more than bark 
 at a safe distance from danger ; and that on the promises of 
 Northern poltroons he should have drawn sword against the 
 flag he had sworn to defend, merely to found an empire whose 
 corner-stone, as the rebel vice-president declared, should be 
 Slavery. 
 
 Though Slavery nourished and created the will to rebel 
 against Democratic government, or government wielded by 
 the people, yet the means of carrying rebellion into effect 
 was the doctrine of State sovereignty, by which a State may 
 claim to judge of the measure of redress for its grievances, 
 real or imaginary ; put its hands into the Union pocket and 
 purchase Florida, Texas, Louisiana, extinguish Indian titles ; 
 pay off Texas scrip, and then at the suggestion of its idlers 
 and demagogues withdraw from the Union and close up the 
 outlets to the ocean, or impose a tax for the privilege of going 
 thither. Well, if a State's grievances are real, they should be 
 redressed, and the Constitution provides the Supreme Court 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 201 
 
 for that purpose, among others. Besides, there is the tribunal 
 of the whole people, whose sense of justice may safely be ap 
 pealed to. This absurdity of one of thirteen or more part 
 ners judging in his own cause was devised by some Virginians 
 in 1798, but 110 other States save Virginia and Kentucky 
 assented to it. John C. Calhoun, disappointed in not getting 
 the nomination for President in 1828, resorted to secession 
 and nullification of the federal laws. His pretext was an op 
 pressive tariff, though voted for by South Carolina members 
 of Congress. Judge Smith, Senator in Congress from that 
 State, alleged that if the South Carolina members had voted 
 against the tariff complained of, instead of voting for it, the 
 tariff would have been defeated by seven votes. This was 
 the grievance (inflicted by her own votes) for which South 
 Carolina, led by Calhoun, applied the doctrine of the resolu 
 tions of '98, and in November, 1832, passed her ordinance of 
 secession and nullification. General Jackson nipped this 
 villany in the bud, and, it is said, regretted that he had not 
 hung Calhoun, and thought the American people would in 
 future times blame him for this omission of duty more than 
 for any other cause. 
 
 In 1861 the doctrine of the resolutions of '98 was again ap 
 plied 011 other pretexts. The slave power had deliberately 
 split the Democratic party, as they called it, into three parts 
 to insure the election of Lincoln, that they might complain, 
 as if really hurt, that a sectional President was elected, and 
 excite the ignorant masses of the South. Thus in 1832 and 
 1861 the pretext for applying these mischievous resolutions 
 was manufactured by the seceders themselves ; and it is 
 abundantly shown that whenever a demagogue attains a con 
 siderable influence in any State he may set the State to disturb 
 ing the peace of the Union. Every good citizen will see the ne 
 cessity of rebuking this doctrine and giving it its death-blow. 
 An opportunity to do this may be had at the coming election. 
 The party opposed to the Union party, calling itself Demo 
 cratic, has made the resolutions of 1Y98 a part of its plat 
 form ; and in so doing undertakes to justify the principles of 
 the late rebellion, and lay the foundation of future wars. 
 
202 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Has not this doctrine cost us enough in lives and treasure to 
 satisfy any one that it should be put down, trampled on, and 
 cursed forever ? What fruits have these resolutions of '98 
 borne ? The secession of South Carolina in 1832 ; and the 
 secession of herself, with many of her sister States, in 1861. 
 Of what use is this false claim of State sovereignty ? Are 
 not all the States interested in the welfare of each State, and 
 in the prosperity and dignity of the nation ? Of what use, 
 then, but such as we have twice seen it used for, as an enter 
 ing wedge, employed by State demagogues on frivolous pre 
 tences of their own making, to split the nation ! while their 
 bribed or deluded agents in the North cry lustily, " Let the 
 rebels alone, let them do as they please, if you wish to pre 
 serve the Union." It was doubtless rebel intelligence that 
 put this State sovereignty plank in the Democratic party's 
 platform, or else it was the monarchical intelligence that so 
 greatly favored the rebellion ; for the statesmen of monarchies 
 cannot fail to see the use of such a doctrine in affecting future 
 divisions of the gigantic republic. They can easily bribe a 
 man who controls the policy of a single State, and make her 
 take the lead in disunion. The doctrine is, in brief, an indis 
 pensable handle by which domestic or foreign enemies may 
 take hold in order to plunge us into civil war. Union on 
 their lips, disunion in their actions, who but very thought 
 less persons can fail to see that they are either knowingly or 
 unknowingly the tools of rebels or foreign foes, who ask the 
 people to sanction by their votes the doctrine that a State, 
 led by a John C. Calhoun or a Yallandigham may rightfully 
 do what may plunge the nation into all the horrors of civil 
 war. Perverted State sovereignty and repudiation in various 
 forms will be attempted by the enemies of our greatness to 
 ' bewilder and weaken the nation, for if she break her contracts 
 who will lend to her in her next need ? She would find it 
 difficult to defend herself against a nation of one-fourth her 
 own numbers. The hostile Delilahs know well that the 
 secret of our great strength is our good credit, won by uni 
 form honesty, but easily lost by a simple act of dishonesty. 
 Our honesty and Union are our strength ; fraud and disunion 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 203 
 
 our weakness and shame. Our credit gone, our foes would 
 triumph. A single State might then rebel almost with im 
 punity. The devil has been accused of assuming the name 
 of Christian in order to teach his own doctrine. He may 
 assume the name of Democrat for the same purpose. Hence 
 the fruit of the tree and the tendency and effect of these teach 
 ings should be scrutinized. 
 
 THOUGHTS ON PROTECTION OF MANU 
 FACTURES.* 
 
 OE sleeeping or waking, I lately discovered a gentleman 
 clothed with English goods, beseeching some power in aid of 
 domestic manufactures. I noted what he said, and herewith 
 transmit it for publication, hoping the hints therein contained 
 will not prove un useful : 
 
 " We cannot maintain competition with foreign goods, al 
 though they pay a duty of twenty-five per cent to Govern 
 ment, and a considerable sum to our seamen, ship-carpenters, 
 for freight, etc. We therefore ask that Congress be persuaded 
 to prevent the importation of foreign goods, that we may ob 
 tain a higher price for ours. But we will not secure the Gov 
 ernment twenty-five per cent on the amount we manufacture ; 
 nor will we provide employment for the seamen. Let other 
 nations, or the coasting-trade, nurse seamen for our navy ; and 
 let direct taxes be resorted to for the support of Government, 
 while we get rich by selling the people goods at a greater 
 price than before. 
 
 " Let our protection be quickly secured, before the clouds of 
 sophistry are dissipated by the force of common sense. Now 
 when a man buys a coat, he pays something towards the sup 
 port of the national government ; but hereafter let him give a 
 higher price for it, and pay the whole toward our support, and 
 
 * First published as a communication in the Belmont Chronicle, Septem 
 ber 2, 1820. 
 
204 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 we may then live. Do not let the people see that they now 
 defray the expenses of the nation with that which we attempt 
 to fob, without giving any equivalent ; although we hold out 
 expectations of a home market for agricultural products, which, 
 will be very much under our control. 
 
 " As we wish the nation to concede to us a certainty for an 
 uncertainty, let not the sovereign people discover that they 
 reap prosperity from that commerce, which at the same time 
 exempts them from federal taxes, and supplies them with cloth 
 ing ; and both at a less price than their clothing alone could 
 be furnished by us. Let them not see that the English manu 
 facturers, working fourteen hours per day for a poor subsist 
 ence, are a description of slaves to American agriculturists. 
 Let them not learn that while our merchants are enriched by 
 the exchange, our seamen and ship-owners benefited by the 
 freight, and our Government supported by the duties of for 
 eign goods, these goods are furnished to them cheaper than 
 we pretend (or true or false) they could be manufactured by 
 ourselves. 
 
 u May the people scorn the bridge (commerce) which they 
 have passed over in safety, and go astray after new theories, 
 directed by speculators under the cloak of patriotism. May 
 they not recollect that those manufacturers who have failed, 
 would have failed in perhaps any other business ; being defi 
 cient in capital and economy. The ill fortune occasioned by 
 their weakness or folly, we have cunningly attributed to the 
 inadequate protection of Congress. Prosper our endeavors ! 
 
 " Let the people not see that it is as possible to get in debt 
 to our own manufacturers, as to the English, and as injurious 
 to the nation to be unable to pay the one as the other class of 
 creditors. 
 
 " Moreover, cloud their minds with assertions bold, and an 
 alogies with nations whose circumstances are materially dif 
 ferent from our own, that their attention may be diverted 
 from the foregoing results." 
 
PEOSE WHITINGS. 205 
 
 SELF-KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 SELECTION. 
 
 " KNOW thyself," is a precept useful as it is old. Yet how 
 often is it disregarded ! When a mechanic would instruct a 
 farmer about the details of agriculture, or a shoemaker would 
 teach a carpenter in the mystery of framing a house, or a man 
 would fill an office without half the abilities of a rival candi 
 date to perform its duties, how forcibly are we reminded that 
 he is unacquainted with himself! Many who now rush to 
 wards office as swine to a trough, would be restrained by mod 
 esty, if they had a knowledge of themselves. They would see 
 and feel their own weakness ; and then, if they were honest or 
 patriotic, it might be hoped they would not endeavor to rob 
 the public of the services of its ablest citizens, by crowding 
 themselves with their feeble talents into stations where great 
 abilities are needed. If they should persist to crowd them 
 selves forward, knowing their inferiority, might they not be 
 styled enemies of their country? Gould you, reader, style 
 him a friend, who would take out of your hands strength, 
 and give you weakness in its place for your defense ? Would 
 you not suspect he valued your pay as much as your safety ? 
 
 Few are willing to look into themselves ; but when candi 
 dates for office neglect to do it, the people should do it for 
 them. When persons who know their inferiority of talents, 
 offer their services in important offices, they plainly tell the 
 people that they prefer inferior to superior qualifications in 
 public servants. A strange compliment ! just such an one as 
 an English scribbler once gave the West. He says, " The peo 
 ple of the United States, or a majority of them, which is the 
 same thing, will one day prefer ignorance before knowledge, 
 if not vice before virtue. Already the representatives from 
 the western States owe much of their good fortune to rye 
 whiskey, and a want of correct intelligence among their con 
 stituents." He then triumphantly asks, " Does not this boasted 
 republic contain the seeds of its own dissolution ?" Such are 
 the predictions of our enemies ; let us not assist in their fulfill- 
 
206 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 ment, but carefully examine the merits of candidates for every 
 office. Were this done, those who are too lazy or too avari 
 cious to acquire knowledge, (which is within reach of us all,) 
 would not venture to ask our suffrage. Those who seek every 
 opportunity to bite the public loaf, will get their fangs into 
 it upon the easiest terms : they would not even learn to read, 
 if the people would employ them without that qualification. 
 
 But some one inquires if such persons are not ashamed to 
 appear in stations* where wisdom and knowledge are expected. 
 Perhaps their pride is sometimes wounded ; but the pay heals 
 the wound. They often want self-knowledge, and do not 
 know when they are laughed at. They have certainly not 
 the same care of themselves, that a prudent father once had 
 over his children. Observing that they had weak minds, he 
 located them on farms under his eye. "When asked why he 
 put them in so limited a sphere, he replied, " My sons can oc 
 cupy the post I have given them with credit to themselves, 
 and some honor to me. I have too much regard for myself 
 and them, to place them where they will expose the poverty 
 of their genius." 
 
 "THE OLD BACHELOR." 
 
 THE danger of setting one's affections upon improper objects 
 is constantly menacing the old bachelor. I think it is Plu 
 tarch who says, that the amorous part within us, rather than 
 be idle, will for want of a proper object, bow down to monk 
 eys and little dogs. It may be, that as this amorous part must 
 have an object, that the old bachelor does not owe his celibacy 
 to a want of spirits, so much as to his having them in too high 
 a degree : wherefore his affections become set upon a breast 
 pin, a particular quality of wares, or a particular mode of 
 expression, or course of conduct, and set so fatally that he 
 cannot set them on woman. Some contend that he cannot 
 love but once. 
 
 If these are correct in their opinion, and the philosophic 
 
PKOSE WETTINGS. 207 
 
 Plutarch is not mistaken in what is above attributed to him, 
 we are furnished with considerable data concerning the bache 
 lor, which will assist in explaining many things in his conduct, 
 supposed to be enveloped in mystery. At the age of fifteen, 
 for instance, his strong affections may have burst forth in a 
 torrent in some direction, and toward some other object than 
 woman from which direction he cannot turn them. Hence 
 he trots down three or four generations of girls, carrying 
 among them the shape and bloom of a man, and exciting their 
 hopes by his attentions : but they presently learn that he is a 
 flower whose fragrance of affection has departed. They never 
 find out, however, on what object it reposes. If this could be 
 ascertained, the world would not so often say of him, 
 
 " Without cause is he rnad, without cause is he pleas'd ;" 
 
 but could account sometimes for his seeming eccentricities. 
 If, for illustration, his fondness was known to be for a poplar, 
 we should not be surprised to see him melancholy or peevish 
 during a tempest ; if for keeping records, to see him gloomy 
 when there is no employment for a secretary. If some person, 
 * more acquainted with human nature, would pursue this inves 
 tigation, it is probable that many causes of the effects observed 
 in this part of our species might be discovered, and a remedy 
 applied which would increase their usefulness in society. 
 
 ON BANKING. 
 
 SELECTION. 
 
 LET the note-holder be safe and banking free. Capital 
 makes most profit, when it represses competition. Could the 
 merchants cf St. Clairsville cause a law to pass, limiting their 
 number in the county to two, and that none should trade but 
 on capital of $50,000, a few individuals would make great 
 profits. If the lawyers could effect the same limitations, the 
 favored few would thrive. Anciently, they were limited to 
 six in the city of New York. If the millers could get their 
 
208 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 number limited to five, east of the Muskingum, the five would 
 do well. Monopolies in most pursuits have existed. 
 
 Keep down competition is the motto of all profit-mongers. 
 Hence the stage-coach takes a passenger a hundred miles for 
 twenty-five cents to repress a rival line. Hence a quack tra 
 duces his brother quack. Hence the sharper intrigues to get 
 usury laws enacted, that he may have the money-market to 
 himself, well knowing that wants must exist. Choosing to 
 supply them at his own price, he gets a statute passed to keep 
 all the law-abiding, the timid and moderate profit dealers out 
 of the market. Let Legislators remove, or prevent wants. 
 There's the evil. If they cannot do it, then let them not ob 
 struct the path of the needy with laws that drive him into the 
 hands of the un conscientious, who, when unchecked by com 
 petition, do as they please. I once witnessed the alarm of 
 some money-lenders, at a recommendation of the Press to re 
 peal the usury law in JSTew York, as inconsistent with the 
 intelligence of the age. They said it ought to be refuted. 
 One, touching another's knee with his finger, with full-moon 
 eyes, observed : " Certainly, it will bring money down to^ 
 eight per cent." u Yery different that from four per cent, per 
 month ;" rejoined his friend. 
 
 When a usury law is in force one may ask forty persons in 
 succession for a loan, without getting it, although all have the 
 money, and would be glad to lend it for about eight per cent., 
 on an average, were it lawful to do so. If one is willing to 
 disregard the absurd law, he is not willing to take an interest 
 equal to the risk ; he, therefore, declines to loan. Another, 
 through fear of loss, declines ; and a third through respect for 
 law. Thus the borrower is driven to apply to those who are 
 not nice on these points, and is obliged to give 50 per cent., 
 for $500, when the forty persons he has applied to, hold 
 $100,000, waiting for investment at the next sheriff's sale, or 
 to be used to buy the small farms around, and to outbid the 
 poor. Usury laws give to the devourer all the advantage ; 
 compel the rich to be richer, by taking all the good bargains, 
 instead of assisting the poor to reach them- ; and the poor to 
 be poorer. 
 
PROSE WETTINGS. 209 
 
 Money lies not patiently for demagogues to try experiments 
 on it. It leaps to Virginia, New York, or across the Atlan 
 tic. The demagogue gets his wages from the abused people, 
 forms a link in that experience which makes fools wise, and 
 fulfills his destiny ; but the people must still pay their taxes 
 in spite of his blunders. 
 
 A State should invite, not repel capital ; give equality of 
 privileges, avoid monopolies, offer incentives to virtue, not 
 tempt, as in the bankrupt law, the innocent to be dishonest, 
 nor force the creditor to sue the debtor portion of the commu 
 nity, in order either to take their funds away from Ohio, or 
 to invest them in bank stock within the State. A State 
 should not degrade its officers, nor seek the services of the 
 incompetent. It should require its legislators to regard the 
 intelligent as well as the supposed ignorant within its bor 
 ders. The time was when men devgted their lives to their 
 country ; now they would sacrifice the country for fear, not 
 of losing life, but a few votes of the inconsiderate. 
 
 PROFESSION AND PEACTICE. 
 
 SELECTION. 
 
 How often need one praise virtue in order to practice vice 
 advantageously ? How often praise truth before a lie may be 
 hazarded ? How much love express for the people while pick 
 ing their pockets ? How many personal reflections on a rea- 
 soner will refute his arguments ? How much must a people's 
 capacity for self-government be extolled to induce them to 
 govern themselves for the benefit of others ? 
 
 The physician of Pyrrhus proposed to the Romans that for 
 a certain sum of money he would poison Pyrrhus, on whose 
 bounty he had lived. But the Romans disdaining to use so 
 base a tool, informed Pyrrhus how unfortunate he was in his 
 selection of friends and enemies. Were it possible for the 
 
210 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 scrub nobility, termed the slave power, to be as magnanimous 
 as these Romans, might they not point out to us some traitor 
 ous political quacks who are fed by our bounty while seeking, 
 as tools of that nobility, to poison the fountains of our pros 
 perity ? 
 
 So long as people will not take the trouble to think, they 
 will commit blunders ; take names for things ; suffer from false 
 guides ; guides who lead them into measures beneficial to the 
 enemy and hurtful to themselves. 
 
 Yigilance is said to be the price of liberty. Of this truth 
 no people have been sufficiently sensible, as the graves of 
 past republics testify. Christ's concern for this indolence of 
 the mind is evident. He would have the spirits tried, the 
 tree judged by its fruits, and the talent well employed. It is 
 painful to see an immortal being led over his own grain field, 
 and sheep fold, and currency, by a party halter, dragging a 
 vehicle loaded with fetters, cotton, Texas grants and scrip. 
 
 To separate the citizens, who have most interest in study 
 ing the bearing of public measures, from those who have less 
 inducement to do so, is the business of those who design to 
 lead the people astray from their true interests. Common 
 schools have not been generally neglected in the Slave States 
 without a strong reason. How delightful to pay for insults 
 to our understanding ! 
 
 The Free States are in the extreme of Democracy, while 
 the Slave States are in the extreme of aristocracy ; having a 
 political power founded on property. A pretty power this, to 
 give law to genuine Democrats ! ^This power has held the 
 presidential patronage with which it has bought Northern 
 men, paid its tools with hopes of office more than with the 
 reality, and made the Free States subordinate to the policy 
 and will of the slave power. The tools of this power are to 
 be crowded into every party, requiring the members of all 
 parties to be on their guard. This power, so largely founded 
 on property, professes through its tools to see great danger, or 
 evil, in the union of the little savings of some farmers, law 
 yers, tinkers and cobblers, in the form of bank stock ; although 
 five shares of bank stock do not give three votes to the own- 
 
PKOSE WRITINGS. 211 
 
 ers, as five slaves do. If bank stock conferred political power 
 according to the number of shares, like negro stock, it might 
 lead to abuses ; but what must we think of one who hugs the 
 slave power, and pretends to be alarmed at bank stock ? 
 Does he not strain at a gnat and swallow a camel ? 
 
 PERMANENCE IN THE TAEIFF. 
 
 SELECTION. 
 
 ON a recent visit to Wheeling, I was informed that the 
 town was fast recovering from the paralysis brought on by 
 the low state of the tariff in 1839, 1840, 1841 and 1842. 
 The many Belmonters seen at the market-house with pro 
 duce for sale showed for whose benefit the tariff of 1842 
 was working. There could be no mistake. The venders of 
 chickens, butter and beef, merchants, manufacturers, bankers, 
 landlords every link in the social circle brightening and 
 illustrating its dependence on all the others. 
 
 If the farmer cannot get good prices, the merchant and 
 manufacturer are doing a dull business. No one prospers 
 then. Fewer buildings are erected ; less goods purchased ; 
 the lawyer, physician and parson with difficulty collect their 
 fees. All suffer except, perhaps, the salaried officer, who has 
 no interest in the country but his office. 
 
 The increase of Wheeling increases the value of Belmont 
 lands and of the labor bestowed on them, by affording a con 
 venient market for their products. Whatever politicians may 
 say, the property holders of Wheeling feel that its prosperity 
 depends not only on the permanence of the tariff, but on a 
 confidence in its permanence. A want of this confidence 
 prevents or retards investments for manufacturing purposes. 
 The continuance of the tariff is found to be an element of 
 every proposed bargain for property. " If one were sure of 
 the continuance of the tariff', one could venture to engage so 
 
212 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 and so," is the oft-repeated language of dealers. "Not that 
 our manufacturers so much fear the rivalry of the foreign 
 manufacturer ; for they are now competing with him in for 
 eign markets successfully ; but they fear his government, 
 who, by premiums on exports, may enable him to undersell 
 them here at home, unless prevented by a tariff. The pre 
 mium would not be lost to the foreign government, but got 
 back with interest, in the shape of excise, after the destruc 
 tion of our manufactures had enabled the foreigner to raise 
 prices. 
 
 KAILEOADS FOE DEFENSE. 
 
 THE North having, by individual and State enterprise, be 
 come well supplied with railroads, it is time for the South to 
 discover that the Federal Government has the constitutional 
 power to make internal improvements, especially as with the 
 help of Texan votes, such improvements may now be made 
 in the South exclusively all for war purposes, however. 
 Better defences than Railroads can scarce be constructed. As 
 soon as it was certain that Texas was to be annexed, the 
 Mississippi became an inland sea. The country had done 
 more for defense in the last fifteen years than at any former 
 period. Instead of erecting fortresses that might shield an 
 enemy, Railroads have been made by which supplies and 
 forces may be concentrated instantly to drive him into the 
 ocean. On almost any point from Washington to Boston, 
 100,000 men may be thrown in little more than one day, each 
 man carrying ten days' provision. Battle might be given 
 forthwith, overwhelming the enemy ; unless he could got 
 some very advantageous position ; before the provision was 
 consumed, either the campaign would be victoriously ended 
 or the governmental supplies would have arrived. 
 
 The magno-electric telegraph and the railroad will fear 
 fully increase the capacity of power for good or evil in all 
 countries, making the government omnipresent, and giving 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 213 
 
 rebellion scarce any advantage of a start in the race. The 
 Emperor Nicholas can soon throw ten thousand men, at 
 thirty-five miles an hour, to any point of threatened insurrec 
 tion, and thus make them do the work that it formerly took 
 three hundred thousand to perform. 
 
 In proportion, therefore, as the facilities for the passage of 
 troops are increased in a republic, the standing army should 
 be diminished until there is none at all. The republic is 
 safest when left to the protection of valiant hearts. Doubt 
 less so thought the Athenians after they had granted Pisis- 
 tratus his body-guard. Republics have been destroyed from 
 within, not from without, though outward pressure has often 
 given the body-guard to the usurper. Troops raised to de 
 fend their country in just and necessary wars have been 
 used to destroy its liberties, uniting with their chief to rob 
 the people, as mutineers take command of a ship and become 
 pirates. Hence, war is always dangerous to republics, as in 
 dividuals must be trusted with power formidable to liberty ; 
 and when the power thus entrusted can be given twenty-fold 
 effect by speed, of course the danger is proportionately in 
 creased. But if two hundred men can be made as efficient 
 for suppressing insurrection as six thousand formerly were, 
 when they had to be stationed in small companies over a wide 
 space, the argument of economy, as well as that of safety, 
 requires the extension of railroads in the South. It will be 
 constitutional to make internal improvements there, and 
 though it may be economical it will not be more so than to 
 have cleared of snags our western rivers, where millions have 
 been yearly lost for want of sufficient appropriation by 
 Congress. 
 
 RANDOM THOUGHTS.* 
 
 MILLIONS for defense of our own rights, but not a cent for 
 invading the rights of others. 
 
 * This was published in June, 1846, and bears upon the arguments used 
 in support of the existing Mexican War. 
 
214: THOMAS HEDGES GEJNTN". 
 
 If yon have done wrong, do so no more ; make reparation 
 and repent. 
 
 Does a man oppose freedom of speech and of the press ? 
 He is a traitor to the Constitution. 
 
 The cheese-monger of Cincinnati who questioned the valor 
 of the American troops did a foolish thing ; but the mob, 
 who burned up his cheese for it, were criminal as well as 
 foolish. He had a right to make foolish speeches. He forgot 
 that he was not in Old England. 
 
 Lord Mansfield is said to have decided, in that country, 
 that an old woman had a right to ride, feet upwards, on a 
 broomstick, through the air, as there was no law against it ; 
 and the honest people, though angry at her pretensions, be 
 came reconciled to the judge's decision, and concluded not 
 to jeopardize their own rights by quarreling with the old 
 woman's taste, which was more likely to harm herself than 
 others. An English writer cites this case to prove that his 
 countrymen have good, hard, common sense. 
 
 Texas, at no time, had a thousand troops in the field it is 
 said ; yet she was safe against Mexico ; but since she has be 
 come our shield, it takes 4,000 regular troops and 15,000 
 volunteers to be in the field, and 35,000 volunteers to be 
 ready to spring to her aid ; twelve new war steamers to be 
 built, to say nothing of heroic resolves in order to protect her. 
 
 The federalists, before the war of 1812, said our govern 
 ment could not be kicked into a war ; but after it declared 
 war they reproached it for so doing, though it was declared 
 against the impressment of our seamen ; and as it was deemed 
 just, it became popular, and the federalists unpopular. Does 
 it follow that all wars are popular, as well the unjust as the 
 just ? If so, we have original sin in excess ; and the fourteen 
 Lots in Congress may endure what the demagogues have fore 
 told. These arch demagogues are apt to understand the weak 
 side of the people, as their chief study is to retain office, 
 let what may befall the country, its welfare being to them 
 quite a subordinate object. They are more concerned about 
 the opinions of some dozen ignorant and vicious voters than 
 the safety or ruin of the country. Hence the opinions of 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 215 
 
 demagogues deserve, as political thermometers, regard, as 
 marking the state of public opinion, the state of folly or wis 
 dom of a people, and of a nation's inclination to be just or 
 unjust. 
 
 The people of Athens showed they were able to govern 
 themselves when they rejected a project merely because it 
 was unjust, though full of present benefit. 
 
 " For fortune when her flowerets blow, 
 Oft bears the bitter fruits of woe ; 
 But to the just, with blooming grace, 
 Still flourishes a beauteous race. 
 One base deed, with prolific power, 
 Like its curs'd stock engenders more." 
 The old injustice joys to breed 
 Her young, instinct with villainous deed ; 
 The young her destined hour will find 
 To rush in mischief on mankind ; 
 But Justice bids her ray divine 
 Upon the low-roofed cottage shine ; 
 And beams her glories on the life 
 That knows not fraud nor ruffian strife. 
 The gorgeous glare of gold obtain'd 
 By foul-polluted hands, disdained 
 She leaves, and with averted eyes 
 To humbler, holier mansions flies ; 
 And looking through the times to come, 
 Assigns each deed its righteous doom ! 
 
 USURY LAWS. 
 
 IF the Constitution prohibited legislation on the subject of 
 interest, it probably never would rise above eight per cent, 
 because of the competition of lenders. Hence large lenders, 
 the extreme sharpers, are the real fathers of usury laws. They 
 wish to exclude the people at large from competing with them 
 in the money market. They well know that wants will exist 
 
216 THOMAS HEDGES GENES'. 
 
 whose gratification must be governed by the law of supply 
 and demand, and that nothing can reduce prices but a plenti 
 ful supply. To prevent this supply has ever been the object 
 of sharpers, and they have used the prejudices of the thought 
 less to effect their object. The vile, cock-fighting, horse-racing 
 parsons and profligate lords of England, whose prodigal habits 
 force them to borrow in anticipation of income, have modestly 
 claimed to fix the price at which the industrial, more moral, 
 and frugal classes should lend it. But in spite of severe usury 
 laws, we see the price of money quoted in business centres at 
 one, two and three per cent per month. The severer the law, 
 the higher the interest ascends ; because the mass of the peo 
 ple are kept out of the market from respect to the law, while 
 a wise few do the lending, selecting for borrowers men of 
 sense ; men who would as soon think of stealing the grave 
 clothes from a corpse as attempting to plead usury. These 
 few are much tempted, if they have influence over banks, to 
 borrow largely at bank interest in order to lend again at higher 
 rates of interest ; and I have heard them accused of seeking 
 by usury laws to force the money of mechanics and farmers 
 into bank stock, in order that they (the said wise few) might 
 get the handling of the funds for their own purposes. 
 
 I can see no good reason why the people should not be per 
 mitted to sell their money, or rent or lend it, as they do their 
 houses or horses. The fixing a value on one's property by law 
 is strikingly absurd ; and is like declaring by statute a dry 
 ridge navigable. The relation of demand and supply deter 
 mines the value of the money ; and the amount of water the 
 navigability of the ridge. That all nations have had usury 
 laws, shows that the few in all nations have the many ridden ; 
 that cupidity is ever seeking to control the property of others 
 for its own advantage. Why not let the people at large lend 
 their money directly for eight, nine, ten, or any other per 
 cent, instead of forcing them to employ bankers to work out a 
 per cent for them. Why deter foreign capital from entering 
 the State ? 
 
 There was a time when Philadelphia had a greater popula 
 tion than New York. In spite of the ignorance and preju- 
 
PEOSE WRITINGS. 217 
 
 dices of the times, the statesmen of New York, well knowing 
 that business would attend capital, contrived to put interest 
 one per cent higher than in the other States. This soon car 
 ried New York ahead of Philadelphia; and now more than 
 one half of the whole revenue of the nation is collected in New 
 York city : showing her great superiority in capital as well as 
 population and this superiority was manifested before her 
 canal came into operation, and as to her harbor it is no better 
 than some others on the coast. 
 
 In May, 1837, money was three per cent per month in New 
 York, according to the published quotations. In 1845 it was 
 five per cent per year. A capable judge in such matters, do 
 ing business in that city, told me that the price of money 
 could not have reached one per cent per month in 1837, had 
 it not been for the usury law, which kept the many out of the 
 market, and left it to the few without competition. The many 
 would not lend at seven per cent when it was worth more to 
 buy goods with at sheriff's sales, three-fourths of which sales 
 might not have occurred if the victims could have borrowed 
 of every and any body, or if quack law had not cut off the 
 chief arteries that supply the vital fluid of business. 
 
 The law of demand and supply is a law of nature, and hu 
 man laws cannot repeal it, more than they could make a river 
 run up stream. An obstruction could be placed in the chan 
 nel which would disturb the current, but it would still go on 
 in spite of the obstacle. Poor Pennsylvania is just now waking 
 up on this subject, while New York is trying to keep ahead by 
 proposing to abolish all restrictions on the trade in money. 
 
 "When the bank of St. Clairsville was in operation, it con 
 tained generally between fifty and sixty thousand dollars of 
 deposit. Knowing certain men had deposits there, I have 
 advised the applicant for a loan to call on these depositors. 
 The applicant returned afterwards with the report that none 
 of them had money to lend, but that money could be got for 
 him, if he could afford to pay twenty per cent for it ; and he 
 had agreed to give that per cent. On my afterwards asking 
 the depositors why they refused to lend, they said they would 
 not lend for six per cent. I found they would have loaned at 
 
218 THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 from eight to ton per cent, if there had been no law to dodge 
 in doing so. Thus I have often seen borrowers obliged to 
 give fifteen to twenty per cent when I did not doubt that 
 some forty thousand dollars w r as lying idle, waiting for invest 
 ment, and could have been had at from eight to ten per cent, 
 if there had been no legal obstructions in the way. 
 
 It is needless to point out the advantages which usury laws 
 give to enterprising financiers, who thrive best in troubled 
 and muddy waters ; who leap the ditch that holds back the 
 mass of the people, confining them to scant pasture, while 
 they who leap over enjoy fine picking, without any wear and 
 tear of conscience as they cannot, until deprived of sense, 
 think it wrong to sell gold or silver at its real value, as well 
 as Yankee cheese. 
 
 In spite of forfeiture of both principal and interest, by the 
 laws of New York, the value of money has been quoted as 
 regularly as that of Ohio State stock, coifee or shad, from five 
 to thirty-six per cent. A while anterior to 1837 so many had 
 learned the way of dodging the usury laws, that shaving be 
 came a dull business in New York. The usurers contrived to 
 have the machine tinkered so as to cut off the " dodge." Their 
 prospects soon brightened. It was in this improved state of 
 the machine that money rose to three per cent a month in 
 1837. 
 
 JIJKIES DECIDING BY MAJOEITY A SUB 
 STITUTE. 
 
 ALL lawyers, of much experience, know that in cases some 
 what complex, or difficult of comprehension, the jury, on tak 
 ing a vote on the case, at first show that only two or three 
 have comprehended it ; sometimes only one. This minority 
 explains, over and over, to the majority, until, in the course 
 of thirty or forty hours, the whole jury get to understand it. 
 This comes from the nature of things. There are more weak 
 than strong minds. For one that is strong and disciplined, 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 219 
 
 there are some scores of mediocres, and creatures of mere im 
 pulse, prejudice or passion, with whom reason has little or 
 nothing to do. If two or three out of a dozen juries be capa 
 ble of understanding a difficult case, it is great luck. But 
 these would uniformly be out-voted in such cases, and if they 
 had no power to check the majority until they could enlighten 
 it, jury trials would soon be intolerable. If the one, two, or 
 three, that comprehend the case, fail to convince the majority, 
 it is better the jury should be dismissed for disagreement, 
 than give a wrong verdict. So long as we try by jury, the 
 general safety requires that the brains of that body should be 
 allowed a preponderance, and have a chance, at least, to guide 
 it to correct conclusions or prevent a wrong conclusion. 
 
 A substitute for a jury has been extensively tried in chan 
 cery courts, and found very reliable. The Master in Chancery 
 has reduced the testimony to writing in the presence of the 
 parties or their counsel, and afterward made his report, or 
 rendered his verdict, upon which the court, if no exceptions 
 were filed to the report, proceeded to judge or decree. By 
 this mode the expense of each witness's deposition, at ten 
 cents the hundred words, has not averaged over one dollar 
 probably in each suit. The witness is not detained, generally, 
 more than one day. In cases of appeal his deposition can be 
 handed up with the rest of the papers without more expense. 
 If there is error in the report or decree, the testimony stands 
 in writing by which the error may be corrected. If the court 
 think, on argument of the exceptions to the master's report, 
 that it is wrong in any respect, they may refer it back to the 
 same, or another master, for further examination and report, 
 or to take further testimony and make further report. 
 
 The master has full time and opportunity to examine and 
 decide. Counsel may argue the matter to him, and if they 
 have often omitted to do so, it was probably because they sup 
 posed it unnecessary, or because they thought the master as 
 capable of understanding it as themselves. I do not remem 
 ber of hearing suitors complain of masters' reports, as finally 
 received and adopted. The cheapness and certainty of this 
 mode of trial ought to have commended it to reformers. It 
 
220 THOMAS HEDGES GEOTN". 
 
 besides would prevent much litigation ; for how many suits 
 are brought in the hope of a finding of the facts according to 
 the prejudices of the jury ! I have heard a lawyer say to his 
 client, "In strictness of law you cannot recover : but there is 
 no telling what a jury might do." The client is thus induced 
 to bring suit. The lawyer evades responsibility, gets his fee, 
 and wins an opportunity of making a speech by way of adver 
 tisement of his calling. If the master were bribed, or inclined 
 to be partial, he could not, still, divert the course of justice : 
 for the evidence would be in writing, and taken down under 
 the eyes of the suitors or their counsel. The Judges of the 
 Court of last resort would have to be bribed also to effect the 
 evil purpose ; but who could bribe the public before whose 
 eyes the recorded testimony could be brought, and the Judges 
 themselves arraigned ? 
 
 The master, referee, or single juror, whatever his name, 
 would act under a responsibility, which would generally over 
 rule any feeling of friendship or malice for the suitor, were the 
 other checks wanting. It can scarcely be hoped that a ma 
 jority of the lawyers will favor this plan, for it would diminish 
 their income, as well as their chances for cultivating and dis 
 playing their eloquence; though, as a class, they are as patri 
 otic and self-sacrificing as any other. Eloquence is a good 
 thing, but should not cost too much. It indeed, according to 
 Tacitus, flourishes best where the machinery of government 
 is disordered or imperfect and needs much tinkering. Meas 
 ures, then, that save wind must be sanitary. 
 
 Among the inconveniences to be obviated by the proposed 
 substitute are the many days' attendance of witnesses before 
 they can be examined in open court ; the winnowing out of 
 all intelligent men in order to procure the veriest chaff of 
 humanity for jurors ; the two to ten hour speeches addressed 
 to jurors to penetrate their supposed stupidity, or excite their 
 prejudices ; the feeling of but one-twelfth of a proper respon 
 sibility by the juror, and the non-existence of a record of the 
 testimony. 
 
PROSE WRITINGS. 221 
 
 THE DESIGN OF PKOYIDENCE.* 
 
 THE events just passed seem to show that heaven designed 
 the liberation of the slaves. To effect this the Northern lead 
 ers of the mis-named Democratic Party gave encouragement 
 to the South to rebel, but failed to second the rebellion with 
 blows ; giving the rebels hope with words, and thus prolong 
 ing the contest. A large opposition minority was necessary 
 to feed this hope. A]l were surprised at the numbers of this 
 minority while its leaders were in the interest of despotism ; 
 favoring a government whose corner-stone was to be human 
 slavery, as its Yice-President, Stephens, declared. Most per 
 sons who adhered to the party, called Democratic, did so be 
 cause they or their fathers had thought it the party most 
 favorable to liberty and equal rights. They had boasted of 
 the Government all the years of their manhood as the very 
 best government on earth. Yet they saw that Government 
 attacked by rebels, not because the rebels were oppressed (for 
 they controlled it), but because the rebels wanted to establish 
 a slave empire ! And strange enough, while imagining them 
 selves Democrats, they gave to such rebels against so good a 
 government their sympathy. 
 
 In this we see the design of God to keep up rebel hopes, by 
 sustaining a large minority to snarl at the best government on 
 earth ; rejoice at its misfortunes, and glory in the success of 
 the rebels. Such insanity of will could not have afflicted 
 some two hundred thousand voters in Ohio, after more than 
 twenty-five years of good common schools therein, if heaven 
 had not clouded their minds with prejudices. President Lin 
 coln also was made blind for a long time to the defective gen 
 eralship of McClellan, apparently for the same purpose. He 
 said all his Cabinet abandoned McClellan before he abandoned 
 him ; but after Antietam he could retain him no longer. 
 Had any one of the Ohio generals, Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, 
 Eosecrans, Gilmore, or McPherson commanded the two hun 
 dred and eighty-five thousand men on the Potomac in the fall 
 
 * First published in October, 1866. 
 
222 THOMAS HEDGES GENET. 
 
 of 1861, the rebellion would probably have been ended so 
 quick that no negroes would have been enlisted, nor an eman 
 cipation of them proclaimed. McClellan was Lincoln's mar 
 plot, but efficient laborer in carrying out the designs of Provi 
 dence. God inflicts punishments, and makes the wrath of 
 man to serve him. This nation may have deserved punish 
 ment for tolerating Slavery, as much as Pharoah and the 
 Egyptians did, and the punishment may not yet be completed. 
 The head of President Johnson has taken a queer turn, 
 though not very surprising. The nation may be further pun 
 ished ; but Slavery will be extinguished in fact as in name. 
 Revolutions never move backward, but crush whatever at 
 tempts to hinder their progress. The imaginary Democrat 
 will therefore have to remain inconsolable for the loss of his 
 favorite institution of Slavery, for God decrees its fall. 
 
 Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Judge Tucker and oth 
 ers, were ashamed of the institution, and sought to leave evi 
 dence of their condemnation of it, little thinking that its evil 
 communications would, in time, corrupt the principles of the 
 party of which Jefferson was the head, and who, referring to 
 it, wrote that he " trembled for his country when he reflected 
 that God was just and that His justice would not slumber 
 forever, and that in a contest with Slavery God had not a 
 single attribute that could make Him take part with the 
 masters." 
 
POEMS. 
 
y ?3& 
 
 ' 
 
 P? 
 
 Gfr f M.EWOM,E* 
 
 ^p" /T Ealpin. mm <j fsmair by-JL . ij- 
 
THE NAPOLEAD 
 
 IN TWELVE BOOKS. 
 
 PEEFACE. 
 
 THE epic story of the following poem begins with Napo 
 leon's Eussian campaign, and terminates with his departure 
 for Elba. Its events, though recent, are of such magnitude 
 and importance, that they affect the imagination, perhaps, as 
 much as adventures which relate to more distant and fabu 
 lous times. 
 
 So many persons and things enter into the action, that 
 there is little room by frequent recurrence to the same per 
 son to delineate individual character. Great masses being 
 oftener in view, than individuals, few persons interest more 
 than others, as in the works of Camoens and Virgil. Still, 
 the boldness of Murat, the perseverance and courage of Ney, 
 the magnanimity and ardor of Benningsen and Poniatowski, 
 the obstinate valor of Blucher, and the peculiar traits of some 
 others may be noticed. 
 
 To preserve the epic action entire, and state the material 
 occurrences, it was necessary to describe many battles ; some 
 of these are described generally, others particularly, accord 
 ing to their importance, and the information obtained of the 
 movements of the combatants. 
 
 From the nature of the story, Napoleon is the centre and 
 object of all operations. The war is commenced to advance 
 his power, and is only terminated by his dethronement. The 
 motions of the machinery (always preceding the action) tend 
 to this catastrophe, and uniformly, what agitates the heavenly 
 councils, bears affirmatively on his destiny, and only nega 
 tively influences the fate of others. 
 
 The Deity, Angels, Providence, Passions, Principles, Yir- 
 15 
 
226 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 tues and Vices, mostly constitute the machinery, wherein th.e 
 first is represented as directing all events through the others, 
 his subordinate agents. This machinery is well adapted to late 
 events. The allegorical personages may be tolerated by the 
 reason, which would reject, in events so recent, the open inter 
 ference of theological beings. These are never made visible 
 to man ; but communicate with him intellectually and through 
 the immortal part of his nature ; thus their dignity is preserved 
 and the probability of their actions maintained. If a part of 
 this plan be thought too metaphysical, it may not disgust rea 
 son ; the date of the action made it necessary ; without it 
 fancy could not be gratified, but at the expense of judgment, 
 and that harmony would be broken whence spring the pleas 
 ures of taste. The incorruptible objects of religious adoration 
 should not be represented as holding intercourse with coporeal 
 man, except through the medium of the principles and pas 
 sions, which have a mental existence, and are known to influ 
 ence his thoughts and actions. 
 
 The Deity, from the greatness of his character, is seldom 
 introduced. In the First Book, in answer to Philanthropy, 
 he develops his views with respect to man. In the Sixth, by 
 directing Wisdom not to assist the counsels of the passions, 
 he lays the foundation of Napoleon's disasters ; and in the 
 Twelfth he is exhibited to show his regard for fortitude, and 
 the man who is superior to fortune, that the moral grandeur 
 of the hero may appear more conspicuous, and in his moral 
 be seen a prospective physical triumph. 
 
 The events are narrated in the order they occurred ; there 
 is, nevertheless, an anachronism in the date of the dismission 
 of the legislative body. 
 
 In the Temple of Fame is held the court of Providence ; 
 because it is a classic edifice, and renown, it may be supposed, 
 was a main object of the exploits which the poem celebrates. 
 For this reason the Temple is represented as impaired by the 
 conflict of the allegorical deities in the Sixth Book. The 
 debate and combat of the gods there mentioned are intended 
 to show, that the passions, uninfluenced by wisdom, retained 
 Napoleon in Moscow too long, whereby his power was dimin- 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 227 
 
 ished. The same principle governs the movements of the 
 machinery with respect to other events. 
 
 Seventeen years have elapsed since the poem and the above 
 preface were written ; during which period the Author has 
 been laboring in a profession unfriendly to the Muses, and 
 the greater part of the time the publication of the work was 
 not contemplated ; it has, therefore, not ripened in proportion 
 to its age. But such attention has been paid to its sentiments 
 and language, that it will not, it is hoped, corrupt the style or 
 morals of the reader. If Deceit, War and Intrigue, are intro 
 duced, acting according to their nature, they are not com 
 mended, but rebuked. Who goes far in a straight line, must 
 cross precipices and rivers, as well as plains, so, who treats of 
 things as they are, must describe vices as well as virtues. 
 
 In 1823, a well written poem in -ten cantos, in French, was 
 published, of which Napoleon is the hero. In this work the 
 principal acts of his political and military life are mentioned 
 and justified. The Author in his preface advances the opin 
 ion, which is perhaps entertained by others, that it is difficult 
 if not impossible to find the subject of a good epic poem in 
 the life of Napoleon ; because, whatever epoch might be se 
 lected for the principal action, after describing the triumphs 
 of the hero, the reader's eye would penetrate beyond the pic 
 ture ; see him unhappy, and banished to the island of St. 
 Helena, which he says, " detruirait ^illusion, et par conse 
 quent, la vie et Vame dupoeme" 
 
 One prepossession may be removed by another. He who 
 admits that the Iliad is the most perfect of poems, will not ad 
 mit that the knowledge, which the Author unnecessarily gives 
 the reader of the future misfortunes of Achilles, destroys its life 
 and soul. Homer attempts no illusion respecting the fall of 
 his hero on the Trojan plain. He sings with candor the wrath 
 of Achilles, and the will of Jove. He sometimes makes known 
 the catastrophe at the beginning of the action ; as, when Pa- 
 troclus goes to the field in Achilles' arms, it is explained, that 
 
228 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIK. 
 
 he will not return in safety. The future calamities of his 
 heroes, like Milton's, are obtruded on the eye of the deader. 
 
 Successful campaigns abound in the life of Napoleon ; but 
 his conduct in adversity recommended him to me, as the hero 
 of a poem. It was supposed that eighteen hundred years 
 after the propagation of Christianity, and two hundred after 
 the publication of the works of Lord Bacon, such as deemed 
 it important would perceive more glory in a moral triumph 
 than in one of mere force, which could be achieved by a brute 
 as well as a man by a Tamerlane as well as a Washington. 
 A period, therefore, was selected for the action, in which the 
 Emperor, though almost uniformly victorious in the field, was 
 at last compelled to abdicate the throne by the force of events, 
 and his own magnanimous regard for the happiness of his 
 country. 
 
 He has been reproached for not committing suicide when 
 he ceased to rule France. Was this done by persons capable 
 of comprehending the true heroic character ? Homer, or 
 rather Pope, says : 
 
 " The great will glory to submit to Jove." 
 
 The general and better opinion is, that suicide is a cow 
 ardly retreat from the blows of fortune. Some Stoics, how 
 ever, took the notion that the act, which admitted they were 
 vanquished, was evidence of their victory ; and probably their 
 error has been the source of the false ideas entertained by 
 some, who doubtless had thought a child foolish to beat the 
 floor with his head for the loss of a toy.* 
 
 * The following ode (written while the Emperor was at Elba), expresses 
 among other things, what I would farther hint, on the advantages of that I 
 elevation of mind in which true heroism consists : 
 
 How weak the props of human trust ! 
 All earthly things go down to dust : 
 The chief who order'd many a throne, 
 Who view'd great nations as his own, 
 The friend of merit and her train, 
 Or seen in princes or the swain, 
 Is reft of lofty sway how soon ! 
 What darkness clouds his blazing noon ! 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 229 
 
 Poetry is sometimes judged by rules, or opinions, which 
 very little concern the general reader, as they affect the head, 
 not the heart, while what constitutes the excellence of the 
 poem its spirit, style, sentiments and conduct is not duly 
 considered. Hence the Cid was condemned by the French, 
 and the Jerusalem Delivered by the Florentine Academy, 
 though time has proved these works to be the best in their 
 respective languages. Among these opinions is that concern 
 ing the successful termination of the action, which Milton has 
 disregarded and that entertained against poems on subjects 
 of recent date ; as to the latter I would observe, that genuine 
 poetry cannot be affected by dates more than genuine beauty 
 can be affected by ornaments. Gold is not the less gold for 
 its modern stamp. If one prefers a guinea of ancient date, it 
 is from a regard for antiquity, not the gold : neither the metal 
 of the coin, nor the spirit of the poetry is changed by the 
 time to which it refers. The opinion arises from mistaking 
 
 Though his great mind and matchless power, 
 That aw'd the world, now awe no more, 
 False friends forsake, and lowering night 
 Succeed fair victory's dazzling light, 
 His fame shall still refulgent rise ; 
 Misfortune lifts him to the skies ! 
 
 In moral strength he soars elate, 
 And triumphs o'er the storms of fate : 
 With firmness fortune's anger braves ; 
 The mind (his better kingdom,) saves ; 
 Nor needs the aid of suicide, 
 The fools relief for wounded pride. 
 
 Gay fancy oft shall haunt his isle 
 To see him o'er earth's baubles smile : 
 And thither admiration stray 
 To view the evening of his day ; 
 To see the great by doom severe, 
 Upon misfortune's bosom drear 
 In converse with the glorious past. 
 He knows his fame with earth will last ; 
 That kings perceive he fills the world, 
 A throne whence one cannot be hurled, 
 And feels that he all eyes confines, 
 And, though in ruins, realms outshines. 
 
230 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GEND*. 
 
 a circumstance for the person, antiquity for poetry ; though 
 the latter can only derive from the former an adventitious aid 
 in occasionally escaping from a dull to a venerable air. If 
 the notoriety of modern facts prevent fabulous statements, no 
 harm can result : poetry, like prose, gains lustre from truth ; 
 and superhuman movements, whether the date of the action 
 be recent or remote, should be confined to the ideal beings, 
 
 7 o * 
 
 who may at pleasure be given a pygmean or gigantic stature. 
 ST. CLAIKSVILLE, OCTOBER IT, 1833. 
 
NAPOLEAD. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 The angel of Death delegates his ministers to confirm Napoleon's deter 
 mination to invade Russia. Philanthropy grieved at the prospect of war, 
 implores the Deity to prevent it, who refuses her request while Napoleon 
 raises armies preparatory to hostilities Policy advises him how to proceed, 
 and solicits Intrigue to aid him, She mentions the extent of her ability to 
 assist, and enters on her work. Then Napoleon, agreeable to the advice of 
 Policy, demands of Alexander through his minister the adoption of the Con 
 tinental System in terms calculated to offend. Napoleon, angry at his reply, 
 accuses him of provoking hostilities. Alexander prepares to defend himself. 
 He repairs to Wilna, calls a council wherein De Tolly Benningsen, and Tol 
 stoy debate, and conclude to devastate Lithuania as the French advance 
 Napoleon after an interview with his wife and child proceeds to his army. 
 
 SING heavenly muse, of arms, and him who mov'd 
 All Europe, warring on the .Russian realm, 
 By federate kings constrained ; his empire's fall, 
 His passive valor midst the storms of fate, 
 And moral grandeur : Aid ye deathless powers, 
 And give to immortality the song ! 
 
 He, the great victor of unnumber'd fields, 
 Had long gigantic stalk'd o'er prostrate thrones 
 And humbled realms, supreme of mortal men ; 
 His great achievements blooming in renown, 
 Surpass'd the fam'd exploits of heroes old ; 
 While, like a comet blazing through the heavens, 
 The wonder, and the dread of neighboring orbs, 
 He soar'd refulgent o'er the astonish'd world 
 And fill'd the breasts of mightiest kings with awe ; 
 
232 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 When he resolv'd to shield the fruitful south 
 Against th' encroachments of the threat'ning north ; 
 The cause of much disaster and lament : 
 For this he led puissant hosts to war, 
 Beyond the sphere that fate ordain'd his sway. 
 God mov'd him so, to check his proud career. 
 When first th' ambition seiz'd his restless soul, 
 Death's angel knew, and fearing human change, 
 From his pale nation delegates his sprites, 
 Instructed to infest the monarch's dome, 
 Where nightly he reposed, and him inspire 
 With greater wrath against the Russian Prince : 
 To elevate his mind with flattering dreams 
 Of his brave legions deck'd with victory's bays 
 Of conquer'd kingdoms trembling at his nod, 
 And ocean's ruler humbled on the waves. 
 
 The ghostly ministers in darkness flew, 
 Spreading diseases through the wilds of air ; 
 While hell rejoic'd, as erst, when they led kings 
 T' avenge the Bourbon doom : the shades of men 
 Of ancient days, that haunt their native land, 
 Fled murmuring from their course, and to their sons 
 Moan'd in the vagrant wind, and sorrow mov'd, 
 That thousands wept, nor knew why flow'd the tears ; 
 Thunders low roll'd along th' unclouded sky 
 Philanthropy with dove-like voice complain'd 
 O'er spacious Europe, and on holy wings 
 Of love and virtue borne, to heaven ascends ; 
 A pensive wanderer through the field of stars 
 And flies majestic past th' ambrosial groves, 
 Angelic seats, where evil never comes, 
 And jasper mansions, while her robes of -light, 
 Eefulgent flowing on the balmy gales, 
 The pavement clear reflected with new charms ; 
 And soon before the Lord of nature stands, 
 Yeil'd by his radiance from celestial eyes, 
 And generous thus his sovereign aid implores : 
 
 Great sire of worlds, I mount the blest abodes, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 233 
 
 Afflicted so, that e'en no time I spare 
 
 To wander through my native heavenly groves 
 
 And view the grateful haunts of happier years. 
 
 For Europe's race I mourn ; Ambition late 
 
 In fame's bright dome propos'd to lift Gaul's king 
 
 To peerless eminence, though Europe wail'd 
 
 Besmear'd with gore, and death and ruin march'd 
 
 O'er all her lands ; then him inspired to war 
 
 On Russia's empire. While he doubtful stands, 
 
 What course to take, lo ! Earth's grim tyrant sends 
 
 His ministry, commission'd to invest 
 
 His palace, and induce conclusion bad. 
 
 I saw and wept ; nor can I more than seek 
 
 Thy high tribunal, and invoke thy aid 
 
 To stop that odious embassy, and save 
 
 Long suffering nations from contention's flames 
 
 Which, gracious sire, permit me to implore, 
 
 If yet in thy pure eyes I lovely seem 
 
 If yet Earth's fairest realms deserve thy care ; 
 
 If yet thou lov'st the land where science dwells, 
 
 And countless temples to thy glory rise. 
 
 still regard thy undeserving world ; 
 Nor by neglecting man, let carnage blot 
 
 Her brightest sphere. O let the Earth have peace, 
 Wisdom prevail, and men learn war no more. 
 
 To whom th' Almighty sovereign thus replies : 
 Offspring belov'd, perverse are human kind 
 They madly rush on wo, then heaven arraign. 
 Created free, they still are passion's slaves, 
 And from the light of reason devious stray. 
 Yet on Columbia, freedom's proud abode ! 
 
 1 look, delighted : Reason there high thron'd 
 Rejects the monsters Europe's darkness bred, 
 That have my laws infring'd, and robb'd mankind 
 Of sacred rights : Like her France will'd to be ; 
 Assuming human dignity, she drove 
 
 Her tyrants from her lands, when round the kings 
 Conspir'd with impious aim ; then one I chose 
 
234: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 To guide her arms to victory, and chastise 
 Them sore, but not destroy ; he now must fall, 
 And vicious France endure great misery: 
 Fate's ministry shall unimpeded march, 
 And all that I have preordain'd transpire. 
 
 Beseech me not to end the reign of war ; 
 Man works his doom ; by knowledge dearly bought ; 
 Bought by long ages of destructive strife, 
 He will consent to change his deadly arms 
 For implements of husbandry : that time 
 Is yet remote past many evil days. 
 Then shall all nations in loud chorus join 
 To celebrate our name, and hell will mourn 
 Its empire lost among the sons of men. 
 
 He spoke ; with reverent sign the fair retir' 
 From 'midst the great effulgence ; sighing soft, 
 With head erect, she spreads her wings of light 
 And rapid flies along th' immortal plains, 
 Then through day's rosy gates ; 'twixt heaven and earth 
 She moves sublime, till circumfus'd in clouds, 
 Slow on the breeze o'er Fontainbleau she pass'd, 
 There view'd a Synod of the Furies dark, 
 All ghastly smiling at portended war : 
 Griev'd by the scene her tender bosom heav'd ; 
 The lucid tears roll'd from her lovely eyes ; 
 The clouds seem'd sorrowing with the fair they bore, 
 Dissolving round in gently falling showers, 
 While she exclaims : " Ah blind and hapless man ! 
 Thy want of virtue, heaven will e'er avenge 
 With blood-stain'd fields and their attendant woes." 
 
 Mars, hideous monster, heard and angry grasp'd 
 His arms, thus speaking, loud as thundering storms : 
 
 Frail slanderer, avaunt ! Is not my field 
 Bright Honor's richest mine ? Fortune's great test ? 
 And Fame's most brilliant road ? Why then a curse ? 
 A punishment by heav'n of man deprav'd ? 
 'Tis what man seeks, and will he seek distress ? 
 
 Thus he declaim'd, fluttering on cloudy wings ; 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 235 
 
 more the fair one heard ; with lightening speed 
 Shrieking she fled his terrible approach. 
 
 While at his dome arriv'd, the deathful crew 
 Surround Napoleon, and in him inspire 
 Visions of glory, and victorious war ; 
 Of millions bowing at his potent nod ; 
 Of ocean's sovereign struggling in despair 
 Against his greater power ; of Russia's ire 
 And stern defiance of his arms ; of kings 
 And principalities subjected by her fall ; 
 And Europe's crown by him in triumph worn ; 
 As one bespeaks him thus : Illustrious chief! 
 Behold thy favoring Star in happiest blaze ! 
 Lo ! Fortune smiling beckons thee to arms ! 
 How long wilt thou in ease inglorious bide 
 Possessing power to grasp these prizes great ? 
 How long wilt thou see Russia disobey 
 And let thy thunder sleep ? E'en now she aids 
 The queen of ocean views with hostile scorn 
 Thy menaces severe, and dares thy power. 
 Prowess withheld grants impotence to boast ; 
 Vice, timely banish'd, gives to virtue birth ; 
 But when too late assail'd, it greater swells 
 With soul vindictive, and above control ; 
 His bad example to the neighb'ring realms, 
 Unless soon punish'd will thy plans confound, 
 And wide rebellion thy proud hopes destroy. 
 Learn then th' importance of immediate war 
 Russia subdu'd, broad Europe's crown is thine, 
 Thy revolutionary throne confirm'd. 
 E'en farthest Asia may confess thy sway, 
 Thy troops hold every land, thy ships rule every sea ! 
 
 He heard, and with desire of conquest burn'd ; 
 Rag'd his great mind, soaring on fancy's wings 
 Sublime, above all height of mortal power ! 
 He deem'd him marching over subject worlds, 
 Thrones and dominions trembling as he strode 
 And reverencing his dignity ; but day, ^ 
 
236 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 In rosy vestments showering gold advanced, 
 Dispelling sleep and fancy's glorious scenes ; 
 Then disappointment's algor palls the sonl 
 In his fierce eyes the burning passions play ; 
 And am I thus, he cries, who late supreme 
 Of mortals towered ? Alas ! what toil remains 
 Ere Europe shall be mine, and all Earth's kings 
 Rule by just laws ! Ere then what plains shall reek 
 "With heroes' gore ! What hosts untimely fall ! 
 E'en Jena, Austerlitz and Freidland's fields 
 May be surpass'd in slaughter and renown. 
 
 Thus he, and of Rhine's federate States, Denmark, 
 Austria and Prussia, Italy and France, 
 Demands four hundred thousand warriors arm'd 
 To cross the Memen. At his high behest 
 Obedient mov'd the nations call'd to war : 
 On Poland's plains collecting their dun lines, 
 Tipt with tri-color'd plumes and bayonets, seemed, 
 Like a wide ocean mov'd by boisterous winds, 
 Wave following wave, white-edg'd o'er the dark deep ; 
 While boding Russia circumveil'd her realm, 
 With banded warriors, and with equal pride, 
 Return'd th' imposing frown of Gallic war. 
 
 Fair Policy, the various color'd dame, 
 Meantime descending from her mystic throne, 
 Whence she surveys the state and deeds of men, 
 Addresses thus Gaul's high designing king. 
 To point thy course I leave my chambers bright, 
 Whence late I saw thee, heedless of my rule, 
 Alarm the Russian king ; when in red car 
 By steeds of lightning drawn, to him I flew, 
 Advising thus : " 'Tis prudent to provide 
 For evil days, thou see'st those days are near 
 Increase thy martial stores, and call to arms 
 Thy country's bravest myriads ; let them guard 
 Her wide frontier, and wait portended war." 
 He took my lore : ' Tis now your part to lull 
 His apprehensions with the voice of peace 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 237" 
 
 So negligence may wave her palsying wand, 
 And hold her slack dominion o'er his arms 
 That in the first thou giv'st decisive blow ; 
 For hard will be the task to force such hosts, 
 If vigilant and brave ; then well excuse 
 Your hostile movements. But the task remains 
 To justify thy ways to men, and shroud 
 "With well-wov'n cloak of justice thy designs ; 
 Lest all believe thou striv'st from lust of sway, 
 And thy allies with dread thy power behold ; 
 "Whence may much ill result they then will cry : 
 " Napoleon deems unjust who have to lose ! 
 Because we have, he next may us assail ! 
 "Why should we aid him to devour ourselves ? 
 Time wisdom gives ; but fools are wise too late." 
 
 If facts are scarce, diplomacy will aid : 
 Now in thy capital Kowrakin bides ; 
 Through him make some demand his king will scorn, 
 As quick t ' observe thy Albion-blighting law ; 
 Pretence thou thus shalt gain t ' unsheath the sword. 
 Before thou enterest on this great campaign, 
 Form strict alliance with the neighboring realms, 
 And seek th' assistance of profound Intrigue, 
 By whose sole arm great monarchies have fallen ; 
 Her piercing eyes will Kussia's realm explore, 
 And round its sovereign wake rebellion's flames. 
 
 She ended thus th' aspiring chief replied : 
 Lov'd counsellor, omit not to suggest 
 New means, conducive to my weal, my aims 
 Are wondrous wondrous therefore be thy arts ; 
 Exertions bold produce superior things ; 
 What can we not effect with all our power ? 
 Thy presence glads me like the rosy morn 
 Thy voice delights like music of the grove 
 Be ever present, courting fortune's gales 
 To waft me peerless down the stream of time ; 
 Thy various light will cast on future years 
 One pure effulgence ; all thy hues unite 
 
238 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 As Sol's, and shine like his, if we succeed : 
 Let then the occasion and thy toil accord. 
 Thy early precepts, ripen'd in my breast, 
 Have crown'd my hopes in cabinet and field : 
 Opinion, queen of earth, and numbers vast 
 1 follow, arm'd with all their giant power. 
 What now thou oiferest statesmen oft have tried 
 With undeserved success ; but seek her aid, 
 And bid her see me ere the golden dawn. 
 
 The monarch spoke, her witty eyes she rolls, 
 With reverence bows, and nimbly mounts her car ; 
 With glowing countenance waves a signal bright, 
 When vivid lightnings fitful quiver round 
 And thunders hoarsely growl ; the burning wheels 
 Spontaneous roll ; a blaze before her flies ; 
 Behind the angry circling streams expire 
 In awful grandeur o'er heaven's rolling hills she rides ; 
 Soon o'er the chambers of the boisterous winds 
 Ascends, and enters fast the azure halls, 
 (Near fairy land, involv'd in shining bloom, 
 Whose tenants wondering, view'd her flaming march, 
 And ran, disorder'd, through th' enchanting bowers.) 
 There, on an emerald throne, Intrigue she 'spies, 
 Her Syrens round creating tender strains ; 
 When quickly through the hall unnumber'd sounds 
 Symphonious, rose ; the voices of thin shades 
 Lightly disporting on the lazy air. 
 After short space, the queen bids silence and exclaims : 
 Draw near, fair sister, and thy embassy reveal ; 
 But come not with those red, unbridled steeds ! 
 
 When thus the dame : Gaul's mighty king intends 
 To conquer Russia, and admits thy aid. 
 I bade him quick thy subtle arms employ, 
 By whose sole power great monarchies have fall'n ; 
 Thou know'st to him our choicest skill belongs ; 
 Through him we have the fame of great events 
 Which nothing but his power could have controll'd ; 
 We wear the laurels oft his valor wins ; 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 239 
 
 Withhold not then thy aid ; to him repair 
 Before yon moon resigns her borrowed day, ' 
 Or rosy beaming morning dances on, 
 And all thou know'st of Kussia's clime, reveal ; 
 The while myself will fill thy crystal throne, 
 And hear the music of thy tuneful Hall ; 
 Th' electric steeds shall slumber in my car, 
 Or, inoffensive, sport in azure plains. 
 
 Stay if thou wilt, the sister queen replies ; 
 But this thou 'It deem the organ of the heavens, 
 Or where the winds hold festival, and tell 
 Of all their boisterous frolics round the world : 
 Of inundating lands with ocean's waves ; 
 Of burying navies and o'erturning towers. 
 Not far below the stormy brethren dwell, 
 In hail of fairy-land, whose silver trains 
 Their lucid mantles tore, and ran confus'd 
 Along their dusky bowers at thy approach 
 With vivid lightnings darting round thy wheels : 
 Superior splendor shocks these darkling tribes : 
 They erst were low-soul'd mortals, scarcely touch'd 
 With fire ethereal, more than brutal forms : 
 Hell spurn'd the mites, heav'n left them to their mood ; 
 They have no power except the power to hate ; 
 Too small e'en for damnation, save their own ! 
 Like fangless vipers strike but cannot wound ; 
 Their efforts prove their venom, not their strength ; 
 To sooth their enmity they now propound 
 To conjure up the winds to spread thy fires, 
 And whelm thyself and car in ruinous flames. 
 
 Thus she, the many-color'd guest rejoins : 
 If such their means, their hatred I '11 withstand ; 
 My fires diminish as the winds increase ; 
 Then all their fury shall subside in shame. 
 She ended, and Intrigue forsook her throne 
 Bewitching Nymphs and Syrens round her throng'd ; 
 Then spreads her pinions on the southern gale, 
 And streams, a meteor, through the starry field. 
 
240 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Alighting soon in Russia, she assumes 
 Unnumber'd shapes ; the master-passions learns, 
 Seeks every entrance to th' unguarded heart, 
 And tempts to treason by persuasive gold, 
 Or grateful promises of future pomp. 
 Then, swift, from realm to realm round Europe flies, 
 Discerning means to waken discord's flames 
 In regal palaces, and wield their stores 
 Against their lords to aid the king of kings. 
 Soon to St. Cloud with confidence repairs ; 
 Grac'd with Minerva's soul-enlivening robes, 
 Demure, she thus address'd the chief of France : 
 
 Sire, the wide world presents a comely field 
 Wherein to wander, and thy will perform. 
 And since with kings my fellowship began, 
 Than thou I have no greater patron found : 
 By thy sole influence, over half the world 
 I stretch my sceptre ; make its sovereigns own 
 Thy supereminence, or fear thy arms ; 
 Make realms engage (assisted by Deceit, 
 The friend and kind companion of my toils), 
 In thy behalf, allur'd by Freedom's charms : 
 For those were ill informed who have declared 
 " She with thee walks precarious her sweet flowers 
 Oft withering in the cold blast of thy power ;" 
 Ah, no thy laws sustain her fragile vine 
 Amidst the frowns of her inclement foes. 
 Make victory grace thy banners, when plain force 
 Could nought avail, and give thee to renown. 
 Say in whose cause such triumphs have I won ? 
 Or in whose breast with like success have rul'd ? 
 No ancient hero had thy skill ; not him 
 Of Macedon who valiant Greece subdued ; 
 Nor conquering Csesar, nor e'en Gallic Charles. 
 
 Deep schemes on thy behalf I pondering sate, 
 When Policy, involv'd in streams of light, 
 Enter'd my Hall, revealing thy commands ; 
 Thence swift round Eussia with my trains I sped, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 241 
 
 Discerning who were pervious to my shafts ; 
 Whose hearts were treacherous, or unbrac'd against 
 The charms of gold ; but few of these I saw ; 
 Yet one there is of high repute and power, 
 Near Russia's king deserving our regard : 
 If he ungrateful prove to lord so kind ; 
 Though cruel our commands, he will perform ; 
 For thou, Ingratitude, monster of fiends ! 
 Art high enthron'd on crime cold matricide, 
 !Nb pity has thy breast, nor virtue there 
 Can harbor ; seat of vice, and hateful lust, 
 That waits but fortune's beck to ruin realms. 
 Curs'd with a heart so foul he would not loth 
 To bear his king to thee in chains, and view 
 With hostile scorn his benefactor's tears, 
 And royal mourning ; or of Russia's strength, 
 Intentions, numbers, and resources tell. 
 
 But thou, my friend beware what may thee wait, 
 Thy throne, though high, exists on dubious base ; 
 Heaven blasts the hopes of men and humbles kings ; 
 Makes flowery scenes the gloomy seat of wo, 
 And barren lands in sweet contentment smile 
 Ambition kills when in resplendent bloom, 
 And hurls its glories to an early grave. 
 As witness many a chief in deathless story bright ! 
 Like theirs thy end may be ; thy offspring mourn 
 Thy dismal doom, or throneless, wretched roam 
 Through this tempestuous world that smiles in pain. 
 Thy guards may be corrupted, all thy realm 
 Yield treason foul ; even now the hideous fiend 
 May lurk around thee, waiting thy ill days 
 To rise in all his horrors, and destroy 
 Thy boasted eminence. Fortune deceives, 
 In ways unseen she flits before our eyes. 
 
 My vassals wait our call in panoply 
 And through impatience ride the eddying winds. 
 Make known thy will ; their movements will be thine, 
 And reach all regions of the peopled world ; 
 16 
 
242 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 So thou may'st wield ubiquitary sword. 
 
 She spoke, and thus replied th' impatient king : 
 Thy speech is like thyself, exciting hope 
 To pain with disappointment why should'st thou 
 "With scarce an useful thought, declaim so long, 
 And take my time, more precious than thy lore ? 
 
 One easy man, it seems, thou hast beheld ; 
 Can Russia's realm but one dissembler hold ? 
 While mine, perchance, enough contains to shake 
 My proud throne's base when lowers the clay of life ! 
 Are some high-born offended of their king 
 Whose influence and resources much would aid ? 
 If such there be them promise wealth and power ; 
 Round Russia's sovereign wake rebellion bold. 
 Go, work our will, while fickle fortune smiles 
 For thou wilt plot our ruin when she frowns ! 
 We scarcely know, why we with vipers play 
 We want success, not egotism here : 
 No vulgar mind ere brought a folly forth, 
 But straight it went to worshipping its spawn : 
 Though small the service that thou canst perform, 
 Didst thou not deem it indispensable 
 One might believe thou art not what thou art. 
 Or thou or not assist, our sword ere long 
 Shall as we please dispose the Russian race : 
 Their monarch then the evil time will mourn 
 He suffer'd commerce with the ocean queen. 
 
 Thus he Intrigue departs, her train divides, 
 And diverse sends them through the kingdoms round, 
 Swelling her empire, and enticing whom 
 Most sacred ties requir'd to spurn her lures : 
 As thou, Shouvaloff, fated to endure 
 The wo of unsuccessful treason ; torn 
 Yet by fair Mercy's hand, away from scenes 
 Of past delight, to roam Siberian wilds, 
 And mourn the loss of honor, wealth and fame. 
 So may all base desert with wo be crown'd ! 
 The stream of vice will disembogue in hell, 
 
THE NAPOLEAP. 243 
 
 And that of virtue in celestial bliss : 
 
 Heaven's potent arbiter ordains their ends ; 
 
 He indiscriminately on man bestows ; 
 
 Prizing so low the circumstance of wealth 
 
 He gives it to the vilest of the race 
 
 Thus teaching him to look in other worlds 
 
 For merit's meed. Ah, why should aught on earth 
 
 Allure poor man to whet oppression's fangs, 
 
 Destroy his brethren, and his God offend ! 
 
 Fair Peace, in thee delight the wise and good ; 
 
 Daughter of heaven, that man to reason gave, 
 
 That thou might'st fill his road of life with joy ; 
 
 Yet he the dupe of tyranny becomes, 
 
 Whose bloody fury let the page reveal, 
 
 Where toils the tragic muse to picture woes. 
 
 O'er the sad story virtue pours her tears 
 
 And blames th' ambition that afflicts the world. 
 
 Ah, much neglected Fair ! thy charms might move 
 
 The high aspiring hero of my song ; 
 
 But doorn'd to guard what revolution gain'd, 
 
 And Freedom shield from leagued monarchal powers, 
 
 Nought but vast kingdoms added to his reign 
 
 He deems will save ; the Russian king must fall, 
 
 And thou awhile from half the world be driven. 
 
 Pursuant of what Policy advis'd, 
 He forms alliance with the neighboring kings, 
 And Alexander through Kourakin thus bespeaks : 
 
 Thou know'st, O king, my main desire is peace ; 
 Her charms most tempt me to forgive the past, 
 And slumber in disgrace ; to let just claims 
 In dark oblivion dwell, and you deride 
 My sovereignty ; but deem not, stubborn king, 
 The living lion unreveng'd endures 
 Indignities so odious. My commands 
 Shall be respected, and my country's rights, 
 More sacred than her blood, be unprofan'd. 
 Think'st thou that my just system shall expire 
 By thy contumacy ? Presumption wild ? 
 
244 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENW. 
 
 Esperance false ! Behold the vanquish'd realms 
 That dar'd oppose my will ; view Austerlitz, 
 And in thy former see thy future doom ! 
 We yet are brave, an undegenerate race ; 
 Dread then our coining, nor irreverent treat 
 Our high decrees, conceiv'd in justice pure 
 For ocean's scourge, that foe of man's repose, 
 Whose impudence has oft impugn'd thy throne ; 
 Yet to thy glory blind, or urg'd by fate, 
 Thou seek'st discordance with politic friends 
 To her great joy. 'Tis thine to give Earth peace 
 Or waken direst war. Adopt my plan 
 Without reserve, and thou may'st call me friend, 
 And honor'd reign among Earth's scepter'd sons ; 
 But this refus'd, prepare to shun our ire 
 Thy throne may totter, and thy kingdom mourn. 
 
 Thus he ; the Russian king indignant heard 
 The stern demand reveal'd ; yet rage restrain'd, 
 And through his ministry thus mild replied : 
 
 O brother sovereign, since our interests jar, 
 Is thine the right to dictate what shall rule ? 
 My country's welfare shall my actions guide, 
 Though e'en thyself than I art not more fond 
 Of blissful peace ; for which I fain would grant 
 What e'en might harm my dignity and realm. 
 Than I none else will sooner heed thy claim ; 
 But be it just ; for Eussia 's not so frail, 
 So careless of her honor as to mind 
 Unjust demands and ere she be so mean 
 Her Alexander seeks a glorious grave, 
 And half her warriors moulder in the tomb. 
 'Tis true, Britannia has on ocean wrong'd, 
 As France on land ; but Russia 's just to all, 
 And none, we dare presage, will give her law, 
 Though much with France we wish to stand in peace, 
 No sacrifice of commerce with thy foe 
 Shall gain the boon, but justice or our arms ! 
 This is our fix'd resolve. It now remains 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 245 
 
 With tliee to ope the gorgon gates of war, 
 And deluge many a field with human gore, 
 Or let ill-fated Europe find repose. 
 
 Ours is the part to threat and seek redress ; 
 Our commerce check'd, Dantzic retain'd, the Poles 
 Fill'd with rebellious hopes, the ominous rise 
 Of "Warsaw's dukedom, and its rapid growth 
 At Austria's cost, gives reason to complain : 
 Besides, you have the seven Venetian isles ; 
 And Tilsit's treaty thou hast not perform'd : 
 By that thy troops should leave the Prussian posts : 
 Has this been done ? They now keep Oldenberg ; 
 Against it I protest, and humbly hope 
 Thou wilt delay not to withdraw them thence. 
 
 Thus Russia's king Napoleon then exclaims ; 
 What singular and arrogant demands ! 
 Can Russia peace desire, while seeking war ? 
 For war is ripening in her deeds in all her deeds ; 
 Deems she we hear her loud defiance, pleas'd, 
 Or trembling ? Impotence ! Fate leads her on ; 
 Her end is near. In evil hour and dark, 
 When all her genius slumber'd, she conceiv'd 
 The daring insults, that provoke our ire, 
 And on her head unwilling vengeance draw. 
 I long suspected Alexander's aim ; 
 'Tis now reveal'd his hostile views appear. 
 Invaded rights and wounded honor call 
 Our monarchy to arms the sad resource 
 Of injur'd nations ! In short time our might 
 Will teach his arrogance the lesson given 
 At Austerlitz, where France convine'd him once 
 Her claims to justice were not ill premis'd. 
 
 Thus he, while Wisdom, from her high abode, 
 Whence she, deep pondering, views the deeds of men, 
 Involv'd in clouds to Russia's king repairs, 
 And counsels thus : Beware what France intends ! 
 From all transpir'd expect immediate war ; 
 For lo ! her chief imperiously requires, 
 
24:6 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 What, well he wist, thou never would'st concede, 
 And what he meant should much thy pride offend, 
 Some pretence seeking to invade thy realm ; 
 Which given, prepare to meet his vengeful arm 
 Your utmost vigor, all your means employ 
 Then if thou falPst, thou fall'st exempt from blame ; 
 Without chagrin, that thy inactive arm 
 Permitted haughty France to bring thee low ; 
 But patient bearing heaven's severe decree ; 
 Severe, yet just, and hoping better days. 
 Convene thy martial council, and be sure 
 What way to combat, when the foe invade ; 
 Protracted war will most successful prove. 
 
 The armies vast, by Policy array'd 
 On thy frontier, thy presence much reqiiire ; 
 Let them be ready to maintain the war, 
 Well train'd and ardent to protect their land ; 
 Yet in their rear let other hosts abide, 
 Them to support, if driven by stronger powers. 
 Implore thy nation to dispose its sons 
 In the defence of all to patriots dear. 
 Request the cities to pour forth their swarms 
 Their bright example will advance thy cause ; 
 Their generous fire induce more generous deeds, 
 And all thy kingdom bent on victory rise. 
 
 She spoke the king submiss to Wilna speeds ; 
 He scans the movements of his artful foe, 
 And martial council calls to seek defense 
 Against Napoleon's kingdom-shaking power. 
 The chiefs conven'd, the monarch thus begins : 
 
 France, doubtless, soon will our lov'd realm invade 
 Already Poland holds her mighty host 
 With peerless impudence her Emperor late 
 Demanded our adoption of his plans, 
 A pretence seeking to unsheath the sword. 
 I scorn'd his message ; but o'erruled our pride ; 
 His fierceness by our firmness was rebuked ; 
 Now Wisdom bids, prepare to guard our throne, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 Our utmost vigor and resource employ. 
 That if we fall, we fall by heaven's decree. 
 The means best suited to our end devise ; 
 Protracted warfare most successful proves 
 Against our enemy bold ; our frigid clime 
 Must with his southern armies disagree, 
 If food and shelter be from them withheld : 
 For these, I doubt not, they on us depend. 
 If domes exist to shield them from the storms, 
 Their sustenance might come from other climes, 
 And we lament their stay ; but these consum'd, 
 Though food they have, the elements will blast . 
 Their mighty legions, and destroy their power. 
 I then propose to make Lithuania waste 
 Full many a league around where he invades ; 
 This was intended when our hosts were spread 
 Along our wide frontier from Baltic's shore 
 To Niester's stream, that where the foe advanc'd 
 A general ruin should his course precede. 
 The monarch spoke and from the court withdrew ; 
 Then rose De Tolly and address'd his peers : 
 
 Confederate friends, ye view the storm of war 
 Fast lowering on our land, by him impelled 
 Who many realms controls ; whose potent arm 
 Is garb'd with victory, and who heretofore 
 Has trampled on the nations : now he wills 
 To subjugate our monarchy and throne : 
 O how will mortals marvel, if defeat 
 From Russian hands on his proud head rebound ! 
 What high acclaim betide our valiant king ! 
 But hope not to o'ercome in battle fields 
 That enemy strong, so oft triumphant there : 
 Some surer blow must rend him ; some sad means 
 He ne'er anticipated, be employed 
 To disarrange his plans, and foil his arms. 
 What our high chief propounds is safe defense ; 
 None surer though less dismal may be sought 
 Dire is the evil, let the remedy be dire ; 
 
248 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 In desperate plight, we desperate means employ. 
 
 What if our arms avail not, and the foe 
 
 In domes our imbecility provides 
 
 Eemain till spring return ? O spring may bloom ; 
 
 But Russia's majesty will fade, as flowers 
 
 Chill'd by autumnal winds ; a winter then 
 
 Thrice dreary, sad and mournful, will destroy 
 
 Our budding honors, glories of our realm, 
 
 Our rights divine, and all to Russians dear. 
 
 What shall we, then, in such unhappy state ? 
 
 Fall sheath'd in armor ? Or degraded mourn ? 
 
 Submit inglorious ? Or to Tartary fly ? 
 
 And there, at length, constrain'd by want severe, 
 
 Submissive kiss the rod of victor France ? 
 
 All seem more dreadful, than Lithuania fled 
 
 On burning wings away ; accord, then, peers, 
 
 With our high sovereign : where the foe invade 
 
 Wide round let all things flame, and ruin drear 
 
 In sterile pomp precede his daring bands ; 
 
 That they not with impunity abide, 
 
 But learn to dread our frigid clime and arms. 
 
 He ended, and Benningsen thus replied : 
 Thy ardor merits praise ; great is our charge, 
 Our monarch's glory, and our country's weal. 
 The first, attain'd with conflagrations wide, 
 But ill secures the last then which prefer ? 
 Kings should belong to realms, not realms to kings, 
 And perish for their people ; not depend 
 On their distress to save themselves from harm : 
 Else would they prove a curse to whom they rul'd 
 A bane to social state, and type of woe. 
 Then to secure our monarch's future reign, 
 Should many millions be of home bereav'd ? 
 General destruction o'er Lithuania hold 
 Mournful dominion ? Widows, aged sires, 
 And tender orphans meet untimely graves ? 
 Is it not wiser all we can t' employ 
 In potent combat, and before Gaul's king 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 249 
 
 Attain Smolensk, or Wilna, with vast power, 
 
 Make terrible assault on his long front, 
 
 Hurling him backward with o'erwhelrning might 
 
 Confounded and dismay'd, while native scenes, 
 
 Of ancient habitations, the glad haunts 
 
 Of playful childhood, and ancestors lov'd, 
 
 Be with their sweet endearments undisturb'd ? 
 
 In numbers, as in valor, we excel ; 
 Our dauntless legions will impervious stand, 
 Till wither'd by the iron blast of death, 
 Or victory crowns their toil and though they fall 
 Envied will be their fate ; their race will bask 
 In the undying brightness of their fame 
 Fair Honor sorrowing deck their tomb with flowers, 
 At which posterity will pointing say : 
 " There rest who ne'er beheld their country weep, 
 Who valiant fought ; nor by them pass'd the foe ; 
 But o'er their corses grac'd with glorious wounds." 
 And if we conquer, what applause betides ! 
 Russia will then pronounce the fate of realms 
 Her future generations boast the war, 
 In which, by firm reliance on her sons, 
 She humbled the Leviathan of kings ; 
 And not by conflagration of our homes, 
 Wherein, methinks, more shame than honor lies. 
 Can generous souls indulge the cruel scheme ? 
 It will not tend to prove us great and brave 
 Decline it then, and nobler means employ 
 T' avenge our country and repel its foes. 
 
 Thus spoke the chief and Tolstoy thus began : 
 More glorious it might be, to so repulse 
 Our enemy victory- wing'd, but perilous more ; 
 And if we fail small glory will ensue ; 
 What is unfortunate the world derides ; 
 View suffering virtue, and successful vice ; 
 That meets with scorn ; with adoration this. 
 
 Than we the foe should not be deem'd more brave : 
 Our armies doubtless would contend and die ; 
 
250 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 But from some cause unknown in vain might strive 
 In combat fair, though fir'd by spirit bold, 
 While he, careering high at all points round, 
 Plays ruinous game ; and if compelled to fly 
 His ruthless front, while means exist to keep 
 Him in our land, from co]d and want secure, 
 How low will be our state ! in what sad plight 
 Will be our much-lov'd country ! now the proud, 
 The lofty Russia, then a vassal power ! 
 Oh, holy saints ! Apostles rob'd in light, 
 And thou high thron'd in heaven, Saviour of man ! 
 Swift interpose t' avert the dreaded doom, 
 And judge ambition's lawless strides in wrath. 
 My friends, our object is defense, not fame ; 
 Still glory springs from acting well our part : 
 The means that ward the foe will glorious prove. 
 How can they else when in our country's cause ? 
 Then where the foe invade, let all things flame, 
 And ruin drear his impious march precede 
 Though many millions mourn the hard resolve, 
 And deem it needless, cruel and unjust. 
 But what is wrong that guards our monarch's throne 
 Or what is too severe, that forms such guard ? 
 Ev'n Moscow's ancient turrets should be wrapp'd 
 In dire combustion to the foe destroy. 
 
 The General spoke the chiefs assent declare 
 To waste the land the enemy might o'erpass. 
 The king delighted saw his plan prevail ; 
 Himself the sole projector of his weal 
 And them addressed : Illustrious chiefs, ye prove 
 By this resolve I trust whom wisdom guides. 
 Some well conceive unfaithful to fulfill 
 May all your deeds, be as your counsels, wise. 
 A noble weakness too may disapprove 
 What we adopt we could not better act. 
 Where comes the foe, our troops will waste the land 
 Far round and quick our wide-stretch'd army tell 
 Of his approach ; when it will rapid strive 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 251 
 
 To concentrate at Drissa ; where if Heaven 
 
 Us not indulges with esperance vain, 
 
 Our arms shall triumph o'er the daring foe. 
 
 Thus they meantime the Gallic chief prepares 
 To lead his conquering hosts to war and thus 
 Addresses his Louisa, blooming queen : 
 
 Fond empress of my heart as of our realm 
 War calls me hence ; his clangorous trumpet soon 
 Will roar tremendous through all Europe's bounds : 
 Thrice on his burning wain round the huge world 
 Sublime I rode, when last sleep seal'd these eyes. 
 No more I slumber here ; for rest no more 
 Yisits Napoleon in inglorious sloth : 
 To tented fields I fly, where first I woo'd 
 Fortune and Fame ; where yet my glory grows. 
 There, midst the clang of arms, bliss o'er me spreads 
 Her wings in martial majesty ; ev'n thou 
 Art not more lovely than the iron groves 
 And ev'n thy voice less pleases than their sound. 
 
 Expect ere long to share the mighty crown 
 Of subject Europe ; for our armies grand 
 Go no vain errand to the Russian realm, 
 Which, vanquish'd, soon shall haughty Britain bow, 
 Spain cease to combat, and our eagles wave 
 O'er half the world ; know, fate th' alternate gives 
 To make such conquests, or resign our crown. 
 Holding the spoils of many conquer 'd states 
 What glory would be ours, what peerlesss height 
 Our rising son enjoy ! Nations unborn 
 Shall marvel at our deeds ; renown will say : 
 "Napoleon liv'd, Louisa was his Queen." 
 Mourn not my absence, then ; thy form will play 
 In memory's light till to thy arms return'd. 
 
 The Emperor ended and his spouse replied : 
 Ah were thy love like mine, nor war, nor arms 
 Could be more pleasing than Louisa's voice. 
 Frail woman gives to affection all her soul 
 Nor knows why peril, and ev'n peerless fame 
 
252 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Bestow more happiness than peace and love. 
 
 How can I mourn thy absence for our weal ! 
 
 Yet if we govern'd all mankind I deem 
 
 "We still would murmur, as no bounds are known 
 
 To human avarice ; all th' unnumber'd worlds 
 
 That shine through night, would scarce allay its rage. 
 
 Be not too sure of Fortune oft with smiles 
 And syren voice she leads mankind astray ; 
 As wandering lights belated travellers guide ; 
 "Who journeying o'er some unfrequented land, 
 "While sombre night her dark dominion holds, 
 Elated think they view bright taper, sign 
 Of man's abode, and bless its cheering beams, 
 Hastening toward the beacon false, till lost, 
 Inextricably lost in miry fen, 
 Or forest, briery, lonesome, dark and wild, 
 Where beasts howl hideous threatening to devour. 
 
 Though prince of matchless armies, this campaign 
 May terminate thy sway. He who awes realms 
 May claim the humble tribute of a tear : 
 Condemn 'd to mourn his dazzling glories gone, 
 "With eyes reverted on his erring days 
 Beholding fickle Fortune lift him high 
 T' increase the depth, and terror of his fall. 
 "When men resistless seem they feeble prove ; 
 Their efforts vain high Heaven with laughter views, 
 And lets them work their ruin. Oh, I fear, 
 My son's great sire may rove in sorrows gloom 
 His aims so high, so doubtful Fortune's smiles, 
 And so mysterious all the springs of Fate ! 
 
 Louisa spoke the Emperor thus rejoin'd : 
 111 boding partner, what disturbs thy breast 
 And clouds thy reason ? wouldst thou have me stay 
 Inglorious ? nothing ventur'd nothing will be gain'd. 
 Can Russia cause my ruin ? nought but arm 
 Of treason can disturb my lofty reign ; 
 That arm I heed not leading my brave powers. 
 Sure Fortune plays strange game with man ; but me ? 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 253 
 
 I earn her smiles ; the means are mine to bend 
 
 All hostile Europe. But if I am doom'd 
 
 To mourn lost glory, soon the day will come ; 
 
 Why then anticipate the hated time ? 
 
 I shun the darksome coast where sorrow reigns ; 
 
 My genius shall conduct to happier end, 
 
 Safe steering midst the veering winds of life. 
 
 Thus he, and kind embrac'd the blooming Queen ; 
 His infant son, yet stranger to the world, 
 With heavenly mildness gamboling on her knee 
 With sweet reluctance meets his parent's arms, 
 Who thus begins : " O lovely boy, if e'er 
 Thou liv'st to know a hero's fire, or father's care, 
 And shine the wonder of the future age, 
 
 O J 
 
 My hopes fulfil'd, my soul will quaff repose, 
 Though in that land whence travellers ne'er return. 
 O Thou who know'st the secret thoughts of men, 
 Grant him whate'er a parent's fondness craves." 
 
 Thus the great chief, by sacred love inspir'd, 
 And from his arms releas'd th' imperial flower. 
 Then bids adieu and hemm'd by guards around 
 With martial pomp moves to the field of war 
 O'er Vistula's blue waves, where throng'd his powers. 
 
BOOK II. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 Napoleon advancing towards the Niemen, is advised by Policy to seek 
 peace by negotiation, secure the aid of Lithuania and Poland, and conciliate 
 Sweden. Narbonne is deputed to demand redress of Alexander ; who denies 
 that any right is withheld. Napoleon addresses his soldiers. His army 
 having crossed the Niemen, he directs a proclamation to the Polanders, in 
 viting their co-operation. A Diet held at Warsaw expresses the feelings, 
 hopes, and views of the Poles. Mean time in the Temple of Fame, before 
 the tribunal of Providence, Ambition, Wisdom, Pride, Vanity, Rashness, and 
 Folly, debate whether Napoleon shall attempt to terminate the war by one 
 campaign, and pass the winter in Moscow. Deceit, observing that Napoleon 
 was embarrassed by the proceedings of the Polish Diet, assumes the form of 
 one of his favorites, and endeavors to increase the discord between him and 
 the Poles. He dissents to the plan communicated to him by a Deputation 
 from the Diet. Alexander the while summons his subjects to arms. 
 
 TH' imperial chief, in peerless might, advanc'd 
 Towards Piemen's stream, and glorious hopes indulg'd ; 
 Unknowing what high heaven had preordain'd, 
 Confounding Wisdom, and debasing Pride. 
 Of that enormous host so fair and proud, 
 Alas, how few will to their sires return ! 
 Or native land, and pleasing home behold ! 
 Doom'd the sad prey of unrelenting storms 
 And vengeful enemies, where the tears of love 
 And friendship's tender cares cannot console 
 Their dying moments, nor bestow a tomb : 
 Their limbs, unburied, hungry wolves will rend ; 
 Pale winter's moaning blast, or cannon's roar, 
 Shall be their knell ; their winding sheet, the snow. 
 
 Shrewd Policy involv'd in light appears, 
 And thus bespeaks the head of matchless hosts : 
 
 In my bright path, which girds the ponderous globe. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 255 
 
 I just have shot the western continents o'er : 
 The giant Andes see on every side 
 Eebellion winning Patriotism's name. 
 The land of Franklin brandishes the sword 
 At ocean's queen, for freedom of the seas. 
 Her lion, bearded on his own domain, 
 Distrustful views the Stars and Stripes, and owns 
 Unwonted thunders roll beneath their shade 
 And thinks of Jones, the Serapis, and fate, 
 With mingled pride and grief; for in the shock 
 He sees his own unfaltering spirit shine. 
 
 The men of thrift, in strategy unskill'd, 
 Their general in a false position plac'd ; 
 Who with his host surrendered to the foe. 
 Be not concern'd ; the ministers are safe : 
 The servant suffers for the master's deed ! 
 Their next campaign, proportioned to its base, 
 The flanks 'and rear secured, may better end : 
 They soon will launch a fleet on Erie's waves, 
 And then, for palms, their naval prowess claims ! 
 
 But these are distant aids, more near 'tis seen 
 Great Wellington defeats thy arms in Spain. 
 The Prussian, and perhaps the Austrian troops 
 Would straight withdraw, if thou shouldst greatly need. 
 At Dresden, when thy sun put out the stars, 
 Heardst thou no whispers, couldst thou see no frowns, 
 No chaf 'd and troubled royal wanderers, lost 
 In thy surpassing splendor, and scarce held 
 Above thy Marshals ? Couldst thou doubt their thoughts ? 
 Thy long neglect of my advice, in not 
 Engaging Turkey to pursue her war 
 On Russia ; and th' injurious restraint 
 Thy recent pact with Austria has impos'd 
 On Poland's restoration, will impede 
 Thy progress, and deprive thee of the aid 
 Of millions, and the satisfaction sweet 
 Of raising fallen nations: and besides, 
 Unless thou canst preserve o'erwhelming strength, 
 
256 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 I see grim danger float from Sweden's shores ! 
 Disdain not to conciliate her prince : 
 Mere force can never safely slight my voice. 
 
 Strong as thou art 'tis possible for thee 
 To rashly enter Russia. Heed my lore : 
 Employ not force save when persuasion fails 
 Though that be surer, this is more humane. 
 Kind means, before severe, should be employ'd 
 The wounds of suffering Russia may be thine. 
 The sequel view, to that thy deeds conform ; 
 For few and evil are that mortal's days, 
 Who of his actions no result conceives. 
 'Tis true kind heaven conceals th' events to come, 
 That hope may have an ample range to bless ; 
 But reason by the lamp of history sees 
 The future in the mirror of the past. 
 
 Far o'er the rolling clouds I met Intrigue, 
 With mien dejected moving towards her Hall, 
 Her varied train proceeding mute and slow : 
 Said she, " My arts have fail'd, the Russian race 
 With noble rage despise Napoleon's lures : 
 They say, " we better dwell in humble state 
 Chill'd by drear poverty, and scorn'd by fools, 
 Than guilty wealth enjoy." Now arms alone 
 Must yield thee triumph ; these with skill dispose ; 
 Take unawares the foe. Some one depute 
 To ask of Russia's King redress of wrongs ; 
 That he withdraw his arrogant demands. 
 Him offer to renew th' alliance past ; 
 Which, if accepted, may compose the feud ; 
 Or spurn'd, may fill thy mighty host with ire, 
 Urge them to war, and thy pretensions great 
 In all the majesty of justice show. 
 
 When thy vast host Lithuania's plains o'erspread, 
 Expedients then, to rouse her sons to arms, 
 'T were well to use ; past independence tempts 
 To claim exemption from the Russian sway ; 
 And leads the Poles to reassume the rank 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 257 
 
 Their State of old enjoyed. First demonstrate 
 Thy power to give protection, then propose 
 That they assist t' effect their own success : 
 So may'st thou gain immense resource to swell 
 The tide of conquest o'er the Russian realm. 
 
 Thus Policy ; the monarch answer'd soon : 
 Impatient to assail, Intrigue I ply'd, 
 By thee advis'd ; but nought her arts avail'd. 
 Surrounded by my powers, I treat no more, 
 Save with the voice of arms : Force shall dispute, 
 And Heaven decide our claims. Think ye I doubt 
 In matchless panoply what way to chide 
 Th' insulting enemy ? Expedience erst 
 Caus'd my employment of seductive wiles ; 
 But thus resistless arm'd brief time I wait 
 Before some realm-astounding blows shall give 
 Plain lessons to his arrogance. Why need 
 ISTapoleon parley with half-conquered foes ? 
 Know, ere again fair Summer spreads her green, 
 Proud Alexander shall my ruth implore, 
 (As once he did on Austerlitz' fam'd field,) 
 France, high exalted o'er the states of earth, 
 Shall give him and his vanquish'd nation law. 
 
 The Queen rejoins : Be not by passion driv'n 
 And proud impatience to begin great deeds : 
 The weak and prudent frightful perils brave, 
 While rush the daring strong on hapless doom. 
 Look ere ye move ; know victory dear obtain'd 
 Gives painful triumph. Though success be sure, 
 The mode which gets it cheap the best will prove. 
 Endeavor then to gain, or time or peace, 
 That unresisted thou the object win. 
 
 She spoke, and disappear'd The King commands : 
 
 Go thou, Narbonne, the Russian monarch tell, 
 France still wants peace. Advise him to withdraw 
 His singular and arrogant demands. 
 Bid him learn timely to respect our will ; 
 For peace and justice we alike adore. 
 IT 
 
258 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENES. 
 
 If yet he frown, request him to reflect 
 On other days, Friedland and Austerlitz, 
 And in his former, learn his future doom. 
 
 Thus he ; forthwith Narbonne to Wilna speeds, 
 And courteous asks the Russian king for peace ; 
 His prudence, hopes, and fears alternate moves 
 Nor seems to intend to touch the chord he strikes ; 
 With such adroitness casts the galling bolt, 
 That while the head approves the heart grows sore. 
 If what diplomacy could heal, had been 
 The source of strife, th' ambassador had shut 
 The gates of war ; but in each sovereign's breast 
 The fire of rivalry burn'd : The leader one 
 Might prove of realms opposed to Gallic sway ; 
 The other saw his safety in the fall 
 Of Russia from the sphere of Europe's states : 
 'Twas plain the fatal struggle must ensue, 
 Or soon, or late and thus the Russian Head : 
 
 Engag'd in war, your emperor talks of peace ; 
 Peace he may have, but not so near my realm. 
 Th' alleg'd injustice, need we disavow ? 
 His plans are known : Ambition tells him false. 
 We dare his vengeance ! Go, him thus bespeak : 
 The Russian king will not negotiate more, 
 'Till thou withdraw thy troops from Prussia's bounds. 
 
 He ceas'd Napoleon heard, and anger rous'd : 
 He cries, what effront'ry ! The conquer'd claim 
 The place of conquerors sure ! Fate leads them on ; 
 Accomplish'd be their destiny. I pass 
 O'er Niemen's stream brief argument, and loud, 
 In carnage predicated, and reveal'd 
 With voice of thunder, shall our rights defend. 
 
 Soldiers ! the second Polish war begins, 
 Which shall conclude as glorious as the past. 
 The first at Tilsit and Friedland did end : 
 There Russia swore with France eternal league, 
 With England, ceaseless war ; she breaks her oaths ; 
 Nor will explain, till we repass the Rhine, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 259 
 
 And leave at her disposal our allies ! 
 Fate so conducts her doom must be fulfill'd. 
 Are we degenerate deem'd, nor longer those 
 Who fought at Austerlitz ? She gives us choice 
 Of war, or shame : We well know which to choose. 
 We march ; the Niemen pass ; and war shall rage. 
 The peace concluded shall itself uphold : 
 'Twill ruin that high influence, Russia long 
 Has exercis'd beyond her proper sphere. 
 
 Thus he, and when dark Evening spread her veil 
 Spangled with light of distant worlds unknown, 
 Bent to fulfill the purpose of his soul, 
 Commands Junot, Poniatowski, and Regnier, 
 Rul'd by Jerome, at Grodno to o'erpass 
 The Piemen ; Beauharnois, at Ollitta 
 Davoust at Yourbourg Oudinot, Murat, 
 And Ney, at Kowno at his hest all mov'd 
 Like mighty oceans, o'er devoted land, 
 Deep deluging its groves, and flow'ry plains. 
 First Kow^no witness'd the loud din of arms, 
 War's gory visage, dolorous groans, and death ; 
 There Gaul's Dragoons the Cossac host surpris'd, 
 And drove them thence, and stain'd the ground with blood. 
 
 Just then a giant form on Niemen's stream 
 Like ancient warrior stood, in gloomy state. 
 His hand sustain'd a spear of quivering fire, 
 His shield a promontory seem'd, or ocean isle 
 Snatch'd from its rocky base, and high upborne ; 
 His plume a grove, pluck'd from a mountain's brow, 
 Majestic nodded o'er his sullen head, 
 And riv'd the shaggy deeps of gloomy clouds, 
 That round him roll'd assuming monstrous forms. 
 His eyes from o'er his ample shield, beheld 
 The angry conflict with malicious smiles. 
 Then wrapt in night, a formless mass he seems, 
 And bursts, a storm, upon the affrighted world : 
 From Hsemus' top to Scandinavia's cliffs 
 He dreadful roars, and flings his lightning arms. 
 
260 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIK. 
 
 And pours thick pattering showers and wakes the winds ; 
 
 Rous'd Auster blusters o'er th' Icarian waves ; 
 
 Strong Eurus rolls the Baltic into foam, 
 
 And sweeps o'er Europe to th' Atlantic main : 
 
 Far Albion hears, and startled views her seas, 
 
 And sympathises with her roving sons. 
 
 High Caucasus returns Carpathia's groans, 
 
 And sounds of rustling wilds, and rushing floods, 
 
 And uproar of the labor'd world between. 
 
 While sudden flashes strike, and o'er all sounds 
 
 The thunder rises, and the smoking earth, 
 
 Lash'd by the floods of heaven, lies drench'd and torn, 
 
 And cries aloud from all her vales, and rills 
 
 That rush impetuous to th' involving main. 
 
 And now prevailing over Eurus lull'd 
 
 Cold Boreas blusters round in fitful gusts, 
 
 Disperses clouds and rends heaven's misty veil, 
 
 Dishevelling summer's tresses ; the tall oaks 
 
 Toss from his breath their leafy heads, and mourn 
 
 That autumn's spirit haunts the days of June. 
 
 The tented fields are delug'd, the cold winds 
 
 The mighty myriads chill, and long intrude 
 
 On summer's gentle reign ; forerunner sad 
 
 Of evil days, to Gaul yet unreveal'd ; 
 
 When wrapt in forests groaning under load 
 
 Of lucid ice, her sons shall fall a prey 
 
 To storms, and foes, and meagre Famine's rage. 
 
 To Wilia's waves Ambition adds a tear : 
 As in obedience to the order, strove 
 A Polish troop to swim his rushing stream, 
 She saw the flood engulfing steeds, and arms, 
 And valiant men, and stifling loyal breath, 
 That bade the Emperor live, while he who spoke 
 Was gone forever, ere the air had ceas'd 
 To feel the impulse of th' extingnish'd voice. 
 
 The Gallic armies unresisted march'd 
 (Save by obstructions nature interposed) 
 O'er sad Lithuania, while the Eussian powers 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 261 
 
 Obedient to their monarch, concentrate 
 
 At Drissa ; but that aim Napoleon strives 
 
 To frustrate ; brave Davoust with furious speed 
 
 Pursues Bagration ; at Mohilow soon 
 
 Their angry legions, breathing death, contend ; 
 
 Loud iron showers with ruinous fury fall, 
 
 And earth groans, gasps, and weeps, with mortals slain. 
 
 Ostrowno, next experienc'd battle's storm ; 
 Murat with fierce dragoons spread terror there, 
 And vanquished Russia, crimsoning all the field. 
 And when ten days had spent their golden light, 
 On Dwina's bank th' invading armies swarm'd, 
 Like clouds along the ridge of Andes vast, 
 When eastern tempests from hoarse ocean blow. 
 Then "Witepsk witness'd fierce contention's flames, 
 Rousell and Liedot weltering in their gore. 
 Dinabourg yields to thunders of Ricard ; 
 Klengel submits to Marckoff 's greater power ; 
 Inkovo views Sebastiani's flight 
 Strong Riga trembles at McDonald's arms ; 
 Regnier and Swartzenburg Tormasoff foils 
 And Jakoubovo Koulniew's doom deplores, 
 Where Oudinot successful battle rules. 
 
 Now mindful of what Policy advis'd, 
 Lithuania circled with his arms, and giv'n 
 Provisional government, Napoleon thus 
 Her sons address'd : " Lithuanians, Poles, dear names 
 To those who proudly view Hedwiga's days, 
 Sigismund's power, or Kosciusko mourn ; 
 Behold ! your enemies fly our face ; their eyes 
 Reverted on your smoking, ruin'd land ; 
 Their prey destroying, since they cannot save, 
 And pouring on your heads the bitter dregs 
 Of their unhallow'd might ; but hence their hate 
 You shall not feel ; deserving happier doom, 
 Protecting France shall heal where Russia wounds ; 
 Though great the cost and toil, your gratitude 
 Will aid our arms, recruit the ranks of war : 
 
262 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN". 
 
 And you whose sacred office 'tis to seek 
 
 Heaven's favor, will not fail to move the gods 
 
 In our behalf. Sure Deity's pure mind 
 
 Your land's emancipation approbates ; 
 
 For he is thron'd on Justice, and perhaps, 
 
 Ev'n now his hand is stretch'd t' avenge her wrongs. 
 
 Within his Sanctuary let each exhort 
 
 His hearers to contend ; his country's claims 
 
 Assert ; her grievances expose, and reap 
 
 The praise of godliness and patriotism. 
 
 And you, brave Polanders in Russia's train, 
 
 111 suits your service with your country's good ; 
 
 Though once it might, when not so blest to boast 
 
 A country yours ; but, Poland is redeem'd ! 
 
 Her safety needs your aid Russia compel 
 
 To render, what her usurpation gain'd. 
 
 Confederate Poland and Lithuania calls 
 
 Her generals, soldiers, from th' oppressor's flag 
 
 "Will they neglect their country's voice ? Haste then 
 
 To bear the Eagle of the Jaggellons 
 
 The Casimirs and Sobieskies ; 'tis required 
 
 By patriotism, honor, and your God." 
 
 Meantime the Seniors of the Polish State, 
 At Warsaw Diet held, as he advis'd. 
 Czart'risky, Marshal grand, th' assembly rul'd. 
 Joy'd they to see their country's worthies met 
 To hear, whom erst they gave in charge, to build 
 Their state from its disjointed fragments old, 
 Report of its construction. One arose 
 On that committee's part t' express the plan 
 Devis'd and means t' effect the end propos'd : 
 
 JSTestor of Polish patriots ! as thou sitt'st 
 In this assembly high, methinks the gods 
 Of Poland, that escap'd her overthrow, 
 With thee departed, and with thee return'd, 
 And now await the worship of her sons : 
 O let her utmost bounds their temple be ! 
 In which the Poles, taught vigilance by wiles 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 263 
 
 Of enemies sly, and Wisdom by distress 
 
 Shall long adore, with peace and glory crown'd. 
 
 Once was our country great in arts and arms ; 
 "What time fair Yanda crushed th' enamor'd king, 
 And Boleslaus nations six subdued, 
 She gave to Prussia and Bohemia law ; 
 So wide her conquering Eagles stretch'd their wings ! 
 
 Plac'd as a barrier 'gainst the barbarous tribes, 
 Our valor luckily circumscribed their power ; 
 Withstood th' uncivil war, and Europe gave 
 Exemption from the intrusion of fierce hordes : 
 It check'd Mahomet's votaries ; headlong zeal 
 Dared not advance, while Poland frown'd behind : 
 Let Leopold attest, and Austria laud 
 The arm, that snatch'd them from th' impending grasp 
 Of Turkish power ! To fill our throne was deem'd 
 An envied honor ; mightiest monarchs strove 
 To win our confidence, and gain the crown ; 
 See Russia's sovereign disappointed, wage 
 Exterminating war to sooth his pride, 
 While brave Batori whelms him in defeat 
 So bright the prize ! Its loss he so deplor'd ! 
 
 Although disunion oft disturb'd our state, 
 We bore the evil, not the neighboring realms, 
 Who should have suifer'd ; for their rulers oft 
 Fomented our disorder ; yet, when three 
 Imperial robbers sought excuse to spoil 
 Our territory, they alleg'd alas ! 
 Shall I rehearse what insults reason ? So 
 Replete with stupid wickedness and shame ! 
 Who wak'd the veto into mischief ? 'Twas 
 Those royal plunderers of our injur'd land, 
 Who bear the curse of many an orphan child 
 The shame of many a patriot's massacre, 
 And guilt of Poland's wrongs. Kind memory 
 (To us, alas ! unkind) recall not Praga's groans 
 O'erwhelm'd with slaughter, and combustion dire, 
 For infants, sisters, wives, and husbands slain ; 
 
264: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GKCOT. 
 
 Let Lethe o'er her roll, and hide the shame 
 
 Of civiliz'd mankind, and Europe's thrones ! 
 
 Can her destroyers view her doom, nor quake 
 
 That heaven is just ? Sure angel never wrote 
 
 The tragic story without tears, nor sees 
 
 Stern Justice the red page, but empires reel 
 
 Beneath her frown ; ev'n now I see her point 
 
 Her vast artillery at the Russian power 
 
 Combine the troops of mighty realms with him 
 
 Whom victory fondly follows, and with whom 
 
 'Twere well to be united. Europe long 
 
 Has roll'd upon contention's angry sea, 
 
 And needs repose ; but cannot while the north 
 
 May vomit barbarous hordes no longer those 
 
 Who quit their savage clime in search of food ; 
 
 But learn'd in arts of polish'd states, they prowl 
 
 More formidable. Heads refin'd, conduct 
 
 T' enjoyment savage hearts ; religious slaves 
 
 Obedient act what vicious lords command. 
 
 Twice ten times have their banners rov'd the south ; 
 
 Constantinople totters for their war : 
 
 Firm league with France then, only, will secure 
 
 Against their might, as now emancipate 
 
 From their detested chains. Our valor too, 
 
 I doubt not, will command respect our land 
 
 So fruitful once in heroes, shall produce 
 
 Sigismunds and Sobieskies, glory-crown'd ! 
 
 Our children shall be proud to bear the name 
 
 Of Piast, Jagellon, at which our foes, 
 
 Whom fraud hath made our masters, oft grew pale I 
 
 Our scheme of union every part combines 
 Of ancient Poland in one realm ; the crown 
 We will to tender to the Saxon king, 
 Who heaven approving, may our state revive 
 With all its wonted splendor, and the sound, 
 u Long live our country," through Podolia's plains, 
 And rich Wolhynia vibrate endless time. 
 We deem it suits th' occasion, to depute 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 265 
 
 Some of our noble body, to make known 
 Unto Napoleon this result, and seek 
 That he give sure protection to the child 
 Of Polish Liberty, so heavenly fair ! 
 
 Thus he ; the Diet approbate the scheme, 
 And Deputation to the emperor send. 
 
 Meantime in Fame's refulgent Temple, meet 
 Fate's workers, summon'd by the Sire of heaven. 
 His Agent, Providence, enthron'd on gold, 
 High o'er the rest, the great assembly rul'd. 
 
 The wide-spread roof, on diamond columns plac'd, 
 Of height immense shone like the heavenly bow, 
 Unnumber'd ways reflecting soften'd light. 
 The crystal floor, to west, was edg'd with groves 
 Of am'ranth, myrtle, laurel, happy scenes ! 
 Amidst them sculptur'd shapes of other days 
 Stood musing, frowning, great for arts, or arms. 
 With beryl seats the ample Hall was grac'd ; 
 Not oft encumber'd by the serial guests : 
 Ambition pac'd the air, and fiery bright, 
 His eyes look'd heaven-ward, fill'd with high designs. 
 Rashness beside him stood with silent mien, 
 Folly* s unmeaning countenance close behind. 
 Pleas'd Vmiity, with self-complacent air 
 Seem'd to invite applause. Imperious Pride 
 Indifferent stood, or look'd to claim regard. 
 Mild Valor sat serene near Wisdom grave 
 And keen-eyed Prudence ; fair Deceit, Intrigue, 
 Wrinkled Necessity, with eye intent 
 Upon relief ; pale trembling Fear, and all 
 Th' invisible directors of mankind, 
 Mov'd to and fro around the brilliant throne. 
 
 Loud peal'd the thunder o'er the dazzling Dome : 
 Silence ensued, and Providence thus speaks : 
 
 Europe with Europe wars Napoleon fronts 
 The fiery south against the hoary north. 
 Shall Russia subjugated own his law ? 
 But first, shall one campaign decide the strife ? 
 
266 POEMS OF. THOMAS HEDGES GENES. 
 
 The means of fate propound As suits the end 
 Let each the course declare before our throne. 
 
 Thus he, and murmurs rose from all the powers, 
 Loud, as when breezes bend the rustling grove 
 Subsiding soon, Ambition rob'd in fire, 
 Impatient of delay, with zeal declaim'd : 
 
 Fame blazes, and her ample field invites ! 
 Unfading signs of deathless deeds inspire 
 The soul with gladness, and to emulate 
 Their dignity ; but who beholds Gaul's chief 
 Thron'd above thrones, and doubts he will surpass 
 All monarchs old in magnitude of power ? 
 Shall not the Russian autocrat low bend 
 Before his conquering banners, and behold 
 Departed days with sorrow-streaming eyes ? 
 Ev'n you, proud Isle, and stubborn Spain shall cower 
 Beneath his sceptre Germany rejoice 
 In his resplendent beams ; and Poland shine 
 Resuscitated by his might, and live 
 In his protection ; but who builds her state 
 Shall wear her crown, maugre the Saxon King ! 
 
 Sure armies vast should not, inactive, waste 
 Winter's long gloom on Meper's stream, and give 
 To Russia to prepare resistance strong, 
 That spring would bloom with bloody fields, and death 
 Triumphant ride on victory's flaming car ! 
 Gaul's host may now resistless penetrate 
 Moscow or Petersburg : "When spring returns 
 Can they do more than make resistless march 
 To the high summit of their Emperor's hopes ? 
 Let not procrastination dull the edge 
 Of lofty war. I would that he advance 
 'Till snowy winter wears his mantle cold, 
 Or till the enemy quite concede the field. 
 
 He ceased, turn'd from the tlirone his beaming face, 
 Flush'd with celestial light, and restless rov'd 
 Round the bright forum. Wisdom soon replies : 
 
 What exaltation may Napoleon wait 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 267 
 
 Why should we boast, unknowing heaven's designs ? 
 
 His future weal and woe, the Sire of worlds 
 
 Alone has measur'd. Let us not for truth 
 
 Assert what hope has whisper'd on frail ground. 
 
 How oft fair morning ushers stormy noon ! 
 
 Ev'n this campaign if stretch'd to Moscow's walls 
 
 O'er the sing'd country may contract his power : 
 
 Ere there arrived he wades through fields of blood 
 
 Hears famine's wail, and views exhausted ranks 
 
 Stern winter finds him destitute of food ; 
 
 Perhaps expos'd to insults of his foes, 
 
 Unable to retreat. The dire defense 
 
 By Russia made, presents no easy task 
 
 To those who would subdue : at any time 
 
 We shall not see them unprepar'd t' oppose 
 
 Th' intrusion ; sword and flames e'en now they wield ; 
 
 Too well prepar'd ! Protracted war might quench 
 
 Their daring ardor, not increase its rage : 
 
 The troops of France, at other times, will have 
 
 The same inducements to contend as now. 
 
 Each party may gain strength ; but France 'tis sure 
 
 Possesses greatest means to swell her host : 
 
 Delay then injures Russia more than her 
 
 By which Napoleon safely may contend. 
 
 Encamp'd, while winter chills, on Nieper's banks, 
 
 The spring would view Lithuania organized, 
 
 And launching armies to assist his arm, 
 
 If he politic act, or sanction give 
 
 To rules that Poland for herself provides ; 
 
 Who has the right, and well deserves to stand 
 
 Restor'd, with all her provinces, as erst, 
 
 When barbarous nations broke against her shield. 
 
 'No treaty made with Austria can impose 
 
 An obligation to do wrong ; for heaven 
 
 Holds none to infringe his laws, that man may keep 
 
 Rash promises to man ; the less offense 
 
 Would be to disregard the treaty's terms 
 
 As faults are less detestable than crimes. 
 
268 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Alas, when will the golden era come, 
 
 When kings deserve the plaudits of the just ; 
 
 Perverse ambition fires their breast no more, 
 
 And guilty pomp is scorn'd ; while generous zeal 
 
 To bless their subject children points their ways ! 
 
 Then shall they justly bear the name of sires, 
 
 And guardians of the happiness of realms ; 
 
 The people aid their king in peace and war, 
 
 Convinc'd for them, and not for him, is call'd 
 
 The man-destroying monster into life. 
 
 Ah ! were the nations just, nay, merely wise, 
 
 War's death-drawn chariot never more would roll ; 
 
 But held as barbarous folly, sink despis'd, 
 
 Companion of exploded errors past. 
 
 Who warr'd to gratify ambition, pride, 
 
 Or base revenge, no myrtle honors wear 
 
 The good would envy : what therefore is just, 
 
 If justice be in war, ye powers, advise 
 
 Your favorite king ; for there may come a time, 
 
 When bloody chaplets pain the wearer's head. 
 
 He has not means to force his foes to yield 
 
 By one campaign ; those will abortive prove 
 
 Employed beyond their strength ; one arm may lift 
 
 Huge promontories from their bases deep ; 
 
 But not by one exertion, lest o'erwhelm'd 
 
 Its force expire : Let not th' attempt exceed 
 
 The means possess'd. Stern winter's freezing blasts 
 
 Midst lands made desolate, and Russia's arms 
 
 Must be resisted : Moscow may depart 
 
 On wings of fire : Ev'n doubtful Shelter holds 
 
 Her hand far distant, beyond seas of blood. 
 
 Thus mild, great Wisdom held the happier course. 
 Ambition then rejoins : Forget me Fame 
 If Wisdom speaks sincere. My favorite, sure ! 
 And only mine, or theirs, is this great chief ! 
 On me is lavish'd undeserved applause ! 
 Could I have lifted mortal to his height 
 In deeds, or power, this voice, importunate, 
 
THE LAPOLEAD. 269 
 
 Had not so oft ask'd Wisdom's useful aid. 
 
 But say, fair pleader, hast thou long believ'd 
 
 I fir'd the hero for inglorious ends ? 
 
 Late didst thou boast that he thy lessons prov'd, 
 
 Solv'd doubtful theories by practice brave, 
 
 Scann'd civil policy, and darkness drove 
 
 Before, as he advanc'd in war, and peace. 
 
 He, thus expert, may well extend his power. 
 
 If o'er the triple flames another crown, 
 
 ' Tis merit's due reward. Strange Policy 
 
 Thou hast commended ! Should he guarantee 
 
 To new-form'd Poland that which Austria claims, 
 
 And Prussia strong allies, and in Ms rear ? 
 
 Could then this embrio, faction-riven state 
 
 More aid, or harm, than they ? Can Poland claim 
 
 Exemption from his sceptre, who upbears 
 
 Her state from deepest ruin ? But without 
 
 Lithuania's legions, and by one campaign, 
 
 ' Tis his to give defeated Kussia law. 
 
 Shall he, O Providence, who kings controls, 
 
 Whom empires fear, unnumber'd warriors rules, 
 
 Meet such repulse from foes, or winter's storms, 
 
 As will prove vain his vast array ? when, lo ! 
 
 His enemy trembles for the great result 
 
 And feels already lost ! Let winter dart 
 
 His keenest arrows, and the foe employ 
 
 His utmost valor ; all can France endure, 
 
 But not inglorious rest. Moscow will shield 
 
 Her numerous host, till blooming spring return ; 
 
 Then he march forth, all potent, to subdue 
 
 Th' opposing foe, and ratify their doom. 
 
 Thus he then Wisdom : Reason's ill employ 'd 
 In superstructing dangerous results 
 On falsities. Let Russia's winter reign 
 With common force, and France will doubtless want 
 No greater foe. If safe Napoleon camp 
 Within rich Moscow's walls while winter storms, 
 Just heaven must stop the rolling world's career : 
 
270 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Suspend great nature's laws, till one vain man 
 
 Accomplish what pure Justice disapproves ! 
 
 If Jove hath preordain'd that Russia fall, 
 
 Of which we know not, need it cost too dear ? 
 
 Must France then combat elements and men ? 
 
 Sure wasteful victory should be less preferred 
 
 Than that which comes exempt from blood and tears. 
 
 I deem it well, Napoleon justly choose 
 Between Lithuania's aid and Austria's ire. 
 The first will swell his power the last will naught 
 Increase his danger. ' Tis his power arrays 
 Th' allies beneath his standard ; this improv'd, 
 Confirms th' alliance : Let the mode offend 
 Are Prussia's fortresses not held by France \ 
 The cause enlarg'd will that th' effect decrease \ 
 Will bonds, less strong embrace, for added strength ? 
 It ill befits to obstacles despise : 
 Or blind remain to what denies desire : 
 Who walking looks at stars in pits may fall 
 Ev'n he may look behind on better days, 
 Mourning thy counsels, and his hapless doom. 
 Let generous passion never tempt to trust 
 Inconstant fortune, without constant watch, 
 And careful use of every mean to gain 
 The joyful gaol ; for she delights to throw 
 The golden apples to restrain your speed. 
 Be self-denying perseverance term'd 
 The harbinger of greatness and renown. 
 She ended ; Yanity then loud began : 
 Shall mightiest armies dwindle at the voice 
 Of slow contriving Wisdom, that defeat 
 Will be their portion, or ill-timed delay ; 
 Though led by him who dictates law to kings 
 Who soar's on victory's pinions, and who oft 
 Defeated congregated nations, bent 
 To whelm him in destruction ? Now he wields 
 The force of conjunct states, will he be deem'd 
 Incapable of combatting one realm, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 271 
 
 Inferior than his own, for winter's sway, 
 Which though severe, the Russians too must feel ? 
 Ambition, parent of my joys I how oft 
 Has wisdom help'd thee climb the slippery steep 
 Of doubtful fortune, and how seldom, erst, 
 Beheld our object with imperfect sight ! 
 But e'en the radiant sun hath isles opaque 
 Erailties the strong, and follies have the wise 
 The fragrant rose on prickly branches blooms. 
 ' Tis untrue picture that presents no shade 
 E'en wisdom hath her darkness, as her light. 
 The frost of years the lovliest beauty kills 
 The vigorous hero totters frail with age ; 
 And ah, it seems that Wisdom, too, may fade ! 
 
 With me, it is not doubtful, one campaign 
 Will every object of the war secure. 
 Europe's great crown ere thrice more rolls the year, 
 Shall flame above the glory-beaming brows 
 Of Gaul's imperial chief, the pride of fields ! 
 
 Thus spoke she, like a thoughtless wanton girl, 
 Whose inexperience, but in plenty's lap, 
 On other's toil befits her not to roam 
 From guardian care, on life's eventful stream. 
 The powers, with laughter, heard the critic fair 
 Ascribe to dotage deathless Wisdom's lore. 
 Rashness succeeded and thus stern declaim'd : 
 
 Repose is shame to one so great in arms 
 As he, the lofty subject of debate, 
 Whose numerous army like autumnal clouds 
 Spreads o'er wide climes, and gladly hails the war 
 Pregnant with ruin to the Russian throne. 
 I see, as with prophetic eye, his host, 
 Rush over Moscow's walls, with victory plum'd, 
 Before Spring twice resumes her green, grim war 
 Tame fawning at his feet ; nor dares to roar, 
 But when he bids ; and Kings now proudly thron'd, 
 Enquire his pleasure ere they act, as should 
 Th' emancipated Poles. What can delay 
 
272 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 His veteran legions, but supernal power ? 
 
 Already fly the foe before liis arms 
 
 Like falling snow, or wither'd leaves, before 
 
 The screaming tempest, sweeping bleak champaigns. 
 
 Nought shall withstand he will triumphing, bold 
 
 Kush o'er his enemy's throne, like ponderous rock 
 
 Lax'd from some clouded peak, that thundering rolls 
 
 Resistless, wild, and furious to the vale 
 
 O'er bending saplings, crackling shrubs and herds. 
 
 Thus he, with countenance beaming fiery rays. 
 Pride next, with sullen vizage, thus begins : 
 
 Why waste we time, resolving problems solv'd ! 
 As whether Gaul's fam'd chief shall winter waste 
 By cowardly delay on Nieper's banks ? 
 Midst glorious war, I scorn inglorious ease ! 
 Wisdom's remarks ill with th' occasion suit; 
 She deems war's laurels will prove curses ; so they may 
 If reap'd by her direction, in dull camps, 
 Concealed by ramparts, lest a flying foe, 
 His eye reverting, might his conquerors see ! 
 A plight so foul could Folly's self endure ? 
 Say which is best, to linger meanly there, 
 Or, in a storm of horrors seek renown, 
 Or, dying nobly, sleep in glory's arms ? 
 Ambition fitly taught ; her language fell 
 Into my ear, as gold in miser's hand ; 
 Not to instruct, but to convince, she form'd 
 Due estimation of Napoleon's means ; 
 Who moving shakes the nations Conquest crowds 
 Before, and Fame, loud thundering, moves behind ! 
 
 She finish'd, and from out the golden cloud, 
 That Providence enshrin'd 'twas heard : " 'Tis fix'd ; 
 Napoleon shall attempt by one campaign 
 To enter Moscow, and the contest end." 
 Immediately Fame's trumpet rent the air 
 At the loud peal, the sculptur'd myriads glow'd 
 With momentary life ; and when the sound 
 Ceas'd echoing through th' immortal pile, resum'd 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 273 
 
 The passive monument in stillness cold. 
 Deceit, the while, in mute attention hung 
 On Wisdom's eloquence, and quick perceiv'd 
 The gulf, in which .Napoleon might be plung'd. 
 Swift from the Temple now she wings her flight, 
 Assumes the form of one the Emperor lov'd 
 And to his dome repairs, who mus'd intent 
 On what wild rumor told of Poland's state 
 Griev'd that she claim'd what his allies possessed ; 
 He asks his visitor : Can it be true ? 
 Deceit replied : I know not of its truth ; 
 But sure, it should prove false ; the Poles will scarce 
 Attempt such measures heedless of their prop 
 As well might creatures their Creator rule ! 
 Were they a nation, but beneath thy shield ? 
 Whose being thou uphold'st, should rirst consult 
 Thy pleasure, ere they act ; and O were I 
 Napoleon, doubtless, they would quickly learn, 
 The crown was not at their disposal blind ; 
 Russia in vain expect another Charles 
 Wandering Borysthenes to P'ultowa ; 
 But see our banners shade her Moscow's walls, 
 Ere fading autumn fall in winter's arms. 
 
 Thus she. The Deputation of the poles 
 Now of Napoleon his protection crave 
 Of Poland's liberty. He thus replies : 
 
 I much regret Gallicia cannot form 
 What of you state I may defend ; engag'd 
 Th' integrity of Austria's realm to guard. 
 You have my kindest wishes, had I reign'd 
 When that partition was decreed, rny arms 
 Had foil'd the sentence. Go assist yourselves : 
 Pour forth your legions ; let your people all 
 Make war on Russia, France and Poland's foe ! 
 You thus will make efficient your resolves. 
 
 The Deputation answered : " Sire, our State 
 Will make all prudent sacrifices to deserve 
 Your great regard." Then to their peers return'd ; 
 18 
 
274 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENES'. 
 
 Napoleon to Iris armies. Russia's king 
 
 The while, his realm bespeaks : We long beheld 
 
 The Gallic emperor frowning, while we smil'd 
 
 Hoping to pacify. When war shone through 
 
 His actions, we rais'd armies to defend ; 
 
 Yet wish'd our mildness might disarm his rage. 
 
 Peace we have sought in vain ; Kowno has bled 
 
 By Gallic spear ; Napoleon launches war 
 
 O'er Piemen's waves ; we must oppose his arms. 
 
 Heaven's Lord attests our innocence ; invok'd 
 
 He will defend. Our soldiers' duty need we tell ? 
 
 Does not Sclavonian blood flow in their veins ? 
 
 Your liberty, religion, and your homes 
 
 Warriors, your all you must defend ! With you 
 
 I am, and God cannot be with the foe. 
 
 From when, France, wild with liberty, o'erthrew 
 
 God's altars, and th' Anointed's throne profan'd, 
 
 Heaven's vengeance has pursued ; and those who went 
 
 In her bad ways : The vicious should be shunn'd. 
 
 To anarchy, oppression's hideous sway 
 
 Succeeded, with unnumber'd woes ; e'en peace 
 
 Repos'd her not : Jove maddens whom he wrecks. 
 
 Long guarded by Heaven's mercy, we beheld 
 
 Compassionate, the ills the nations bore. 
 
 Dreadful examples ! Heed their warning voice, 
 
 That bids us shun the gulf in which they roll'd, 
 
 And trust in arms, and Heaven, in danger's hour. 
 
 Russians, that hour is come : An enemy 
 
 Insatiable, who violates his vows, 
 
 Would gore your country's bosom ; he disdains 
 
 Your altars, while affecting to adore ; 
 
 Speaks friendly while he wields the murderous sword : 
 
 Such is the foe we ask you to oppose. 
 
 What should we fear, with justice arm'd ? Not war, 
 
 So long to Russia glorious ? Erst the North 
 
 Alarm'd the South ; but when refinement bends 
 
 Our minds to peace, the latter lifts the sword, 
 
 By mad ambition driv'n her fertile plains 
 
THE NAPOEEAD. 275 
 
 Neglecting to invade our frozen clime. 
 
 T' avoid oppression must we needs oppress ? 
 
 Must peaceful conduct our misfortune prove ? 
 
 In vain Napoleon boasts, lie wars to check 
 
 Our influence and barbarism ; an artifice, 
 
 Which only can deceive who know us not. 
 
 He fears our civilization more : What realm 
 
 Exists, so virtuous, as to view unmov'd 
 
 With jealousy, our empire's wondrous growth ? 
 
 One century scarce has roll'd, since it was rank'd 
 
 By Peter of illustrious name, with powerful states ; 
 
 Since then, what conquests have we made ! How oft 
 
 Our arms have triumph'd ! Grander trophies still, 
 
 Are towns, and universities we rear'd, 
 
 And provinces our kindness civiliz'd. 
 
 Our foes reproach for conquests o'er the Turks ; 
 
 Pretending not to know, our arms alone 
 
 Have long exempted Europe from their rage : 
 
 To us Hungary owes her peaceful state, 
 
 And Italy her safety. Thus our wars 
 
 Have even prov'd a constant source of peace. 
 
 But when excuse is for injustice sought 
 
 Expect absurd, or false. It now behoves 
 
 To lift the sword for all to Russians dear. 
 
 Arm, children of our church ! Our fathers' faith 
 
 Defend, and emulate their patriotism 
 
 Make sacrifice of wealth, and life, to save 
 
 Your progeny, your homes, your church and state ; 
 
 Recall the times, your sires, shielded by faith, 
 
 Withstood black infidelity in arms. 
 
 Ye nobles, first advance in honor's path 
 
 The nation looks to you ; may ye go forth, 
 
 Like Judea's Judges in her evil days ; 
 
 But while ye war remember to be just : 
 
 From deeds unworthy our great cause refrain 
 
 That all-beholding Heaven may bless our arms. 
 
BOOK III. 
 
 ANALYSIS/ 
 
 The Russian army being concentrated at Smolensko, Napoleon directs the 
 order of the attack on the town. Amidst the tumult of the fight the mo 
 tions of the passions are described. Davoust proceeds to storm the suburbs- 
 which are obtained by the exertions of Gudin's and Morand's divisions, and 
 of their brigadiers, Colbert, Huard and Pajol. The battle being favorable 
 to France, De Tolly consults his generals and withdraws his troops from 
 Smolensko. Napoleon, anticipating their movements, directs a bridge to be 
 thrown across the Borysthenes, by which his army pursues the Russians 
 and overtaking them at Voluntina or the sacred field, a bloody battle is 
 fought in which the Russians are defeated. 
 
 Conversation of the wounded on the field. Napoleon's view of war under 
 the alternate influence of Ambition and Wisdom, and ultimate intentions. 
 
 WAR in product frowns round Smolensko's walls ; 
 The gathering storm of fatal battle lowers ; 
 Hope still on Russia's genius throws her rays. 
 Bagration's legion from Mohilow fled 
 De Tolly's myriads near Smolensko joins, 
 Where Korff, Rajefski, PlatofF, and Eugene, 
 Threat to revert the war from J^ieper's shores, 
 And stop th' invader's march, who far had strode 
 Impetuous, unresisted, like wild winds 
 O'er passive groves, or ponderous rolling floods 
 Fast inundating some devoted land. 
 In sight both hosts approach, the steel-clad lines 
 Wide space o'ershadow, and portentous frown, 
 Like gloomy clouds, that under thunder groan. 
 
 Decisive valor fir'd the Russian powers, 
 Breathing revenge, or patriotic wrath ; 
 Nor less Gaul's host ; proud of departed days 
 And glorying in their chief, were fearless all : 
 By him controll'd they smil'd at danger's frown ; 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 277 
 
 Joy'd in his front to pluck undying flowers, 
 And climb the slippery, lofty height of fame. 
 
 Along the sable lines, the martial chiefs 
 Fly on the trampling horse, with tempest speed, 
 Correcting and arranging : beam their eyes 
 With stern delight ; war round them grimly smiles, 
 And rebel nature yields to glory's call. 
 There in proud majesty Napoleon blaz'd 
 On a bold steed, that conscious of his load 
 Seem'd sharing empires ; swift careering round 
 His piercing sight arraigns defects, and marks 
 The hill or vale, where war shall scatter fate ; 
 While clamorous joy along his course resounds, 
 Loud, as when autumn views Long Island's bays 
 Dark-robed with fowls of heaven, while blustering winds 
 High toss her sand, and rend her waving pines, 
 And on spread wings the feather'd nations soar 
 Tumultuous on the blast, with cadence hoarse 
 Above the dashing waves, and mingled sounds 
 Confusedly rise along the foamy strand, 
 Prepar'd for fight, he thus address'd his chiefs : 
 
 A long sought object yonder ! lo the foe ! 
 Oppos'd to our dull course ; for dull it seems, 
 When no hard conflicts rouse the slumbering soul. 
 Harvest of glory ripening shines before 
 Our army yearns to reap the splendid field. 
 Know, waken'd valor soon shall sweep yon plain 
 Of Russia's myriads ; the absorbing land 
 Be satiate of their blood ; its herbage tell 
 In future times of this eventful day ; 
 Reminding swains, France fought with glory here, 
 Or recreant fled before a braver foe. 
 Four days have seen De Tolly strike the wind ; 
 While round his left our numerous armies mov'd. 
 We now had held Smolensko, broke his lines 
 Of intercourse with Moscow, had not fate 
 And Newerowski otherwise ordain'd. 
 That town will still be ours, though now we see 
 
278 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 De Tolly thither come involv'd in dust. 
 
 Bagration too has reach'd th' endangered point. 
 
 O ! ere their coming had its walls been storm'd 
 
 Successfully, and ~Ney got aught but wounds ! 
 
 But now we have them ; if not, hope deceives. 
 
 Murat ! in yonder glade the horse retain ; 
 
 There wait my pleasure, when the headlong charge 
 
 Of snorting steeds shall swell the battle's roar. 
 
 Davoust ! in quadrate lead our centre up 
 
 Yon eminence, there left-deploying, tempt 
 
 The foe from his high towers, which, if he leave, 
 
 Receive him with destructive compliments, 
 
 Or such civility he knew before, 
 
 On Eylau, Austerlitz, or Friedland's fields. 
 
 Thou, Poniatowsld, on Borysthenes 
 
 Conduct our right on yonder hills place guns, 
 
 To send destruction on the foe's arm'd mounts 
 
 His ramparts storm, and roaring tiers dethrone. 
 
 ]$Tey, on our left, shall guide the battle's rage. 
 
 Here, with our guard we shall overlook the storni 
 
 And watch the moment to decide the fight. 
 
 So speaking, from his presence flew the chiefs 
 
 Each to his reign, and summon'd all his band ; 
 
 Them counseled of their course, and needful acts, 
 
 When burn'd th' impending combat. Soon Davoust 
 
 Outled his legions ; seem'd they forest wide 
 
 Careering gay to sound of Orphean lyre ; 
 
 And simultaneous in long splendor move 
 
 The brother marshals ; loud the trumpets roar 
 
 The road to death the voice of music cheers. 
 
 Sudden tremendous thunders shake the land, 
 
 "With jaculation of destructive globes 
 
 Through bleeding myriads, and reclining trees, 
 
 Involving all the hosts in murky clouds, 
 
 Inspiring terror and confusion wild : 
 
 As ^Etna when he to the centre groans 
 
 With turbulence of entrails, and upheaves 
 
 Huge rocks, and burning floods, and kingdoms quake, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 Towns reel, and giant terror empire holds. 
 Then, far as human ken at once extends, 
 The vast earth-shaking armies aim their tubes, 
 Surcharg'd with death ; immediate bursts aloud 
 The nitrous fire, swift sending heavy load 
 Commissioned to destroy ; so either host 
 Begin destructive fray ; wide sheets of flame 
 Corruscant, pierce the darkening cloak of war. 
 The deafening sounds of cannon, muskets, drums, 
 And dying groans, convulse the region round. 
 A scene more awful than the midnight heavens 
 Torn with contentious storm, when angry Jove 
 Seems borne on howling winds, rob'd in dark clouds, 
 Grasping ten thousand thunders and fork'd bolts 
 To singe the guilty land, and starry cope. 
 
 Huge iron globes thick dart from foes to foes, 
 Disgorg'd by thundering engines, darkly thron'd 
 On frowning hills, suffus'd with smoke and fire. 
 At different points the adverse powers condense, 
 With bayonets sharp protended, death-fraught arms, 
 In dreadful expectation and suspense. 
 While the rude clangor of the fight benumbs 
 Their senses, the fierce warriors desperate charge : 
 Thousands on thousands sternly rush, intent 
 On slaughter ; the tremendous din sounds far 
 Of clashing arms, and lamentable cries 
 Of victims writhing on the pointed steel. 
 The sub-commanders of each host, behind, 
 With brandish'd swords excite to bloody deeds. 
 Alternately the hostile nations yield. 
 Fortune with various smiles looks on each realm ; 
 But most on France, whom her great son controll'd. 
 
 The centre still at distant combat stands, 
 Discharging bullets through the sighing air : 
 The winged deaths in many a hero's breast 
 End their fleet course, relax his arm, and shade 
 His eyes with night that has no morn ; supine, 
 He gasping falls upon the gory ground. 
 
280 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENTN. 
 
 Napoleon lofty seated in war's rear, 
 "With optic tube surveys the stormy field. 
 Yalor, perception keen, august design, 
 On his bright mien in pleasing triumph sate. 
 With pleasure vaulting from the dome of Fame, 
 Its tenants wander over half the world : 
 Gay Vanity in sun-like splendor drives 
 Her coursers headlong through the southern skies, 
 O'er Ottoman, and Russian kingdoms wide, 
 To Norway's barren hills, and deserts cold, 
 Thence o'er the Finland gulf, and German states, 
 To Britain's sea-girt isle ; astriferous robes, 
 Back streaming, streak'd her wake with silver light. 
 Full in his view flarn'd Glory's gorgeous wain, 
 Rolling o'er iron groves, and thundering storm, 
 Swift as tower-rocking whirlwinds sweep the skies, 
 By Admiration drawn, with wings emblaz'd 
 By living fire of eyes ; her voice swell'd wild, 
 Loud as vex'd ocean greets his leeward shore, 
 By ponderous arm of tempest smote to foam 
 "When waves and clouds commix'd, the nether sand, 
 From the blue deep upborne by eddies strong, 
 Rolls on the tumbling surges, snowy-crown'd, 
 And dashes on the whitening roaring shore. 
 High sat the world-enchanting power; her scourge 
 Round waving, form'd circumference of fire 
 Above her stellar crown, whose living light 
 Inspired immortal thoughts in lofty souls. 
 Before her, valor rode with unsheath'd sword, 
 Like lightning flaming ; oft he look'd behind 
 On scenes of following radiance, Glory's pomp ! 
 Ambition's steed fast gallops round the gloom 
 Now treads the land, now leaps from cloud to cloud 
 Dark floating o'er the war. Wisdom drew near 
 Th' imperial hero, in dun clouds involv'd, 
 Thua speaking : Miserable race ! again 
 Earth drinks her children' blood, untimely shed ; 
 Ungrateful to God's eye ; good spirits weep. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 281 
 
 That useful steel to murderous bayonets turns 
 That Wisdom aids in Heaven-offending schemes. 
 Then end the strife with least expense of blood ; 
 Necessity alone be Havoc's plea. 
 Canst thou look through futurity, or tell 
 How long thy sway may last, or fortune bless ? 
 A time may be when thou wilt move in gloom 
 Of drear misfortune, and lament the day, 
 Ambition urg'd thee to this doubtful war ; 
 For know, when mortals pass the sacred bounds, 
 Prescrib'd by common will, the voice of Heaven, 
 They wander dangerous ground. He soon replied : 
 
 Fortune 'tis true, oft tricks the human race ; 
 What Heaven imposes, man must bear ; I ne'er 
 Shall try to seize yon sun, or alter fate. 
 If man were as he ought, I would control 
 With correspondent virtue ; as he is 
 My measures fit ; or good or ill befall, 
 I'll win renown by acting well my part ; 
 But nought of human power shall bring me low ; 
 Ev'n Jove's dread arm must wield the adverse sword. 
 
 He ceas'd ; his herald then address'd : Go thou, 
 Davoust command yon suburbs quick to storm. 
 
 The herald flew, his emperor's will reveal'd, 
 And straight his post resum'd. Davoust the while directs 
 Gudin, Morand, with their divisions swift 
 Against the suburb ramparts to advance, 
 Assail their roaring tiers with bayonet red, 
 And turn their deadly fury on the foe. 
 
 Quick either chief disposes to begin 
 The close encounter ; fast they prance along 
 Brigades, firm standing under iron showers, 
 When this Morand to Huard gives in charge : 
 
 See'st thou yon ruin-dealing mount ? Defer 
 Not to reverse his thunderers loud, by force 
 Of bayonet. Every moment this way prone, 
 They toss the heads of Frenchmen o'er the field. 
 In three divisions will my host advance. 
 
282 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GEOTN. 
 
 And yours the fiery battery will scale 
 By sudden coup de main, or merit shame ; 
 While Colbert, and Pajol, on each side rout 
 The infantry, there clamoring to secure 
 The pillars of the war. He spoke, and turn'd 
 To guide the growing conflict moving high, 
 He rode in sullen majesty along. 
 When Huard through his train arranging speeds, 
 Revealing lessons to subordinate grades, 
 Exhorting to be bold. Soon forward move 
 Through death-pervaded space the storming powers, 
 Closing and opening as befits the way 
 Amidst destructive volleys of swift globes 
 Gregarious whistling grape, and bursting bombs. 
 Huard, with every martial virtue fir'd, 
 Feigns to ascend the bastions with his steed, 
 Then, veering, swift as lightning darts to rear, 
 High brandishing his sabre midst the storm, 
 Inspiring bravery in the rushing bands, 
 And loud thus to his officers declaims : 
 
 Impel \vho dare to lag, excite the bold ; 
 Our feat shall be the pride of this red day, 
 Shall give our sovereign joy, by happy change 
 Of battle's aspect ; all our host rejoice, 
 Butcher'd so long by this far-rending hill ! 
 
 Then, fierce as tigers to secure their prey, 
 Rush from a rural gloom, with tusks unveil'd, 
 The valiant train with vigorous shouts ascend 
 The dangerous bulwark, midst the adverse tide 
 Of fiery arms, swift-waving swords, and spears, 
 That rag'd tumultuous to oppose, in clouds 
 Of braying steel ; in smoke and streaming flames 
 Encountering dreadful : first discharged their tubes, 
 Then rush'd amain ; bayonets on bayonets clash'd ; 
 Loud ringing sabres flew ; wing'd bullets hiss'd ; 
 Muskets revers'd, high lifted, ponderous fell, 
 Dispensing death ; foes rush'd on foes enrag'd, 
 Thirsting for slaughter ; mutual vengeance burn'd, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 283 
 
 Terrific butchery toil'd, hoarse dying groans 
 Rose midst dread clangor ; horrible uproar 
 Deep consternation, and wild discord reign'd 
 O'er bloody prospect wide : soon Russia flies 
 At the foul signal of retreat, drove out 
 Defac'd with gory wounds from the trench'd hill 
 By haughty France ; nor ended here the fray 
 On either wing, tremendous battle sounds : 
 
 Where Colbert rul'd a night of clouds o'erspread, 
 Scarce pierc'd by flash of arms, disploding dire ; 
 His banners rent, on shatter'd muskets swung 
 Firm stood his host, like Ocean's storm-rack'd shore 
 Projected, or retir'd, as weak, or strong ; 
 But nought decided ; Huard reinforc'd, 
 With half his .powers, the much-enduring chief: 
 Nor wanting rest from late victorious toil, 
 They rapid join their kindred bands engag'd. 
 A war-like host ! fast blaz'd their levell'd tubes ; 
 Both nations send fell death through narrow space, 
 Thick scattering slaughter ; the long fields are red 
 With blood of heroes ; fierce contention grows 
 And horrid shrieks of bleeding mortals rise. 
 JSfow draw they near, protending charge ; then aw'd 
 By the close terrors slow recoil, and pour 
 Redoubled volleys through the sighing air. 
 But Colbert, with impatience to subdue, 
 Like winged whirlwind hurried through the lines, 
 Where discord greatest rag'd, and loud exclaim'd : 
 
 Frenchmen, why wait ye on the dreadful field 
 To die in distant combat, or why fear to charge ? 
 Go then, revenge your mates, that slumber pale, 
 And put to ceaseless flight by bayonet point 
 Yon hostile host. Swift at his voice they fly 
 Amain through deadly iron showers, nor pause 
 But headlong rushing with sharp bayonets pois'd, 
 Spread consternation, death and wounds around. 
 Such fury Russia stands not ; fear out-spreads 
 Her wings of darkness o'er the scene ; retreat 
 
284: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 Commences, with wild disarray, and ruinous rout ; 
 France follows close behind, like torrent floods 
 In harsh uproar, staining her arms with blood. 
 So sharks, the dreaded rovers of the deep, 
 Dart headlong in pursuit of scaly tribes 
 Through ocean's spacious field, by hunger nrg'd. 
 
 The Russians from their bulwarks .driv'n, the chiefs 
 Recall their bands to occupy, and tarn 
 Their wide destroying force against the powers 
 "Whom late they shielded ; sudden deaf 'ning peals 
 Of thundering guns imbowel'd the dun air, 
 And volleyed balls far wasting orbits tore 
 Through ranks, that on Pajol successful warr'd ; 
 These fly confused before the deadly blast, 
 And mourn their valor vain. Brave Ney, the while. 
 Floods Russia's right with ruin Gudin drives 
 The foe before Bruyere's fleet squadrons wheel 
 Victorious through the war ; the heights secure, 
 "Where Poniatowski sixty thunderers thrones, 
 And shades Borysthenes with iron showers, 
 Rending the bridge that links the Russian host. 
 Touchkoff with equal rage returns the storm : 
 From fort to fort balls dart ; the space between 
 Sighs at their speed ; they in mid heaven oppose 
 With dreadful shock, and bound along the clouds. 
 Incessant thunders shake the region round. 
 Each mount, involv'd in smoke and flame, appears 
 Like Sinai, as described in story old, 
 "When God alighted from His Heaven, inwrapp'd 
 In thunder-burthen'd clouds, to give his law 
 The mountain trembled at his touch, inspir'd 
 With dread intelligence of Nature's King ; 
 Fork'd light'nings angry quivered on its brow, 
 And deepening roar of thunder shook the globe. 
 
 De Tolly far descrying the sad rout 
 Of what his right consisted, and his host 
 In evil plight, thus with his chiefs : Misfortune comes, 
 O valiant kindred ! with depressive mien 
 
THE NArOLEAD. 285 
 
 On this day's toils, and dismal sacrifice 
 
 Of many a Russian, bold and brave in vain ! 
 
 The fate, O heavens ! which quite too oft attends 
 
 Th' opposers of Napoleon, who careers 
 
 In bloody triumph over humbled realms. 
 
 But thou, fair virtue's friend, the foe of vice, 
 
 "Well know'st his merit, and if he deserve 
 
 T' enjoy dominion o'er all earthly states. 
 
 O grant to wretched Russia happier days ! 
 
 Though undeserving thy benign regard, 
 
 She erst thy gracious providence enjoyed. 
 
 Our barriers all are forc'd without yon town ; 
 
 Shall we then seek sad shelter in retreat, 
 
 Or desperate conflict longer try, and plunge 
 
 Our state in deeper misery, for faint hope 
 
 Of victory ? Flight may lead to conquest soon, 
 
 While unavailing valor leads to death : 
 
 "We hence can safe withdraw ; Smolensko's towers 
 
 Will long obstruct the foe until our bands 
 
 Shall have advanc'd beyond this ruinous storm. 
 
 Advise what measures most our welfare needs. 
 
 So spoke the chief ; and Tornoif thus replied : 
 
 'Tis wise of evils to select the least 
 And turn ill fortune to some good result ; 
 Still glorying in our fate, or foul, or fair. 
 What you insinuate has my full assent : 
 To make retreat, till on more hopeful ground, 
 We may the losses of this day retrieve. 
 Good angels wipe the tears by Yirtue shed ; 
 Fortune not always frowns upon the just : 
 This mighty hero misery's cup may drain, 
 Supplied by Russian arm ; his France may hear 
 Sad story of her sons, and mournful weep 
 O'er robes prepar'd to greet their glad return ; 
 Because they slumber cold in distant lands, 
 And feel no guilty triumph in our woe. 
 
 So speaking, all the chiefs assent declare, 
 To flee the fatal foe. De Tolly straight 
 
286 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Bids Korff o'er-cross,blood-stain'd Borysthenes, 
 
 And quickly with redoubled might rebuff 
 
 The combat from Smolensko's antique towers ; 
 
 There .check the enemy, till the army main 
 
 Is safe removed beyond the battle's rage ; 
 
 Then following, guard its rear ; first give to names 
 
 The war-worn town, that for destructive toil 
 
 The foe may win destruction ; .harvest meet 
 
 From deedly seed ! He ceas'd, Korff swiftly rides 
 
 Through whizzing tempest ; his division leads 
 
 In fourfold file, o'er Heaven-invading bridge, 
 
 Midst goring h ail of balls. Now battle shakes 
 
 Smolensko's base ; her shatter'd bulwarks blaze ; 
 
 Darkness and thunder awful round her roll 
 
 France under the dread storm, astounded reels ; 
 
 But all her thunderers points against the walls 
 
 Disploding ponderous rock-destroying showers 
 
 Of iron globes, while thick vast ruins fall 
 
 As leaves, when cold winds scream through faded groves, 
 
 While autumn lingers near pale winter's reign. 
 
 Sol from the bloody prospect turn'd his eye, 
 
 And left the bleeding field in double night. 
 
 Toward Bradichino Touchkoff soon proceeds 
 Dochroff for Postilo advances Korff 
 The rear war slackens, wraps the town in fire, 
 Each bridge destroys to obstruct pursuing France, 
 And follows with brave remnant. Night had run 
 Full half her race, and now the French prepare 
 To mount the breach by iron tempests torn ; 
 When lo ! the fearful passage none disputes ; 
 "No guardian warrior breasts th' invading tide. 
 Disconsolate, forlorn, Smolensko groans 
 From all her domes, distain'd with patriot gore, 
 And plunges in the flames ; nor will survive 
 The agony of defeat. Her funeral blaze 
 High streaming through the vault of night, appeared 
 Like huge Vesuvius, when he quaking throws 
 A naming ocean heavenward, and illumes 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 287 
 
 Far countries round ; France forces and entreats 
 To save her mansions ; but fast decompos'd 
 By fierce combustion, quickly is transform 'd 
 Ah, how unlike her shape in better days ! 
 
 Ere Sol forsook th,e fight, proud victory bore 
 The Gallic standards high ; Napoleon saw, 
 And prudent thus commands : Haxo ! swift bridge 
 Borysthenes beyond yon hill ; for soon 
 The foe will fly the field, and interpose 
 That stream divested of o'er-arching ways, 
 To interrupt our progress his defeat. 
 Straight from his presence Haxo fled the air 
 Sigh'd on his bending plume, as prancing high 
 He sought his bands, and led them to fulfill 
 His Emperor's mandate. Soon the river foams 
 Beneath the lofty road of war ; and now, 
 Like dark clouds hurried by autumnal winds, 
 The squadron'd legions o'er his bosom glide, 
 Forsaking the red field in swift pursuit 
 Of Russia's army ; where lie thousands pale, 
 Of shame and glory heedless ; no bright sun 
 Cheers their dark hours ; no sorrow clouds their time, 
 They feel not Fortune's frown, nor court her smiles. 
 In mingled prospect lie the small and great : 
 Grabouski there forgets his Poland's wrongs. 
 On gory couch prostrated, wan and cold ; 
 Injustice cannot sting, nor Envy harm ; 
 He minds not Ruin's spear ; the fame he sought 
 In Peril's jaws, and studious midnight hours 
 No more concerns the toys of life ne'er haunt 
 The silent grave ; for him the poor will mourn 
 Whom awful Virtue thron'd o'er Fortune's power 
 Who meekly, greatly liv'd, and nobly died 
 Guiding the storm of combat heaven recall'd 
 From the same charity that mov'd his breast. 
 
 There, ghastly, prone on crimson earth, and stiff 
 In death's eternal slumber, Minot ends 
 His eyes and arms inflame the war no more 
 
288 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 In days of peace he strove with lofty zeal 
 
 For civil glory and the good of man. 
 
 In time of war no toils nor dangers turn'd 
 
 His course from victory or deserv'd renown. 
 
 So Liedot graces the red plain, deform'd 
 
 His youthful bloom, and rosy beauty chill'd 
 
 Has ceas'd to please his bosom heaves no more 
 
 At battle's clangor panting to excel ; 
 
 !Nor feeds his mind on science' sacred charms, 
 
 That once delighted all his peaceful hours, 
 
 And rais'd his soul above all vulgar themes 
 
 That mighty mind is lost to human race, 
 
 Untimely sped from life's uncertain stage 
 
 Let Virtue mourn her votary's early fall, 
 
 With choicest flowerets grace his humble tomb, 
 
 And from oblivion his example save. 
 
 And prostrate there Laroul in blood abides ; 
 
 A champion bold, who knew of nought he fear'd, 
 
 But want of strength to wield the conquering sword. 
 
 Through many troubles had he pass'd, and long 
 
 O'er perils triumph'd, in the dreadful fields 
 
 Of Jena, Acre, Lodi, Austerlitz 
 
 And red Marengo death o'ertakes him now, 
 
 Clay cold, unconscious mingles with the dust ; 
 
 His country's hope and foeman's dread no more. 
 
 Thus myriads perish'd in the hideous fray, 
 'And heap'd the field with mountains spouting gore, 
 And uttering cries that bard can never sing. 
 
 On Yoluntina now harsh Discord roars 
 "Ney 's close on KorfF's embattled ranks, as waves 
 On some dismasted fleet, that haply floats 
 Floundering before earth-racking wind, and sheath 
 In man their bayonets ; horrid Conflict shakes 
 His gorgon head, that shakes the ample field. 
 Each gonfalon, high-streaming, seems a sail, 
 In whirlwinds bounding over waves of steel. 
 Korff plunges through the bristling tide, surpris'd 
 By sudden onset ; undejected still, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 289 
 
 He bids Rajefski breast the furious war, 
 While on a neighboring hill, his forces main 
 Deploy, and with his left conjoin'd, attain 
 Position meet to turn the deadly blast. 
 
 To shield the movement brave Rajefski rides 
 Behind his staggering troops, and thus declaims : 
 
 Soldiers ! stand firm. To you the honor 's giv'n 
 To prove our army's bulwark. Soon the foe 
 Will mourn his rashness, when from yonder mount 
 Our park shall sweep his legions hell ward. Stand, 
 Or falls your country ! Lives there one so mean 
 As would survive her ruin ? Warriors, hear ! 
 Let him prove recreant and be Russia's foe ! 
 
 Thus he ; and seem'd the genius of the storm ; 
 Nor less than Russia's shield, or rock of war 
 That stopp'd the hostile ocean dashing dire. 
 He saw foul Havoc crush full half his train ; 
 Still none retreated ; the torn remnant gor'd 
 .Ney's thickest cloud, till in position strong 
 Their comrades thunder'd on the darkening field ; 
 Then, order'd, they retired. De Tolly hears 
 The growing conflict bids Touchkoif, Eugene, 
 With their divisions aid the struggling rear. 
 They swift retrace their road of flight ; and now 
 Davoust o'erspreads the field with num'rous bands, 
 And loudly answers Russia's roaring tiers. 
 Murat's vast cavalry fill the ample plain 
 Part mix in war, part wait momentous hour 
 To make the charge victorious. Karpoif hurls 
 A deadly tempest on the squadrons thick, 
 That bound like troubled waves. Careering proud, 
 Murat along the steed-borne army flies, 
 (Far recogniz'd by snowy plume he wears) 
 And Grouchy thus bespeaks : Lead thy fleet train 
 On yonder infantry dart through obstruct 
 That thundering park. He ceas'd, brave Grouchy speeds 
 Around his troops ; till rang'd in order due, 
 His thousands guides in gallop on the foe 
 19 
 
290 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Through murky space, and iron whistling shower 
 
 He headlong rushes into bristling squares 
 
 O'er broken men and arms ; long ranks give way, 
 
 Confus'd and frighten'd, to the hideous charge ; 
 
 As flexile reeds, or slender corn, assail'd 
 
 By unrelenting tempests, fury-wing'd, 
 
 Break, bend, and sigh, beneath their boundless rage. 
 
 Touchkoff this saw, advancing fast to aid 
 Beleaguer'd Karpoff ; sudden comes his host 
 With brandish'd arms. And now, as flaming stars, 
 Deep in the void, from gravity enstrang'd, 
 Toward each other rush with angry air, 
 To ruin dashing their conflicting orbs, 
 Meet the contending powers plunging midst death 
 Thick gleaming sabres ring in horrid clash ; 
 Sparks from the attrition fly tremendous shouts 
 Rend the dark heavens, and groans the passive ground, 
 With streaming crimson stain'd ; Discord unveils 
 Her frightful visage ; fury, terror, wounds, 
 Confusion wild, and stern encounter grows 
 Horses, wild staggering, tumble round, aghast 
 Their riders, lopt of limbs, recline ; fast whelm'd 
 By waves of fight, thick crowding o'er, they sink, 
 Where crush'd by hoofe of steeds, they gasp in death, 
 And endless darkness veils their fearful eyes. 
 
 The while Davoust directs Grudiii to sweep 
 Korff from his haughty post. The brave man leads 
 His bold division on, to lead no more ! 
 The dark air groan'd, as burthen'd with his doom, 
 While high the warrior moved, proclaiming loud : 
 Companions in renown ! to us 'tis given 
 Before thrice thirty thousand French, to prove 
 Our valor, and new face the field : Behold ! 
 What myrtle harvest for your victor arms ! 
 Rush then resistless, seize the glorious prize 
 Be what ye were, when, in more direful storm, 
 You swept the foe from fall'n Smolensko's shield ! 
 
 He spoke, advancing fast through iron shower 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 291 
 
 A thirsty ball impatient rends the air 
 And Gudin's heart. He reeling lifeless falls 
 Before his rushing train, that instant paus'd, 
 While filial sighs from warrior bosoms burst : 
 Through the stern ranks dejecting Rumor ran, 
 And told, the son of victory was no more. 
 Fame's trumpet sudden dolorous sounded far 
 through legions gather 'd on the verge of fight, 
 Revealing Gallic wo, and Gudin's fall. 
 Collected vengeance now lowers dark to burst 
 In stormy combat on the Russian host. 
 Murat with lion rage, careers above 
 The iron forest on a lofty steed, 
 
 With sword high brandish'd midst the waxing gloom, 
 And loud exhorts inferior chiefs around : 
 Why stand ye idle this eventful hour, 
 When Jove in doubtful balance holds the fate 
 Of this important day ? Or vainly hie 
 Behind the fight upon your flying steeds, 
 And deedless view the tide of horror rise ? 
 The swelling mountains of your Frenchmen dead ! 
 When timely ardor by your force inspir'd, 
 Might rout the foe, and shortly stop the strife, 
 Who stand sublimely brave, nor seem to fear, 
 Though our artillery sweep whole bands away ; 
 And cavalry bold with whirlwind fury charge, 
 Breaking long lines, whose bruis'd remains renew 
 The deathful toil, and sternly wait their doom. 
 Quick then excite the troops, nor slothful yield 
 Th' event of this great combat to the slow 
 Impulse of duty : Admiration tread 
 In all your steps ! fly swift where honor calls 
 Disdain to reap the praise without the toil ! 
 So speaking, all the chiefs the same enjoin 
 On sub-commanders ; swift the spirit flies 
 Of courage stern, from grade to grade, as lightning sprung 
 From glooomy bellowing clouds, illumes the void ; 
 And thus they speak : What glories wait this day, 
 
292 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Or black disgrace ! for now no giant towers, 
 "No pre-establish'd rampart shrouds the foe 
 Be not our cowardice, or sloth, his shield ! 
 Who then shall shrink, regardless of our fame, 
 And not be levell'd with the gasping slain ? 
 Or, if immediate justice not o'ertake, 
 Be high expos'd, where scorn shall point her wand 
 To curse his load of life, and conduct past. 
 Forget not, Frenchmen, jour renown'd exploits. 
 Know, yonder foes yon conquer'd oft before, 
 When they excell'd in numbers, and fierce plung'd, 
 Of battle satiate, on their bleeding rear. 
 
 Now shudders Earth beneath the laboring war ; 
 Thrice sixty thousand meet, conflicting dire 
 The volleyed thunder heaven's high concave rends ; 
 Dark rolling clouds exclude the day ; by fits, 
 A strong wind sweeps the field of clouds, and shows 
 Th' Earth-shaking battle flaming, thundering far. 
 Davoust fast rends the field with hundred guns 
 Of huge dimensions, hurling grape and ball 
 Thick as descending hail or flakes of snow, 
 When icy winter tumbles from the skies : 
 The glimmering bands before their rage decay ; 
 Disdain they to recede, nor dare advance 
 But bleeding stand amidst the hideous storm 
 Disgorging deadly shower. Murat in front 
 Conducts his fleet array on bristling groves, 
 Which reek with gore ; impetuous, sanguine, bold, 
 He plunges through the storm ; fierce combat burns 
 Thrice dreadful where he moves ; example great ! 
 A valorous king ! His lofty plume, half shorn 
 By whizzing globes thick ranging princes o'er, 
 Still mark'd him bounding through the raging war. 
 Beauharnois near, impels the tide of fight, 
 Which round him swells tumultuous, dark'ning deep. 
 Eussia recoils, faint reeling, midst the flood 
 Of ponderous rushing cavalry ; great Eugene 
 Darts through the storm to rouse the drooping host : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 293 
 
 Korff, Skallon, Balla, on like errand ride 
 Close on the raging ranks with tempest speed, 
 And words like these from either chief are heard : 
 
 This is the field deem'd sacred by our sires ; 
 Whence, erst, back roll'd the tide of war ; repell'd 
 By Russian valor : Be it not renown'd, 
 That we first let pollution pass this ground 
 'Twere odious precedence, and damning fame. 
 Russians, stand firm this great occasion calls 
 Your utmost might ; Religion, Vengeance, Love 
 Forbid defeat the loss of things adored 
 Our altars, fire-sides, monarchy and name ! 
 To us our country looks with anxious eyes j 
 In us her safety is repos'd ; then prove 
 Worthy of confidence ; her losses past 
 Retrieve, avenge her injuries on the foe 
 Th ? audacious spoiler of our peace, and cause 
 Of countless miseries to extensive realms. 
 What aggravated shame on those attends, 
 Who suffer overthrow in native land ; 
 Where all things sacred to the patriot soul 
 Should kindle ardor to repel, which burns 
 In Peril's jaws, nor cools this side the grave. 
 Have we not more incentives to contend 
 Than those intruders, who have nought to lose, 
 But the drear glory of their haughty lord ? 
 Then teach the enemy soon, though loth to learn, 
 That Russians dare to die, though fortune frown 
 On their endeavors, and exalt their foe. 
 
 Korff headlong midst thick cloud of combat plung'd 
 O'er yielding ranks, with shriek and uproar wild 
 " Rush on brave troop," he cries, " your general leads : " 
 Infuriate they pursue with flaming arms ; 
 Like whirlwind, midst the adverse nation wheel 
 But soon rebound, by deadly torrent driven 
 Korff, pale, lies victim of all-conquering death, 
 The songs of hope scarce sounding in his ears ; 
 Great kings and empires swim before his eyes, 
 
294 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And round him spreads the spectre-peopled world. 
 
 His troops dishearten'd fly the war, and swift 
 
 Through all the field commences wild retreat 
 
 Of Russia's legions ; France hangs on their rear 
 
 With weapons lifted to rebathe in blood. 
 
 So tigers from the fiercer lion run 
 
 So chaff, or smoke, before the tempest flies. 
 
 ~Now day retires the chiefs bid cease pursuit. 
 Swift as night flies the sun the order spread 
 Through all the host ; but Fury rul'd the fray 
 Insatiate of wide slaughter fierce she strode, 
 While wounds, and death, and terror swell'd before 
 Each leader, bent to quell the soldiers' rage, 
 Darting like whirlwind midst th' opposing hosts, 
 Stalk'd high, with brandislrd sword forbidding strife ; 
 While here, and there, the bands forget their wrath 
 Till all surcease in crooked line, far stretch'd, 
 And scatter'd wide, like ocean weed, or foam 
 Stranded on some long coast by high-swoln tides. 
 
 Selected bands surviving wounded bear 
 From gory beds, where midst the storm of fight 
 Machaon's sons had stanch'd their gushing blood. 
 Some wail their destiny and torturing wounds, 
 Griev'd for the past, and of the future 'fraid. 
 Some writh'd by pain, immediate death implore, 
 Of all things heedless but the quiet grave. 
 Some oft repeat the well-rernember'd names 
 Of parents, sisters, lovers, wives and friends 
 Their fall might bring to wretchedness and want : 
 As poor Lerault lamented near his tomb, 
 In dismal converse with a suffering peer. 
 Ah mournful date ! he cries, for this I left 
 My peaceful home close bordering on the Rhine. 
 Contented, there I liv'd, of swains approv'd 
 A fond domestic train inspir'd my breast 
 With soft affection, ocean great of joy ! 
 They sooth'd my woes, if any woes were mine. 
 A lovely spouse, the fairest of the fair, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 295 
 
 With every charm that waits a virtuous niind 
 A blooming daughter, and an infant son, 
 Dependent on my aid ah ! much I fear 
 Their happiness must perish with their sire : 
 Frail orphans ill can brave th' ungrateful world. 
 I see misfortune chill their early bloom ; 
 Some careless guardian give their tender years 
 To base employ, in shade of cold neglect, 
 While their lorn mother unavailing weeps. 
 Too late I blame my fondness for renown 
 Of dangerous toil. O cruel fate ! must death 
 Thus terminate my hopes ; this frame resolve 
 With the cold earth, its vital spirit flown, 
 That once beat high to glory, and no more 
 Delight or grieve, or feel reproach, or praise, 
 Or walk with festive friends my native land, 
 To hear the narrative of hoary age, 
 And teach my gentle offspring virtue's ways ; 
 Which, Hope has said, would be my bliss, when freed 
 From toils of war, reposing on. high fame ? 
 So human prospects vanish : Hope's fall wave 
 Breaks on death's shore, in cold oblivious gloom ; 
 Man's generations in succession roll 
 To that dark limit, and are known no more ! 
 Disconsolate he speaks ; and thus Labeur : 
 The grave is opening ; all the doleful way 
 TJnveil'd before me lies distressful thoughts 
 Might pain my latest life ; but e'er resign'd 
 To steadfast fate, they harmless pass me o'er, 
 I have dear relatives that need my aid : 
 A pious mother, venerable and poor, 
 My kind controller in my youthful years ; 
 For whom with filial zeal I long have toil'd 
 And a fond spouse, whose sweet attention charms 
 The soul to grateful transport, and unloads 
 The mind of half its woes : Oft have I said 
 Labeur has greater woes than most of men, 
 Forever struggling with misfortune's flood. 
 
296 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENE*. 
 
 Alas ! they soon will end : fell Ruin points 
 
 At my sad being her inveterate darts ; 
 
 E'en now strange scenes, and other worlds appear ; 
 
 Their forms decay that bind me on time's shore. 
 
 Fear not, frail twain, the years to come ; for though 
 
 The proud neglect, God ne'er forsakes the poor. 
 
 As thus they convers'd y on the ground reclin'd, 
 Lemair, though dying, thus jocosely speaks : 
 
 And fear ye then to die ? Such dismal strain 
 Two aged maids might utter fraught with spleen, 
 !Nbt warriors resting on the gory field 
 Who should not fail of courage to lie down. 
 Perhaps ye came not here to seek a bed ; 
 Yet many a year in undisturb'd repose 
 Ye will this land encumber, and perhaps 
 Have pleasant dreams of fame this day acquired. 
 
 In various mood the wounded thus employ 
 Life's remnant, sinking into death's cold arms, 
 Midst hills of slain. Strewn o'er the bloody scene 
 Two of distinguish'd name the muse descries : 
 Skallon, the pride of camps, the soldier's sire, 
 The dauntless patriot, who erst vow'd no foe 
 Should pass the sacred field, but o'er hi& corpse ; 
 And Balla, dreadful midst the files of fight, 
 Of equal zeal and firmness ; like some oak, 
 That shielded forests with its giant arms, 
 Thrown down by tempest on the crackling grove, 
 Leaving wide blank on high, the hero fell 
 Amidst his falling ranks, while Russia sighed, 
 And droop'd her battle, of its crest bereav'd. 
 
 The combat past, Napoleon o'er the field 
 Rides with attendant suite : Rapp, Caulincourt, 
 Lauriston and Duroc ; who round him shine 
 With port majestic, and attentive mien. 
 Before, on steed of light, Minerva mov'd, 
 By none beheld.. " Great feats of arms impress 
 This ground," remarked the monarch : " Folly's toil ! 
 Exclaim'd the goddess, flaming on his view 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 297 
 
 With mournful dignity, and mild disdain, 
 
 u Which fools approve, which vica incites : O when 
 
 Will mortals learn, that innocence is praise, 
 
 Forever young, while fame of warlike deeds 
 
 Decays with vice, contention's deadly spring ! 
 
 When her dark reign expires, let men of blood 
 
 !Nb more expect acclaim. When virtuous peace 
 
 Toward them shall look with pity, or with scorn, 
 
 From universal throne, will they not be 
 
 Pre-eminent in shame, and wish to plunge 
 
 Beneath oblivion's waves to hide their state 
 
 As heroes once, but now as evils view'd ? 
 
 Ere twice five hundred years from Faustus' birth 
 
 How chang'd will be the world ! When those whose blood 
 
 And toil feed murderous war, shall all be taught 
 
 Their rights and duties, will they then permit 
 
 Arch rulers to destroy them as in sport, 
 
 And bleed, that chiefs may get Athenian praise, 
 
 And find no rational means to end disputes ? 
 
 Know, worthy fame ha& an immortal base, 
 
 Immutable and firm 'midst wreck of realms, 
 
 The change of customs and the fall of power ; 
 
 In times most evil it commands regard ; 
 
 ' Tis virtue's throne, where Justice guardian stands ; 
 
 It gleams on vicious ages, as the sun 
 
 Shines on the earth, when clouds obscure the sky ; 
 
 And like him, cloudless, beams on days of truth. 
 
 As vice it's own correctives bears 'twill come, 
 
 When the heal'd moral frame will marvel much 
 
 That splendid wickedness was e'er revered, 
 
 Or deeds of blood deem'd worthy of applause. 
 
 Yice to herself applies the scourge : Thy power, 
 
 Which shakes the guilty nations, ill employed, 
 
 Itself destroys : While borne on error's tide 
 
 The nations sail, if thou must with them run, 
 
 O do not urge their speed in courses wrong ! 
 
 Shall those to whom ' tis given to bless mankind, 
 
 Abuse their trust for wild Ambition's lore. 
 
298 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES G~ENIN. 
 
 "Whose ill-directed efforts bring reproach, 
 Nor dread the justice of insulted Heaven ?" 
 
 As thus she speaks, griev'd at the gory scene, 
 The Emperor signs assent ; but to the sound 
 Of martial music, and the nattering smile 
 Of present victory, swell his passions high 
 For conquest, false renown, and fiery clouds 
 Swift interrupt his view of Wisdom's charms : 
 Ambition, in her stead, beside him rode 
 On blazing steed, proud champing scepter'd curb ; 
 And other thrones, she cries, shall to thee bow, 
 Or own thy guidance other countries feel 
 Thy man-exalting influence ; but why mourn, 
 In victory's arms, the fate of human kind ? 
 War shakes the moral, storms the natural world, 
 Alike devoted to the good and ill. 
 Grant vice the cause can we the cause remove ? 
 If war must burn, why we not guide its rage ? 
 The surgeon bleeds a man, the king a realm, 
 To forward healthy action, and to save. 
 The cause remov'd, th' effect will shock no more. 
 The sound require not the physician's aid. 
 It is conceded Vice herself annoys ; 
 Her offspring, war, is her main punishment, 
 Conducting which, serve we not Virtue's cause ? 
 How oft have warriors had celestial aid 
 By Hebrew story ? E'en thyself; high Jove 
 To thee imparts the rule of many thrones ; 
 Inspires with genius, arms with power, and gives 
 To move victorious o'er the guilty world ; 
 Would he aught sanction that promoted ill ? 
 What evil may Timidity forbode 
 In garb of Prudence ! If Heaven on thee war 
 Thy part may still be glorious ; bearing woe 
 With passive valor, and unyielding mind, 
 Has eq'ial honor to successful war. 
 My counsel then cannot have evil end 
 Provoking sad misfortune, as that fair 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 299 
 
 So lately fled thy presence durst assert, 
 
 Who blames presumption, while she most presumes. 
 
 Sure, gold or thrones shall not move honor's scale 
 
 She e'en attempts to scan the will of Jove, 
 
 Futurity's dark wild explore, to prove 
 
 (What faith discredits) Virtue insincere 
 
 When exercis'd in punishment of Vice ! 
 
 Thus she ; The Chief replies : I sought renown 
 No more in war than peace ; her tranquil shade 
 Had baneful influence on my envied throne ; 
 Yet all my battles have been fought for her, 
 And to her use I give the spoils of war. 
 When England, humbled, shall provoke no more, 
 Blithe Industry shall lead the dance of joy 
 In gay prosperity ; the laurel' d head 
 Of renerable Science living light 
 Diffuse ; the Muses clustering splendors weave ; 
 The pencil rival nature ; sacred laws 
 Guard justice, arid the fabric of man's bliss 
 Be co-extensive with my great domain 
 A grand memorial that Napoleon was ! 
 
 Thus he, careering o'er the doleful field 
 Midst groans of wounded, shouts of shatter'd lines 
 That hail his coming with presented arms. 
 To every band, and each distinguished chief, 
 He grants the meed deserv'd, while myriads joy'd, 
 And wish'd in other fights to please their lord. 
 
 Now Sol had sunk far o'er th' Atlantic waves, 
 And streak'd the horizon of the west with fire 
 Of farewell beams the dusky car of night 
 Ascended orient climes, approaching fast 
 In sable pomp war's hideous face was veil'd ; 
 The host embrac'd the balmy power of sleep, 
 Except the wakeful sentinel, walking slow, 
 All the long night to guard the slumbering camp. 
 
BOOK IV. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 In the night following the battle, the anxiety of Napoleon disturbing Ins 
 slumbers, he rises, makes a soliloquy, and again retires to rest; while 
 Fear summons her train and directs them to pervade the Russian camp. 
 Which done, De Tolly, after a consultation with his officers, continues to 
 retreat during the night ; while Chimera is addressed by Disquietude, 
 respecting a dream for Napoleon. Chimera decrees what shall be presented 
 to him, which a Vigil is charged to convey to his mind. He performs the 
 mission. The Emperor awaking remarks its influence has an interview 
 with his marshals, and learning the direction of the retreat of the Russians, 
 pursues them with his army. 
 
 SLUMBERING the mighty chief of nations lay 
 In his distinguish' d tent ; his warriors round 
 Enjoying soft repose forgot the hours ; 
 But he was mov'd by soul-corroding care, 
 And doubts, prevailing in his troubled breast. 
 
 ' Twas midnight's peaceful hour ; th' unwearied world 
 In darkness roll d beneath far twinkling stars, 
 Which gild night's throne ; bright oracles of God ! 
 That lead the mind in contemplation deep 
 Till reason in immensity expires. 
 The drowsy camp muttered somnific sounds : 
 Th 5 unharness'd steeds neigh'd to the echoing hills, 
 Disturbing oft calm Silence' pensive reign 
 Who in lone cells and night-invested fields 
 Conducts the mind to nature and to truth. 
 
 The lamps were dim with age, and feebly shed 
 Unwelcome radiance on reflecting robes 
 That grac'd the royal tent, when wak'd by cares, 
 Rose from his downy couch th' aspiring king : 
 His mien bespoke the hero and the seer ; 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 301 
 
 And musing of his state, thus talks alone : 
 
 - I n night's dark silence sober thoughts invade v 
 
 The breasts of kings, depressive of their pride. 
 
 The gloomy scowl of yonder heaven, the stars, 
 
 Which distant shed a doubtful, glimmering light 
 
 In the dark vault, and chilling winds, that breathe 
 
 On hills austere, moving the rustling leaves, 
 
 In solemn hour invite to nature's court 
 
 My burdened soul ; no flatterers there it finds : 
 
 " Thy race will soon be run," some voice exclaims, 
 
 " Thou with thy pompous myriads must descend 
 
 And be no more, while nature glorious shines, 
 
 Heedless of mortal deeds ; or great or small ; 
 
 Whose fame shall please not the cold mouldering corse, 
 
 Its spirit quench'd in death's eternal night." 
 
 Alas ! how irksome this pursuit of fame ; 
 This sublunary power, and transient throne, 
 Or held by lineage high, or bravely won : 
 Though mine the partial voice of millions gave, 
 I hold it of less worth than most of men ; 
 For miserable is all this gorgeous pomp, 
 Compared with the poor peasant's unconcern ; 
 But small (oh, fate of pride !) is all the peasant's bliss 
 To glory's deathless light, immortal fame ! 
 Which providence has doom'd me to pursue 
 On wings of war, o'er floods of human gore. 
 Sad mean, and hurtful to my peace of soul ! 
 Too frequent wounded, oft I thus exclaim : 
 " Admired philosophers and bards of old, 
 Who with increasing splendor walk with time, 
 Diffusing virtue's seeds through every age, 
 In human breasts awaking heavenly fires ; 
 Much would I joy to tread your honor'd road, 
 So bright with charms divine, and guiltless fame ; 
 There blest with peace, with competence and health, ^ 
 Far from fool-dazzling pomp and troubling cares, 
 In mild, yet lofty state, my days should pass." 
 
 But now, my course ordain'd, when deeds of kings 
 
302* POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN". 
 
 
 
 And heroes of old time before me rise, 
 
 Conscious that man, through ages long, admires 
 
 Them as supreme of mortals, burns my breast 
 
 In emulation bold ; all sober thoughts 
 
 Philosophy inspires forthwith depart 
 
 Their native seat : the fragrant blooming grove, 
 
 And shady bower, at Fame's loud summons fly 
 
 My ravish'd sight ; Hope, Yalor, Glory stir 
 
 The impatient soul ; my hand spontaneous grasps 
 
 Th' assuring sword ; armies I hail and crowns, 
 
 And spectres of the mighty dead appear. 
 
 Thus mov'd, I conquer'd kingdoms, and attain'd 
 
 This high pre-eminence ; saw potentates, 
 
 Princedoms, dominions, realms, and mighty thrones, 
 
 Before my banners cower ; vast armies rise 
 
 Obsequious to my will, of matchless force, 
 
 And distant nations court my kind regard. 
 
 Ah ! had this fortune sweet contentment given, 
 
 My toil had been repaid : but thou, Henown, 
 
 Shalt tell in future times of all my deeds, 
 
 And to my name unceasing tribute pay ; 
 
 "Which as through long revolving years it glides, 
 
 Shall, like huge rivers deep'ning as they flow, 
 
 Increase in praise, till Earth shall be no more ! 
 
 But what uncertainty clouds Fortune's march ! 
 How feeble the support of human trust ! 
 Misfortunes great may lie before, conceal'd 
 From human prescience. Prone on Niemen's bank 
 My courser fell I saw the giant storm, 
 In shape of ancient hero arm'd, that burst 
 As Alexander's or a Caesar's rage, 
 Or Homer's mighty spirit were its soul, 
 Me paralyzing : When Intrigue, ere while, 
 Presum'd to caution of my dubious state, 
 I ill receiv'd her lore ; but sure her tongue 
 He-echoed history's voice and might instruct 
 To shun the perils frowning on my course. 
 
 Unpleasant seem my prospects : What to urge 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 303 
 
 Decisive combat, and victorious move 
 To the proud acme of this great campaign, 
 And shield my myriads from the wintery storms ; 
 Pondering, I lose calm sleep's refection kind, 
 A victim to anxiety and care. 
 
 So speaks Napoleon ; then the maps unfolds, 
 Which all the Russian clime display ; the roads, 
 Champaigns, extensive forests, rivers, groves, 
 Cities and guarded seats ; examines these, 
 His course determines and his couch resumes. 
 
 Meantime wan Fear in her chill residence 
 Felt sudden agitation ; wild concern 
 Was in her visage, though her speech was "bold. 
 She cast unquiet looks, and round her hall 
 Saw monstrous things, gorgonian forms and death. 
 Upon the darker shore of life's bleak stream 
 Her palace stands, just opposite, where Hope's, 
 In gorgeous splendor, throws undying light 
 To cheer the storm-tost wanderer; strong the tide 
 Runs to the sullen strand, and thither bears 
 Th' infirm midst rocks and shoals. In that huge pile 
 Shapeless and gloomy, Superstition toils ; 
 She forges fetters for the crouching world 
 For reason's votaries scaffolds builds, and shows 
 Midst other trophies, great Galileo's chains ; 
 While druids, augurs, priests of various name, 
 And kings of earth at human weakness smile. 
 There Sirens sing and demons snarl by turns ; 
 Imagination trembles at her brood ; 
 Blank Indecision, faction-tost, is seen, 
 The happy moment losing of success 
 And all the unquiet spirits : Near her throne 
 Chimera sits, her counsel aids, and states 
 The crude inventions of her numerous train, 
 Whom she on various embassies deputes, 
 Inspiring dreams of happiness or wo. 
 
 She quickly summon'd her tumultuous powers ; 
 They came with startled faces, hurrying wild 
 
304 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 While roar'd her trump, as fill'd by stormy winds ; 
 
 Hope echo'd its harsh sound in music sweet. 
 
 The wild assembly on each other glar'd, 
 
 And shriek'd at times, as quiver'd, crack'd and groan'd 
 
 The tempest shaken mansion. Soon the queen 
 
 Thus loud began : Defeat waits Russia's powers, 
 
 Who me have have worshipp'd since th' approach of night ; 
 
 This understood, and in due time implor'd, 
 
 'Tis fit we interpose to keep from harm 
 
 A host so vast. Our Flight, her wings dispread, 
 
 Shall guide them from th' impending danger soon, 
 
 Convincing man, the strongest needs our aid : 
 
 Ah me, what miseries might vain mortals shun 
 
 In Pride and Valor's lore ! How oft they fall 
 
 And own my sway too late to change their doom ! 
 
 Though all these Russians ridicul'd my power, 
 Deeming me peccant, and a ruthless pest 
 Among their ranks the last man-butchering day, 
 Full weighty cause they knew, ere Sol roll'd down 
 The western heaven, to seek our humble aid, 
 Now, timorous agents of the trembling dome, \ 
 Endeavor our wild spirit to diffuse 
 Through all the Russian myriads ; them convince 
 Of the necessity of rapid flight 
 Under thick darkness' all-concealing wings ; 
 Lest fast-approaching day should ghastly stare 
 On their corse-cumber 'd camp, and Ruin drag 
 Their throneless monarch at his blasting wheels. 
 Well had they done in former times to own 
 My safe dominion, when that mighty Chief 
 To battle's verge came towering in fierce war, 
 And they, in strength too confident, essay'd, 
 His overthrow, and dar'd, imprudent, front 
 The armies train'd by his victorious hand, 
 Which cost them deep remorse, and floods of gore. 
 
 Instructed thus, they mount the wilds of air, 
 So swift the winds lull panting far behind, 
 Unequal to the race : In Russia's camp 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 305 
 
 Soon ply their mission through the army move, 
 The cold infection spreading ; while above, 
 The timorous queen sat gathering sevenfold night 
 About the dangerous scene, and stretch'd her hand 
 Towards th' inclement north, that show'd relief 
 And promis'd safety from Destruction's jaws. 
 
 De Tolly felt the spirit which prevail'd ; 
 A general's cares incumbent on his mind 
 (He fear'd not for himself; but for his King, 
 And the vast host he ruled ;) to council call'd 
 His nation's leaders, and thus spoke the chief: 
 
 The toils of yesterday, crown'd with defeat, 
 And loss of thousands, warn us to depart 
 This evil post, and undetected speed 
 To Borodino, or to Moscow's walls : 
 There, with collected strength, we may resume 
 The arduous conflict, and successful prove ; 
 For soon Kutusoif, freed from Turkish war, 
 May with his skill, and numbers, swell our force. 
 Driven from intrenchments, and selected ground, 
 Where late we deem'd ourselves secure in vain, 
 What shall we here, but fall an easy prey 
 To our insidious foe by morrow's dawn ? 
 Who now believes our forces fit to cope 
 With those of France from past experience ? Say 
 With myriads fallen, captur'd, or dispers'd, 
 On inauspicious ground can we contend 
 Victorious ? When, before defeat sustain'd, 
 Of hope possess'd, which some possess no more, 
 We cower'd before their Eagles, and retir'd 
 Reluctant, nor attain'd this worthless spot, 
 Till much respected Darkness lent her aid ; 
 Else had the foe, insatiate, still pursu'd 
 Our hapless legions ; his tempestuous horse, 
 Plunging amain, deep bath'd in crimson floods 
 On the far scatter'd rear of our large host, 
 Of which full half had now imprison'd groan'd, 
 Or in death's pale embrace their fathers join'd. 
 20 
 
306 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 The general ended. Touchkoif thus replied : 
 Impending danger loud forbids delay 
 Of speedy flight ; solicitude immense 
 Disturbs this breast, as if some evil spirit 
 Had enter'd there, and whisper'd ills to come, 
 Causing chill thoughts, and darkness of my soul. 
 'Twould better end to give in brief our will, 
 In this consult, and swift departure haste ; 
 Each moment lost, plucks honors from our name ; 
 'Twill haunt our future years, and cloud our joys ; 
 For now, methinks, a dreadful storm is near, 
 Of woful end, to burst in boundless rage 
 Ere morning glides us by in saffron robes, 
 Displaying the grim face of ruthless war. 
 
 Thus he and sprightly Platoff thus rejoins : 
 Heavens ! could Napoleon hear our brave resolves, 
 His seine of arms might trap our timorous shoals ; 
 But Voluntina's warriors, who, so late, 
 Trod thunder-beaten paths, and near rebuff 'd 
 Smolensko's victors, he will not suspect 
 Of such dark transit, save to gain his rear ; 
 By good opinion of our valor, dup'd ! 
 
 Sure some with open eyes are fraught with dreams 
 Far worse, than when a slumbering maid believes 
 Her wherry founders, and she stifled drowns ; 
 Though morn belies the faith, she still conceives 
 Herself in evil plight ; her neighbors plague 
 With frequent lamentation, and long tales 
 Of coming trouble in the dream portray'd. 
 E"or stops her clamor, till new visions come, 
 Which promise husbands, or more golden days. 
 
 Though all appearances seem not so ill 
 As to destroy my hopes of victory here, 
 And fill me with thy terrors ; yet our state 
 Is quite precarious and some prudence needs, 
 Join'd with true valor, to conduct us hence 
 Secure from peril, to the destin'd site 
 Of the last combat, in defence of that 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 307 
 
 Long reverenc'd city, with good parsons bless'd, 
 In thee, De Tolly, those bright virtues live, 
 And recommend thee to control our course ; 
 Which from this place, ere blushes rosy morn, 
 I hope shall have been sped : assent declare, 
 Who will to flee, and quick suspense conclude. 
 
 Advising thus, the whole consent to march, 
 And wish no moment lost. Their chief directs 
 What way, and how, the several leaders move 
 Their portions thence, and where conjunction form. 
 
 Then to his train each went, assembled straight 
 His sub-commanders, and this lesson gave : 
 
 We haste away from this unhopeful ground, 
 If possible, unseen, while darkness holds 
 Her friendly reign, and hides our humble march. 
 Lead cautious each his charge, forbid the sound 
 Of voice and instrument sonorous, lest 
 Our watchful enemy take heed, and strive 
 Against our purpose ; all will strict maintain 
 Due order, rapid walk, and silence deep. 
 
 Then to their posts they hie, and at the sign 
 Of march, all secret move, in swift retreat : 
 Columns succeeding columns, long and dark, 
 Move sullen, like nigrescent clouds of even 
 In torrid summer, covering half the sky, 
 Which near the gloomy world, low muttering, glide, 
 While stars shoot fast behind, and sudden winds 
 Stir the black rustling forest cloth'd in night, 
 
 Meanwhile round Fear's abode a tempest rag'd : 
 Disquietude before the Queen uprose, 
 And thus bespoke her and Chimera wild : 
 
 A potent Emperor much perplexes now 
 In Russia's wide domain he venturous sleeps ; 
 But what concerns him most, 'tis hard to say ; 
 His realm's rebellion, or the doubtful end 
 Of this gigantic contest, which must soon 
 Exalt him to unprecedented height, 
 Or cloud his history with surprising gloom 
 
308 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GEJS T IN. 
 
 Of evil fortune ; e'en the last he dreads, 
 
 While Sleep unwilling casts her balmy veil 
 
 O'er his day's toils, and sadly sooths his soul. 
 
 Full well he knows of Fortune's treacherous ways ; 
 
 His hope gleams faint, beyond herculean toils, 
 
 Like stars of evening, when autumnal clouds 
 
 Sail thick and dark along the windy heaven, 
 
 Twinkling at intervals on human eyes : 
 
 Or beacons, that far off to windward lie, 
 
 By mariners seen from billowy mounts by night, 
 
 Which show the port past threatening rocks and shoals, 
 
 And surges adverse rolling raging wild. 
 
 Impatient to attain unequal'd power, 
 Renown unfading, and terrestrial pomp, 
 By swift dispersion of his neighboring foe ; 
 Yet doubtful of success, and pain'd with care, 
 What vision shall we offer to his mind, 
 To cause him joy or wo, while held in sleep, 
 Unable to command the valorous fire, 
 Which sense of peril in its blaze consumes ? 
 Recount thy practice, of what nature say, 
 Shall be the prospect to employ his mind, 
 Compounded of his plight ; or good, or ill ? 
 
 This having said, Chimera thus replied : 
 When night o'erspreads the busy walks of men, 
 And animal creation seek repose, 
 I give to all such mental scenes, as suit 
 Th' oblations various offered at my shrine : 
 From monarchs and the great I most receive 
 Incentives to construct unpleasant dreams, 
 That harm their quiet, and engender wo ; 
 Which, though derided, oft diffuses gloom 
 Amidst their revels with unnotic'd hand. 
 But where stern Wisdom constant sway preserves, 
 Industriously seeks facts whereon to think, 
 Not building, till materials are procured, 
 And to conclusion brings perplexing doubt 
 'Tis seldom I obtain ; for frowns severe 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 309 
 
 The rigid goddess, and forbids approach, 
 
 When rapid I retire, like smoke before the wind. 
 
 I to the theorist vain schemes unfold 
 Surcharg'd with sweet delusion and surmise. 
 Philosophers, well pleas'd, I bear away 
 Beyond the Pleiades, in the northern sky, 
 Or to some favorite planet, where they view 
 Its satellites, refulgent glowing round, 
 And comets, flaming through the field of stars ; 
 And oh, with Newton how I lov'd to rove ! 
 The motions of his soul resembled heaven 
 So easy, and so high ! so placid and sublime ! 
 The brazen quack I compliment with ghosts 
 In winding sheet, just fled the dreary tomb, 
 Untimely thither by his errors hurl'd ; 
 Or please him midst deluded multitudes, 
 Prescribing, as blind Chance his Chaos rules. 
 The sage physician I perplex with news 
 Of deviations from prescriptions just 
 And oft console him with the grateful voice 
 Of patients heal'd, and rescued from the grave. 
 The lawyer frequently inspir'd by me, 
 Harangues a listening jury, and inflames 
 Their breasts with ardor to assert the laws 
 The parson oft I lift to bright abodes 
 Of angels and blest saints, where he beholds 
 Immortal features, beaming light divine ; 
 Hears song delectable, and converse holds 
 With happy spirits, then awaking smiles 
 At death's short sting, and the poor conquests of the grave. 
 Or strong temptations set before his view 
 A beauteous maid, possess'd of matchless charms, 
 Her Christian travail telling in sweet strain ; 
 Think ye his thoughts quit Heaven and earth to rove ? 
 Old bachelors I haunt with marriage state 
 The dismal penance of loquacious wife, 
 And vex with children and parental cares. 
 Poets I toss among the stars, where pleas'd, 
 
310 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 They see the spheres along their orbits dance 
 To nature's harmony they joyful rove 
 Amidst the clustering constellations bright, 
 And hear vast worlds melodious concert join, 
 Hymning the praise of Deity supreme. 
 Sometimes I place them midst tenebrious clouds, 
 Roaring and flashing horrid day, compelled 
 By furious tempests through the stormy skies ; 
 When in high transport they enjoy the scene, 
 Regardless of the dust which girds them round, 
 At times show Envy and lame Ignorance, 
 Rolling dull eyes askance upon their muse ; 
 When they, forgetful, from the prospect turn, 
 Or hope their pearls not wholly thrown to swine. 
 The glutton I provide with odious scenes, 
 And launch from precipices dread, while he, 
 In fearful expectation waits the blow. 
 I let the miser see the sneaking thief 
 His closet penetrate, and treasure grasp ; 
 Let some behold their emulation's blaze 
 Portray'd in those whose fame they would surpass 
 And often to the laboring patriot show 
 The base injustice of ungrateful man. 
 And now methinks from all oblations giv'n 
 By this great chief, this dream to him belongs, 
 Which thou, strict Vigil, wilt to him convey, 
 Fulfill our purpose, and his rest annoy : 
 
 Before him bring the shapes of heroes old, 
 Beseeching Heaven, by various arguments, 
 To check his progress to superior fame. 
 Him show the victims of ingratitude 
 Then grasp in cloudy hand, and lift on high 
 Between th' infolding skies and rolling world, 
 That in his sight great Europe may appear, 
 With all her realms reflecting sorrow's look ; 
 When sudden, France sinks, leaving chasm dark, 
 While roll th' Atlantic, German, Midland floods, 
 Impetuous closing o'er her towers in foam 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 311 
 
 A rocky isle next where she was, is seen, 
 Round which tall navies glide, and ponderous whales, 
 That 'gainst the clouds expire their watery breath. 
 Then, in transition swift, midst barren wilds 
 Let winter's freezing stores profusely fall, 
 And cold winds round him drift the hoary snow ; 
 While on a steed, forlorn he refuge seeks 
 In deep distress, but seeks in vain, and lo ! 
 Forsaken armaments, disabled guns 
 Half whelm'd in hail, heaps of chill'd steeds, 
 And ghastly groves of frozen men reclin'd 
 On muskets, or in mountains pil'd around, 
 Ope on his sight, and fruitless he explores 
 The fetter'd lands in search of that great host, 
 So late his pride, and terror of his foes. 
 Then spread narcotic vapors o'er his mind, 
 Producing slumber soft, and transient truce 
 Of ominous toil ; then soon midst squadrons arm'd, 
 Transport him at Misfortune's desperate call, 
 Contending for his liberty and life ; 
 While heaven wears mournful aspect, bleak and dark 
 With clouds, swift wafted by tempestuous winds. 
 Next place him in the hall of Russian kings, 
 Deep musing of old time, and trophies won 
 By valiant Russia, in fair order rang'd ; 
 There conjure up a dragon, hideous, huge, 
 Affecting to conceal his latent ire, 
 Till near him, when he grasps the triple crown, 
 Which breaking, and profaning in his view, 
 He hurls upon the winds ; and straight 'tis gone 
 Perceptible no more ; then mute remains 
 The evil monster, and with scornful eye, 
 Beholds of crown bereft, th' astonish'd Chief; 
 But soon the uncertainty of earthly things 
 And levelling Death's all-conquering power proclaims. 
 So spoke the queen, then sudden quak'd the Dome, 
 As open flew the doors with grating sound ; 
 Out rush'd the Yigil soaring on the winds 
 
POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Infuriate whistling through the clouded skies. 
 
 Behind he leaves the voice of troubled waves, 
 
 Of groaning trees, of misery and of joy, 
 
 And enters clouds scarce pierc'd by Hope's fair beams 
 
 He penetrates the sphere where Sornnus reigns 
 
 And now fast traverses the dusky land 
 
 On the still confines of the realm of Death, 
 
 Which has no interchange of night and day, 
 
 Nor sees a star, or sun, or silver moon 
 
 'Tis cheerless all ; no breezes wander there ; 
 
 No sound e'er breaks upon that dreary wild : 
 
 Wan pensive spectres in deep silence glide 
 
 Athwart the gloom, into the darksome world ; 
 
 On whose frontier gigantic phantoms frown 
 
 In all their monarch's terrors here he paus'd, 
 
 And try'd to sigh, but fate refus'd the voice ; 
 
 Then sped, while volitive of motion, lest 
 
 In immobility eternal held, 
 
 A night-clad monument he should abide 
 
 Unnumber'd tedious cycles and attain'd 
 
 Th' imperial ear : And quick before him strides 
 
 Achilles, fiery-crown'd, whose nervous arm 
 
 Upbears the sculptur'd shield ; its surface shows 
 
 His deeds and Ilion's fall : With earnest gaze, 
 
 As on some form which mortals could not view, 
 
 He thus address'd the power that sports with kings : 
 
 O fate dispensing being, nature's God I 
 If e'er I awkward toil'd to please, with smoke 
 Of victims slain, repress this rival Chief. 
 Short was my time on earth, but fill'd with deeds, 
 Midst fierce contending squadrons, bath'd in blood, 
 And angry tempests on th' earth-shaking seas. 
 With longer life I had acquir'd more fame ; 
 But while in youthful bloom ; while yet I shone 
 In proud defiance of my foes, and hurl'd 
 Them to the dust ; while soothing hope portray'd 
 Bright scenes to come ; ere half th' accustom'd race 
 Of life was run Death seiz'd : I could no more, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 313 
 
 By destiny inexorable bound. 
 
 Shall he, permitted, flourish o'er my tomb ? 
 
 My fame eclipse, while I in death repose ? 
 
 "While ways unnumber'd moves my mortal frame 
 
 In tempest, stream, or tree ; the voice long mute 
 
 That frighten'd Troy : The Hector-conquering arm, 
 
 In ruin cold, can scatter fate no more ! 
 
 Thus he, and mingled with the air. Then rose, 
 With head inclin'd, and stern, decisive mien, 
 Th' Emathian Alexander round his feet 
 Lay crowns, and pale Darius ; jealous still, 
 His eyes on Philip linger'd. Earnest, loud, 
 Napoleon heard him thus the god implore : 
 
 Let me co-equal shine with Gaul's great King, 
 In whom thou hast implanted lust of fame 
 Less strong than mine ; so less be his renown 
 Or in the apportionment of human lot 
 Is fitness unregarded ? Is desire 
 Created to repine ? Fix'd still and cold 
 Beneath increasing years, I can no more ! 
 O silent footed time, how hast thou fled, 
 And left great Babylon lost in thy long path ! 
 Out-run my Greece, and proud world-conquering Rome I 
 E'en my great tutor rules* the mind no more, 
 Can nought but Homer's song keep peace with thee ? 
 O could'st thou resurvey my reign on Earth, 
 Thou should'st not see this Chief's excel my deeds ; 
 Thou should'st not see my life so meanly end 
 Nor stain'd, alas ! by friendly Clitus' gore. 
 Th' inglorious revelry still blasts my peace ; 
 No rest is mine, which humbler souls enjoy. 
 True, I was cruel ; fatal need of kings ! 
 Too much the usage of my ancient age 
 But is Napoleon free from similar stain ? 
 Are not great faults depending to his charge, 
 Which, if compar'd with mine, of other date, 
 Would prove him far more blamable* than I ? 
 For what can he deserve superior grace I 
 
314 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Because more valiant, generous, or humane ? 
 Of this thou know'st, it useless were retold : 
 No just pretensions can that chief advance 
 For thee to smile on all his acts, and lift 
 Him to such height, as agitates the shades 
 To loud protest against the partial doom. 
 He ceas'd, victorious Caesar in his stead 
 With grave aspect appear'd about him shone 
 Barbaric spoils, half the great globe, his Rome 
 With muffled towers, and Pompey's sad remains 
 He thus appeal'd : Immensity's dread Lord, 
 If fame of men thy notice merit, hear! 
 But what has Csesar to demand of Heaven 
 Less faithful to his country than himself! 
 Yet all may mercy crave, and thine is vast. 
 My fault was punish'd with life-killing stab 
 Of cold Ingratitude. O had that thrust 
 Restor'd the ancient virtues, then my wounds 
 Had prov'd less eloquent my friends less vile ! 
 Dear Rome had suffer'd less from my decline ! 
 Mean King of Nile, by you was Pompey slain ; 
 The Stoic's pride laid worthy Cato low ; 
 Triumvirs base, 'twas you that shackl'd Rome ; 
 Th' executors of Luxury's decree 
 In her degenerate days ! What her befel, 
 When I was ended, was no consequence 
 Of Caesar's deeds. Had Caesar ne'er been born 
 Rome still from thistles had not gather'd grapes, 
 Nor liberty from ought but virtue's seed. 
 I sought to save her from herself in vain. 
 Ingratitude, Deceit, and Folly foil'd 
 My generous aims : Ah ! fate to me denied 
 To be my much lov'd country's sceptred sire ; 
 Yet, nought was left undone, that height to gain : 
 What merits then Napoleon more than I ? 
 He, luckily, longer holds the reins of power, 
 As yet, exempt from Treachery's mortal sting : 
 He this to fortune more than merit owes. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 315 
 
 Night-shrouded Fraud eludes the hero's sword. 
 
 'Tis luckless, not reproachful, to be wrong'd. 
 
 In what have I offended, unaton'd 
 
 To fail of equal greatness ? Were my sins 
 
 At blushing altars insincerely mourn'd ? 
 
 Was not my valor great in German climes, 
 
 On Britain's shores, on Gaul's and Asia's plains ? 
 
 Does not Pharsalia boast my deed humane, 
 
 And generous use of victory ? Sure this chief 
 
 Is not more worthy, that success should crown 
 
 His war on Russia, menacing the Earth 
 
 With his dominion and my ancient fame 
 
 With derogation : Not with greater dread 
 
 I saw ungrateful Brutus' murderous steel, 
 
 Than this distinguish'd fortune and renown ; 
 
 Excelling luck of either Grecian chief 
 
 Of great desert ; even his whose blest remains 
 
 Lie in Thermopylae's death -glutted vale ; 
 
 Or his, the Spartan foe's, Messenia's son's, 
 
 Whose race from god-like Hercules devolv'd ; 
 
 Whom fate denied repose, and snatch 'd from death, 
 
 By Reynard's aid, to help the Ellian race, 
 
 Endure the woes of war in noblest cause, 
 
 And save the relics of a falling State ; 
 
 Or his, who did relent at Crossus' groans, 
 
 For recollection of his converse wise 
 
 With Solon, and extinguish'd the red pyre. 
 
 Let not his fame engross the world's applause, 
 
 While noble deeds of others unobserv'd, 
 
 And unremember'd sink in time's deep stream. 
 
 Restore my life and power, I ask no more, 
 
 Then, who excels, our future deeds shall prove. 
 
 Thus he, and floated, viewless, on the air : 
 Then sudden Charlemagne, and Sweden's Charles, 
 With visage, beaming thought, and jealous mien, 
 Before him pass'd : Then reverend men appear'd, 
 Whose righteous claims ungrateful man denied ; 
 These on him cast a pitying look and kind. 
 
316 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIK. 
 
 The Grecian orator among them stood, 
 In act to write, but suck'd the poison'd pen ; 
 Great Aristides held th' injurious shell ; 
 Themistocles from Persia look'd on Greece ; 
 The ingrate's darts bristled on Scipio's shield ; 
 Lank Famine at Pausanias bent her bow : 
 Great Socrates the cup of hemlock held ; 
 The Gracchi view'd deluded Eome with grief 
 And Manlius, and Tarpeia's rock he saw ; 
 And Miltiades, and Phocion, and the man 
 Whom his own dogs devour'd : Then straight himself he 
 
 deems 
 
 Among the clouds, Realms, Princedoms, States in view, 
 Which he directed, or might hope to rule. 
 They seem'd to shine of evil, and presage 
 In silent eloquence, approaching wo. 
 Then soon around he hears increasing winds 
 Blow up dark storm, blackening the welkin bleak, 
 And the far prospect snatching from his sight ; 
 When midst inhospitable wilds he strays 
 Forlorn through frigid winds and drifted snow, 
 Seeking some place of rest on weary steed, 
 And mournful scenes he views : the wreck of arms 
 Once deem'd invincible, that aw'd the world ; 
 Whereon esperance much he plac'd to hurl 
 The Russian monarch from his lofty seat. 
 Confounded, he surveys the myriads fallen 
 With sorrowing soul, till grief, benumb'd, expires 
 In Somnus' balmy dews. Next in cold field 
 On prancing steed, midst raging fight, he flies 
 Directs the storm of war with stern regard, 
 And hears, exulting, battle's loudest din ; 
 Though the drear prospect of the wintry sky 
 Augurs misfortune. Soon comes sad Defeat 
 With shiver 'd arms, marr'd front, and tearful eyes 
 " Henceforth (she said) we face to face will meet, 
 And interchange kind looks through bloody tears, 
 Ah, know'st me not ? erst only seen in flight ! 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 Then view my back familiar from Toulon 
 
 To Voluntina's field ! " and pass'd away. 
 
 Then he the Kremlin walks in Moscow's bounds, 
 
 In melancholy muse of signals there, 
 
 The glories of his foe ; when lo ! uplifts 
 
 His grim, terrific form a Dragon huge, 
 
 With looks of confidence and friendly air, 
 
 Till bold he grasps the triple crown, and high 
 
 Discharges the bright glory on the winds, 
 
 In shatter'd state, which, quick with air resolves ; 
 
 Then bides the king in dumb amaze, and eyes 
 
 The Dragon, that with scornful look, and mute, 
 
 Returns the gaze, till thus abrupt he speaks : 
 
 So perish human things vain is man's boast, 
 That future times in happy pomp will roll 
 And peerless grandeur in the shades of death, 
 In transient time, may rove tli' aspiring mind, 
 A meek companion of inglorious souls. 
 While saying this he vanish'd, and deep sleep 
 Pour'd in the Emperor's breast unmix'd repose. 
 The Yigil's task perform'd, he sought his queen 
 Through air in stillness dripping pearly dew : 
 He found her coasting on the twilight field ; 
 They darted westward into darkness then ; 
 While in bright pomp, the blushing morn advanc'd, 
 The league of night dissolving (all the stars 
 Before her disappearing), o'er .the sphere 
 Diffusing day, and calling man to toil. 
 
 The hero wakes, with burden'd soul assumes 
 His wonted garb ; reflecting on the night 
 He thus begins : Her dreams and terrors fled, 
 Why broods dejection on my soul, like clouds 
 Which darken Heaven's broad face ? Depart, sad thoughts, 
 Obtrusive phantoms caus'd ; the mind now rules, 
 Divested of dull slumber ; Reason points 
 My course with wand of light ; more useful themes 
 Concern me now, and lofty hope inspire 
 Of my success, in this extensive war ; 
 
318 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GE2STIN. 
 
 While the fantastic furies, that disturb 
 
 My nightly quietude, seek their dark caves, 
 
 Nor sally forth to blast a monarch's peace 
 
 "While day dominion holds ; but weak, alas, 
 
 Is human nature ! quite too frail to ward 
 
 The approach of superstitious fear. How oft 
 
 Is reason baffled to erase the stain 
 
 Deluded fancy leaves ! Ill grounded dread 
 
 May frequently perturb the wise and brave. 
 
 How wild a dream ! How much it wandered from 
 
 My waking thoughts, when spoke the glorious dead 
 
 The envious language of ignoble souls ! 
 
 Would I be great because all else is small ? 
 
 No : local greatness ne'er was ask'd of Heaven. 
 
 ' Tis my desire that man, himself, excel ; 
 
 I fain would raise him to angelic powers. 
 
 For it's own sake for excellence I toil ; 
 
 Nor have the wretched weakness to believe 
 
 Myself am high, because mankind are low ; 
 
 Nor good, because another vicious proves. 
 
 The great, alone, appreciate well the great, 
 
 Incomprehensible to vulgar minds ; 
 
 Hence rival merit owns my fostering care 
 
 Ah, what were glory in unpeopled worlds ! 
 
 By these convincing legions I ere long 
 
 Far happier meditation will enjoy. 
 
 What boots it, that the Russian monarch wastes 
 
 By woeful conflagration half the wealth, 
 
 And blasts the fortune of his people poor ; 
 
 But me to arm with weapons to diffuse 
 
 Thro' his harm'd subjects fell rebellion's flames, 
 
 Would I such means employ. But Valor's arm, 
 
 Cloth'd with its thunder, and intent on fame, 
 
 Shall vindicate my rights, without the scenes 
 
 Of nobles, slaughter'd by rebellious hands ; 
 
 Of impious feats against the tender fair ; 
 
 With universal havoc and dismay : 
 
 Dire consequence of slavery's fetters loos'd 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 319 
 
 From vicious multitudes who like rude winds 
 
 Freed from ^Eolian rule, tumultuous rush 
 
 What way they find, and spread destruction round. 
 
 Thus meditates the monarch, when appears, 
 Majestic as the morn, his martial chiefs. 
 What tidings of the night, the king inquires ; 
 Have ye from scouts or other means obtained ? 
 When Ney, with courteous modesty, replied : 
 Imperial sire, the foe hath fled our view ; 
 But whither is unknown ; we soon will learn 
 From scouts returned. Meanwhile, the chief rejoins, 
 Arrange, brave marshals, your respective powers 
 For speedy march, whene'er occasion calls. 
 Fate, unpropitious, dooms us to pursue, 
 Or hunt the foe ; nor lets him tarry near, 
 Where, at a small expense, we might subdue. 
 This day, methought, had seen the sudden fall 
 Of Russia's mightiest host, and sad Defeat, 
 By us commission'd, walk'd o'er all her realm 
 With downcast look, inspiring faint despair. 
 
 Then from the regal tent each to his charge 
 Forth sallied ; loud the rattling drum begins 
 Summoning to arms ; the mounted steeds prance round 
 Trampling the passive earth ; in long array, 
 And iron groves, the shining host appears, 
 Arming to war. The busy hum of men, 
 Awak'd from slumber, and incessant voice 
 Of sub-commanders, forming each his band, 
 Made ceaseless clamor and confused uproar. 
 Napoleon on high steed in grandeur mov'd 
 Majestically formidable on, 
 
 Fleet as the winds, Heaven's radiance playing round, 
 Reflected brightly from refulgent arms. 
 Each way he sped through far-extended lines, 
 His host reviewing with imperial eye : 
 Glory, the while, smil'd round his nodding plume, 
 His head encircling with enchanting light ; 
 While admiration through the numerous powers 
 
320 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GKNIN. 
 
 Breath'd praise, and talk'd of worlds lie might subdue. 
 
 Soon the discoveries of returning scouts 
 Convince him, that the enemy's sudden flight 
 Is wing'd for Moscow ; straight he thus begins : 
 Our foes stop not till near their Moscow's walls ; 
 Where they will trench their land, make ramparts huge 
 (If our too slow pursuit should give them time) ; 
 Whence, they may throw some heavy balls, to vex, 
 But not repel our soldiers. Let us then, 
 By hasty march, decrease their bulwarks' height. 
 Nor win with blood what industry may gain, 
 Death's shades, ere long, proud Russia's power shall know ; 
 Ruin, already, shakes her blasting brand 
 Over her crest, and waits but our approach 
 To strike the fatal blow. Let each wing hold 
 Due intercourse with me, and rapid tend 
 Whither the thunder of the centre roars. 
 
 The monarch ended. To their posts all hied ; 
 And soon, as ample forests dancing, driven 
 By arm omnipotent from their old seats, 
 Their lofty branches nodding as they course, 
 To martial music all the army moves 
 In swift pursuit, intent on Victory's spoils. 
 
BOOK Y. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 The song of Glory and her Nymphs. Ambition complains, and is soothed 
 by Vanity. They address Mars. His advent, and departure from the tem 
 ple of Fame. Wisdom consults Necessity, and goes with her to Kutusoff, 
 De Tolly and Bagration, with whom they confer ; afterwards advise Se 
 verity, who presently alights on Russia. Battle of Borodino : Napoleon 
 orders an attack on the Russian left by Davoust and Poniatowski, on the 
 centre by Ney, on the right by Beauharnois. Kutusoff from the vigor of 
 the attack on his right, inferring that the French intended to exert their 
 greatest strength against his left, detaches Bagawout, with his division^ 
 to its assistance. The Russian left is driven back, and its redoubts are oc 
 cupied by the French ; to regain which a fierce struggle ensues. Supposing 
 Napoleon's left weakened, by his efforts to strengthen his right, Platoff 
 charges it with his cavalry, but is repelled by a reserve under Claparede. 
 At length the whole right of the French wheeled to the left, discloses the 
 rear of the Russian centre. Night terminates the conflict, and finds the 
 French victorious, 
 
 FAR from his France lie leads gigantic powers 
 To splendid conquest, or appalling woes ; 
 Though victory cheers his march, his foes elude 
 Decisive combat, while with wasteful speed 
 He fierce pursues, and his resources leaves ; 
 Thus fickle Fortune sports with human kind ! 
 Cried Glory, seated on her radiant throne, 
 Within the pillar'd temple of Renown, 
 As griev'd she saw her son on tedious march 
 To hostile frigid lands. Her shining nymphs, 
 In harmony with their queen, responsive sung : 
 
 What toils, what perils, feeble man incurs ! 
 By Heav'n ordain'd to reap his joys with pain, 
 In proud prosperity, or humble state. 
 Wild passions tempt him from the happy way 
 How seldom Eeason's chart the wanderer guides ! 
 21 
 
322 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Erroneous Habit seizes Wisdom's throne, 
 
 Ere thought illumes the wilderness of mind. 
 
 Great nature's countless treasures to him given, 
 
 To bless, or curse, as used, or as abus'd, 
 
 And free of will he feeds our sacred flames. 
 
 Were shame or honor not of human choice, 
 
 But by stern fate impos'd, our sway were vain. 
 
 Glory of difficulty, good of evil springs : 
 
 Were man possess'd of Heaven's refulgent seats, 
 
 Where, fame reports, no grief nor misery comes, 
 
 He yet would sigh, unhappy, to attain 
 
 Something unknown in Heaven ; some woe of earth 
 
 Would then afford delight. Evil attends 
 
 The sons of men, constituent of their bliss, 
 
 And only rule for estimating good. 
 
 With greater honors we prepare to grace 
 Napoleon, noblest of the hero train ! 
 Rejoice, oh Fame, that baffling fate disturbs 
 Our conqueror's course, and gives him arduous toil ! 
 A crown of richest texture late we form'd, 
 Which blended nations three to him confirm'd ; 
 But now a nobler task remains ; to gem 
 With added states, and deck with glory's light 
 The splendid signal of imperial sway : 
 Then he, in this grand Temple, heavenly fair, 
 Shall long superior shine, like lordly Sol, 
 By greater brilliance hiding lesser orbs. 
 
 Thus they, and now she hears the voice of storm 
 Resounding through the Temple, hoarse, and loud, 
 And looking, lo ! in blazing arms, and fierce, 
 Ambition stood, or danc'd on burning throne, 
 Restless as Ocean's waves, declaiming thus : 
 
 When, oh ! when, celestial and infernal powers, 
 Will that pre-eminence be mine ! so much deserv'd ! 
 How long shall fleeting time evolve events, 
 Which chill my joys, in Hope's wide range that bloom ? 
 What ill occurrence shall obstruct my march 
 Up that great height, where fame eternal blows ? 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 323 
 
 Ye stars, desert your orbits, sink, ye lands, 
 
 And thou, O sovereign Jove, quench Phoebus' orb, 
 
 Involve his worlds in tenfold night, and blast 
 
 With influence cold their vegetative powers, 
 
 Ere my lov'd hero be Misfortune's prey, 
 
 Or victim to the spleen of Europe's Kings ; 
 
 For, sure the highest of Earth's sceptred sons, 
 
 In whom, triumphant, through eventful years 
 
 I live, and riot on successful war, 
 
 Needs not the Sultan's aid ; nor aught may dread 
 
 Kutusoff's skill, or Borodino's lines, 
 
 Or Famine's threats, or e'en McDonald's stay 
 
 On Dwina's bloody shore : still, where he moves, 
 
 "Will Victory light his road, and nations bow ! 
 
 Thus, with loud voice, by glorious hopes sublim'd, 
 She speaks, and speaking, shakes the region round. 
 Nor ceas'd, but thrice, wild Chaos, and Time's end, 
 With wreck of man, and countless worlds, she hail'd, 
 Before inglorious doom. Then Yanity 
 With confidence th' impetuous power address'd : 
 
 Could thy desires have bounds they might be sought 
 Within the limits of Napoleon's reign. 
 Worlds gazing stand, admiring his great feats 
 Performed of yore, and perspicacious mind. 
 Already millions tune the harp of praise, 
 And Fame's loud trumpet thunders through the earth 
 His potent name : what then, if Fortune grasp 
 Her bitterest tempest, and infuriate hurl 
 The wondrous monarch on her darkest shore 
 To brook the insults of the kings he spared ; 
 Will that decrease the splendor of his deeds ? 
 Or stop the voluntary voice of Fame ? 
 Far different I surmise : all human race 
 Would view, with wonder, his throne-melting blaze 
 Of power and glory, clouded by the storm 
 Of ruthless destiny ; but marvel more 
 At his great fortitude ; he yet would seem 
 No less than Italy's conqueror, glory's boast, 
 
324: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 To whom Berlin, and stiff Vienna bow'd, 
 
 And law's sagacious genius homage paid ; 
 
 Or like day's orb, far in the west retir'd, 
 
 Faint beaming through deep atmosphere and mist 
 
 On human sight ; his influence hot decreas'd, 
 
 But not his rays. Yet fortunate the result 
 
 Of this campaign shall be ; late victory seems 
 
 Exordium to the conquest of yon realm, 
 
 However dark be Providence' decree 
 
 And Jove's high will. Bravery and skill belong 
 
 To his arm'd legions, and their power excels : 
 
 We hence, deduce success, if merit gain, 
 
 And calmly wait time's sentence in our pride. 
 
 Thus the self-loving being, while dissolv'd 
 In transport high, Ambition drank the sound. 
 And now they hear loud thunder distant roar ; 
 Oceans of angry fire with cloudy van, 
 Edg'd with grim shapes fast onward thick'ning roll 
 From the bleak north ; a sudden terrow throws 
 A gloomy shade on every prospect round 
 The passive world, Fame's field, and mortal men : 
 Ambition reddens with celestial fire 
 In mild effulgence, Valor joyful smiles ; 
 But Yanity no longer boasts, fled to her bower, 
 While reverend horror reigns above is seen . 
 Relentless Mars, on flaming car, convey'd 
 By gorgon monsters, propp'd by cloudy wings ; 
 Their hoofs career'd upon the fiery sea 
 In dreadful pace ; while o'er them flam'd his shield, 
 And glittering arms, that cast a dazzling light. 
 His numerous retinue flam'd in circles broad, 
 With whirlwind speed, diffusing wondrous glare ; 
 As twice ten thousand meteors, pent, were spread 
 By one strong blast o'er all the nightly skies. 
 Soon, near the precincts of Kenown's bright walls, 
 The horrid power alighted from his car ; 
 But stopp'd not the loud signal of his march ; 
 Hoarse thunder shook the fabric of the world, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 325 
 
 And lightnings fierce play'd round his gloomy head, 
 
 That mov'd so high the antoeci of each pole 
 
 Might see his crest along th' equator wave ; 
 
 Then stern he went towards Fame's refulgent gate, 
 
 That, darting fiercer rays, spontaneous op'd 
 
 With outcry terrible, which pass'd, he hails 
 
 His shining aid, Ambition, who forth speeds, 
 
 And mutual salutation quick begins ; 
 
 The latter, then, thus the grim power address'd : 
 
 Wide spread is thy dominion by Gaul's king ; 
 
 O were his empire spread o'er earth as wide, 
 
 Within its bounds would all her oceans roll ! 
 
 But o'er his destiny Darkness' raven wing 
 
 Rests, hatching thoughts that cloud the days of joy. 
 
 With terror crown'd, yet glorious, thro' long time, 
 
 Thy sceptre smote the nations ; millions mourn'd 
 
 While Peace asylum in Columbia sought ; 
 
 Great name from him who ocean's barrier scal'd, 
 
 And gave to Europe's view another world ; 
 
 Where heaven-born virtue toil'd with Washington, 
 
 And many worthies, that among the good, 
 
 Where shine Fame's purest rays, sit snowy robed 
 
 The ornaments and friends of human kind. 
 
 Who well avoiding Europe's broils, till late, 
 
 Preserv'd their country's children from thy field. 
 
 Heaven's King saw Science's march, foreknew the storm 
 
 Engender'd by her rays, as by the songs 
 
 Of occidental Nymphs, that yearly crown 
 
 Columbia's youthful brows with festive wreaths ; 
 
 And angry at the royal league, foreseen, 
 
 Pronounc'd Napoleon Head of victor France, 
 
 (A hero fired with every noble theme, 
 
 My brightest gem,) to scourge the guilty realms, 
 
 And march o'er mighty thrones : well has he rul'd, 
 
 The curse of those who durst their hands imbrue 
 
 In Freedom's blood ; with glory deck'd his state, 
 
 And working Heaven's high will wrought wonders here ; 
 
 Out-wing'd the chiefs of old, and those excell'd 
 
326 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENTN". 
 
 Who ages had repos'd supreme of men. 
 
 Now to whose aid will mighty Mars incline ? 
 
 To his whom Jove upraised to punish vice ? 
 
 Or theirs whose crimes involv'd the world in war ? 
 
 Mars silent heard ; then walk'd with sullen frown 
 Around the spacious temple ; in his eyes 
 Play'd natal lightnings, that incessant flarn'd 
 Insufferable day what way he turn'd ; 
 High on his head a bright tiara shone, 
 On which artillery frown'd, as on a tower, 
 And angry forms, and serpents dreadful curl'd, 
 Whose torrid breath oft fired the thundering tiers, 
 His brows surmounting with dark clouds, and names. 
 Blood stain'd his feet, rich crowns his waist adorn'd, 
 His hand sinister Death's resemblance held, 
 The dexter grasp'd a weapon red with gore ; 
 Around him flow'd a veil the sisters wove, 
 With quivering fringe, distilling sanguine shower ; 
 Its thread, before his birth, the furies twined 
 Of matter deadly to the sons of men. 
 Distress and horror where he rages spread ; 
 Day joyless shines, the night wears deeper gloom ; 
 The homeward traveller sees his native land 
 In loneliest solitude, dejected, drear, 
 Amaz'd at miseries man inflicts on man ; 
 While memory brings glad scenes of former days, 
 The hopeful virgin, and her brethren fair, 
 Who erst, in health, tranquillity, and joy, 
 Their merry-making notes delighted sung ; 
 But now, unhappy, breathe a lover's dirge, 
 Or, deadly pale, weep o'er a parent's grave. 
 He lingers on the long departed hours 
 That give a mournful pleasure to his soul ; 
 So much unlike the hateful scenes of war ! 
 The plains, neglected, yield no golden grain 
 War- steeds repass their masters' gates unrode 
 Dogs moan, wolves howl by day, and ravens croak 
 O'er corse- clad fields ; the owls, with hideous screams, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 327 
 
 Sit on the blasted trees, where cities stood, 
 Resounding desolation's tidiogs drear ; 
 Unshelter'd widows, matrons, orphans, roam 
 The ravag'd clime, and weary Heaven with pray'r. 
 Dark floods of terror rush on human minds ; 
 Shock'd reason reels ; mysterious omens prey 
 On superstition ; secret whispers, breath'd 
 By forms unseen, warn of impending dole. 
 
 Frail Vanity, now peering from her bower, 
 Presumptuous thus th' armipotent bespoke : 
 
 Great power of old, who snuff 'd the scent of fields, 
 Semiramis, Sesostris, Xerxes heap'd, 
 And triumph'd in Alaric's grisly wake, 
 Thou stalk'st o'er earth sublime ; proud empires groan 
 Beneath thy tread ; thy heroes lofty sail 
 Time's boundless stream, upborne by fair Renown, 
 And grace this Temple like great Science's sons, 
 Who rose without the aid of legions arm'd : 
 In yonder clime a greater hero lives 
 Than all of yore, whose feats in peace and war 
 Unequall'd flourish in the soil of fame ; 
 Him of thy nide, the noblest, elevate 
 With long success, till Europe own his reign. 
 What myriads from their native land he leads ! 
 They menace now the centre of the realm 
 On which they war ; like a wide cloudy sea 
 Of coming storm, with lightning edg'd, impell'd 
 By blustering tempest, threatening earth's broad face 
 With sudden change ; when gathering darkness frowns 
 Along the gloomy van, and spreading gusts 
 Roar in the distant forests, with rude force 
 Dismantling lofty trees ; and mortals fear 
 Th' impending deluge, and the rushing wind 
 May sweep their sublunary works away. 
 And soon concluding Fate shall glad his soul 
 With Russia's overthrow : What object then 
 Would next attract him, but the Sultan's reign ; 
 Which, quick determin'd, and sad slavery driv'n 
 
328 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 From its long residence, the purer air 
 Of liberty would fan Earth's fairest clime ; 
 And groaning Greece, emancipated, lift 
 Her much dejected head, and hail the muse, 
 In emulation of her ancient race. 
 
 Thus she ; the furious god complacent smil'd, 
 As day's bright king emits a transient gleam 
 Through intermittent darkness of a storm 
 Nor more but turning, strode majestic forth 
 Like Chimborazo, bounding from his base 
 With all his clouds his car remounted, straight, 
 Impatient stamp'd, and smote his flaming steeds ; 
 They start, high vaulting in the sky sublime, 
 Striking heaven's misty cliffs with brazen wings. 
 His gloomy chariot, deck'd with lightning, roll'd, 
 Shaking the sphere ; its sound reach'd distant thrones, 
 And voices strange were heard in regal halls. 
 The sullen power lights on Himmaleh's brow, 
 And looks for battle over Asian plains. 
 He turns with scorn from China's servile realm 
 To holy Syria and the land of Mle ; 
 There feasts his spirit on the fields of old : 
 Thence, o'er Pamphylia, drives to lofty Ide, 
 Beholds with joy the ground where Ilion was, 
 And thinks of Persian, Greek, and Roman wars : 
 Thence shoots, high bounding o'er the Alps, but eyes 
 In passing swift, his rich Italian shrine, 
 And Belgium, France, and Spain, with all their graves, 
 And the sea-circled realms, whose offerings rise 
 Where ever navies plough the watery world. 
 By Teneriffe, far o'er the western main 
 He speeds below th' horizon in the west : 
 He paused on ocean's trembling flood to see 
 Proud Albion's banner lower'd to conquering Hull ; 
 But ere the vanquish'd Warrio ceas'd to burn, 
 And cast her giant fragments o'er the main, 
 Had stream'd o'er Allegheny, and back turn'd 
 T' enjoy the sounds of Borodino's field. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 329 
 
 Meanwhile great Wisdom on the scragged mount, 
 Pass'd into Need's rough Temple ; there is seen 
 In plight obscure, primeval instruments, 
 Employ'd in what their first invention caus'd. 
 There, cramp'd by Circumstance, Inventors work 
 Their own relief, and many an useful thing 
 Thus form to far posterity a boon 
 Society's chief good. Now scarce by Fame 
 Are these beheld, in Time's dark folds involv'd. 
 When first their works were by mankind approv'd, 
 While yet they liv'd, the foes of genius hiss'd, 
 Envy, and Ignorance, two serpents huge : 
 This crawls triumphantly in licensed shame, 
 And if new trees life's varied road adorn, 
 It climbs them straight ; but dubious of their fruit, 
 Decrees them noxious, and deters their growth. 
 That roars unhappy, midst prolific groves, 
 'Nor rests contented in the dreary wild ; 
 Oft with its scaly mate it winds along, 
 Attacking what is beautiful and grand ; 
 Oft on one tree of generous fruit both prey, 
 Devour its foliage, while their summer smiles, 
 Like worms unsightly, when they strip the grove ; 
 Ephemeral insects, that will long have died, 
 When the sack'd tree its wonted green resumes, 
 And blooms with triumph of immortal praise. 
 Before Necessity resplendent stood 
 The storm-allaying queen, with countenance mark'd 
 With resolution stern, and high command, 
 Thus speaking : Doom'd to this, imperious Need 
 What now remains, but energy, sore strife, 
 And mournful sacrifices, if we save 
 The Russian realm and armies, close beset 
 By proud Ambition's raging myrmidons, 
 Doubly equipp'd by confidence and skill ; 
 But what alas ! can mortals gainst such tide 
 All conquering, and impell'd by fiery soul ? 
 If they, presumptuous, wait the shock of fight, 
 
330 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 I see them ruin'd, or Jove such rebuff 
 Their enemy give, as shall relax his power ; 
 But heaven's high king not thus the world controls : 
 Just as a warrior views the sword he wears, 
 Its handle and its point at once beholds ; 
 So Jove all comprehends, life's deeds, its term, 
 The birth and death of Time ; yet lets man work 
 As reason prompts, and when he fails to use 
 Due means for ends, he treads the road to wo. 
 As may the Gallic host, if Policy 
 Defeat Humanity ; and much I loth 
 The victory harsh ; but States, themselves to save, 
 Let misery wide dominion hold, and blast 
 The peace of myriads. O, distressful race ! 
 And prone to folly, that one feeble man 
 Can rouse to tumult, and enlist in war : 
 I long have strove to lead the world to peace ; 
 But ah ! my votaries merely liv'd to mourn 
 The frailty of their kind ; like fragrant flowers, 
 In deserts, chill'd by dreary shade, they pin'd 
 Among their race, unvalued, as unknown. 
 To show the want of conflagration's aid, 
 Th' efficiency of battle should appear ; 
 Then luck of combat let the Russians try 
 In Moscow's front, which in dernier resort, 
 May up heaven's vault in fierce combustion roll. 
 If Russia prove victorious in the fight, 
 Her city lives with deathless glory won ; 
 The French on Nieper's banks must camp till spring ; 
 When, with increas'd preponderance, they will course 
 O'er yielding cities, and vain bleeding fields, 
 And Russia's lofty throne ; but if defeat 
 Attend her efforts, and her Moscow burn, 
 The winter's rage will tame the furious Frank 
 His legions strong to feeble vagrants turn 
 Pale, starv'd, and shivering in the arms of death. 
 Perhaps Jove so decrees, in later hour 
 To hurl a storm of long collecting wrath 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 331 
 
 On Gaul's throne-shaking Monarch, and compel 
 His retrocession from the Knssian realm, 
 And vex Ambition with prolix suspense. 
 
 Thus Wisdom spoke, then, wrapp'd in clouds, descends, 
 Accompanied by Invention's parent, where 
 The Eussians meditated bloody fray ; 
 And to Kutusoff, and his brave compeers, 
 "Who stood consulting, thus her will reveal'd : 
 
 Since much disaster hath not quench'd the fire 
 By love of glory bred, 'tis well to join 
 With France in mortal conflict on this field, 
 In which your Moscow's destiny is involv'd : 
 If here repuls'd, you bear the yoke of Gaul, 
 Or give to flames and devastation dread, 
 Her towering spires, aud shock Humanity 
 With Misery's wail. Do which you will, but know, 
 That Heaven's high ruler will enrag'd behold, 
 And heap destruction on the odious head, 
 That without need involves the world in wo. 
 E'en savage Mars indignant views the wretch, 
 Who plays the butcher's, not the warrior's part. 
 
 So she : Then thus Necessity proceeds : 
 Your needful actions great indulgence claim ; 
 So circumstanc'd what can you, if o'ercome, 
 But forfeit loyalty, or Moscow burn ? 
 E'en Moscow's ruin were a trivial price 
 For the well-being of the Russian state. 
 
 The solemn oath you took to guard the throne 
 Demands th' exertion of your utmost means, 
 By me suggested, or my sage compeer. 
 If circumstances in dilemma place, 
 Where fair Humanity, or loyal oath 
 Must be offended, should not that be done, 
 Which highest duty dictates ? and for this, 
 Can the just powers above be wroth ? for loud 
 Her voice commands what is propounded here : 
 Yet should your Sovereign sentence to destroy 
 The threaten'd town, and his high will the law 
 
332 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Irrevocable, what but treason rude 
 
 Such ruin could avert ? for laws must rule, 
 
 And be enforc'd, though earth be wreck'd the while. 
 
 But if the light of truth your minds illumes 
 
 'Tis clear, that Russia's King's is your success ; 
 
 For Gaul's great Monarch hungry trains attend, 
 
 On whom he lavishes the spoils of war 
 
 As suits their merits other names may rise, 
 
 And other dignitaries where you reign, 
 
 If he, victorious, dictate terms of peace. 
 
 So "Wisdom counsel'd, and the warrior sage 
 Responded soon : Just is thy lore, and quick 
 Should ruin seize yon city's stately domes, 
 "Were adverse counsels not preferr'd ; but youth, 
 Untri'd in ills, who roves Hope's laurel'd field, 
 Inflam'd with love of glory, will oppose 
 The slow and sure, and rush on Danger's jaws 
 In doubtful fight ; nor am I less attach'd 
 To the grand charmer, who from early days 
 Has been my theme, and urg'd me far from home, 
 And lov'd relations, to the tented fields 
 Of distant climes ; but grey in her pursuit, 
 Instructed in life's harsh, but useful school, 
 I shun the dubious, and the safe prefer, 
 Which, in the sequel, will the happier prove ; 
 For, what ends well, though by inglorious means, 
 The fortune-favoring w r orld will most applaud : 
 Dazzled by pomp, they seek not whence it comes, 
 But fondly lick the feet of guilty men 
 Treat with neglect and scorn the virtuous poor, 
 While the vile miser spurns their humble suit. 
 So far from merit worldlings justice place : 
 So far astray from justice avarice leads ! 
 
 Thus he ; De Tolly then : I glad perceive 
 One, whose attachment to the Russian State 
 Will not be doubted, all my views approves. 
 The chief, who sees beyond the vulgar sight, 
 Uncomprehended, blamed by those he saves, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 333 
 
 And deaf to censure, seeks a nation's good, 
 
 In purpose firm, though popular error crown 
 
 His head with thorns, those thorns will turn to flowers, 
 
 Sure as time's light dispels delusion's gloom. 
 
 Though much opposed to risk the chance of fight, 
 
 Yet since the public voice the battle claims, 
 
 With joy I see the chief command resign'd 
 
 To one in whom all Russian hearts confide ; 
 
 Whose name fires every breast, nerves every arm ; 
 
 Beneath whose sway 'twill be my pride to toil 
 
 In thickest conflict, and to win the praise 
 
 Of well performing a subordinate part. 
 Thus he ; the brave Bagration soon begins : 
 
 'Tis, doubtless, safest to inglorious run 
 
 Before the foe, and intermediate flames ; 
 
 But most injurious to the general weal, 
 
 And what may cause dissatisfaction's roar, 
 
 More odious than war's din ; If not, I straight 
 
 Would sign assent, and light the valued pile. 
 
 But thus to act, before resort to arms, 
 
 In Moscow's view, impolitic may prove ; 
 
 Will it not bring reproach and public wrath ? 
 Ourselves may doubt the justness of the course, 
 
 When we behold our nation's seat of pride 
 Buried in fire, and o'er God's temples rave 
 Destruction's demon, flinging on high heaven 
 His angry gleams ; as if the Titans bold, 
 Freed from their burning rocks, and brazen chains, 
 With us allied, resum'd the war on Jove. 
 
 Two weighty objects we attempt by fight : 
 Our country's approbation of our deeds, 
 And the protection of our church and realm ; 
 That would be gain'd, were this achieved with arms, 
 And not by Desolation's horrid reign ; 
 Which may these eyes ne'er view, but swim in death 
 Midst direst slaughter, and Earth-shaking fray, 
 In its prevention. Ah, much have they seen 
 Of Ruin's scathful march too much, alas ! 
 
334 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEtf. 
 
 Hark ! what proclaims ! (it is no enemy's voice ;) 
 
 Russians, be firm ! no more ignobly walk 
 
 With eyes reverted on convolving flames, 
 
 And wasting wealth ; accoutre all your sons 
 
 Let no more cities like Smolensko burn, 
 
 That the dread enemy may advance o'er blood, 
 
 And wreck of life, bravely resign'd, which soon 
 
 Will give him lamentation and regret. 
 
 No wonder he comes on such speedy pace, 
 
 While we, destroying fly, confessing fear : 
 
 Though many wounds we gave him and red fields, 
 
 Inferior numbers were unfit to cope 
 
 With his, superior, and with science train'd ; 
 
 But now, with conjunct forces, we may turn 
 
 War's blasting current in less harmful course ; 
 
 Perhaps compel the dreadful chief to flee 
 
 In ruinous defeat, close urg'd by steel, 
 
 To Poland's bounds, or o'er Elb's distant stream. 
 
 Already Witgenstein has check'd the tide 
 
 Towards Petersburgh careering with grim frown ; 
 
 Where Oudinot, McDonald, and St. Cyr 
 
 Employ'd their federate arts, and armies vast. 
 
 Dwina's rough shores, grown odious to them now, 
 
 Since Kliastitzi, Yacobouva, saw 
 
 Their overthrow, and Polotzk drank their gore, 
 
 Shall henceforth bound their march, or be their grave. 
 
 Is Russia's bravery all concentred there ? 
 
 Shall Moscow say that cowards guard her towers ? 
 
 Our efforts too, may with success be crown'd, 
 
 Or show we merit, though we not obtain : 
 
 Without the trial, none th' effect will know ; 
 
 Without th' attempt man scales not Fortune's steep ; 
 
 Who fickle, blind, the fate of empires throws : 
 
 Let Folly not deprive us of the chance, 
 
 To win the glory to our valor due, 
 
 Or take the favors which she might confer. 
 
 So he, his brother chiefs assent declare, 
 While resolution brighten'd in their eyes, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 335 
 
 And glorious hope impell'd their souls to war. 
 
 Wisdom and her associate, with high bound, 
 
 Forsook the land, and swift as thought's career, 
 
 Shot o'er the rolling clouds ; far stream'd their robes 
 
 In quivering circles on the flowing air. 
 
 From her bright waist a radiant scroll depends, 
 
 Whereon is writ, the sum of days unborn ; 
 
 What time Sol from his orb extruded earth, 
 
 And Luna rose from broad Pacific's deep, 
 
 Thrown by dilation of th' imprison'd air, 
 
 Rocks, floods, and mountains crumbling from her disk 
 
 Loud sounding down the chasm, whence she tower'd, 
 
 Where rival oceans, meeting, furious rav'd ; 
 
 What time, giants trod earth, and waded gulfs, 
 
 Which loftiest navies sail ; dread beasts, more huge 
 
 Than mammoths tall, and strange organic forms, 
 
 Monsters, unfit for being, early nipp'd : 
 
 (The forms more capable to life sustain, 
 
 Still flourish'd on ; th' imperfect famish'd soon ; 
 
 Th' unwieldy, struggling for the means of life, 
 
 Sunk gradually in death ; oblivion seal'd, 
 
 And mortals learn no more their natures, or their names.) 
 
 How oft poor human kind had been extinct, 
 
 Flourish'd and died, in earthquakes, floods, and fire, 
 
 Ere Jove in Adam, last, the race restor'd. 
 
 And what the cycle, at whose close the Earth 
 
 Her green equator to the poles removes 
 
 The frigid and the torrid zones exchang'd 
 
 While tempests and bewildered oceans rage, 
 
 Grim wandering from their old abodes o'er realms, 
 
 And continents, sweeping cloud-capt hills before, 
 
 With all the feeble works of human pride. 
 
 Soon light the twain on the rough mount, and find 
 
 Severity, equipp'd to make descent 
 
 And thus Necessity the power advis'd : 
 
 Since by the voice of Wisdom thou art call'd, 
 And part, by loyal duty, do not more 
 Than what I dictate, and e'en then restrain 
 
336 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Thy hurtful fury : better not perform 
 
 My whole command, than that command exceed ; 
 
 For fear thy conduct rouse the heavenly powers, 
 
 And fiery angels, ministers of wrath, 
 
 Rush on our mount, and me, thy mother, whelm 
 
 In dark oblivion, or some hellward gulf, 
 
 'Midst roaring demons, and our native seat 
 
 Be rid of this unsullied fabric, long 
 
 The shield of duty, and the mint of arts 
 
 And thenceforth nam'd, oh, odious to repeat ! 
 
 Th' excuse of cruelty, and barbarous crime. 
 
 She spoke, and he departed on swift wings. 
 
 Keen lightning seem'd his eyes ; his head a cloud ; 
 
 His voice harsh thunder, and his arm a storm, 
 
 That wielded death ; a whirlwind flew before 
 
 Air sigh'd, Heaven lower'd, and darkness round him clos'd. 
 
 The marvelling world beheld ; astounded kings, 
 
 Long suffering, doubted the result of strife 
 
 So burden'd with destruction ; yet the beams 
 
 Of joyous hope illumin'd oft their breasts. 
 
 Stern Mars, astonish'd, heard the general groan, 
 
 And grew tenfold deformed, haggard and wild. 
 
 Humanity loud mourn'd round the vast globe 
 
 Her voice resounded, and her sufferings told : 
 
 The nations heard tears roll'd down Pity's mien : 
 
 Celestial Pity ! as on earth she roves, 
 
 She gilds the thorny maze of life with flowers ; 
 
 Her kindness lights the countenance of Despair, 
 
 And her sweet language gladdens Pain's dull ear. 
 
 He near the Eussian chiefs alighted, half 
 
 Divested of his terrors ; yet with grief 
 
 They saw the power they had invok'd, and felt 
 
 Their loyalty oppress ; but short they paus'd ; 
 
 For now in view a host, far spread, and bright, 
 
 On distant mountains threat'ning front display'd, 
 
 That rage inspired : magnificent, the gleams 
 
 Of bristling bayonets cast a dazzling flood 
 
 Before them, as they mov'd to martial sounds. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 337 
 
 Thick rising cither way, as far as one 
 Could view the splendid scene. Glory the while 
 In open sight, between both hosts appear'd ; 
 Her crown of rays divine effulgence shed 
 Her veil celestial stream'd upon the wind, 
 Sparkling with star-like gems ; her eyes sublime 
 Seem'd Heaven's semblance, and bespoke a soul 
 Fir'd with the love of honorable deeds. 
 Upon her arm she bore unnumber'd wreaths, 
 Form'd by her sportive train, that frequent rove 
 With pensive spectres of the mighty dead, 
 And o'er the youthful breast enchantment hold. 
 Upon a neighboring mount she takes her post. 
 Fame from her hall impetuous downward wheels, 
 And by her side illustrious station fills ; 
 Unwinds the snowy scroll, and sits serene, 
 Waiting the impulse of ; distinguish 'd deeds. 
 Valor at distance stood in tower r like calm ; 
 Ambition, restless as the foaming waves, 
 With antic gestures strange amus'd the powers . 
 Wisdom was near, e'en all the inspiring train ; 
 For now no trivial game the nations play 'd : 
 The prize, the mighty empire of the world ; 
 No disrespected warriors trod the field ; 
 And heroes of tried worth must guide the storm. 
 
 Napoleon, meteor-like, in lofty state 
 Sped through his lines with all-observing eye ; 
 As quick as light from Sol to Saturn darts, 
 He comprehends the posture of his powers : 
 By rapid glance of eye a map is spread 
 Full in his soul, displaying hill and vale. 
 Enthusiastic clamor waits his course, 
 Or silent reverence, and refulgent blaze, 
 Reflected by presentment of bright arms. 
 His charger, snorting, with superior grace 
 Careers along, partaker of the fire 
 And dignity he bears : fleet as the winds, 
 On either side of the embattled host, 
 22 
 
338 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLtf. 
 
 Majestically, gracefully, lie moves ; 
 
 Then takes his station, and forthwith gives sign, 
 
 Inviting to his presence all his chiefs, 
 
 Who swift around him meet. He thus begins : 
 
 We need not tell th' importance of this day 
 To our campaign ; full twice ten days are gone, 
 Since near Smolensko we the victory won ; 
 Yet Dwina's shores McDonald's progress bounds. 
 ' Tis time to renovate successful strife ; 
 With one decisive blow end Russia's reign ; 
 Such chance we long have sought ; we find it here ; 
 Then let exerted skill your genius prove. 
 The task is hard, with numbers less, to hurl 
 The foe from his trench'd hill and chosen post ; 
 But dexterous bravery may effect it soon. 
 Fly to Death's arms in preference to Defeat's : 
 If one be near me faithless of this creed, 
 Let him go theorise on war not practice wheel 
 In tranquil studious moments the fierce steeds, 
 And shape the lines of bloody battle. Know, 
 ' Tis easier to conceive than to perform : 
 Not always rules with circumstances suit ; 
 How oft unskilful valor ruins states ! 
 O, could my body with my thoughts career ! 
 The mind grasps the wide range of earth and heaven ; 
 But yon poor hill dares me with hateful frown. 
 
 You, Poniatowski and Davoust, will lead 
 Our right against Bagration's thundering lines, 
 And half form'd batteries, labored work of night, 
 Which vanquish'd, let the cavalry rush amain 
 Through their sore ranks, and on their centre's rear 
 .Make deadly charge : while Ney, with timely speed, 
 Will lead our centre, and Beauharnois' skill 
 -Control our left and make the foe believe 
 ' Tis there we mean to employ our utmost might. 
 Each act as circumstances shall require. 
 Here from Schwardino's rampart we will hold 
 The reins of Battle, and to victory guide. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 First let each captain of our Lost make known 
 
 What we proclaim : Soldiers ! the era comes 
 
 You much desired. You stand in Glory's field. 
 
 If not successful now, the fault is yours. 
 
 We victory need, and all the joys she brings ; 
 
 A quick return to our lov'd native land, 
 
 And plenteous fare, while winter reigns, 'twill give. 
 
 Do as on Austerlitz', Smolensko's fields, 
 
 And late posterity will boast your deeds : 
 
 Our countrymen will say, when you pass by : 
 
 " He fought in that great fight by Moscow's walls." 
 
 Thus speaks the sovereign warrior. Tendance mute 
 
 The chiefs around observe ; then reverence sign, 
 
 And to their posts depart. The sun had risen 
 
 In cloudless pomp ; but soon in misty veil 
 
 He wrapt his blazing face, and dusky shades 
 
 Spread o'er the world, favoritig Napoleon's views. 
 
 When done preluding Poniatowski mov'd 
 With his great host against the Russian powers. 
 Davoust close follow'd, like a gloomy flood 
 By winds disturb'd, rolling in vengeance forth ; 
 Their coming, thunder told, and missive globes 
 From neighboring heights, swift darting with dread force, 
 Tormenting the dark air, and bearing death. 
 Wide through the Russian ranks they ruthless sweep, 
 While red streams flow, and dying groans arise. 
 Loud rending through the ground, they toss up clouds 
 Of dust and gravel ; thousands lose the light, 
 And stand distracted midst th' increasing storm. 
 
 Russia returns the dreadful messengers ; 
 Loud houras rise ; her heroes angry smile 
 With fearless ardor ; laboring far and wide 
 Begins tremendous fray. Ney pours along 
 With all his myriads ; next Beauharnois comes 
 With torrent speed ; opes wide the gates of death ; 
 Attacks a main redoubt, with boundless rage, 
 That Russia thither may her forces bring, 
 Weakening her left ; but well Kutusoff knew 
 
340 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 His enemy's aim, and Bagawout thus commands : 
 
 Lead your division to Bagration's aid, 
 Lest soon the French in thunder o'er him drive. 
 ' Tis not on his opponent's strongest point 
 Napoleon spends his choicest strength. Ere long, 
 A fiercer storm upon our left will fall ; 
 Which back upon his lines I trust will roll ; 
 Then swift our cavalry to our right transferr'd, 
 Shall teach the foe a feint has still its snares, 
 And give his own left what he meant for ours ! 
 
 Thus he ; meanwhile all Borodino roars 
 Herself in flames shoots up a hideous glare 
 Full twice twelve hundred thunderers huge spread death 
 From flank to flank of fierce contending powers. 
 The heavens and earth are snatch'd from human sight. 
 A darkness horrible envelops all, 
 In which tremendous tragedy careers. 
 More plenteous fly the whizzing balls than flakes, 
 When Boreas drives, tumultuous, clouds on clouds, 
 Scattering o'er half the nations seas of hail. 
 Big gulfs of fire gleam frightful, and dark truce 
 Rapid succeeds, while round the thundering din, 
 And screams of ghastly mortals, trampled low, 
 Heaven's concave rend. Fast on the Russian left 
 Davoust impels his legions, fury-arm'd, 
 And thus addresses Marion : Yon redoubts 
 That flame, defensive of the desperate foe, 
 With your brigade ascend. Let Fucher rush 
 With all his cavalry sudden on their guns 
 In tempest fury, that they swift recede 
 From their far butchering ramparts, big with death ! 
 
 Thus order'd, rapid as Niagara's floods 
 Pour down their lofty cataract, the grim powers 
 On Russia headlong rush spreading dismay, 
 In close embattled ranks, and squadrons deep, 
 Through which huge globes assert their fatal course. 
 High o'er the parapets the French advance ; 
 The thunderers of the battle cease, and o'er them fall 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 341 
 
 Their bold defenders, fighting e'en in death. 
 While Russia's shatter'd phalanx backward moves, 
 Still scattering ruin on the following foe. 
 Bagration sees, and thus to Karpoff speaks : 
 
 Lo ! Hope's main prospect darkening forthwith speed 
 To renovate resistance ; urge our bands 
 To their ]ost ground : those hundred guns regain 
 Half yielded to the foe. Karpoff departs 
 Precipitate through the long flashing lines, 
 High brandishing bright sword, where thickest fight 
 Roar'd hideous, wild ! and audience thus essays : 
 
 Soldiers ! where fly ye ? cease, oh ! shameful rout ; 
 For though Sol veils his head in clouds ; though night 
 Seems lurking here ; yet know, your country soon 
 Will see this sad reverse in deep regret, 
 And damn her recreant sons, as she deplores 
 Her holy saints profan'd, her altars raz'd, 
 And writhes in conflagration. Turn ! then, turn ! 
 The sword of vengeance wield ! Let every nerve 
 With our great cause accord ; nor let hell's arm, 
 Though cloth'd with thunder, 'gainst our God prevail. 
 
 The toil-worn heroes hear ; their w r eary souls 
 Swell doubly wrathful, and like bullets hurl'd 
 From their deep dark recesses, rush they, fierce 
 Against their blood-stain'd foe ; nor storming Gaul 
 They deem shall check their dreadful speed till, plum'd 
 With victory, they dispatch tjie vengeful balls 
 From their redoubt regain'd. France meets the shock 
 As some great admiral's ship meets ocean's waves, 
 When winds have swept the masts of all their sails, 
 And laboring hard, she drifts before the storm. 
 JSTow here, now there, her warriors bold recede, 
 And strike with guns revers'd, and bayonet's thrust. 
 Though many Russians die, their comrades brave 
 Pour on revengeful, wielding deadly arms. 
 Uncertain victory reels from side to side, 
 At length remains with France ; her foe recoils 
 In wounded plight midst thundering iron showers, 
 
342 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And Semenoskow and her bulwarks leaves. 
 
 ' Twas then, brave Karpoff, thou didst yield tliy breath, 
 
 And groan away distinguish'd life, pertus'd 
 
 By ruthless bullet, when success was near. 
 
 And you, bold Marion, fearless in war's van, 
 
 Heard Death's dread summons, and rejoined the dust. 
 
 Thy melancholy shade, above the world, 
 
 Then pensive view'd contention's bitter storm, 
 
 The tumult, darkness, flames and terrors there, 
 
 Incurious of its great result, and flew 
 
 Directly to thy France, and gaz'd unseen, 
 
 On all that bound thee to the walks of men ; 
 
 As yet joy fill'd thy halls (thy fate unknown) ; 
 
 ISTo widow there her matchless lord deplor'd 
 
 No children startling at her grief, inquir'd, 
 
 If they should never see their father more. 
 
 Thou wouldst have spoke, but ah, no voice was thine 
 
 To breathe thy fondness to the dear ones there : 
 
 Still didst thou wander round thy grateful home 
 
 Awhile ; then pass'd away on moaning wind, 
 
 And rov'd, perhaps, where Fancy never rov'd. 
 
 Kutusoff, now, bids PlatofF quickly charge 
 
 The Gallic left, with all his squadrons' fleet. 
 
 The Hetman speeds, with all his warrior train, 
 Far spreading on their nimble steeds they move 
 Like foaming billows swift, with furious pace, 
 Their thirsty spears protending as they go : 
 As waves roll thundering at the feet of winds 
 Through some late inundated forest, half 
 Projecting from the deep, with all its limbs, 
 They rush impetuous on the Gallic powers. 
 As the drench'd forest meets the boisterous waves, 
 Bending and breaking, Gaul the charge sustains : 
 Loud houras rise, appalling shrieks, and jar 
 Of headlong rushing steeds, and iron sounds. 
 
 Brave Caulain court beheld the coming charge 
 And valiant, hurried 'gainst the great redoubt 
 To turn its thunders from the menac'd wing : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 343 
 
 In thickest battle wav'd his rnling sword, 
 
 Sublim'd by scenes that frustrate cowards minds. 
 
 Leading the storm upon the bulwark's brow, 
 
 A winged ball destroy'd his lofty port, 
 
 His dignities, exalted hopes ; and death. 
 
 With shades eternal, veil'd his ardent eyes. 
 
 The Emperor sees, and quickly thus commands : 
 
 Haste ! Cleparede ! Our wavering left relieve 
 
 Lead all thy legion. Like a tempest rush 
 
 On yonder Cossack clouds ! The General swift 
 
 Leads on the legion of the Vistula ; 
 
 Darts past the bleeding squares, that need his aid, 
 
 And plunges in the storm of charging hosts, 
 
 Like lightning bursting from the frowning heaven. 
 
 Before him, quick, the scatter'd squadrons fly ; 
 
 Behind, the Viceroys's broken bands reform, 
 
 Preparing to renew the toils of fight. 
 
 So swift his cavalry rush'd, the browsing steeds 
 
 That roam'd at large, whose riders were no more, 
 
 Rous'd by the prospect, join'd the rapid race ; 
 
 Each took his wonted station, as he run, 
 
 And added weight and fury to the charge. 
 
 A wave of wounded men, and streaming blood, 
 
 And bounding steeds, subsiding fast in death, 
 
 Roll'd on behind, midst broken arms and groans. 
 
 The Russians fled beneath the sheltering wing 
 
 Of that dread battery's thunder, which, thrice storm'd, 
 
 Had thrice roll'd back the tide of death, and stood 
 
 Projected midst the war, the appui firm 
 
 Of either wing, and red with heroes' gore. 
 
 Three dreadful hours had now departed high 
 With horrid stride Destruction walk'd, and men 
 Unnumber'd slept in palid stillness cold ; 
 Still undecided bled the dreadful field. 
 Though, twice repuls'd, again Bagration's powers 
 Were moving fast th' offensive to resume : 
 Napoleon, straight, directs Murat, Davoust, 
 And JSTey, to move, with all their thousands, on 
 
344: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 The Eussian left ; assisted by Friand, 
 "With his division, all the park reserv'd, 
 Junot's Westphalians, and Dessaix' command ; 
 Nor stop, nor pause, until Bagration's ground 
 Become their own, should give them to survey 
 The rear of Russia's centre, thus unveil'd. 
 
 His myriads swift proceed beneath dark clouds ; 
 Their loud artillery, with realm-shaking roar, 
 Rends the deep rooted hills with deadly blows, 
 O'erwhelming thousands, like the hand of Jove, 
 When quakes the world and tumble towns and towers. 
 A miry Syrtis seemed the trembling field, 
 O'erspread with fading youths, rolling in gore, 
 Myriads clay-cold and dead, and shiver'd arms 
 Yast wreck of manly dignity and life, 
 Subject no more to Folly's giddy reign. 
 In front of bold Bagration's line arose 
 A rampire of the dying and the dead. 
 As the voracious crocodile, with jaws 
 Extended, baiting insect tribes, shuts mouth 
 Upon the swarming nations, and devours, 
 So the dark grave on half the army clos'd. 
 Fierce as a whirlwind rushes on a grove, 
 Rending its verdure, flew the French reserve 
 Against their foes, athwart their gasping peers ; 
 Steeds, men, artillery, o'er the corpses drive 
 Blood streams anew ; gush'd entrails smoke around, 
 And doubly hideous frowns the face of war. 
 The regal warrior rul'd the onset dread ; 
 Friand, Dessaix, on battle's stormy brow 
 Impetuous rode, and breath'd heroic rage. 
 
 As heaven's high king abrupt might quit his throne, 
 Involv'd in seas of clouds, while thunders roar, 
 And lightnings quivering dart, midst darkness dire, 
 Grasping a world in each resistless hand 
 Midst their vehement speed, and swift as thoughts 
 In startled fancy play, from their old seats, 
 And ancient orbits in collision hurl, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 345 
 
 Their ponderous orbs confounding, with their towers, 
 Mountains, vast continents, and ocean isles, 
 So meet the hostile squadrons ; all the field 
 Quakes with new terrors ; sudden tumult spreads, 
 Groans, thunders, shouts, and bray of clashing arms ; 
 The living ocean in wild madness raves ; 
 France plunges furious into clouds of foes ; 
 Nor ought permits to turn her headlong course 
 O'er mountains of the dead, and crimson floods. 
 Russia opposes many a dreadful grove 
 Of bristling bayonets ; many a squadron bold 
 And Cossack spear, and fearless breast, that meets 
 The deadly torrent, acts its part, and dies. 
 But far along begins increasing rout, 
 Pale consternation and bad disarray : 
 Bragation sees pain stings his ardent soul 
 For Russia's state he sorrows, and forth speeds 
 "Where thickest battle rages ; and thus loud 
 Hails his retiring legions : Soldiers ! cease 
 To blast our laurels. Shun abhorred disgrace. 
 Think ye to longer hold inglorious life 
 By foul abandonment of this red ground, 
 Where Jove in kindness gives you chance to hurl 
 The bolts of vengeance on the unrighteous foe ? 
 Who Europe's length has travers'd to destroy 
 Our happiness, and altars of God. 
 
 His voice revives their fury ; where he rides, 
 War's horrors thicken, and the battle grows : 
 Muskets revers'd, with ponderous force descend, 
 Dislodging brains, and sweeping life away. 
 Sabres clash loud bayonets are toss'd on high 
 Death's groans and Victory's shouts resound with bray 
 Of steely storm ; foes grapple foes, depriv'd 
 Of iron weapons, wrestling in hot mood 
 Striving for future days their heels upturn 
 The bloody soil, and crush the fallen brave, 
 Till their companions pierce the struggling foe 
 In vital part, and rid them of their toil. 
 
346 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 France, half repuls'd by such rebuff, renews 
 The fire of combat with increas'd uproar : 
 Redoubled clash, disploding arms resound ; 
 Flames, smoke and carnage, deck the shuddering field. 
 Fast, where they stand, long dying mountains rise ; 
 Earth groans beneath, with reeking torrents dyed, 
 And deadly Havoc triumphs far around. 
 
 Bagration falls, a thunderbolt of war, 
 A flying death pierc'd his brave breast, while bold 
 He urg'd his countrymen to Victory's throne. 
 His beauteous princess shall no more behold 
 The living hero and the tender friend 
 Return from war, with verdant laurels crown'd. 
 With hers shall flow a grateful nation's tears. 
 In mournful brightness, in her memory's day, 
 Unfading, fresh, untouch'd by withering time, 
 And flush'd with glory's light, she long will see 
 Her bosom's lord, as when she last beheld, 
 And heard his long adieu, and thought she saw 
 A torrent flood of valor deathward bound. 
 
 Garghikoff, too, by ruthless bayonet stabb'd, 
 In the dire tumult fell on bloody heaps, 
 And, whelm'd in darkness, dream'd of wars no more. 
 
 .Napoleon, wroth at Fortune's sluggish pace, 
 Impatient drew his sword and had sped forth, 
 Midst hottest combat, with his faithful guard ; 
 Or took the station of inferior chief 
 To urge, precipitate, the bleeding host, 
 Where death or victory soon would end suspense ; 
 But Prudence saw, as by her parent's side 
 In plenitude of light she sate, and swift 
 Flew to his presence, and thus calm'd his rage : 
 
 Sovereign, bellipotent, know, man thou art ; 
 Nor more, nor less ; and that in yon red field, 
 Midst its wild uproar, flames and stunning sounds, 
 Thou couldst not wield a superhuman sword, 
 And thousands terminate : Fortune may deign 
 To give superior sway; but she deceives 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 347 
 
 Her favorites ; oft from proud pre-eminence 
 Precipitates them midst the powerless poor, 
 To mourn past height, and weep, and grovel there : 
 Prudence, alone, can keep what she bestows. 
 The whizzing iron deaths thick swarming round, 
 Might pierce thy mortal veil thy spirit pass 
 The ghastly gate, which opes on worlds unknown, 
 And Europe feel thy great control no more. 
 Then rest secure. Mild Wisdom will direct 
 What apt manoeuvre may new face the field. 
 Employ not thy reserves in needless fight, 
 The guard, the army's nucleus, and thy shield. 
 Perform what man can do, nor more attempt ; 
 Nor let tumultuous anger rend thy breast ; 
 For what can change the past ? Submit to Fate T 
 And still Napoleon be, or high, or low. 
 
 She spoke, and vanish'd ; but her words remain'd 
 Deep-laboring in his soul her voice still seem'd 
 Inspiring lofty mood, and sober thought, 
 When thus he brief addressed th' all-ruling God : 
 " Jove, grant what I desire ! " Heaven's Monarch hears 
 And pleas' d admits the supplication pure, 
 Which question'd not th' omniscience of his mind. 
 
 The while from wing to wing of either host 
 War casts his direst flames Key in the midst 
 Like Andes stood, when storms around him roar, 
 The centre ruling. Friant and Plazome, 
 Morand, Montbrun, sub-rulers of his host, 
 Impelling fierce brigades, infuriate drove 
 Against the foe, while balls, cross-darting, tore 
 Sad passage, and a bleeding mountain rose 
 Between both armies, howling with keen pangs, 
 The fam'd Kutusoff, and De Tolly, there, 
 Urg'd desperate opposition : many a charge 
 Both hosts endur'd ; unnumber'd heroes died : 
 Death, with cold grasp, embrac'd the brave Montbrun, 
 Touczkoif, and Konovitzen ; on red ground, 
 Midst clashing steel and prancing steeds they fell 
 Their bloody laurels flourish o'er their graves. 
 
348 ' POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Each army, like a single warrior, fights, 
 Wielding his giant limbs, in mutual aid, 
 As if one soul the .several parts informed, 
 Th' artillery now the' advancing masses rends ; 
 Facilitates the rushing cavalry's charge ; 
 Now smites a bristling hill, that infantry 
 May storna it with success ; and now the foot 
 Reciprocates th' assistance ; in dense squares, 
 Resists th' attempt to spike the thundering arms ; 
 While the fleet cavalry flies to rescue all, 
 Assails the enemy's flanks, and sudden throws 
 The needed aid upon th' endanger'd point. 
 
 Beauharnois on the left, all the dire day, 
 The deadly combat rul'd. Compere, Friant, 
 And many a hero there, distinguish'd, fought. 
 To them Kutusoff equal skill oppos'd 
 The hostile powers decisive valor fir'd. 
 There none gave way ; a bleeding breastwork rose 
 Before their lines, and Havoc ghastly smil'd. - 
 There thou, Compere, forgot the scenes of life ; 
 Expiring under heaps of mortals dead 
 The sanguine torrent was thy winding sheet 
 Thy Dirge the voice of Horror and Dismay, 
 Mingled with warrior's shouts and thundering sounds. 
 Lepel, Compans, Plauzonne and Huard fell, 
 Like the fair columns of some temple grand, 
 The work of Grecian genius, when assail'd 
 By Vandal storm. In floods of gore they lay 
 Their features chaste, and manly beauty soil'd 
 Low trampled by the hoofs of fiery steeds. 
 
 Napoleon urges fast his lengthen'd right 
 To leftward wheel against the masses dense, 
 That bleeding stand amidst the iron hail, 
 Loth to recede, unable to advance ; 
 Bids Naples' king, with all his cavalry, sweep 
 Through their rent lines, and signal victory win. 
 
 Onward, laboring in blood, the myriads move 
 O'er their fall'n comrades, and fresh bleeding foes. 
 Murat, preceded by destructive showers 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 349 
 
 Of iron globes, in thunder hurl'd, advanced 
 
 Like gloomy clouds by raging whirlwinds driven : 
 
 His ponderous forces rash on bristling arms ; 
 
 Death spreads, earth trembles, Victory shouts for Gaul ; 
 
 Her manly accents rise above the storm. 
 
 *On Gallic eyes she bursts, a blaze of joy, 
 
 Bright streaming midst the dreadful rage of fight ; 
 
 Outshining Mars and all the pomp of arms. 
 
 "With matchless grace, she takes from Glory's hand 
 
 The wreath of triumph and Napoleon crowns. 
 
 But Valor proudly looks on either host ; 
 
 And claims for suffering Russia equal palms. 
 
 Platoif, unhappy, saw defeat betide 
 The ardent valor which his troops display'd ; 
 He will'd again t' array his shatter 'd force, 
 To plunge infuriate in the lines of France, 
 And end his grief in victory or the grave ; 
 But day's bright orb below th' horizon fled, 
 A starless night came o'er the direful field, 
 And grateful truce to warring nations gave. 
 
 A clamor now, from wounded mortals, rose 
 O'er all the slippery field, that told its bounds 
 Invisible ; for night inviolate reign'd. 
 There twice twelve thousand slept, to wake no more, 
 And thirsty myriads groan'd, and pray'd for death. 
 
 The French contiguous to the field remain 
 Through the damp, dolorous night. Dull Somnus sheds 
 His balm reluctant o'er their weary limbs ; 
 For horrid sounds invade their ears, and arms 
 Of phantom soldiers menace to destroy, 
 While they, to parry blows, feel battle's toil. 
 
 Not so with their great ruler he repos'd 
 Like the vast ocean in its waveless calm, 
 When sleeps the giant power that shakes the globe ; 
 Nor in his breast the fate of empires roll'd, 
 Till the nocturnal shades had disappear'd, 
 And Phoebus orient fill'd the throne of morn. 
 
BOOK VI. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 The conflagration of Moscow and complaint of Philanthropy. Alexan 
 der's prayer. Jove, observing the preponderance of Russia's fate, bids Uriel 
 command Wisdom not to influence the Passions, until she heard his thunder. 
 Moved by Providence, Ambition, Pride, Rashness and Vanity debate. Am 
 bition offends Rashness ; both fight in the temple. The crowd rush out, 
 urging the combatants. A general battle ensues. Glory meeting Ambi 
 tion, the latter is overcome. Rashness, at length, aided by Folly, collects 
 her followers, and assails her opponents, who are led by Vanity. Jove now 
 bids Gabriel wield his thunder. Wisdom, at the signal, with Prudence, 
 rushes to victory. Then by her advice Napoleon retreats. Battles of Mala- 
 Yarowslavetz, Vercia and Wiazma. The French are attacked by Winter. 
 Their distress. Battle of Krasnoi, of the Berezina, and return of Napoleon 
 to Paris. 
 
 WHAT dismal scenes appear, surpassing song 
 With ruin big, and full of human wo ! 
 Ah, who can paint the horror of that day, 
 Which saw black Ruin shake great Moscow's towers ; 
 Her natives banish'd, or devour'd by flames ; 
 When gorgon Havoc thunder'd at her doors, 
 And on the gather'd wealth of ages preyed. 
 
 Escap'd from Borodino's dreadful field, 
 The Russian armies melancholy pass'd 
 Through the sad town before mov'd gory wains, 
 Burden'd with wo, and thrice ten thousand fell'd 
 In battle. Rumor stirr'd the credulous crowd 
 With horrid tales of Gaul ; Despair and Fear 
 Their gloomy pinions o'er the city wav'd. 
 She now outpour'd her bustling swarms, now blaz'd 
 Before Rastopkin's torch, the glittering spires 
 Suffus'd with bickering flame and smoky cloud. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 351 
 
 Humanity, with unavailing voice, 
 
 Forbid the ruin, Policy advis'd. 
 
 Unnumber'd Russians saw their all destroy'd 
 
 In tearful mood, to Providence resigned, 
 
 Or desperate plung'd into the wrathful fire. 
 
 With lamentations, miserable moans, 
 
 Loud howls, from all the burning ocean rise. 
 
 Through lofty temples Ruin fiercely drives 
 
 In raging flames, and shoots in whirlwinds, round 
 
 The blazing domes. Nine times the rolling World 
 
 Fac'd Sol with rival fires while leeward roll'd 
 
 A smoky ocean, darkening distant realms, 
 
 Thick spangl'd, many a league, with sparkling streams ; 
 
 Ere France encamp'd among the smouldering piles 
 
 Of crumbling palaces and princely seats, 
 
 Midst desolation drear, and scenes of wo. 
 
 It seem'd no more that Moscow, which of late, 
 
 Glittering with golden spires, and domes superb, 
 
 Held happy thousands following various toil ; 
 
 Where commerce, with industrious hand, diffus'd 
 
 The sweets of life, and gave exuberant wealth ; 
 
 Where bells, thick sounding, waken'd pious care, 
 
 And busy myriads walk'd confusedly gay ; 
 
 The fair, unconscious of impending ills ; 
 
 And children loud with joy of life's bright morn. 
 
 Philanthropy, in tears, survey'd the scene, 
 
 And thus complain'd : Forgotten by my race, 
 
 Where shall I, hapless vagrant, find repose ? 
 
 Nor seas, nor lands delight me more : fell war 
 
 Commands my absence, tho' by stealth, I tread 
 
 Where he has march'd to heal the wounds he leaves. 
 
 Earth's sons have seen Sol pass through all the signs 
 
 Since e'en from Franklin's country peace was driven : 
 
 Contention's woful empire girds the globe 
 
 Ah, when will Howard's spirit rule the world ! 
 
 In him the virtues liv'd, and mourn'd for man. 
 
 When mighty kings shall be forgot, his name 
 
 Shall honor 'd sound along the wild of years ; 
 
352 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 He by example taught my lore, and sooth'd 
 The miseries of his kind. Oh, how unlike 
 Who plunge great nations into murderous war ! 
 Glad years, by Hope to Yirtue promis'd, haste, 
 Pass the wide gulf of vice-infected time ! 
 Of glory full of the redeeming God ; 
 O come with all your joys, with dove-like peace, 
 And wipe away our tears ! Fly, lingering gloom ! 
 Insult not Wisdom more ; let earth rejoice 
 In light, in innocence, and sacred love, 
 Approv'd before th' omniscient judge of worlds. 
 
 So speaking, Heaven she scal'd on murky cloud ; 
 A pensive sadness fell on nature's face 
 Resemblance of the melancholy mind. 
 
 The while, Kutusoff to his monarch sends 
 The dismal message, of his Moscow fled 
 On burning wings away ; its site attain'd 
 By his great enemy ; but presumes the realm 
 From hostile rule secure ; on hope relies, 
 And bids him patient hear the voice of fate. 
 But Alexander, griev'd at ruin's march, 
 Humbly thus prays : O king of kings attend 
 To misery's voice, and heal the raging wounds 
 Wide gaping in my soul ! Grant, that my powers 
 May prove victorious, and Napoleon know 
 The darkness of defeat ; his wrath subside 
 In floods of evil fortune ; his high hand, 
 Which menaces the world, be rendered null, 
 To threaten earth's legitimate kings no more, 
 With arms, or doctrine of plebeian source. 
 Oh, condescend to notice princes' tears 
 May we deserve thy mercy in our need ! 
 Long, long, our realm's integrity maintain : 
 For such great kindness, all that man can give 
 I yield a grateful, pure, and upright heart. 
 
 Heaven's monarch heard, as high above the sun 
 And stellar orbs, he fill'd his dazzling throne, 
 Scanning infinity with mild regard : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 353 
 
 The Russian and the Gallic merit weigh'd : 
 
 The scale of France ascended ; Russia's fell 
 
 He straight pronounc'd their doom, and gave the nod : 
 
 As bow'd his head, immensity was mov'd. 
 
 Then to Uriel forthwith gave command 
 
 To order Wisdom, not to mix in strife 
 
 With Passions, till th' almighty signal given : 
 
 Loud bellowing thunder, and wide sea of storm. 
 
 Swift Jove's bright herald spreads his blazing wings, 
 For Wisdom's calm abode. He found her soon 
 In beauty unadorn'd ; her shield and arms 
 Neglected lay contiguous ; her bright eyes 
 Were roving thro' the gloom of ages past, 
 In sober converse, with th' historic muse ; 
 She blush'd, though calm, to see Sol's regent bright 
 Of giant stature : As on earth he strode 
 O'er empires at each step, his locks of gold 
 In th' empyrean blaz'd ; his arm before 
 Remov'd th' obstructing clouds, that darkly roll'd 
 Upon his left, and fell in fitful showers. 
 Celestial lightnings round his garment play'd, 
 That flowing far th' horizon streak'd with fire : 
 His jasper seeming wings shed dazzling light ; 
 And god-like countenance reverend awe inspir'd. 
 She courteous asks : From what superior world, 
 And on what errand, he to earth descends ? 
 Adding ; canst thou be him, I recent deem'd 
 Would come, auspicious, from the throne of Jove 
 Intent with me to urge the fate of men ! 
 
 The angel answers : Messenger I come 
 From Heaven's eternal king ; who bids thee stay 
 Thy potent arm, nor join th' impassion'd war, 
 Till he give signal in the neighboring skies : 
 Loud sounding thunder, and wide sea of storm. 
 Hence I presage that victory and thyself 
 Will jointly walk, and hush the noisy jar ; 
 But in late hour, and on an evil day. 
 
 He spoke, and distant clouds return'd his voice. 
 23 
 
354: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIK, 
 
 Wisdom replied : I see the coming strife 
 
 'Twill not accord then with decided fate 
 
 T' exert my power, till Jove display the sign ! 
 
 She ended. The bright angel turning, soar'd 
 On lightning pinions, clouds flew downward urg'd 
 By wings celestial ; swift beyond her view 
 And planetary orbits he obtain'd, 
 And mingled with the joyful sons of Heaven. 
 
 Meantime, at Jove's command, grave Providence 
 The Passions summon 'd to the dome of Fame. 
 In shining circles through the ample hall, 
 They stream'd with faces bright ; yet secret vex'd, 
 They often darken'd with tempestuous frowns. 
 The judge involv'd in lambent clouds of gold 
 Uplifts his arm ; and sudden thunder shakes 
 The glowing temple ; silence deep succeeds ; 
 While thus he speaks : The Gallic Emperor camps 
 On Moscow's site ; shall he continue there ? 
 Or straight retrace his steps to Niemen's stream ? 
 In your decision lies the fate of realms. 
 
 Ambition first, despondent thus began : 
 Sad is the climax of these mighty deeds, 
 Progressing long Fulfiller of the fates ! 
 This conflagration in thy breast conceal'd, 
 Permitted me to dote on future time 
 And great Napoleon ; but my sightless mind, 
 And unprophetic nature, now ill seem 
 Adapted to do more than humbly hope ; 
 The common course of things may sudden change : 
 Who had believed Russia would Moscow burn, 
 And on herself such sad destruction bring ! 
 What dire defence ! what cruel height of rage, 
 And boundless woe will tyranny indulge ! 
 My expectations blasted, Hope's fair boon, 
 The winter shield, great Moscow, now no more, 
 Is it not meet that Gaul's long trains return 
 To Dwina's stream, while the mild season reigns, 
 Whose rapid march will soon arrive midst snows, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 355 
 
 Destructive frost, dark skies, and chilling winds ? 
 The staff whereon we lean'd has broke the base 
 On which was superstructed the resolve 
 To enter Moscow's walls by one campaign, 
 Has fail'd ; why then persist in that attempt ? 
 Why tarry where it was unwise to come ? 
 Whence will the sustenance of his troops be drawn ? 
 Sure not from Poland, as Moldavia's host, 
 (Uncheck'd by Swartzenburg,) will soon evince. 
 Nor from the Ukraine : Lectascova's camp 
 Effectual interdiction will oppose. 
 In truth th' alternate Fate vouchsafes to give 
 The Chief, is instant flight, or ruin vast. 
 
 Next Pride imperious, thus vehement spoke : 
 Earth-ruling power, by whom great nations fall, 
 'Preserve my pleasures had in Gaul's fam'd Chief, 
 When kingdom-shaking Victory glads his soul. 
 Methinks he should on Moscow's site remain 
 'Till winter melt beneath the breeze of spring. 
 Would Russia dare disturb his dread repose ? 
 Front Borodino's victor in his camp ? 
 But some Moldavian army threats his rear ! 
 And Famine menaces what way he turns ! 
 Has then Ambition leap'd a realm too. far ? 
 Will comfortless retreat alone secure ? 
 Not circumstances, but the hero rules 
 Inflexible he never learn'd to flee. 
 Though disappointment mov'd his soul that day, 
 When Moscow roll'd along the skies in smoke, 
 And danc'd on winds, he stood unaw'd ; me call'd 
 And Yalor : in his presence prolix time 
 We heard his dictates, and with pleasure found 
 He would not retrogade for cities burn'd, 
 Or signs of cowardice in his mad foe. 
 Before he should retreat peace must be made ; 
 Such as the conqueror of a main resort, 
 Or capital of empire might propound ; 
 That he triumphant on retreating wheels 
 
356 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 May drag the wealth and glory of his foe. 
 To those, nor other terms will I subscribe, 
 For his abandonment of Russia's realm, 
 Though frightful Danger ope dire gulf before. 
 
 Thus she ; then Rashness with like frenzy speaks : 
 Shall the great monarch with his matchless host, 
 Like timorous herds, depart the Russian clime ? 
 Why not remain, 'till the great object won, 
 For which he rouses Europe's states to arms ? 
 What shall obstruct his high designs ? What man, 
 Without supernal aid, can harm him there ? 
 Speak nought of foul retreat, ye wayward throng, 
 Lest I grasp all my stores, and with one blast 
 Confound your senses, and wild madness reign. 
 
 'Tis unfit time to spread false larums here ; 
 If bold Ambition disappointment feel, 
 Must relaxation of the glorious toil 
 Ensue ? Far different I conjecture ; Pride 
 And Yalor will assist the potent Chief 
 To hold on Moscow ; thence he will not move 
 In sad recursion to Borysthenes, 
 Though thrice more inauspicious fortune seem. 
 Glory and Peace shall his return attend : 
 Know, then, my firm resolve, which not e'en thou 
 O Judge of Earth, shalt change, though thy great sire 
 Come headlong from his flaming throne, and hurl 
 Dire thunderbolts abroad, and frigid storms, 
 Is Moscow to retain 'till he make glorious peace. 
 
 Although gigantic danger round him grows : 
 Think ye, he trembles at the force of men, 
 Or slow benumbing algor ? Are the brave 
 Not always free ? Before ignoble flight, 
 'Tis theirs to storm the frowning gate of death 
 Tear tyrants from their thrones fit earth for life, 
 vOr pass with glory to the world of souls. 
 
 He ended. Vanity thus soon began : 
 Illustrious power, we reverence thy decrees, 
 Which, for long time, have given me high delight 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 35Y 
 
 In the great hero, whom we now dispose ; 
 
 But dark and varied are the scenes, before 
 
 His present tenor, and beyond the veil 
 
 That shrouds resistless destiny from man, 
 
 Are many angry shapes, and dimly seen. 
 
 Perhaps the terror of victorious name, 
 
 Accompanied by strong myriads, might command 
 
 Safe plight in Moscow ; but deep doubt o'erclouds 
 
 The counsels of my breast : It might result 
 
 Far better, timely to commence retreat ; 
 
 But what unusual wonder will prevail 
 
 Among mankind, if he return unfraught 
 
 With spoils of conquest, or without the peace 
 
 He warr'd to dictate ! Will not Fear then say : 
 
 I him inglorious led to safer lands 
 
 He heard my lore, obsequious took my course ; 
 
 Else had he perish'd in the hostile clime, 
 
 And France no more inspir'd the world with awe ? 
 
 Thus she ; Ambition then more bold, proceeds : 
 Retreat ! unhappy term, to me propos'd, 
 Sounds like the lion's roar and vulture's scream 
 To their foreboding victims ; but defeat, 
 And general ruin, far more odious seem. 
 This, I presume, may happen to our Chief, 
 Though yet victorious and all-conquering deem'd, 
 If the sing'd site of Moscow keep him long. 
 
 When first he march'd on this august campaign, 
 I bid him there abide the winter drear ; 
 But this combustion then was not foreseen. 
 'Tis best to act accordant with events, 
 Not rush with Rashness on uncertain doom. 
 'Tis sure unpleasant to retrace the steps 
 Of mighty war ; but much I wish the king, 
 With all his myriads, were in Poland's bounds : 
 And thither to arrive let him essay ; 
 There wait the beck of spring to rise again 
 In the dread majesty of glorious war. 
 
 So speaking, Rashness, fir'd with vengeance, rose, 
 
358 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Grasp'd her red shield, and wav'd her shining sword ; 
 "While the great Congress sudden panic seiz'd 
 Or bold emotion ; swift they lift their arms, 
 Stand nerv'd for battle, and defiance frown. 
 Firm Providence sat midst th' increasing fray, 
 Like Andes, awful, grand, and mild, when storms 
 Howl on his sides, dark heaven's artillery sounds, 
 And tempests rend his cliffs with dreadful roar. 
 
 Ambition, first, the rude disturber dar'd 
 To measure prowess in th' adjoining field. 
 He gladly heard, and to his comrades call'd : 
 Eouse all your rage ; assume the trusty shields ; 
 Assert your dignity, nor be control'd 
 By the chill counsels of inglorious friends. 
 Then, as a whirlwind rushes on tall groves, 
 In wild confusion scattering limbs and leaves, 
 He bounds upon his foe ; nor waits the field 
 Propos'd for combat : Midst the radiant Hall 
 Their weapons clash'd, and fearful tumult rose. 
 Swift open flew the gates, with thundering sound, 
 Before the rushing deluge of stern forms, 
 Of principal, auxiliar powers, all arm'd 
 With different weapons, burning to contend. 
 Amidst them Rashness and Ambition rag'd 
 In boisterous battle ; forceful blows were given, 
 Black ire, keen threat'iiing, edg'd their fiery eyes. . 
 Urg'd by the crowding host, they reach the field ; 
 But, neither conquering, separate to array 
 Their votaries ; then each lifts his standard high, 
 Inviting followers : fruitless prove their pains ; 
 For now promiscuous fight tumultuous rag'd 
 With stunning sound, fast darkening all the field. 
 Tremendous uproar thrills the startled sphere ; 
 Fame's temple quakes ; Mars, plum'd with horror, low'rs 
 On flaming clouds, loud thundering o'er the host ; 
 Glory, impetuous, bounded midst the fray, 
 Divested of her starry robes ; but garb'd 
 With brazen armor ; dreadful as a god 
 
THE NAPOLEAD- 
 
 She lighten'd round, and wasteful javelin swung. 
 
 Yalor with lofty port majestic drove 
 
 His rattling car, by winged monsters drawn, 
 
 Through the dread combat, with resistless might ; 
 
 What way he turn'd, defeat before him flew, 
 
 Till bold Ambition, fiery-helm'd, rebuff 'd 
 
 With bolt enormous, both his dragon steeds, 
 
 And hurl'd them, staggering to the verge of death ; 
 
 When from his car he springs, and lifting high 
 
 Its adamantine wheels, with fatal aim 
 
 Then hurls on his opposer, who in vain 
 
 Essays to shun their fury with long lance, 
 
 And falls, with swimming eyes ; but Hope fast heals 
 
 The painful wound ; her pharmacy renews 
 
 The warrior with her wonted power ; then quick 
 
 In search of her subduer, she speeds forth ; 
 
 But soon meets Rashness, fronted with Despair, 
 
 Whose face terrific frown'd. Short pause ensues 
 
 Of deep amaze ; a horrid truce ! then fierce, 
 
 And terrible, in stormy conflict join ; 
 
 Dire clash'd their arms, emitting gleamy rays ; 
 
 Pride look'd astounded on the arduous strife. 
 
 At length, like tumbling tower, Ambition fell ; 
 
 Her fall shook all the field ; struck by a shaft, 
 
 Which Rashness snatch'd from Fame's refulgent gate 
 
 In angry haste. Again the warrior rose ; 
 
 But wilPd no more to shine in luckless fray, 
 
 And disappear'd, in clouds and darkness veil'd, 
 
 Lamenting her dishonor and sore wounds. 
 
 While Rashness, blustering, summon'd all her train, 
 
 And wav'd her lofty banner o'er the war. 
 
 Fast she collects her forces, and presumes 
 
 Her concentrated strength shall sweep the field 
 
 Of enemies through her forming lines she darts, 
 
 Like flickering meteor, and arrays for fight ; 
 
 Her cloven helmet, haggard eyes, dark plumes, 
 
 In battle sing'd ; her broken spear, and club 
 
 Of Parian marble, thrice ten cubits long, 
 
 359 
 
360 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENES'. 
 
 Torn from the front of Fame's resplendent dome, 
 
 High brandishing, in ample circles, spread 
 
 Distraction round. Folly, her next in power, 
 
 "With ghastly laugh strode on the murky air 
 
 On hideous gorgon, that had thousand legs, 
 
 Unnumber'd wings, deaf ears, and one dim eye. 
 
 Oft o'er her bands she ruinous career'd, 
 
 Herself despoiling, when redoubled grin 
 
 Sat on her visage, and a putrid tear 
 
 Roll'd down and lodg'd upon her snaky tongue. 
 
 She rul'd the right, Rashness the centre of their host, 
 
 And Pride the left. Against them stood a throng 
 
 Confus'd, indiiferent and without control. 
 
 Now the chief leader, Rashness, thus commands : 
 Companions in contention, grasp your arms, 
 Or rocky masses, and from swift ascent 
 High in the air, rush downward on yon foes, 
 Thick spreading ruin, terror and dismay ; 
 And sweep them from the field. They heard, and fire 
 Gleam'd from their eyes ; each brandish'd fiery arms, 
 Defiance hurling to th' opposing powers, 
 And straight spread out umbrageous wings ; now clouds, 
 Big with dark tempest, muttering wrath they seem, 
 Soaring tremendous, till fit height attain'd, 
 When with firm air, and weapons lifted high, 
 Obliquely down they rush against the foe, 
 Like lightning darting from the stormy sky : 
 Fearful discharge ensues ; but strikes unsure, 
 Or wastes on empty wind its angry weight ; 
 For Vanity beheld the torrent's course, 
 And caution 'd thus her train : Lo ! yonder storm 
 Fast coming from mid-heaven, threat'ning to sweep, 
 With one dread blow, our remnant brave far off 
 The cheerful precincts of this bright domain ! 
 To shun such evil : while the enemy poise 
 Their mountain-rending arms, for fatal stroke, 
 Let all outspread their wings, make swift ascent, 
 And downward on the foe play scathful game. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 361 
 
 They gladly hear, and half extend their wings, 
 On springy knee, waiting the dread approach 
 Of flaming furies, whose invidious eyes 
 Shot forth pernicious rays and horrors dire. 
 Then at the signal, all with sudden bound, 
 On gloomy wings, above death's storm aspire. 
 Each swelling tenfold larger, and inflam'd 
 With choler, rush'd upon th' astounded host ; 
 That in foul plight, now grovell'd under shower 
 Of iron, diamond, quivering bolts, and hills ; 
 But soon promiscuous reascended high, 
 In wild confusion, and huge swelling, join'd 
 In close contention ; darkness wrapt them round ; 
 Friend bandied strokes with friend, as foe with foe ; 
 Rocks on them thunder'd and deep wounds impress'd ; 
 Spears, like the masts of hugest ships, were thrown, 
 liending and marring their etherial frames. 
 Th' intense attrition of conflicting powers 
 Shot glancing lightning through the stormy scene, 
 The clash of arms and armor the loud sound 
 Of shouting thousands, and wild shrieks of pain, 
 Three times bright Sol's diurnal march prevail'd, 
 And all the crystal field obscur'd around 
 Fame's radiant temple, which, 'till then, ne'er saw 
 Nor heard the tumult of such dreadful fray ; 
 When Heaven's Almighty King thus Gabriel bids : 
 
 Go with our gloomy veil and fiery shafts, 
 On wings of storm, loud thundering to yon field 
 Such peals as mortals seldom hear ; wide earth 
 Shall tremble, as the lofty music swells. 
 Let one hand bear the boreal wind, enchain'd, 
 Which loose, when Wisdom shall have won the field, 
 And far o'er ocean drive th' involving gloom. 
 
 He ceas'd to Heaven's great armory Gabriel flies 
 On snowy wdngs, majestically grand ! 
 His graceful countenance darted rays divine , 
 A starry crown, with eveiiiving flowers, 
 High plum'd and bright, his noble front adorn' d : 
 
362 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 He grasp' d the dreadful arms, and call'd the winds 
 
 And sable clouds. The distant winds attend 
 
 The sovereign summons ; clouds tumultuous roll 
 
 Before the boisterous tenants of the skies, 
 
 And all, obedient to the angel's will, 
 
 Convolve in dusky ocean, where he rides, 
 
 Deep circuinfus'd with darkness ; at his nod 
 
 The wide-spread clouds and tempests change their course, 
 
 And every movement to his will conform. 
 
 Soon, o'er the warring hosts, the clouds condense, 
 While sable night walks sullen midst their ranks. 
 Scattering grim phantoms, and delusions strange 
 And sudden fly the blazing bolts below, 
 Breaking the gloom, with angry, fitful glare 
 Loud peals on peals of rending thunder roll, 
 Impressing heaven and earth with deepest awe ; 
 But most the warring myriads ; they amaz'd, 
 And trembling saw, on every side, the hand 
 Of War and Kuin : Valor only stood 
 With undejected brow ; though all his plumes 
 Were sing'd, his splendid arms and armor marr'd, 
 And grievous wounds imprinted on his breast. 
 
 Wisdom the sign perceiv'd, and to her child 
 Thus speaks : Lo, the great signal for my march, 
 Clad in decisive arms ; for force of fight 
 Is now sole argument with yon mad powers. 
 Ah ! how unlike what Reason would prescribe ! 
 What thou wouldst dictate, born to happier doom ! 
 Go bring my chariot, and ethereal steeds 
 Conduct their course while I, with powerful light, 
 Dazzle their eyes, and wielding fatal spear, 
 Hurl all the combatants from the rude scene, 
 And end the damning fnry of their arms. 
 
 Prudence arrays the steeds of heavenly birth, 
 Their eyes are light ; their feet the test of time ; 
 Their manes flow glimmering with a thousand hues ; 
 Their speed is swift as knowledge strikes the mind. 
 She mounts the starry seat with Wisdom stern, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 363 
 
 Waves the bright scourge, and darts along the heaven ; 
 
 ISTor stops ; but midst the storm of combat drives ; 
 
 Where lightning, thunder, darkness, torrent showers 
 
 Of hills encountering hills, with ponderous crash, 
 
 And warriors' flaming faces spread dismay. 
 
 Then snatches from her quiver fiery globes, 
 
 And hurls them streaming through the boisterous fight ; 
 
 When sevenfold hideous, raging Discord frown'd ; 
 
 An increas'd clamor, and confusion rose ; 
 
 The field was whelm'd in flames, and heaven o'erspread 
 
 With clouds and terrors : Gabriel there displodes 
 
 Th' artillery of puissant Jove, while quakes 
 
 The region round, and glows the conscious earth 
 
 With angry light : Rashness had scanty time 
 
 (Her eyes half clos'd), to say : Can this be Jove, 
 
 Or Wisdom pouring forth her blazing floods, 
 
 But chill as winter ? when her spear assail'd, 
 
 That fast, with all who trod the field, she fled, 
 
 Forgetful of her arms and armor ; loud 
 
 They roar'd, and hurried ways diverse, like flocks 
 
 Of timorous lambs, when wolves invade their fold ; 
 
 And joy'd in such escape from the dread wheels, 
 
 Relentless steeds, fierce suns, and ruthless spear, 
 
 Which folio w'd after, in tremendous blaze, 
 
 Midst screams, distraction and the thunder's sound. 
 
 Folly, on her enormous beast, slow mov'd ; 
 
 Forgot to grin ; for panic chain 'd her jaws 
 
 Dismounted, halted, and behind it skulk'd, 
 
 To save life's lov'd remains ; but soon the spear 
 
 Fell'd the broad bulwark ; still conceal'd she lay 
 
 Beneath its ample frame, till ceas'd the strife. 
 
 Now Wisdom stopp'd pursuit, and swift return'd 
 Sole victor from th' o'erthrow of thousands arm'd. 
 Gabriel restrain'd his thunders, and unloos'd 
 The boreal wind, which rush'd tumultuous forth, 
 Commixing battle's gloom with lofty clouds, 
 That onward fast in troubled grandeur sail : 
 All heaven sighs ; the trees of earth low bend ; 
 
364 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENET. 
 
 The ocean whitens, and hoarse murmuring rolls, 
 Till the dun refuse far away is borne ; 
 Then, at th' archangel's hest, the blast subsides, 
 And he to Jove's effulgent court returns. 
 "Wisdom to Fame's abode departs there sees 
 Stern Providence cast threatening eye on Gaul. 
 By right of victory now she quick descends, 
 "While in the Kremlin he his troops review'd, 
 And thus Napoleon warns : Fly warrior, fly 
 (Though much too late I fear,) from Eussia's land ; 
 Lest Moscow be the grave of all thy power. 
 Full thrice ten precious days are buried now, 
 Since thou shouldst have departed this sad scene ; 
 But mad contention in the field of Fame, 
 The fire of Rashness, and the force of Pride 
 Forbade the prudent deed. Now arm'd I come 
 With full experience from victorious field : 
 Your wild deluders fled before my arms ; 
 But ah ! what can redeem the time they stole ! 
 Lost empires and great thrones may be regain'd 
 By gold, or conquest, or a people's love ; 
 But all the treasure of the spacious earth, 
 Its love or arms, can not one day recall. 
 Ere thrice earth rolls, in Scorpio flames the sun : 
 Too soon the thickening sky may teem with storm, 
 And blustering winter chill your mighty powers ; 
 But weeks may yet revolve before he comes 
 With keen intensity : that time improve ; 
 Be not by Hope's fair promises deceiv'd ; 
 Has not th' attack on Naples' king made known 
 The Russian policy ? Has Dery's fall, 
 And thrice six hundred of his warrior's brave, 
 While Bagawout, and bold Beningsen died, 
 Not prov'd that Russia spurns the proffer' d peace ? 
 The foe who durst infringe a truce who whelm'd 
 His fairest city in a sea of fire, 
 'Tis vain to hope will to your terms subscribe. 
 She spoke ; the Emperor angry thus responds : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD, 365 
 
 Doubtless, the treacherous foe has prov'd 'tis time 
 Our armies were withdrawn to Nieper's shore ; 
 Ere day again this dreary waste illume, 
 The melancholy march shall have begun. 
 
 He ended, and the sapient power retir'd 
 Then thus his chiefs he bids : My brave compeers, 
 The voice of Wisdom warns me to retreat 
 From this ill fated ground ; or hope for peace ; 
 Then rouse the army and prepare to move 
 By morrow's dawn : Inform the troops, we go 
 To winter quarters in a happier clime. 
 Let Delzon through Teschernigrase advance 
 With his division to conceal the way 
 Our main proceeds, which on Mojaisk will march. 
 Beauharnois, and Murat, Kalouga's road 
 Will tread ; but with our centre re-unite 
 At Patoutinka ; and Mortier, the last 
 T' abandon Moscow, will by well charg'd mines, 
 This Kremlin from its deep foundation rend, 
 That Russia's grandest citadel destroy 'd 
 May not obstruct our march when we return. 
 
 Thus he Vandamme proposes to consume 
 By conflagration all the buildings round ; 
 " The enemy's rule more full effect to give, 
 And spread the devastation he begun, 
 That milder wars he wage in future time." 
 
 The Monarch then : Not I will farther harm 
 Humanity ; though guilt might be chastis'd, 
 Fair innocence would suffer by the deed 
 Besides, the act were useless, save to prove 
 That we, e'en we, may stoop to base revenge ! 
 For national ends, not individual wo, 
 We draw the sword : We wage no rival war 
 Of devastation ; let the enemy take 
 Of this the glory ; ours are higher aims. 
 
 The chiefs to their respective posts depart, 
 Proclaim that Moscow is unworthy now 
 Of their resort ; they therefore will remove 
 
366 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Where plenty smiles, redundant with delight, 
 And winter jovial flows in feast and song. 
 
 The listening armies glad forsake the camp, 
 Where meagre Famine hoarse began to growl, 
 High toss her furrow'd head and clash her fangs. 
 Like gloomy clouds they move, o'ershading earth 
 Many a long league, bending with Moscow's spoils. 
 Far as the eye may roam from some tall mast 
 Nodding o'er ocean's waves, the loaded wains 
 In triple files extended ; still behind 
 Groan'd many a chariot under trophies won 
 From Turk, and Persian, by the warlike Czars ; 
 And fam'd St. Iwan's cross above them shone. 
 
 Soon half the Kremlin thundering heavenward towers 
 The loud explosion shakes the region round. 
 
 Thence Iloviaski knew his foes were fled, 
 
 And, sudden rushing on the dying pile, 
 
 Th' inflaming match extinguish'd, and possess'd 
 
 The dismal city. Thousands now return'd 
 
 From mournful exile, searching for their homes. 
 
 Alas ! no vestige mark'd a spot so dear ; 
 
 O'er ample space blank Desolation frown'd 
 
 And here, and there, a solitary dome, 
 
 Shatter'd, and darken 'd, hapless mourners seem'd ; 
 
 Like some poor sire, the last of all his race, 
 
 That grieves in silence for his offspring dead. 
 
 The wretched wanderers cry : O woful tomb 
 
 Of lofty Moscow, wet with myriads' tears ! 
 
 Far hast thou fallen from thy proud estate 
 
 Nipp'd in thy splendid bloom by blasting war. 
 
 What once thou wast in mournful memory lives ; 
 
 Thy shining spires, gay walks, and busy trade, 
 
 Ah now no more ! fell furies here have rav'd ; 
 
 Here Ruin hideous moan'd, that nought remain'd 
 
 To slake his raging thirst. O, cruel fate ! 
 
 Where now will myriads lay their hapless heads, 
 
 But in the general grave, which round us yawns, 
 
 Devouring with insatiate, boundless maw, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 367 
 
 The miserable remains of better days ! 
 O Heaven ! have mercy on this hapless land ; 
 Support the feeble, and direct the strong ; 
 The houseless wretch, the child of want defend, 
 And turn the fury of the storms away. 
 
 Such was great Moscow's lamentable fate, 
 "Whose sacrifice sav'd realms, and kings dethron'd. 
 Thousands unborn shall o'er her history weep, 
 Mov'd by her miseries, and JSTapoleon's fall 
 Sad theme of future bards, and tragic song ! 
 
 Beauharnois now, thus valiant Delzon bids : 
 " The enemy's in pursuit : At Louja's bridge, 
 Or at Borosk, (should he those stations gain 
 Before we pass) injurious fight will rage. 
 The last we hold the first make haste to seize 
 With your division : On your speed depends 
 The lives of myriads." Swift he leads his band, 
 And takes th' important post ; but Russia soon, 
 Bent on like object, with impetuous rage, 
 Against him thunder'd, and his warriors drove, 
 Contending furious, from the valued ground. 
 Just then, the Viceroy lightens through the field, 
 Like sudden sunshine through a gloomy storm, 
 Rekindling hope and valor, where he moves : 
 What, he loud cries, invincible no more ? 
 Were ye miscall'd heroes ! deserve the name 
 Be not from your select position driven 
 Turn ! lest the foe believes he wars with lambs. 
 
 Thus he. The rallied train infuriate plung'd 
 In Russia's staggering lines ; which reinforc'd, 
 Withstood the dread attack, and had repell'd ; 
 But headlong, Delzon rush'd amidst the fight, 
 Inspiring courage, which triumphant rends 
 Death's terrors from his brow ; leading his host 
 Tempestuous on he fell in Victory's arms. 
 Guilleminot then guides the angry blast ; 
 But soon increasing clouds of Russians, flown 
 From Lectascova's camp, o'erwhelming, drive 
 
368 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Gaul from the bloody heights. Then Forrestier 
 
 Careering lofty midst the routed files, 
 
 And goring iron showers, thus stops their flight : 
 
 Soldiers ! France lies beyond yon hill, where Delzon sleeps. 
 Must we then reach Siberia, ere our homes ? 
 Die, ignominious deaf to glory's voice, 
 Kather than honor'd live, or fall renown'd ? 
 See ! Pino swift advances to our aid 
 Let not the Italians reap so great a field ; 
 Nor boast they won the fight, which we declined ! 
 
 He spoke, quick ranging through the scatter'd host : 
 The sub-commanders fast reform the lines 
 Forward they march th' Italians close behind 
 All on the Russian columns furious rush 
 With gory bayonets, and disploding guns ; 
 While momentary pause the thundering tiers. 
 Soon, in confusion, Russia's dense array 
 Departs, before the fatal charge of Gaul. 
 Then roars th' artillery with redoubled sound, 
 Destruction sending over all the field. 
 Brave Levie quivers in the arms of Death 
 Giiflenga, and courageous Pino fall. 
 At length deep darkness hush'd the battle's voice, 
 And France, victorious, held the gory field. 
 
 The while Ghorodnia shudder'd at the charge 
 Of thrice two thousand Cossacks Istria's Duke 
 His cavalry on them guides and soon defeats. 
 Napoleon witness'd the contention bold. 
 
 Yereia next saw steed-borne armies clash, 
 By Poniatowski, and the Hetman rul'd, 
 The glimmering sabres strike and hulans dart 
 The younger PlatofF fall, as fierce he led 
 Impetuous squadrons on the Polish lines ; 
 Who fought as fierce, by ancient hatred mov'd. 
 The warlike father ranging through the storm, 
 Saw, bounding wild, the white horse of his son, 
 The rider left among the falling dead : 
 He seeks his offspring, heedless of the fight, 
 
THE NAPOLP:AD. 369 
 
 Lifts the pale youth, who on his parent throws 
 
 Affection's last regard, attempts to speak 
 
 In vain the soul pass'd from his quivering lips, 
 
 And left in icy death his manly form. 
 
 Then his dear load the mournful sire resign'd, 
 
 Turn'd from the killing sight his streaming eyes, 
 
 And sought his tent, and secret pour'd his tears. 
 
 Now dark-brow'd evening deck'd with starry crown, 
 And ebon mantle, with dim shapes adorn' d, 
 Came shadowy nature listening as she march 'd 
 Silent, save when the moon-ey'd bird complain'd. 
 Before her Discord bow'd, the conflict ceased, 
 And healing sleep the eyes of warriors clos'd ; 
 Save in the Cossack camp there lifeless lay 
 Outstretch'd upon the shaggy skins of bears 
 The hopeful prince, the glory of his tribe, 
 Their leading star in danger, and the prop 
 Of wavering combat ; thick they round him kneel, 
 Kiss his cold hand, and bathe it with their tears. 
 
 When purple morning dawn'd, a trumpet's voice 
 Warns Poniatowski, that a herald comes ; 
 Who, introduc'd, thus urg'd his pious suit : 
 
 Our Hetman mourns his son's untimely fall, 
 Who late tempestuous in your squadrons plung'd ; 
 The bravest scarce repell'd his iron surge 
 He stood the fury of your boldest bands, 
 And turn'd the tide of battle, where he rode, 
 Th' heroic father of a son so brave, 
 Short intermission of contention sues, 
 That undisturb'd he may the corpse inurn y 
 With all the honors to his merit due. 
 
 Accept the truce (replied the valiant chief) 
 Though duty adverse drive, the brave are friends 
 Cowards alone the gifts of victory soil 
 They darkest seem when Fortune fairest shines. 
 
 The herald to his Hetman swift return'd : 
 And soon the Cossack host, paraded, wheel 
 Around their much-lov'd prince, in silent griefi 
 24 
 
370 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 "With fervor praying for his soul's repose. 
 Then the arm'd thousands, in procession slow, 
 The honor'd corse, in solemn state, convey'd 
 Up a high hill, with gloomy cypress crown'd. 
 Stern visag'd warriors glisten'd bright with tears, 
 As silent round the grave, in order rang'd, 
 They heard the falling clods his long adieu declare. 
 They fired a volley o'er the closing tomb ; 
 Then solemn march'd around the long abode, 
 Leading their steeds, their lances pointing down. 
 
 The while in echelon France slow retreats 
 Frowning defiance. Hovering on her flanks, 
 Flam'd Cossack clouds ; still her arriere repell'd, 
 Controll'd by Eckmuhl's prince, her swarming foes. 
 But Famine smote her train, and feeble steeds, 
 Quadrupled to th' artillery, frequent fell 
 On slippery ice, and rose no more ; that oft 
 Th' unwieldy thunderers were abandon'd spik'd 
 Their wains exploding, shook the region cold. 
 
 The sun had thrice on chill November shone, 
 "When near Wiazma, many a bristling grove 
 Of Russian bayonets Nagle's band assails. 
 Eugene forthwith conducts his valiant corps 
 To battle long sustains the fierce attack 
 Of swarming cavalry, with unequal force ; 
 At length Davoust, behind the conflict, form'd 
 His war-worn train, and timely brac'd the fight. 
 Now terrible discordant armies rag'd, 
 With fearful odds against the force of Gaul : 
 Full on the centre Russia pours amain 
 Both hosts discharge their muskets swiftly close 
 With deadly fury, and sky-rending shrieks ; 
 Man bayonet sheaths in man ; at times recoil 
 The Russian lines, and fiery tempests send ; 
 The loud artillery flaming, thundering, shook 
 The frozen ground, and heads of warriors huii'd 
 Through murky air, effusing streaming gore : 
 'Twas then, brave Banco, from thy fearless heart 
 
THE KAPOLEAD. 3Y1 
 
 Thy own, dissever'd, chatter'd o'er the war, 
 
 While fell thy bleeding trunk, a lifeless clod, 
 
 From thy fleet steed, wild prancing through the storm. 
 
 Soon with redoubled ardor Russia drives 
 On either wing of Graul ; and chief where Ney, 
 Big with his nation's fate, his skill display'd, 
 And prov'd him vers'd in every art of war : 
 Here hideous Discord rag'd, bold Talor storm'd, 
 Ambition blaz'd, and every genius toil'd. 
 He held his station till the camp retir'd 
 Beyond Wiazma ; while,, with headlong rage, 
 Main Russia dash'd on his protecting shield, 
 Fierce as ten thousand storms, and all the winds 
 Condens'd on ocean, thundering on rocky shore, 
 But on herself, amaz'd, recoil'd in blood. 
 
 Now hoary Winter slumbering near the pole 
 On his bleak Arctic bed was loudly rous'd 
 By voice of thunder ; quick the frigid god 
 Rose shaking from his tresses silvery hail 
 And biting blasts, thus speaking : " Hateful sounds ! 
 In vain ye cannot shake my icy throne 
 Nor may the light'ning melt th' eternal pile. 
 How stray'd the thunder from its sphere so far ! 
 Sure 'twas not borne on Afer's dusky wings. 
 Dire peals ! such flashes might consume the globe ! 
 It seems the world's great period !" When thus spoke 
 Th' Almighty ruler from th' impending cloud : 
 Ere many suns, O Winter, thou hadst walk'd 
 Along the Russian clime, as in past years ; 
 But now a warring host, there stalking bold, 
 Presume impunity of man and Heaven. 
 Long in their cause the wayward Passions fought, 
 Wisdom, at length, decided for their weal, 
 With my consent ; but now they little deem 
 They go by sufferance of our fatal will. 
 Their reign shall cease, their chieftain feel distress ; 
 Delay not then to muster all thy powers 
 Assume thy cloudy stole, grasp thy keen spears 
 
372 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENII*. 
 
 And quiver, charg'd with tempests, snow, and hail ; 
 With all-subduing rage on Kussia fall 
 There pour thy gust's ; the leafless forest glaze ; 
 Congeal the rolling billows in their flight ; 
 Shroud with a rocky veil the sounds and seas ; 
 Make earth's broad face seem stone ; the faded globe 
 Wear garb of mourning, that proud Gaul decline : 
 Such is the mandate of the Sire of worlds. 
 
 Th' Almighty ended, and the heavens wore scowl ; 
 Th' angelic seats were sad Sol hid his face 
 In misty ocean ; moan'd the hollow wind ; 
 The hoary monarch of the storms, low bow'd, 
 In humble reverence of the high command ; 
 Then northward turning, sudden darkness spread 
 Thick round his course ; he grasps his blighting spears 
 Of wondrous length, and on the icy pole 
 Them whets, with toilsome haste ; twelve leagues his arm 
 To east and west, with waxing fury, flies : 
 As on the" frozen pile they quivering glide, 
 A silvery sleet in spreading curls ascends 
 The sharpening points, reflecting blaze on blaze, 
 tlame like red lightning on heaven's stormy brow. 
 This done, he shakes them midst the rolling clouds, 
 Stamps on his throne, Boreas and Eurus calls, 
 And fills his quiver with the arms of storm : 
 The boisterous brethren in their native halls, 
 Hear the loud summons and tumultuous pour 
 From their bleak portals, rending snowy cliffs, 
 Whistling o'er icy vales, and driving clouds 
 On clouds in mountain masses, darkening heaven. 
 On these the Monarch sails towards Russia's clime 
 In hazy ocean wide of fleecy snow : 
 High o'er where Moscow stood the boreal blast 
 Bears him in gloomy state sublime : Now round 
 He swells the snow-fraught gusts, and darts his spears ; 
 Now from his quiver heaves the chilling hail, 
 Covering with icy robe the rocky land 
 A sudden algor seizes half the world ; 
 
THE NAPOL^AD. 373 
 
 Life fades before him ; fetter 'd streamlets groan ; 
 
 The dashing wave is hush'd in mid-career ; 
 
 The dimpled watery surface leaps no more 
 
 In quivering light ; its stream is still and cold 
 
 And nature's features, squally, blank, and drear, 
 
 Evince the presence of the killing power. 
 
 Dire on Napoleon's host his fury falls, 
 
 Destroying myriads. 'Twas in night's dark shade 
 
 He hurl'd the fleecy ocean on the land, 
 
 And put forth all the terror of his reign. 
 
 When morn dim waded through the cloudy skies, 
 
 Housing the slumbering camp, France saw her doom ; 
 
 On every side, destructive foes appear, 
 
 And woe approaching from the Earth and Heaven : 
 
 A miry barren waste around her lay 
 
 The roads were buried in the frosty deep, 
 
 With spoils and steeds and men, to rise no more. 
 
 Snow-tossing tempests dreadful howl'd, and wav'd 
 
 Thick crackling branches of ice-burden'd groves. 
 
 Disheartening Famine, and the deluge cold, 
 
 By freezing winds in mountain ridges curl'd, 
 
 Spread o'er the Gallic hopes funereal gloom. 
 
 Fast smother'd by the drifting sleet, whole bands 
 
 Fall shivering in despair, repeating names 
 
 Of children, parents, wives, they ne'er shall see, 
 
 And thus address their mates, yet struggling on : 
 
 Oh ! if more blest than we, you should behold 
 Our native country, parents, children dear, 
 Give them these papers and this hard-earn'd gold, 
 Last pledge of our affection say, till now 
 The hope of seeing them alone sustain'd 
 Their wretched relative at length, refus'd 
 That pleasing hope, he wished them well, and died. 
 When in lov'd France you joy for your return, 
 Oh, think sometimes of our unhappy fate ! 
 
 Anon the faltering tongue, and glaring eye, 
 Stand motionless beneath Death's icy hand, 
 Their sufferings ended, and their friends forgot. 
 
374 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Their comrades passing view their snowy graves- 
 While round, voracious dogs, gregarious howl 
 Above dark clouds of ravens mournful croak, 
 And seem to claim the living as their prey. 
 
 Night falls with gloomier frown, and blustering air ; 
 The hoary forest, bending with bright load 
 Of glassy ice, moan'd rustling in the blast. 
 Which threw chill torpor from its freezing wings ; 
 The glare of burning villages, and domes, 
 Illum'd the icy silvery-glistening groves, 
 With eddying sleet suffus'd. Through the drear wild 
 Oft roar'd war's thunderers, flashing on the gloom, 
 Where. Ney, incessant fighting, shielded Gaul. 
 
 Half her huge host, disbanded, devious roam'd ; 
 Some in the frosty deluge, famish'd, sunk ; 
 Or, wandering careless, unresisting, bled 
 By Cossack spear : They tore the lean remains 
 Of perish'd steeds, that fell by thousands round. 
 Artillery, steeds, and men, in ruins, fill'd 
 The road ; o'er them the faint survivors climb'd, 
 Pale, staggering on the slippery brink of death. 
 
 A hebdomad, ere Sol from Scorpio pass'd, 
 Kutusofi*, expeditious, bold confronts 
 Napoleon near Krasnoi, and vain attempts 
 His capture : onward fierce the Emperor drives 
 Through clouds of foes, and whizzing iron showers 
 Flooding his thunder-shaken road with gore. 
 The Russian, with regret, beholds o'erthrown 
 His troops imperial, and the promis'd prize 
 Sweep like a fiery torrent through his lines, 
 And take at Krasnoi a position strong. 
 When next the sun relum/d the frosty clime, 
 He, with lil^e force, opposes brave Eugene, 
 And frightful conflict rages : Yilleblanch, 
 Ornano and Delfanti, bite the dust, 
 Reiterating the destructive charge 
 On Russia's firm array. At length the prince 
 Despairing soon to force the sanguine path, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 375 
 
 Feigns to attack, with all his bands, the left 
 Oppos'd ; which to support, his enemy brings 
 His cohorts from his right. Kind darkness now 
 Chas'd down the day ; and countermarching swift 
 Under her mantle, wheel'd the dexterous chief 
 Around the Russian right, unseen of foes 
 His Emperor join'd, who pleas'd address'd him : Son, 
 Thy skill has foil'd superior force ; sure thou 
 May'st easy wind through life, like fluent floods, 
 Circling the base of hills they cannot climb. 
 Davoust and Ney must pass that baffled host, 
 That disappointed of its spoil, will give 
 A hot reception to their weary trains. 
 T ' insure the safety of th' intrepid dukes, 
 Let us give business to the Eussian powers, 
 And teach them their pursuit excels their fight, 
 If at Wiazma this they fail'd to learn. 
 
 Thus he ; the prince replied : Retreat should pause, 
 Though death pursues. To make th' attack propos'd, 
 Will save a corps, which erst ourselves redeem'd 
 
 Thus they ; and soon, tempestuous battle rag'd. 
 Russia, astounded, saw reverted Gaul 
 Scattering destruction on the staggering host. 
 Meantime EckmuhPs brave duke, amidst the fray 
 His monarch joins, and with him slow recedes 
 From the wide flaming field. They recommence 
 Their long retreat. But Ney remains beyond 
 The hostile gulf genius alone can save : 
 He turns the foe. Wolhynia's army now, 
 United with Moldavia's, march'd on Minsk, 
 And seiz'd Borisov's bridge ; while Witgenstein 
 Industrious press'd t' unite his force with theirs, 
 And on Belluno's duke incessant warr'd. 
 Brave Ney the while withstands, eludes and drives 
 The hostile swarms, evolv'd from Krasnoi's field, 
 His host out-numbering far. Three times pale Sol 
 Look'd through cold skies from morn to even, on deeds 
 Of heroism, patience, fortitude, 
 
376 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And saw the gallant bands, manoeuvred well, 
 
 Glide from the closing jaws of Fate, then form 
 
 In junction with Eugene's, whose timely aid 
 
 Reliev'd them from the fight. Now Oudinot 
 
 Drives Lambert o'er Borisov's lofty bridge ; 
 
 Who fires it quick, to interrupt pursuit 
 
 And France confine. When Sol three days had shone 
 
 In Sagittarius, Berezina's bank 
 
 Was throng'd with fugitives and troops of France ; 
 
 The farther shore, with Russia's bands was lin'd, 
 
 Its passage to dispute. Her admiral steer'd 
 
 His course by Gaul's, mistook for Russia's star. 
 
 All day Napoleon, far manoeuvring, strove 
 
 To seize on Studzianca, which o'erlook'd 
 
 Th' opposing bank. At length he gain'd the post, 
 
 And in his foe's despite, constructed o'er 
 
 Th' ice-incumber'd stream, two lofty roads ; 
 
 While on the rear of France fierce Russia drove, 
 
 Scarce check'd by Oudinot (his left in air) : 
 
 The thundering conflict thicken'd toward the stream, 
 
 Where wretched myriads, hovering on its brink, 
 
 Crowded, in dread confusion, to each bridge, 
 
 Flying the Russian vengeance ; thousands fall, 
 
 Uttering sad cries, into the freezing flood 
 
 And thousands, crush'd by the hard pressing throng, 
 
 Sink, loudly moaning. O'er the smother'd piles 
 
 Their comrades climb, and smear their feet with gore. 
 
 The trampled wretches grasp the mounting heels 
 
 Of luckier men, who, struggling, disengage, 
 
 Or fall amidst the suffocated crew. 
 
 Brave Oudinot, borne wounded from the field, 
 On Key the conduct of the fight devolves. 
 
 He through the flaming lines impetuous rides, 
 Recalls the recreant, and confirms the bold, 
 WTiile France imposing attitude assumes : 
 Wading in snow, beneath inclement skies, 
 As stream'd her tatter 'd robes on freezing wind, 
 Her ice-incumber'd banner, waving drear, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 * 
 
 Awoke the memory of her glorious days, 
 And rous'd the rage that won Marengo's field. 
 With double fury now the battle burns, 
 Shattering the iron cloud that gored her rear. 
 Dumerc resistless leads his squadrons through 
 The Russian files ; wild uproar spreads around 
 Th' artillery thunders, the fast reddening plain 
 Reeks with fresh spouting gore ; dark clouds involve 
 The combatants ; the hazy heaven profuse 
 Throws feathery shower of inundating snow, 
 Thickening the gloom. Awhile the Gallic arms 
 Prevailed, and long th' unequal fight maintain'd. 
 At length, before th' increasing flood of foes,. 
 They fly terrific, through th' impeding crowd, 
 O'er Berezina, midst the dying groans 
 And lamentable shrieks of trampled friends. 
 Immediately they burn the tottering bridge, 
 And interpose the fatal flood, t' avert 
 The thirsty arms of Russia, raging near. 
 Awhile had Boreas, in the arctic night, 
 Midst desolation's icy hills repos'd, 
 Or tost the snow cliffs round the lifeless gloom ; 
 While mists, by Auster near his kingdom driven, 
 His influence feeling, fell in fleecy flakes : 
 The rivers' waves their glassy surface broke, 
 And icy fragments toward the ocean bore ; 
 But now in gusts, he quits the polar shade ; 
 Dispreads his chilling wings, from high Altay 
 To Greenland's lonely shore, and heaven o'erclouds. 
 Quick, nature his benumbing fetters feels : 
 The gliding streams stand still beneath his frown, 
 Or, veil'd in ice, steal unperceiv'd away 
 Through caves remote from his congealing breath. 
 The great belligerents feel, with equal pain, 
 His life-destroying rage. In either host 
 The brave are wither'd, like the forest's leaves, 
 That, faded, float on autumn's whistling gales. 
 And now from every side, in fierce pursuit. 
 
3Y8 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 
 
 Rose Russia's hardy sons. Her awful foe 
 Bereft of arms, and leaning o'er the grave 
 Could scarce contend, and mercy sought in vain. 
 
 Th' impatient fugitives loud murmurs vent ; 
 Alternately arraign their King and Heaven ; 
 They cry : Napoleon ! where are all thy stores 
 And boundless plenty, promis'd long in vain ! 
 Must we die, unreveng'd, by Russia's hordes, 
 Grown impudent, since Jove aifords them aid, 
 Or cold, and famine, in this hated land ? 
 O execrable fate ! for this we came 
 From better climes, and conquer'd but to die ! 
 O Heaven ! does bravery merit such reward ? 
 Do cowards find in Jove a friend in need ? 
 Oh ! let thy blasting thunder end our days. 
 That all may know 'tis thine, not Russia's might 
 (So wont to cower beneath our conquering arms), 
 That sweeps whole legions to untimely graves. 
 
 Thus mournful grovelling through the frigid waste 
 Numbness pervades their limbs, and stealing sleep 
 Consigns them to the endless reign of death. 
 As sad they march, they leave long files behind, 
 Erect or prostrate, turn'd to rocky ice. 
 The Russians following pass the myriads pale, 
 Impress'd with solemn awe ; for much they seem'd 
 Like weeping statues, mark'd with mimic life, 
 Of which one half some mighty wind had fell'd. 
 Napoleon deeply mourn'd ; but by his side 
 Stood Yalor, and sublim'd his mighty soul : 
 Sustain'd by whom, he frown for frown return'd 
 Of fickle Fortune, struggling with his fate. 
 
 Twice seven times in December earth had roll'd, 
 When o'er the ice-bouud Niemen hover'd pale 
 The squallid remnant of unhappy Gaul ; 
 Like wretched spectres fled th' infernal world, 
 They look'd with horror at the scene behind, 
 Half nude, toil-worn, storm-beaten, gash'd with wounds, 
 With frozen limbs tormented ; some had lost 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 379 
 
 The sense of hearing ; all with hunger pin'd. 
 Of forty myriads, scarcely three return 'd ; 
 Who went as generals, as subalterns came, 
 And oft of soldiers begg'd a pittance poor. 
 Ah ! how unlike that host, so proud and great, 
 Which erst, resistless, rush'd to Moscow's walls ! 
 
 Seven days before the imperial chief conferr'd 
 On Naples' King the conduct of the flight : 
 
 Secure (he said) the relics of our host 
 While I on Paris march as viceroy guide 
 The war well garrison the Polish posts : 
 Let Dantzic, Cracow and their brethren, hold 
 Such numbers as may best long siege endure ; 
 For know, I cease not this unhappy strife 
 Again shall Russia fear our troops, ere long, 
 Shall, satiate, plunge upon her flying bands. 
 
 Murat then answers : Sire, the arduous task 
 To me assign'd, no common skill requires 
 Like mine ; but as thy wisdom makes the choice, 
 To call it ill were calling thee unwise. 
 Full soon, I trust, this wreck will be repair d 
 By thy recruited armies, glorious prone ! 
 Then Russia shall repent her cruel deeds, 
 And reel beneath the influence of thy power. 
 
 Consult the wise do what a mortal can 
 Napoleon made reply ; then latent rode 
 Toward his France o'er snow-clad kingdoms wide ; 
 And, just as Sol in Capricornus flam'd, 
 On Paris, enter'd in the shade of night, 
 He burst all potent with the blush of morn, 
 And quick the lofty helm of state resumes. 
 
BOOK VII. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 Napoleon converses with the Empress. He addresses the Council of State, 
 and the Senate, demanding troops. Deceit, disturbed by the rapid increase 
 of his army, goes to the mansion of Intrigue, with whom she devises a 
 scheme for paralyzing the power of the Emperor, and they proceed to put it 
 in operation. 
 
 Wisdom and Necessity advise Napoleon to appoint Louisa Regent of the 
 empire, before he leaves France on his intended campaign. 
 
 IN his grand palace, mid the queen of towns 
 Napoleon shines ; his fond Louisa there, 
 Proud dignitaries of his empire great, 
 And infant offspring, joy at his return 
 He sees dear looks, and hears inquiries kind : 
 
 How blest (his spouse begins,) to see you here 
 Resume the father's, husband's, Emperor's cares ! 
 In safety come, from that superior war, 
 O'er the long, cold, uncomfortable way. 
 Our gentle babe, with joyful glances, tries 
 To lisp a glorious name. Sweet child ! he lives 
 Beneath the shade of laurels future heir 
 Of more than throne. O ! may he know the love 
 Of mighty nations ! What fond crowds he drew 
 Before thy tent, on Borodino's morn ! 
 The tale was grateful to a mother's ear : 
 ~No courtiers there, but noble warriors prais'd. 
 The kings, at Dresden, too, admired our prince, 
 In that bright morning of the great campaign : 
 How bloody was its noon, and dark its close ! 
 Let Heaven be prais'd the fearful blast is spent, 
 And we are here. Bold Malet is destroy'd : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 381 
 
 He and his crew will never more conspire 
 Against our honor and imperial reign ; 
 But what of Russia, and thy hosts ? I knew 
 Thy retrocession from scorch'd Moscow's walls, 
 For winter quarters in a happier clime ! 
 
 You see me there arriv'd (her lord replies) ; 
 I would my sons could equal fortune boast. 
 Borne on a flood of wo, to France I come. 
 A deadly frost has nipp'd her noblest flowers ; 
 How many breasts, that beat with great resolves, 
 Are now forever dead to glory's voice ! 
 In Paris, too, iny faithful friends have died : 
 Alas ! poor Malet ; but I only grieve, 
 That headlong zeal, with indiscriminate rage, 
 The dup'd and guilty struck alike with death. 
 Did not the arch chancellor know my crown's best gem 
 Is mercy, that he thus untimely snatch'd 
 From them dear life, from me the power to save ! 
 
 The savage Russians, dreadful to themselves ! 
 Destroy'd their realm before me ; wasteful fire 
 Career'd o'er cities, villages, and fields, 
 Where it was known my army would invade. 
 On Moscow's site I tarried much too long ; 
 Pride, Rashness, and unnumber'd passions urg'd : 
 Hope promis'd, there, to crown my toils with peace ; 
 Wisdom, too late, determined for my weal, 
 And she approach'd me, with experience arm'd ; 
 Else ill reception had her lesson found. 
 I then retreated ; but the inclement skies 
 Pour'd forth their wintry stores, and cloth'd the land 
 With frosty seas ; then perish'd all my steeds ; 
 Famine and cold soon half my host destroy'd. 
 The enemy now, grown impudent, assay'd 
 Our final wreck ; and oft would bravely charge 
 Poor fugitives, disbanded, and unarm'd. 
 Our road was heap'd with ruins of the brave ; 
 Thousands in fierce contention bit the dust ; 
 Myriads, benumb'd by freezing tempests, died ; 
 
382 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Thousands surrender'd-to severer doom ; 
 And few, alas ! of that gigantic host 
 Recross'd the JSTiemen these Murat controls, 
 Conducting fast before the following foe. 
 Near Poland's bounds I left him, arid twelve days 
 O'er hills and vales, thro' kingdoms wide, I've sped, 
 Too fast for treacherous friends to form resolves : 
 Doubtless, the Prussian court, a day too late, 
 Debated, if they should not have detained ? 
 Short time I rest ; for here this war not ends ; 
 Another formidable host shall rise 
 Before three moons have wheel'd their pale career 
 I, at their head, will take the field ; and soon 
 Shall Russia's bands revisit their cold clime, 
 And subject kings, who now, rejoicing, see 
 Deliverance near (how blind to Russia's aims !) 
 Witness anon 'tis ours to curb her pride ; 
 ISTor dare refuse their subsidies, nor lift 
 Rebellious arms against our mighty throne. 
 Then France shall smile, forgetful of her woes, 
 At victory's charms ; and Europe still remain 
 Subservient to my schemes, and fear my frown. 
 
 Thus he. Louisa then rejoins : My lord, 
 Since first the inauspicious message came 
 Of thy retreat, my boding soul has mourn'd. 
 Full well I knew that Fortune was unkind, 
 From thy long silence ; for her smiles are soon 
 Reflected, and by countless tongues proclaim'd. 
 Anxiety o'erclouded all my days : 
 Imagin'd voices, on the moaning wind, 
 Oft took my ear and tales of terror told. 
 My slumbers were disturb'd by frequent dreams 
 Of men of other worlds, of strange attire, 
 Of regal mobs, and messengers from thee, 
 Rehearsing orders with mysterious air. 
 Once as I lay in Somnus' downy arms, 
 Methought a herald on pale horse appear'd : 
 Haste, haste (he cried) and seek thy father's court, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 383 
 
 St. Cloud's is thine no more a tempest roars 
 See terror-looking clouds far distant move ; 
 'Hear the deep thunder in the cloudless sky ; 
 Lo ! Sol casts paler rays : 'tis nature's wail 
 For thy Napoleon lost ; no more he shines 
 In godlike splendor, and resistless power. 
 Inexorable destiny has kill'd 
 His once high rule, and torn, ah ! cruelly torn 
 The mighty hero from Louisa's arms, 
 And buried far in ocean isles forlorn, 
 Where Fancy on sad pilgrimage will stray, 
 Beholding him conversing with past times. 
 
 This said, he turn'd, and thro' yon wall appear'd 
 To unimpeded pass, and quick was gone ; 
 I, startled, woke, embrac'd our infant son, 
 The soften'd semblance of his absent sire, 
 Whose form in airy circles round my bed 
 Was hovering like familiar thoughts, that keep 
 The mind subjected to their kind control ; 
 I now salute thee, now thy absence mourn, 
 And fast, with joy, or sorrow, chase thy shade. 
 
 Thus she ; the hero, smiling, then replies : 
 'Tis well to use our mind in search of bliss, 
 But not in seeking wo ; conjecture's field 
 Is wide beyond enjoyment ; who there roves 
 Should gather flowers, not thorns, since free to choose ; 
 For soon stern fate will give the bitter draught 
 To sweeten which surpasses Fancy's power. . 
 
 Louisa then responded : Truth indeed 
 Alone should pain, or what 'tis sure will come. 
 Ills round us hover, while, with thoughtless pace, 
 We pass their thickest cloud. I ever deem'd 
 Thy throne on doubtful base : 'Twas built mid storms, 
 The throes of stifled faction, and the frowns 
 Of Europe's Monarchs ; but thy genius gives 
 Assurance firm of it's duration long. 
 Sure he, who, w r ith small force, oppos'd a world, 
 Who, singly, rein'd throne-shaking anarchs wild, 
 
384 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GKNIN. 
 
 Who, with inferior numbers, boldly scal'd 
 The Eoric Alps, and from the Simmering aw'd 
 The German states, and hush'd the dogs of war, 
 May scarce from this imperial height be driven. 
 
 Thus she, and forth the Emperor speeds to meet 
 His councillors, at his command, conven'd ; 
 To whom he thus unfolds his sovereign will : 
 
 This once I come from war, and bring no joy ; 
 For victory's blaze defeat's deep gloom surrounds ; 
 Instead of laws for guiding conquer'd states, 
 I now propose one to protect our France, 
 Her glory and integrity secure 
 The constancy of our allies and hurl 
 The Russian legions to their frightful clime : 
 Four hundred thousand should be call'd to arms, 
 Ere two score days their golden light diffuse. 
 Foremost in rank, I shall not be the last 
 In reparation of this ruin foul. 
 Ye, next in place, th' occasion needs your skill, 
 As well to suit our loss to vulgar eyes, 
 Whose frailty ill sustains the beams of truth, 
 As to collect another potent host, 
 Without engendering murmurs most intense. 
 You know what should be done ; a moment's loss 
 Long years may not redeem : Beyond the Elb 
 'Tis best to check th' approaching Russian wave ; 
 For if it flow on Rhine's confederate states, 
 It wants no prophet to explore our doom : 
 Rebellion, and disorder in its course, 
 Will show their heinous faces, and talk rude 
 To our fine feelings ; let us then exert 
 That energy, which preludes to success. 
 Three hundred millions will my vaults supply 
 Without increas'd taxation : Twice four score 
 Battalions may be call' from Spain ; since Soult 
 Has rais'd the siege of Cadiz, and confin'd 
 To Portugal the English ; who obtain'd, 
 At Salamanca, the poor privilege 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 385 
 
 To die at Burgos ! From our idle ships 
 Twice twenty thousand sailors may recruit 
 Th' artillery's corps ; twice fifty thousand come 
 From frontier garrisons : Besides, events 
 Require th' anticipation of the force, 
 To rise from conscripts of the coming year. 
 Our veteran remnant shall have sub-commands, 
 And thus be paid their humble martial toils. 
 Twice ten important fortresses we hold 
 Between the Rhine and Baltic ; these are safe. 
 ISTo gentle blow shall fall on Russia now 
 Her blood shall reek through Poland's injur'd land, 
 Till satiate France on Piemen's brink repose, 
 Wipe her red arms, and let the enemy know, 
 Th' abuser of the favors Heaven conferr'd, 
 What part his arms in our defeat have borne, fc 
 That prey'd on men by wintry cold subdued. 
 
 The Emperor spoke, and Tronchet thus replied : 
 Though dark on France has lower'd the storm of fate, 
 Her glorious Sun in thy return has ris'n, 
 Which erst dispell'd more inauspicious gloom, 
 When hostile navies could not intercept 
 Thy course from Nile. Soon, furious faction curb'd, 
 Thou spread thy spirit o'er the drooping state, 
 Which, rous'd to daring deeds, scal'd clouded Alp's, 
 Trod the cold heights that frown above the storms, 
 And rush'd triumphant o'er Marengo's field ; 
 Ah, brave Dessaix, borne thence in victory's arms 
 To kindred Heaven ! still thy great spirit lives, 
 That nought of Fortune ask'd but glorious name : 
 We see our Emperor undepress'd by wo, 
 As uninflated, when Fame flew before, 
 Sounding his coming from Vienna's throne, 
 Wagram's, Friedland's, Eylau's, or Jena's field. 
 Sublime exemplar to the sons of France ! 
 We hail thy presence, while our enemies grieve 
 That thou didst timely quit thy freezing bands 
 To raise accoutred myriads to oppose 
 25 
 
386 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Th' impetuous Eussian torrent. Every heart 
 
 Should second, with strong zeal, thy grand designs, 
 
 And praise the genius, that controls thy ways, 
 
 Since safe escap'd the luckless northern war, 
 
 And treason's sword bold pointed at thy throne : 
 
 But were less troops requir'd by this decree, 
 
 Would not the Senate earlier give it seal ? 
 
 For they may doubt the need of force so strong, 
 
 Or peace prefer to sacrifice so great, 
 
 And, hesitating, lose the fortunate time. 
 
 Less numbers soon on battle-field array'd, 
 
 May more effect than greater numbers late. 
 
 Doubtless, none better than thyself can judge 
 
 What force is wanted to repel the foe ; 
 
 And we, who our incompetence discern 
 
 As thy capacity to well decide, 
 
 And weighty interest in what shall result, 
 
 Could ill object th' amount thou hast propos'd ; 
 
 But Ignorance and Folly are inclin'd 
 
 To Wisdom's chair usurp ; they confident 
 
 Walk precipices, for they see no gulfs, 
 
 Judgment o'er all things readily assume, 
 
 And what they comprehend not straight condemn ; 
 
 Hence, some regard is to their weakness due, 
 
 As to the object which we would attain. 
 
 Thus he ; th' imperial Chief forthwith rejoin'd : 
 The number suits the menac'd Empire's wants 
 If not the Senate's wisdom, which, untried, 
 Has been suspected, doubtless, underpriz'd ; 
 But lest that body should be loth to grant 
 Such armies as we need, unless inform'd 
 What mishap hath befell us, I will state 
 The sum of our disasters, show the want 
 Of great exertions to retrieve our loss. 
 
 The part to be perform'd is somewhat new 
 Erst, to rejoice was the main task impos'd 
 When I return'd from battle. Souls infirm 
 Are equal to such burden. The small child 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 387 
 
 May caper gladly for august exploits ; 
 
 But firm and wise men, only, can withstand 
 
 The flood of adverse fortune, interrupt 
 
 Its hurtful course, and give it glorious turn. 
 
 France now may win the praise of fortitude, 
 Yield vanity, for pride, and exercise 
 That energy, by which myself so oft 
 Have given her joy, and made her name renown'd. 
 Her character in great prosperity 
 Is understood. Her grandeur on a sea 
 Of glory, by fair gales impell'd, mankind 
 Have witness'd and admir'd ; still let them gaze 
 In wonder at our greatness, that can move 
 Majestic on, though adverse tempests blow 
 Tremendous storm ; nor let our towering state 
 At the first frown of Fortune disappear ; 
 Nor man believe that in our heroes lost 
 Dwelt all the bravery for which France is fam'd ; 
 That in them died our glory ; nor, they gone, 
 Let it be said France shrunk, exanimate, 
 No valor left, no soul her conquests to preserve ; 
 But like a corpse thrown on the shore by waves 
 Became the prey of those who would devour. 
 A nation's faith invigorates its deeds : 
 When thickening dangers threat, trim well Hope's lamp, 
 Then joyful scenes rise e'en beyond the grave ; 
 Defeat will come a stranger to Despair, 
 And the sore beaten, still triumphant toil. 
 I hold no plough behind a moveless team 
 'Tis hard to steer the ship, and work the sails 
 What can a monarch with a heartless realm ! 
 
 He ended. To his Senate straight repair'd 
 The Council made obeisance as withdrew 
 Their august paramount the Senate rose, 
 Bow'd reverent, and thus heard th' imperial voice : 
 
 Assembled worthies of our realm, give ear ; 
 Famine and numbing Winter on us warr'd, 
 Besides belligerent Russians, this campaign, 
 
388 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And ruin'd our vast armies ; but the brave 
 
 Yield not to one misfortune ; nor are names 
 
 Of patriotism quench'd, if wo betide ; 
 
 But burn more brilliant, as the danger grows, 
 
 And urge to deeds of fame, useful as fair. 
 
 'Tis then the sound are known. The solid oak 
 
 Makes roar th' assaulting blast, and braves the storm, 
 
 While, falling round it, crash the carious trees, 
 
 Which proudly toss'd their head when zephyr breath'd. 
 
 Heaven grant no Frenchman prove a rotten staff, 
 
 On which the Empire may not lean secure 
 
 Her weary weight ; we hope to find all hearts 
 
 In unison with patriotic tongues ; 
 
 And see the conscripts of th' ensuing year 
 
 At our disposal. Great resource we need 
 
 On this occasion, and your prompt support. 
 
 Let not th' allies mistrust our power to shield ; 
 
 Distinctly let th' advancing Russians know 
 
 'Twas frost, and not their valor, foil'd our arms. 
 
 This said, the Chief his splendid palace sought, 
 Where finding his Louisa heavenly bright, 
 In lovely beauty blushing, all her charms 
 Rush on his soul, and deep enchantment hold. 
 As he surveys her by the Graces rob'd, 
 His soften'd breast with joyous transport glows. 
 Her gentle voice dispels imperial cares, 
 As solar rays disperse the mists of morn, 
 Or steal the pearly dew from vernal flowers. 
 
 The statute sanction'd which the Chief propos'd, 
 In season due, with troops his empire teem'd : 
 Thrice six score thousand sought the scene of war. 
 Another host, of realm-disposing power ! 
 
 This, from her sable dell, Deceit survey'd 
 With wrath, distrust, anxiety and fear, 
 And thus she muses : What ! will France behold 
 The wreck of mighty armies, by rash deeds, 
 And still give others to the same wild hand ! 
 O Heaven ! how Fortune favors this bold Chiet ! 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 389 
 
 As through him she would sport with Earth's great kings : 
 
 How many armies must he waste ! How long 
 
 Disturb the world, before his power shall fall ! 
 
 "Will that high parliament still passive bear 
 
 The lash of tyranny, nor check his course 
 
 So ruinous grown ? But chase through blood the shade 
 
 Of mournful glory ? Hail, Intrigue, in thee 
 
 I trust for future aid. Swift to thy hall 
 
 High in night's phantom-peopled cone I go. 
 
 Thus meditating, forth, on gloomy wings, 
 O'ershadowing many a plain, the spirit flew ; 
 Her eyes were glowing with malignant soul ; 
 Her face was furrow'd like the raging sea ; 
 Her voice, like rumbling thunder, heard remote, 
 Or ocean's roar, ere bursts th j impending storm, 
 Threaten'd bad deeds. Thus seem'd she to the muse 
 As Satan on Niphates' brow ; but mortal eyes 
 Had nought beheld but innocence and truth. 
 Soon in the clouds she meets the subtle Queen, 
 Travelling in darkness ; each from th' other shrunk, 
 Deeming she saw hell's monarch ; then assum'd 
 Politic air, and straight each other knew. 
 Auspicious ! cries Deceit, with countenance chang'd 
 As heaven's when, storms just spent, the sun outshines, 
 Earth joys, birds sing, rills foam, and rainbows gild 
 The lingering vapors in the blue expanse ; 
 Auspicious power ! with gladness thou art met 
 By one, that was repairing to thy Hall, 
 To get thy aid, to balk Napoleon's war. 
 
 Pursue thy course then, (thus Intrigue replies ;) 
 For I was wending to thy gloomy cave : 
 Are we not nearer mine than your abode ? 
 
 So they, then journeying toward the Syren dome, 
 Intrigue remarks : Our road lies up yon steep 
 Where thunder-laboring clouds, like ghastly forms, 
 Seem wielding quivering lightning in their hands, 
 And frowning on the passing traveller : 
 E'en as Fredonia's sage would them disarm 
 
390 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEN. 
 
 Of all their blasting fire we must extract 
 The Gallic Emperor's power ; so, like dark cloud, 
 Of his throne-rending bolts deprived, he frown 
 Harmless, though dark, and shed some drops in rage. 
 'Tis seldom with o'erwhelming force I move 
 Direct to the fulfillment of our will ; 
 Bat that, at length, attain by patient toil, 
 Wandering through murky wasts, toss'd by rude gusts 
 Of apprehension into deepest gloom, 
 "Where e'en myself, bewilder'd, often mourn. 
 
 Deceit replies : I toilsome work have found 
 My secret objects to conceal from Kings ; 
 But greatest circumspection can alone 
 Secure against Napoleon's nimble glance. 
 'Tis difficult my anger to suppress, 
 Which fain would burst in bold rebellion forth, 
 And from its broad foundation rend his throne. 
 Alas ! I saw Death sack his mighty host 
 In Russian land, and hop'd in vain that France 
 Would straight the luckless Emperor spurn ; but lo ! 
 Though few diurnal suns have shone since he, 
 O'er many a realm, in flight from Russia, sped, 
 An army, like his last, of peerless force, 
 Is darkening all the avenues to the Elb ; 
 As if, with Hydra, Hercules-foiling power, 
 Throne-shaking Gaul pour'd armies from her wounds. 
 
 Despising our importance, he reveal'd 
 His great disasters, and his pressing wants. 
 In truth, he seldom has invok'd our aid : 
 Pride tells him one so potent has no need 
 Of our assistance, and no arts he tries, 
 Where bayonets may accomplish his designs. 
 
 Advise, for well thou canst, what way our force 
 Should be directed to effect his fall ; 
 Decide, what point is most assailable 
 In his wise government, that there attack 
 May be commenc'd, in secrecy profound, 
 And he be headlong hurl'd from his proud height. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 391 
 
 Thus she, and now above the eddying winds, 
 They enter the dun Palace of Intrigue, 
 Invisible, till on the threshold stands 
 Th' observer ; there she saw unnumbered schemes, 
 Illusions fatal, fables incomplete, 
 And beauteous forms, whirling in sprightly dance, 
 Thus singing : Here, above the flying clouds, 
 We far survey the various world, and seek, 
 Wandering in whirlwinds to and fro, the praise 
 Of well-performing our controller's will. 
 Success attends, unless our augury fail : 
 On Fortune's visage plays portentous smiles, 
 As she the greatest of mankind beholds : 
 With her who sports with mortals, we conspire, 
 And read her countenance with unceasing care. 
 
 Th' inglorious clown is happy in his plains ; 
 The sage in contemplation ; but no ease 
 Is ours, save triumph transient, when success 
 Attends some desperate round of artful toil, 
 To urge the fate of nations ; darkness guards, 
 We fight with arms unseen ; in silence march. 
 With marvellous expedition, and lead men 
 By fascinating melody, to build 
 Scaffolds, forge chains, dread tyrannies erect, 
 And kill their friends, whom we cannot deceive 
 The friends, who show them, whither lead their steps. 
 They quit the substance, to admire the form ; 
 Forsake religion, to adore the priest, 
 And, following him, religion's self destroy ! 
 Mistake a Demagogue for Liberty ! 
 And, following him, the blissful Goddess slay ! 
 We swear she still exists ; the fools believe, 
 Although their chief has broke her vital laws ! 
 We then confine them to his iron car. 
 They dup'd ? not they ! We call them very wise : 
 They hug, because they think they chose their chains ; 
 And deem it a poor freedom that not gives 
 The privilege to be degraded slaves ! 
 
392 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENTN". 
 
 Thus they and instant vanish'd in the air. 
 The queen ascends the throne of various hues, 
 Whence meteors gleam, and hollow murmurs rise, 
 And thus resumes the converse with her guest : 
 
 Belov'd of old, what caused my journey hence 
 Toward thy abode, this time, was Gaul's dread king : 
 When last refreshing slumber o'er me stole, 
 I saw proud Londonderry, bleeding, fall 
 Before his voice, and fiends, with ghastly smile, 
 Beckoning, invite him to the roaring deep. 
 I saw an eagle, on a rock confin'd, 
 Insulted by a chattering magpie mean. 
 A hideous spectre, hovering o'er my head, 
 Thus broke my calm repose : Rise, slumbering queen, 
 Sleep'st thou while great events demand thy care ? 
 Thy peer, Deceit, is shining in her arms, 
 Improving this rare time, intent on deeds 
 Important of result : Attend my hest ; 
 Go, with her counsel, in the dark abode. 
 
 I then rose from my couch ; the spirits round 
 Shudder'd at my ascension in wild haste. 
 Grasping my arms, and armor, in dark clouds 
 On whirlwinds' wings, midst naming bolts, I rode 
 Along the gloomy heavens, till, thou in sight, 
 I paus'd, in horror, till I heard thy voice. 
 
 'Tis most momentous to determine, where 
 We may attempt, with safety, to dismount 
 Napoleon, puissant and wise ; but few 
 Can be discern'd, appropriate to our end, 
 And realizing power : His parliament, 
 Fit engine of our battle, these contains ; 
 Who, midst their comrades, with our timely aid, 
 May spread hostility against his power ; 
 Or cause them to protest 'gainst further strife, 
 Him baffling, and informing France how ill 
 He governs ; and what inauspicious war 
 He wages, ruinous to her wealth and fame ; 
 When she may try to counteract his will, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 393 
 
 Or hear indifferent his intense demands, 
 Delaying his commencement of attack 
 Of Russia's conquering hosts, till they have march'd 
 E'en through Bavaria, and the subject realms, 
 Emancipated from his 'grasp, rejoice ; 
 When the vast forces of a conjunct world, 
 Embattled bold against his damning reign, 
 Shall rush resistless to proud Paris' walls. 
 
 She ended, and Deceit, well pleas'd, replied : 
 Thine seems the most efficient plan, to war 
 In secret manner on the mighty Chief; 
 For divers members of his parliament 
 To me have made bold vows, and prayers preferr'd ; 
 These now enjoy their sovereign's high regard 
 Among them exercise enticing arts, 
 And specious reasoning ; while I, intent 
 To wean, whose private acts have long inclin'd 
 Against his reign, forthwith depart ; and soon 
 The major number of his Senate grave, 
 Will venture to oppose his high resolves. 
 
 Thus spoke she, and dispread her pinions dark, 
 And plunging through the rolling clouds below, 
 Immediate to th' imperial Synod pass'd ; 
 There, in sly Fouche's form, sped to and fro, 
 Intent on alienation from their king 
 Of duteous subjects. Soon amidst them she 
 Th' infection of dislike and doubt diffused ; 
 Thus whispering to their souls : What odious tasks 
 May men of honesty and worth perform ! 
 Yok'd to the policy of him ye fear, 
 You drag his chariot o'er forbidden ground, 
 While high he sits, and strews the world with death, 
 The wheels, remorseless, crushing mighty states, 
 The laws, in which the citizen's safety lies, 
 And rights of monarchs, to the woe of France. 
 What blood, what treasure has she lost, for nought, 
 But to support a throne, whose sultry glare 
 Breeds ceaseless storms ; nor till this season 's past 
 
394 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Of opposition to legitimate sway 
 
 Will peace' fair beams disperse these steely clouds. 
 
 This war-engendering sun must cease to shine. 
 
 I see you drag him with .reluctant pace ; 
 
 How long will ye lack spirit to be men ? 
 
 How long will ye see Folly wreck your sons, 
 
 Your country's purest blood on hostile swords ? 
 
 Perhaps ye say, " till apt occasion comes ;" 
 
 But many years of obloquy may roll, 
 
 And you have travelled to the silent tomb, 
 
 Ere better chance occur to check his course, 
 
 And make yourselves respected, as the voice 
 
 Of suffering France ; but if no patriot cause 
 
 Excite to energy, and bold repulse 
 
 Of wrong demands, are ye of vengeance void ? 
 
 Has his imperial will ne'er thwarted yours ? 
 
 Now is the time to vindicate your rights ; 
 
 Protest against the farther rage of war ; 
 
 This may defeat his sanguinary schemes, 
 
 And mitigate, or banish Gallic woes. 
 
 But breathe not to the world your main intent, 
 
 'Till half your comrades in the work conspire ; 
 
 Then sound it with a voice of thunder loud 
 
 Through all the nations subject to his sway 
 
 Its influence will confound the lord of kings. 
 
 Have faith and fear not ; for the peril 's small, 
 
 When fate is favoring our conceal'd desire. 
 
 Thus she ; Intrigue, with changeful face, proceeds : 
 What way then should ye strive against his power ? 
 There seems none better than determin'd stand 
 Against the farther progress of a war, 
 So ruinous prov'd : Your potent voice will swell 
 The tide of disaffection, that his ranks 
 Be till'd reluctant, and his march delay'd, 
 'Till wide rebellion of the subject kings 
 Deprive him of resource, on which he dotes. 
 And thrice more formidable make his foe. 
 Thus may the causes of his fall begin, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 395 
 
 And thus his warrior mien be taught to wear, 
 
 Instead of stormy frowns, a flattering smile, 
 
 When you approach his throne ; well disciplin'd 
 
 By this insidious exercise of power. 
 
 Persuade your peers, his victories France would curse, 
 
 Since war would thence increase to glut his lust, 
 
 And not to guard her rights, or punish wrong. 
 
 Then move t' address th' imperial Chief for peace ; 
 
 Show much concern that his resource will fail, 
 
 Since his vast losses in the Russian war. 
 
 Apparent innocence will face the deed, 
 
 And while he deems that you mistake his means, 
 
 And pities, or rebukes, the nation rous'd 
 
 From a blind fondness will condemn the man, 
 
 "Who pours her blood profuse o'er half the world. 
 
 Thus the arch beings, with the moving voice 
 Of patriotism, influence gain'd o'er half 
 Th' assembled Legislature who assent 
 To practise the dark counsel in fit hour. 
 
 The while, grave Wisdom scans Napoleon's plight, 
 Surveys events long past casts doubtful looks 
 On the dark future, and thus Need address'd : 
 
 I see and shun what Folly waits to feel ; 
 France claims my care t' avert contingent ills ; 
 If her great Emperor fall in distant war, 
 Will not the woes of former times prevail, 
 When Revolution rear'd her giddy head, 
 And bellow'd, as she walk'd in darkness forth, 
 Good will to man, and Reason call'd her God ; 
 While, close behind, Murder tremendous crouch'd, 
 And all the Furies that disturb mankind. 
 E'en Justice' scale became th' Assassin's sword, 
 And blood-stain'd Crime frown'd on the trembling world 
 From midst the ruins of the good and great. 
 
 But though no anarchy ensue, some chief 
 Th' imperial diadem may try to gain, 
 And his superior dynasty preclude. 
 Such evil to prevent, 'tis Wisdom's choice, 
 
396 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENINV 
 
 Ere his departure, he make Regent one 
 
 To whom he can confide th' important charge ; 
 
 That he, who has the right, may have pronounc'd 
 
 "What voice the realm should heed, when he 's no more ; 
 
 "Which those who prize his reign should glad obey, 
 
 And in the Regent's see the Emperor's rule. 
 
 As yet his son o'erlooks but infant scenes, 
 
 And moves, with innocence, in smiles and tears. 
 
 Louisa is adapted to sustain 
 
 Th' important trust, and answer his designs ; 
 
 I then will move the monarch to appoint 
 
 His partner to the Regency before 
 
 He leave fair Paris for the tented field, 
 
 If it seem meet to thee. She spoke ; stern Need, 
 
 Her rigid features softening into smiles, 
 
 Thus answers : ' Tis my pleasure, as 'tis thine : 
 
 Begin the work Necessity requires. 
 
 At my imperious call thou always giv'st 
 
 Thy useful lesson, grateful to thy Jove ; 
 
 For what thou dost is ratified by fate. 
 
 When Heaven and Earth were not, and Time was young, 
 
 I heard thee converse with the lord of worlds 
 
 In the dark deeps of chaos, where Ens warr'd ; 
 
 Flames, lands and seas, in tempest counter driv'n, 
 
 Dash'd in tremendous uproar, and dread love : 
 
 Fierce Oxygen there mingled all his soul 
 
 "With sweet attractive Carbon, and the chaste 
 
 Strong Alkalies ; huge Saline mountains rose, 
 
 Which Sulphur's blue combustion decompos'd, 
 
 Or deliquating roll'd with foamy waves, 
 
 Boiling o'er torrid rocks, and hissing loud 
 
 In burning oceans ; adverse coming rush'd 
 
 Large icy mountains 'thwart the blazing waste, 
 
 Scattering the bellowing flames in volumes vast, 
 
 Unnumber'd leagues asunder'd ; flinty rocks 
 
 Of size stupendous, in fierce conflict dash'd, 
 
 With shatter'd sides rebounded through the wild 
 
 Farther than fiery comet ever wheel'd, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 Until rebuff 'd by adamantine blasts. 
 The warring elements of countless worlds 
 Unborn, rag'd through the deep, confounding all 
 Save the dread sanctuary of nature's God. 
 Since that prime era thou hast been my friend, 
 And I thy frequent consort with mankind. 
 
 Thus she ; the Queen rejoins : Pleas'd I revert 
 To that primeval time, when I advis'd 
 To terminate the elemental war, 
 And stop the dreadful clangor of the deep, 
 By giving matter gravity's stern law, 
 Whence spring these rolling worlds and stellar orbs : 
 
 Great Jove determined on creation's plan, 
 Instant suspended nature's stormy loves, 
 And silence through immensity prevail'd. 
 Come to my presence (thus he loud commands 
 As high he mov'd where now the milk-way glows), 
 Ye most refm'd concretions, and most fair. 
 
 He ceas'd, and brilliant trails through chaos shone ; 
 From every quarter of the vast profound 
 Rush'd, at his mandate, precious mountains bright, 
 Of which topazes, rubies, all earth's gems, 
 And much-respected gold, are but the dross. 
 They shed inherent light ; their kind unknown 
 Receives no name among the sons of men. 
 These shining fragments, in huge globes conjoin'd, 
 Thrice fourscore larger than this earth he nVd 
 To be the guide, the life and light of worlds. 
 Then form'd the planetary orbs opaque 
 Of matter crude, and in their orbits plac'd. 
 So planets, satellites and suns he hurl'd 
 In his immensity, in order fair, 
 That roll harmonious, and their Maker praise, 
 And nourish numberless organic forms, 
 By laws electric vital motion given. 
 She ended, and majestic mounts her car, 
 By Prudence form'd ; Prudence beside her glides, 
 Rob'd in sage triumphs, and with light adorn'd ; 
 
 39Y 
 
398 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 The signal given, the heavenly coursers move 
 In awful splendor through the wondering skies. 
 At length adown, mid forest shades, they drive, 
 Till Somnus and black darkness hush the world ; 
 Then o'er the slumbering villages they speed, 
 And sudden enter the secluded room 
 In the grand palace of Napoleon ; there, 
 In the still midnight hour, the chief they find 
 Deep musing of his monarchy and wars. 
 
 I come, says Wisdom, to illume, and point 
 Thy better way attend my friendly voice, 
 With all considering mind ; for late, I ween, 
 . By inattention, or by Rashness, Pride, 
 And Vanity controll'd, you plung'd in wo. 
 ' Tis better, what thou hast to keep, than all 
 Lose, or endanger in acquiring more : 
 High Duty bids, our country shield from woes : 
 Who serves humanity best serves his God : 
 Wast thou to perish in a distant field 
 Might not wild anarchy, and civil war, 
 Hideous as hell's inexorable gates, 
 Stalk o'er this land, unless some regent reign ? 
 Appoint fit person, then, to that high charge, 
 Before again thou tread'st the fields of death ; 
 One who will guard the throne, till thy lov'd son 
 Wax strong in years, and learn the ways of state ; 
 For yet on woman's arm he spends his time. 
 Louisa seems best suited to the trust 
 Be she appointed in due form, then care 
 With less abound upon thy road to war ; 
 Nor power, by majesty untemper'd, smite 
 With indiscriminate harshness, the poor dupe 
 Of Treason's falsehoods, deaf to mercy's voice ; 
 Nor dog-like sycophants, to prove their zeal, 
 By hurrying pardon's object to the tomb, 
 Snatch from thy arm the glorious power to save. 
 
 So she ; the hero vows to obey her voice. 
 The sapient power remounts her airy wain, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 399 
 
 And instantaneous, scales the lofty skies. 
 Somnus, the while, with flowers narcotic crown'd, 
 Appears before the emperor, and exclaims : 
 
 ' Tis time the downy pillow eas'd thy head ; 
 ' Tis time oblations were to me preferr'd ; 
 Full half mankind are tost in balmy arms, 
 Enjoying near the pleasure of the grave ; 
 The beasts of prey are prowling through the shades, 
 The ducks are busy on the peaceful lakes ; 
 The floods roll darkling, and the wind faint breathes ; 
 But man is slumbering ; cocks have crow'd, and soon 
 Bright blushing morn will drive me westward far 
 Ah ! why should Wisdom thus disturb my reign, 
 Who bids the world awake at dayspring gray ! 
 Respect my call and quench the torch of night. 
 
 He spoke ; Napoleon to his couch repairs, 
 And, with Louisa, quaffs the balmy tide 
 Of renovating slumber, while the hours 
 Unnotic'd fly, exempt from gloomy care. 
 
BOOK VIII. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 Conversation between Napoleon and Louisa concerning her acceptance of 
 the Regency. She is appointed to the vicarious government. Description 
 of the ceremony. This event made known to the Senate, Intrigue and 
 Deceit inspire the members, who are unfriendly to the Sovereign, to thank 
 him for the act, the better to mask their designs. Napoleon's soliloquy. 
 Gallois and others proceed to solicit the Emperor for peace. Their speeches. 
 Offended at their address, he suddenly dismisses the Legislative body, 
 which alarms Deceit but reassures Intrigue. 
 
 Now golden tints spread o'er the orient sky ; 
 Far west the vanquished shadowy night retires ; 
 Men disencumber' d of their drowsy weight, 
 Forth sally to their toil ; the King of kings, 
 Who rose as night withdrew her gloomy shade, 
 Peruses history's pages, till his Queen 
 Shines in his presence, like another morn, 
 To whom he thus begins : The time draws near, 
 When I again must seek the distant war, 
 My better part forsaking. There, should fate 
 Confine your emperor to the dreary grave 
 Much misery might betide our ample realm, 
 Imperial throne and kindred ; bloody war, 
 By civil rage excited, make France scowl, 
 With face of death, and worthy millions mourn ; 
 Unless my law make regent, ere I march, 
 Whom interest, duty and benevolence sway 
 To well protect our monarchy and name, 
 Till our lov'd son attain maturer years. 
 No one I know more suited to that charge 
 Than thou ; and thou th' appointment shalt receive, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 401 
 
 If, rul'd by Wisdom, thou consent to bear 
 The honor'd burden ; so, a mother's love, 
 Arm'd with imperial power, shall guard our child 
 From danger, and secure his future reign. 
 
 He ends ;- Louisa answers : Sovereign lord, 
 Much sapience taught thee to perform the deed ; 
 Who seems most qualified to act, appoint : 
 ' Tis pleasing in superior sphere to move, 
 Be lofty consort of the warrior king, 
 And regent of his throne ; but female arm 
 May prove too weak the helm of state to guide. 
 Perhaps thou might' st select some abler one, 
 Whom science and experience well acquaint 
 To guard a threaten'd monarchy, and whom 
 Might be intrusted with the weighty charge. 
 If such were nam'd 'twould from great cares relieve, 
 And sweeten, if not elevate, my life. 
 Eugene, the valiant, of distinguish'd mind, 
 In whom the virtues hold their gentle reign, 
 Would all the duties of the post fulfill, 
 Resist temptation, studious to be just, 
 And, unimpair'd, the mighty charge consign 
 To our lov'd offspring on th' appointed day. 
 
 Thus spoke the blooming queen ; the chief replies : 
 In him I have much faith, but more in thee. 
 A late event proves thou should'st hold the helm : 
 The rumor of my death would then not hatch 
 New governments beneath the wings of night : 
 Nor would the memories of our friends be task'd 
 To bear in mind the Empire's rightful heir ! 
 What honor gives I would confer on those 
 Exalted in my love : In thee I view 
 The faithful guardian of our infant son, 
 Impell'd by nature to promote his weal. 
 Unerring nature ! who confides in thee 
 Shall seldom hope in vain ! It ill becomes 
 Me to release security so safe, 
 For that which moral barriers may supply, 
 26 
 
402 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIX. 
 
 Without remonstrance ; but some farther thought 
 
 Will teach thee to resign inglorious ease, 
 
 For dignity of power, august renown, 
 
 And the sure being of our mighty throne. 
 
 I had quaffd pleasure, and flown down life's stream 
 
 Without a crown, if pleasure were in sloth ; 
 
 But Glory call'd ; well pleas'd I heard her voice ; 
 
 Whence, Fame shall weary all her tongues for me,. 
 
 AVhen this frail tenement is cold and dead ; 
 
 And grateful millions praise, in future years, 
 
 The labors that unlock'd the springs of bliss. 
 
 The Monarch spoke. The Queen her doubts suppressed, 
 And thus responded : I object no more 
 To thy superior will ; nor much was I 
 Reluctant to receive such great regard ; 
 But dubious of thy aim, lest thou preferr'd'st 
 Some abler mind, the awful helm to guide 
 Through warring doctrines and bewildering schemes, 
 And ask'd me to perceive how rash and vain 
 Louisa is. Unalterably resolv'd 
 To grace thy partner with the high command, 
 Thou gain'st increase of reverence in this breast. 
 Grant, heavenly powers, that thou from war return 
 TTnwounded and triumphant, while thy foes 
 Kue their temerity, and vanquish'd mourn! 
 
 Thus the fair Queen, and thus the King rejoins : 
 Well pleas'd, Louisa, thy assent I hear 
 'Tis Wisdom's voice ; 'twas she who first inspir'd 
 Me to appoint thee to that sovereign charge. 
 Full hast thou answer'd her correct intent ; 
 Act always thus, and Fortune shall attend 
 With gracious smile, and light thee through the world, 
 In all her happiest ways, with blessings strew'd. 
 
 Th' assembled Council shall our will approve 
 Ere many suns ; when from thy presence lov'd 
 I take departure, and resume the reins 
 Of furious War, and him triumphant drive, 
 Through startled realms, to Russia's frightful clime : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 403 
 
 There, soon, I doubt not, will our Eagles soar, 
 And teach the foe submission to our laws. 
 
 So he. Louisa sat in pensive mood, 
 Viewing her lord, distrustful of his hopes, 
 That made him glory in the days to come, 
 For great events the future yet conceaPd. 
 Alas ! he knew not then Deceit's career ; 
 ISTor the deep complication of Intrigue, 
 Whose secret current undermin'd his power ; 
 Nor saw the errors of his Austrian sire, 
 The gulf beneath the flowery nuptial bed ! 
 To chase illusions Europe's lord was doom'd, 
 And build large expectations on the ice 
 Of royal friendship, which his evil day 
 Thaw'd into streams of bayonets, borne by foes, 
 Pointing athirst to pierce him as he fell. 
 
 Few days had passed, since in high Aries flam'd 
 The solar orb, when in th' Elysian Dome, 
 Surrounded by his dignitaries grand, 
 And ministers of State, Napoleon thus 
 His Empress in the Regency install'd : 
 
 Dispos'd to give great proof of my regard 
 To our good Queen and Empress, 'tis my will 
 That she be Regent made, till I return 
 From distant battle that her voice be heard 
 In every Cabinet Council ; that she grant 
 What pardons may seem meet, and act from rules 
 We register, with your concurrence, else 
 May she do wrong, and incommode our reign. 
 She shall not statutes of the state propose. 
 Cambeceres will letters patent form, 
 Which, register'd, will to the Senate read, 
 And thus accomplish this important act. 
 
 He spoke ; the deed approv'd, the Queen appears 
 In majesty of charms, and bright attire. 
 Beside, Westphalia's Queen, and fair Hortense, 
 With all their gay attendants, graceful stand. 
 Daru th' immortal volume holds, whereon 
 
4:04 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Louisa to her God makes solemn vow 
 
 To prove devoted to her lord, well act 
 
 Her part, his rules and ordinances observe, 
 
 And th' Empire's constitution strict obey. 
 
 Then takes a seat within the radiant hall, 
 
 Midst the fair train, Cambeceres repeats 
 
 The law ordaining this august event ; 
 
 The Council ratifies, Daru records. 
 
 Th' imperial sovereigns to their court repair 
 
 In gorgeous splendor, mid sweet beauty's train, 
 
 "With diamonds brilliant, and all-conquering charms. 
 
 Th' arch chancellor now the Senate thus address'd : 
 
 Illustrious props of an illustrious throne, 
 As soon the Emperor leads our armies forth 
 To distant lands, he makes his royal spouse, 
 Louisa, Regent, till victorious war 
 Shall him in safety to our arms restore ; 
 Or, if misfortune disappoint our hopes, 
 Till Rome's infantine king be fit to reign. 
 The patent, sanction'd by th' imperial hand, 
 Is register'd ; henceforth the Queen presides 
 In every Cabinet Council of the realm. 
 This is his patent ; note the power it gives : 
 
 Perceiving soon we head our hosts of war, 
 And willing to evince due confidence 
 In our good Queen and Empress, we invest 
 Her with the Regency of our domain 
 To aid in all our Councils where conven'd, 
 And act, as orders on our Records say, 
 First notice to our dignitaries given ; 
 Nor may she deviate from rules ordain'd. 
 She may grant pardons ; but must not propound 
 The ordinances or statutes of our realm. 
 Thus hath decreed the Emperor and the King. 
 
 He ended, and retir'd. Deceit, the while, 
 Employs th' event to advance her dark design, 
 Late meditated, and Intrigue bespeaks : 
 ' Tis ours to wait, till circumstances call 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 405 
 
 Us into action : .Now th' imperial Chief 
 
 Informs the Senate of his spouse install'd 
 
 As Regent, while he guides the storm of war. 
 
 The opportunity t' increase his faith 
 
 In their devotedness should be improved : 
 
 Let them declare it a consoling deed, 
 
 And breathe high tone of loyalty ; their voice 
 
 Will lull the Argus ; and what darker cloud 
 
 Can hide our progress from his watchful eyes, 
 
 Than flattery cloth'd in friendship ? veiled by which 
 
 We may hurl ruin at his boasted throne. 
 
 He has become so kingly that he takes 
 
 The sycophant's to be the patriot's voice ; 
 
 And, like the vulgar rabble, sees no truth 
 
 In aught that on his prejudices bears ; 
 
 Hence, to deceive him is an easy task. 
 
 In sovereign people, as in sovereign kings, 
 
 It is inherent not to be convinc'd 
 
 Against their will : Their sovereignty were nought, 
 
 Were there superior sovereignty in Truth 
 
 Though at God's throne she sits, and reverence claims 
 
 Of angels, states, and men ! Poor self-deceived ! 
 
 Folly and knavery equal troubles bring. 
 
 Thus spoke Deceit ; and thus Intrigue replies : 
 Our arts may presently with fate conspire, 
 To hurl the Emperor from his envied height. 
 For now his star, with melancholy air, 
 Looks dim through gathering mist, portending storm. 
 The means propos'd to hide our hostile plans, 
 My approbation meet ; be they employ'd ; 
 I forthwith will commend them to our train ; 
 And soon the mighty monarch shall repose 
 On quiet prospect, and delusive calm, 
 Such as earth knows before she crumbling quakes, 
 Ingulfing cities and upheaving isles. 
 
 But on yourself oh practice not your skill : 
 Above the Emperor I discern the man. 
 Although his glory's blaze the heart o'erpowers 
 
406 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEST. 
 
 And captive leads, in him no despot lives : 
 
 No real greatness can a tyrant serve ; 
 
 The worthless sycophant alone can please ; 
 
 But men Napoleon aid, whose brilliant names, 
 
 E'en Truth, with pleasure, from her Heaven would hear ; 
 
 Their lofty genius downward looks on thrones : 
 
 They, in his Council, oft her voice resound, 
 
 Who praises without reason moves him not. 
 
 No vulgar sovereign he ! Though fraught with seeds 
 
 Of error, like all men of woman born, 
 
 His faults will, as his character, be grand ; 
 
 And should he fall, e'en Liberty would mourn : 
 
 Contempt could never point towards his tomb ; 
 
 Greatness would o'er it cast an awful shade. 
 
 Still our vocation is to undermine ; 
 
 And though he were angelically pure, 
 
 Our policy would not the less demand, 
 
 That he from his imperial height be hurl'd. 
 
 So they, then urge th' inimical join 
 In flattering approbation of the deed ; 
 Who thus collectively address the king : 
 
 With heartfelt satisfaction we behold 
 Thy majesty restoring for thyself 
 Thy gracious spouse, which will repay our loss 
 For thy approaching absence ; for like Sol 
 Our Emperor seems : when present, all things smile, 
 When absent, all is drear an aching void 
 Disturbs the breast. May victory early dawn 
 Upon thy banners, and thy road illume ! 
 Depend on our attention to thy wants, 
 Our loyalty, and friendship ; these we boast 
 As greatest virtues in thy glorious reign. 
 
 This they present : Napoleon sees, well pleas'd, 
 The legislature seemingly dispos'd 
 To labor in accordance with his aims, 
 And thus in loud soliloquy proceeds : 
 
 So far my prospects brighten, all my will 
 Has been perform'd, since from that wreck escap'd ; 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 407 
 
 Prodigious wreck ! that makes whole nations mourn. 
 
 Ah ! such my destiny hard ; I strove in vain 
 
 Gainst winter's all-subduing arms, cold blasts, 
 
 And frosty oceans ; but methinks this grief 
 
 Shall soon by stronger passions be devoured, 
 
 The cloud of wo dispers'd by glory's beams, 
 
 And trouble's night dispell'd by victory's morn. 
 
 E'en now, the Russians, pausing to survey 
 
 What fearful length of land behind them spreads, 
 
 Deem ruin lies before. They dread the time 
 
 Napoleon shall approach with his brave host ; 
 
 Not without cause ; four hundred thousand march 
 
 Them to repel. E"or is the hour remote, 
 
 When thundering on the rear, the French shall hurl, 
 
 Their Cossack trumpery over Niemen's waves, 
 
 With Prussia's wavering king ; and Bernadotte, 
 
 Malignant, shall lament th' unlucky day 
 
 He sallied forth, in Sweden's strength, to wage 
 
 A war his country's interests scarce require, 
 
 Impell'd by policy, or Britain's gold. 
 
 Oh, that the elements one hour were mine, 
 
 That war-exciting isle dire blasts should rend 
 
 From its old anchorage. Folly should be scarce, 
 
 That knaves and tyrants might have scanty range ! 
 
 The earth that hour would note th' imperfect sway ; 
 
 Ah ! whither man does headlong passion lead ? 
 
 Poor fluctuating wave on time's broad sea, 
 
 Thrown high by Fortune's gale Earth's tender plant 
 
 Expos'd to nipping frost, and violent winds, 
 
 And rear'd by thee, alone, all-powerful sun ! 
 
 Severely taught to prize thy gladdening beams, 
 
 When late I rov'd beyond thy vital gaze, 
 
 Forgetful of my weakness and thy power, 
 
 When shall I cease t' admire thy great control ! 
 
 Thou guid'st the fiery comet's swift career, 
 
 And wheel'st the ponderous planets round thy orb, 
 
 Rejoicing in thy smiles, and yielding gems, 
 
 Fruit, flowers, organic forms, and man divine. 
 
408 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Without thy golden flood 'twere stillness all, 
 
 And death's deep, cold repose ; no gale would breathe, 
 
 "No music rise, nor ocean heave his waves 
 
 To rocky ice transform 'd nor sound invade 
 
 The dreary world forlorn. Whether thy flame 
 
 Incessant, springs of matter recompos'd 
 
 As fire consumes, or nature's God supplies 
 
 In ways unknown, thro' ages lo'ng thy beams 
 
 Have earth illum'd. Thou saw'st when mast-fed man 
 
 In savage wildness rov'd ; the earth immers'd 
 
 In water, and one ocean grasp the globe, 
 
 Upbearing on its bosom the lone ark ; 
 
 Thou saw'st the flood recede, and sickly earth 
 
 Send exhalations from her slimy waste, 
 
 While constant thunder rent the clouded air. 
 
 Thou saw'st prime Adam rove in Eden's bowers 
 
 Sable Sesostris drawn by sceptred man 
 
 Egypt's gigantic pyramids ascend 
 
 Her Thebes increase and wane th' Assyrian power 
 
 Begin and end the Macedonian king 
 
 Lead Greece and conquest o'er the Persian world ; 
 
 Judea's hapless doom, and Romulus lay 
 
 The firm foundation of wide-conquering Rome, 
 
 Still bright thou mov'st in thy eternal race 
 
 And undecay'd O might my course, like thine, 
 
 Uninterrupted by the storms of life, 
 
 Progress in calmness to the world unknown ! 
 
 Thus he ; meantime Intrigue augments her gloom, 
 And bland Deceit her gay delusions weaves 
 Th' auspicious moment come, to Gallois thus 
 Begin the twain : 'Tis time, illustrious squire, 
 To move against your king what we advis'd. 
 Then Gallois, grave and mild as cloudless morn, 
 Rising at the tribune, thus loud began : 
 
 When we forget, O peers ! the warning voice 
 Of sad experience evil times are near. 
 The nation totters on destruction's brink, 
 That, deaf to reason, bids the world be foes. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 409 
 
 Sun of the past, why should we slight thy beams, 
 
 Whose sober radiance shows where safety lies ! 
 
 Our bones are whitening Moscovy and Spain 
 
 Ruin still rings a hideous peal, and frights 
 
 The savage north with joy for Frenchmen dead, 
 
 While we aid martial projects, nor observe 
 
 How pale 's our country so much life-blood flown ! 
 
 While we vain boast her prowess, lo ! she weeps 
 
 Nor notes the eagled banners floating o'er : 
 
 Her thoughts are on her sons, who sleep in death. 
 
 Methinks, I see her streaming eyes uprais'd 
 
 On savage Mars, beseeching to retain 
 
 The remnant of her children from the sword : 
 
 He points to glory ; but she turns her face 
 
 From that enticing power, and hugs her sons : 
 
 " Ah, leave me these substantial joys !" she cries, 
 
 " I've won the praise of man, and found it vain ; 
 
 Tell those who ne'er the glowing phantom grasp'd, 
 
 To chase through seas of blood an empty name. 
 
 By hard experience sober'd, 'tis too late 
 
 T' impose on me as substance what is shade. 
 
 Or to induce me willingly to risk 
 
 My independence for a bubble burst." 
 
 Yet I would not insinuate that our force 
 Is insufficient to oppose the foe, 
 Beneath the Emperor's care ; to whom I trust 
 My country's fame and safety ; as his fate 
 Is hers, is mine, and theirs, who wish her well ; 
 But something whispers, with portentous voice : 
 On Russia look, and learn your future doom, 
 If war, ill-tim'd, and wide, succeed defeat, 
 And final ruin of your veteran host ; 
 For hard and doubtful will the contest be : 
 The new-born armies cannot cope with men 
 In battle practis'd, and with victory flush'd, 
 Who scarce were vanquish'd by our myrtl'd bands, 
 That now, in death's cold fetters, slumber pale, 
 To be, alas ! our shield and pride no more. 
 
410 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 If wasteful overthrow again we meet, 
 What shall deter rebellion of the states 
 To us subjected, whose vast numbers, join'd 
 With Russia's, will present no feeble front : 
 Our capital will then know danger, and the soil 
 Of France, long sacred, must be trod by foes ; 
 Her fate be measur'd by unfriendly hands ; 
 E'en her long train of martial triumphs fade, 
 And all her boasted greatness find a grave. 
 
 I then dissuade from war till France revive, 
 Her troops be disciplin'd, and memory lose 
 Half the impression of this sad campaign ; 
 Till those who hope relief from our distress 
 Become more subject, and bereft of means 
 To move rebellion to our lofty rule. 
 
 Thus he ; Flaugergues, then, thus soon began : 
 Assembled freemen, delegates of those 
 Who fain would glide along the stream of time 
 In peaceful industry, nor rush to war, 
 Remember your great charge : Our country's good, 
 And not the pleasure of its restless king ; 
 To whom great praise is due ; but he is man, 
 A darkling mortal, liable to err, 
 And much requires our counsel ; for one mind 
 May yet gain light from our collected rays. 
 
 If we consult our duty, shall we join 
 With him in bloody purpose, ere 'tis known 
 That Russia would reject a proffer 'd peace, 
 And spurn our suit ? Can it be wise, to plunge 
 In war's red torrent, midst its whirlpools dire, 
 While yet emaciated, wasted, tir'd, 
 From the late bold, disastrous enterprize ? 
 Shall we be able to resist the tide, 
 Or must France sink in the relentless waves ? 
 Who sees not, that but small reverse, in this 
 Wide renovated war, will end our reign 
 O'er the Helvetian land, if not our own ; 
 For is it true, our influence is desired 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 411 
 
 By most of Germany, or Prussia's king ? 
 
 Who can not see in what De York has done 
 
 Portentous prelude to what would ensue 
 
 Of his unfriendly monarch, if we fail ? 
 
 A wide rebellion would in one short month 
 
 Devour what years of warlike toil have gain'd ; 
 
 For one's revolt will soon extend to all. 
 
 Then vain will prove our courage ; then will France 
 
 Meet the black doom she gave to other lands. 
 
 Heart rending era ! May this breast no more 
 
 Sigh for my country's good, nor dread its woes 
 
 In that sad day, fix'd in the peaceful tomb ! 
 
 But if we prove successful, and pursue 
 Russia's thick myriads over Piemen's shores, 
 What benefit will Frenchmen thence derive ? 
 We sure shall from invasion seem exempt, 
 Nor more than now, if we solicit peace ; 
 But will mankind rejoice ? Will coming days 
 Find us more happy ? Judging from the past 
 Our woes must be increas'd ; an empty name, 
 And glory false be shared for solid bliss. 
 Have all these bloody years not yet inform'd 
 The votaries of unbounded monarchy, 
 Whose joyless grandeur much too slightly gilds 
 The sacrifice of our best comforts, that their schemes 
 Are vain and ruinous, covering France with wo, 
 Poor orphans, widows, unsupported sires, 
 And torturing human sense with tragic tales, 
 Which will descend to future times, while tears, 
 Wonder, and incredulity attend ! 
 
 Why seek we farther misery ? Why draw down 
 Reluctant vengeance from observing Heaven ? 
 Should we not timely take the happier course : 
 With patriot ardor go where Wisdom points ? 
 Nor while we fond admire our Chief, his deeds, 
 And hazardous campaigns, forget ourselves, 
 With our constituents, and progeny ! 
 But feel, as should the guardians of a state. 
 
412 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And do our duty, let what will befall. 
 
 Present our sovereign, therefore, this address, 
 (Intended for his benefit and ours,) 
 And may Heaven grant that it successful prove. 
 
 Illustrious Sire, thy presence glads thy France 
 And gives assurance that her recent wounds, 
 By ruinous war inflicted, will be heal'd 
 In the mild rays of industry and peace ; 
 Main source of national happiness ! Those best 
 Their prowess prove who longest peace enjoy. 
 Dread war should slaughter only for our good, 
 And for that object, kings are arm'd with power. 
 Abjure the aim of universal sway : 
 Thus show the world they need not be our foes ; 
 And France, your wish for peace : She straight will aid. 
 ' Twas thus the greater Louis nerv'd her arm : 
 Exertion its incentive will pursue. 
 We trust thou wilt concede 'twere wise in France 
 (Her veteran armies in a distant grave) 
 To join with Russia's king in leagues of peace, 
 That by her natural growth, she may regain 
 The strength exhausted in the freezing clime. 
 A sudden strain with our diminish'd means 
 Might much the vigor of that state impair, 
 Endangering interests near for things remote. 
 Ere luxury, convenience claims our care, 
 And stern necessity : Who waste their strength 
 For grandeur should be certain ne'er to need 
 Due energy their being to maintain. 
 
 He ended ; Serrurier more loyal spoke : 
 Have we lost all respect for our great King, 
 That this insulting language is propos'd 
 To wound his breast, already pain'd with loss, 
 To be retriev'd with what you would withhold ? 
 When, late, expecting you were always brave, 
 As well when Fortune frown'd, as when she smil'd, 
 He gave full history of his sad campaign, 
 Explain'd his need of means, and hop'd to hurl 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 413 
 
 Russia's vast host into their frightful clime, 
 What bosom beat not to partake the field, 
 Or silent prais'd what this address condemns ? 
 Perhaps his frankness you mistook for fear. 
 Yourselves deceive not ; for a different course 
 Had fear prescrib'd, to story undisguis'd 
 Of evil trials, burden'd with distress ; 
 ' Twas confidence in patriotic pride 
 And loyalty, that urg'd him to relate 
 What policy advis'd him to conceal. 
 Will ye, ingrate, that confidence abuse, 
 Determin'd to appear much less than priz'd ? 
 Let not such sentiments go forth to fame ; 
 In night conceal, dark as your course is wrong. 
 
 I scarce need mention the unhappy end 
 To which this error leads ; if it prevail 
 Concessions odious must be made to foes 
 Oft conquer'd, and now smarting with defeat ; 
 For ' twas the rage of Winter, Jove's high hand, 
 Full fraught with icy spears, and stormy winds, 
 That vanquish'd Frenchmen in the Russian clime, 
 And not Smolensko's champions, nor the host, 
 Which bleeding fled from Borodino's field. 
 France will be plac'd in so uncouth a plight, 
 That all her conquests must immediate fly 
 Far from her grasp, like lov'd Eurydice 
 From her fond Orpheus, never to return. 
 What shall console her then for treasure lost, 
 For thousands buried in the waste of war ? 
 Must she remain content in such disgrace, 
 Like a frail drunkard, w T ho in other times 
 Was bent on high achievement, and renown ; 
 But now is indigent in vile repose ? 
 How chang'd ! O heavens ! how alter'd will she be 
 From that proud boasting France of boundless fame, 
 Of matchless wealth, who conquer'd conjunct realms, 
 Held kings in bondage, set the captive free, 
 Triumph'd o'er superstition, and controll'd 
 
POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIE". * 
 
 Full half mankind by policy and power. 
 
 Thus he, without success. Th' address resolv'd, 
 Anon is in th' imperial presence read : 
 The ill design perceiv'd, impetuous rage 
 The Emperor rous'd ; he sought his council soon, 
 And thus harangued : The enemy hovering near 
 Our borders, lo ! the Legislative Hall 
 Resounds with invitation to his arms ! 
 Instead of brazen front, our wounds are shown ! 
 Blind Declamation toils to damp our hopes 
 Some bawl for peace, as if it were obtain'd 
 By winning the compassion of the foe ! 
 This expedites the Empire's evil day. 
 In us 'twere folly to let Folly urge 
 Our ruin : Be that body then dissolv'd, 
 Till new elections wiser members give. 
 The major number, ere thrice rolls the world, 
 Would be excluded by existing laws ; 
 So, constitutionally be they depriv'd 
 Of their collective power to injure France. 
 This should be done, though Murder on me frown'd ; 
 Though Paris on our palace pour'd in crowd 
 Infuriate, thirsting for imperial gore. 
 Know, if I rule, I rule. Hope not to find 
 In me the last Bourbon, nor daily change. 
 The citizen in the Emperor is not lost : 
 Should Anarchy resume her ancient sway, 
 I would resign the crown to share the reign. 
 I am not here a weathercock for knaves 
 To wheel as oft as they deceive the weak. 
 The throne shall never tempt me to succumb. 
 If any feel the meanness to be brib'd, 
 By his own rule 'twere vain to measure me ; 
 I stoop not for earth's glories, nor will wear, 
 Except with honor, either head or crown. 
 
 I took the helm, because I deem'd the law, 
 Whereby I was to govern, gave me power 
 To shield the Empire ; if I have mistook 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 415 
 
 The law's sufficiency for that great end, 
 Am I not in th' absurdity involved 
 Of being tied, yet answerable for speed ? 
 1 ne'er engag'd to work with tools obtuse, 
 Walk without legs, or without pinions fly ! 
 
 He ended, and the councillors surpris'd 
 Hear his decree. He shuts the people's dome ; 
 With arra'd men guards its doors, before him calls 
 The wondering deputies, and thus upbraids : 
 
 Does this address our circumstances suit ? 
 Were these ideas of reflection born ? 
 Is this the time, and yours the hand, to raise 
 Obstructions in the path of our success ? 
 To spread disheartening clamor through the land 2 
 To strip our armor off to show our wounds ? 
 Think ye to urge me to inglorious peace 
 By such vile means ? Sooner the Alps shall bow 
 Their heads from heaven at feeble man's request. 
 What means this conduct ? From what evil cause 
 Can it have source, but hate of France and me ! 
 While grows the cloud of war on every side, 
 Threatening to end us, will ye idly wait 
 Its dire explosion, and your country's fall, 
 In the vain hope that prayers will peace procure ? 
 A well meant speech by inconsiderate tongues 
 May much embarrass a beleaguer'd state : 
 When energetic means ye should provide 
 Of working our salvation, you construct 
 A pitiful address ! so weak ! so blind ! 
 Penn'd by your enemy, though your voice appro v'd ! 
 In secret should we wash our fouler stains, 
 JNot in the presence of the public eye. 
 Dare, dare to publish, what you now present 
 A comment of our own shall on it wait. 
 Think ye with safety to pervert your powers ? 
 France needs me more, far more, than I need her. 
 Which, which of you, my burden could sustain, 
 Or e'en well comprehend its magnitude ? 
 
416 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 As when a child looks out from ocean's shore, 
 Communing with his vastness, and enjoys 
 Sublime emotions, till his heart o'erflows, 
 And tears of grandeur fall ; the cause enquired, 
 " I cannot help it," breathes the gentle youth ; 
 So alive to nature that her beauty wounds ; 
 Far as the cause of his sweet tears abides 
 Beyond the range of vulgar minds, so far 
 The secret causes and ulterior views 
 That rule my ways are hid from common souls : 
 The nurse mistakes for the petulance, or grief, 
 The lofty motions of the noble mind ; 
 So, some mistake, for lust of boundless sway, 
 The love of needful power to bless mankind. 
 Shall grovelling turtles judge the eagle's flight ? 
 Can Dulness mount on Genius' sun-like car, 
 And guide the fiery team unscorch'd ? Think not 
 To bend Ulysses' bow so small a task. 
 Of Semele and Phaeton's fate beware. 
 
 Your aid I need no longer; hence depart, 
 Each to his home ; what good you can, perform 
 My eye shall trace your steps, and scan your deeds 
 Let me not see what patriots most detest. 
 
 The Chief austere thus stern dismission gave 
 Of his high parliament. Deceit beheld, 
 Astonish'd, and with disappointment stung, 
 Exclaiming : Guardian Deity ! O ! where 
 Shall Gaul's dread Emperor end his great career ! 
 To what glad era is Iris death assigned ? 
 Since time will, doubtless, quench his mortal part. 
 He spurns the gather'd wisdom of his realm ; 
 ISTor brooks complaint, nor e'en petition mild. 
 Alas ! my schemes are frustrate. Myriads arm'd 
 Await his summons ; a tremendous storm 
 Is gathering fast, whose all-involving gloom 
 Will shroud all thrones with mourning, and dispense 
 The bitterest maledictions o'er the world. 
 Grim Mars will glory midst his fiery floods 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 And wastes of carnage ; Death, pale king, will move 
 In horrid state o'er his increas'd domain, 
 Inflaming Discord hurrying wild before. 
 Famine's distorted countenance lank shall yawn 
 And dismal wail, where now fair plenty smiles ; 
 For such seems Heaven's decree. Such woes attend 
 The Gallic King, while o'er proud states he towers. 
 In vain I prophesied, and oped the cloud 
 Of future time to my fond votaries : 
 Ah ! they will realize delusion strange, 
 And feel disgusted of my artful lures ! 
 
 Thus she ; Intrigue, beside her, straight begins 
 With healing words : And dost thou then despair 
 August compeer ? How needless to lament 
 The ill success of one endeavor ! soon 
 Time opportune will come, to strike again ; 
 For in no middle way Napoleon keeps 
 Intoxicating fortune him attends } 
 
 Or ruinous overthrow and in either state 
 Our movements often, will successful prove ; 
 Then wait the lucky hour ; meantime extend 
 Our empire o'er his confidants, and form 
 Plans of campaigns more fit for secret war, 
 That him, with better means, we next assail. 
 
 The cause of thy despair gives hope' to me : 
 It from that madness comes, which Heaven bestows 
 On men to ruin doom'd. Opinion frowns : 
 He falls who wars with those that rule the mind : 
 Their reign, scarce seen in power and glory's day, 
 Will, in his night of trouble, blasting, shine. 
 Rome's reverend Pontiff strews his path with thorns, 
 And from his aid the prayers of millions holds. 
 Observe how JSfecker's daughter shakes his power ; 
 Her bright ideas dart through many a realm, 
 Uncheck'd by mountains, fortresses, and arms. 
 But he, above all others, aids our views ; 
 'Tis no hard task, on fortune's dizzy height, 
 T' employ in its own death the greatest power : 
 27 
 
418 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 One step made friendly Spain his bitterest foe, . 
 
 And a vast grave-yard for the sons of Gaul. 
 
 He quits the people to consort with kings, 
 
 Forgetful of the basis of his throne : 
 
 The tree whose roots decay must cease to thrive, 
 
 Though on a rock its lofty head may lean. 
 
 Are men no longer mov'd by hope and fear \ 
 
 May faithful servants look for sure reward 
 
 From him who could dismiss kind Josephine ? 
 
 The meek and high exemplar of her kind ; 
 
 Who by the Graces and by Wisdom blest, 
 
 Gave dignity to earth's superior throne ; 
 
 Attemper'd lion hearts with heavenly fires. 
 
 Gave loftiness to fierceness, and adorn'd 
 
 The brows of Yalor with soft Pity's wreaths ? 
 
 Although he sacrific'd his heart to save 
 
 France from the woes of a disputed throne, 
 
 With firmness as heroic as he fac'd 
 
 Her powerful foes in many a bloody field, 
 
 The public interest seem'd so much his own, 
 
 The world suspect his willingness to crush 
 
 His dearest friends, to aid his private aims : 
 
 Who for his country offered e'en his life 
 
 So oft, in fearful conflict, could not yield 
 
 A spouse its future safety to secure ! 
 
 Th' unjust suspicion seconds our designs : 
 
 ~No man can long be powerful who o'erlooks 
 
 His storm-tried friends for those of pleasant days, 
 
 The man's admirers for the thrones ; for these, 
 
 When danger's darkness lowers, will leave him lorn. 
 
 When fear the Austrians and the Bourbons gives, 
 
 To draw the sword against his tottering power, 
 
 Supported by th' offended world in arms, 
 
 Then, then, the Gallic people will, unmov'd, 
 
 Hear his loud summons to the tented field. 
 
 Are not the seeds of his destruction sown ? 
 
 So they, high towering, wrapt in sombre clouds, 
 Which hid their courses from terrestrial sight, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 419 
 
 And then dissolv'd communion : this departs 
 To her blue mansion o'er heaven's rolling cliffs ; 
 That seeks her gloomy cell beneath the sea ; 
 Swift as the lightning's glance along the waves 
 She darts and plunges in the dark profound ; 
 A watery arch sustains the flood above, 
 And on each side a blue wall stands, as when 
 The rod of Moses aw'd th' Arabian deep 
 To bare his bosom to the blest of Heaven. 
 Through such miraculous avenue flies the Queen, 
 The waves behind her close with stormy roar. 
 At her lone cave arriv'd, to magic sounds 
 Its marble gate unfolds ; she enters there 
 The rocky barrier quick behind her swings, 
 Reclosing with loud thunder the dread sound, 
 Hoarse rumbling, shook old ocean's green abode ; 
 There on her murky throne reclines and hears 
 The troubled march of waters, murmuring 
 Till balmy slumber o'er her senses steals. 
 
BOOK IX. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 Mars, observing the hostile attitude of the nations, rejoices, and is up 
 braided by Valor. While Lauriston attacks Listenau, Wittgenstein endeav 
 ors to surprise the French at Lutzen. Blucher and D'York attack their 
 centre; but Napoleon brings up his wings before it can be penetrated, 
 which, closing on the Allies, compel them to retreat. They take a strong 
 position at Wurtcher having another fortified position in their rear. The 
 question considered, whether, for peace, Napoleon should relinquish all be 
 yond the Alps, Pyrenees and Rhine. He drives the Allies from their posi 
 tion. The first day's battle of Bautzen. 
 
 THE nations gathering on the verge of fight, 
 Mars, furious power, rejoices at the scene : 
 Thrice fifty days were gone since Wilna saw 
 His favorite fly the Russian clime ; since then 
 As o'er the troubled states he cast his eyes, 
 He oft had seen hope light the face of kings ; 
 E'en Austria's hand upon her sword, as sure 
 Illyria, the Tyrol, and Trieste, with half 
 Of Italy, and influence high as erst 
 In Germany, were now within her grasp ; 
 Behold the husband of her Emperor's child, 
 With kind concern, and eye the land of Elb 
 O'erspread with armies and tri-color'd plumes ; 
 Then drop her sword and wait the voice of time. 
 He too had seen twice twenty thousand Swedes, 
 With Bernadotte, o'ercross the Baltic sea, 
 To war against Napoleon ; Prussia arm 
 For independence, and receive with joy 
 The Eussian forces, that in haste advanc'd 
 To rouse the nations to resist the French ; 
 Whose fortresses they boldly left behind, 
 Mask'd; and from Hamburg to Thuringia spread : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 421 
 
 Here Czernicheff, there Tettenborn, Wenzengerode, 
 
 With flying corps, precede the army main, 
 
 And wide make known the Gallic power's decline : 
 
 Murat, disgusted, from the war retire : 
 
 Kutusoff fall a victim to diease ; 
 
 Davoust burn Dresden's bridge and northward fly ; 
 
 Eugene to Magdeburg withdraw his powers 
 
 From Mockern's bloody field ; Morand, o'erthrown 
 
 At Lunneberg, before the Cossack sword ; 
 
 E'en Denmark falter in her faith to Gaul, 
 
 Her Norway's transfer to the Swede unknown ; 
 
 And Germany and Naples disinclin'd 
 
 To aid his arms ; and Spain, with growing might, 
 
 Threat'ning on France invasion's tide to roll. 
 
 In Fame's bright dome, the homicidal power, 
 Midst flaming deities and dazzling arms, 
 Yiews ruin's lures, contriv'd by error's slaves : 
 He Vice and Virtue in his service sees : 
 Arch Policy th' incongruous couple wed, 
 And to a common name their views confin'd. 
 High mid th' imposing scene the lord of war 
 Towers in Olympian grandeur ; on his face 
 Beams empire, and defiance, mix'd with joy, 
 While thus, in thunder rivaling heaven's, he speaks : 
 
 Let princes, kings, dominions in my train, 
 Rouse all their warriors, ride the battle's storm 
 In panoply : lest, in the shock of states, 
 Their glory wither, and their power decay. 
 Such destiny attends who at my shrine 
 Give offerings mean, when force gigantic toils 
 To fix the doom of nations : And behold ! 
 Yast continents, and she who rules the waves 
 To my decision, leave imperious claims, 
 And darken ample realms with legions arm'd, 
 
 Be glad, companions, and with me enjoy 
 This hard contested trial ; wade elate 
 In reeking crimson waves, disport with ghosts 
 Fresh from the trembling corpses, and hear moans 
 
422 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Of dying mortals, Discord's horrid yell, 
 
 Sire's, orphan's, brother's, widow's mournful cries, 
 
 And meagre Famine's feeble voice complain. 
 
 Such happiness awaits us ; blooms the world 
 Preparing Ruin's harvest ; many a king 
 Quakes on his throne, and many a patriot sighs, 
 Consults blind oracles, appall'd ; the matrons hear 
 Strange voices, utter'd from the viewless wind, 
 And see great armies warring in the clouds. 
 
 Soon Discord's brazen tongue shall shake the world 
 And steep in bloody tears ; Haste, sanguine power ! 
 Sound all your thunders, rend with awful peals 
 Man's short abode, and glut the ravenous grave. 
 Erst Heaven beneath thy boisterous influence quak'd, 
 When angry gods in fierce contention strove, 
 Glowing with light all o'er, and round Jove's throne 
 Briareus dreadful heav'd his hundred hands : 
 And when Messiah, o'er Heaven's crystal steep, 
 Hurl'd headlong half the angelic host in blaze, 
 As if the stars of night were swept in crowd, 
 'Streaming tumultuous down the void profound ! 
 Hell swallow'd the sing'd outcasts ; till this hour, 
 I tremble at the memory of the fall ! 
 Below, yawn'd fiery gulfs ; above, around, 
 The scathful lightning hiss'd, whose brightness dimnrd 
 Cherubic eyes that oft had gaz'd on Jove. 
 
 From midst the storm of burning elements 
 I, with Hell's King, escap'd, pass'd Chaos wild 
 Arid night's drear realm, in search of this sad world, 
 Which, after perilous voyage, we discern'd 
 And soon subdu'd. Yicegerent of my sire, 
 Worthy to be th' antagonist of Heaven, 
 I govern man. How settled is my sway ! 
 While priests and kings lead mortals, I shall swell 
 The pomp of Death ; Christ's lore shall not prevent, 
 While its expounders bow before my throne, 
 Contention's progress, and my murderous reign. 
 
 Though evil fell upon my glorious son 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 423 
 
 In Russia's clime no cause have we to mourn ; 
 For thence our sway shall be more wide ; our name 
 More terrible : As his bright sphere declines, 
 Old Darkness spreads her dull monastic wings, 
 Hatching my brood, and putting off the years 
 By prophets sung, when men shall war no more. 
 Gigantic armies still await his call, 
 To punish cruel foes and false allies. 
 At Lutzen now he leads th' avenging powers, 
 Bent on offensive war ; and soon, I ween, 
 Europe's broad breast will utter funeral groans. 
 
 Thus the great slaughterer spoke ; his joyful bands, 
 "With acclamation tore the aerial hall 
 Pride loftier stalked among the glowing forms : 
 Ambition's heavenward face effulgent blaz'd ; 
 But Valor venerable, unmov'd replied : 
 
 Earth-troubling lord, from whose tempestuous arm 
 Flow fates of nations, and unnumber'd woes, 
 Remember, Yalor ne'er partakes thy joy ; 
 Though doom'd thy drudge, he hates thy damning reign ; 
 ' Tis founded on the wickedness of man. 
 Well may'st thou boast thy sire, and he, his child : 
 With ease I trace the lineaments malign. 
 I would thy arm were powerless, that the just 
 Were not compell'd against thee to defend, 
 And drag the virtues to thy hateful train, 
 As pearl to swine. O haste ye peaceful days ! 
 When Justice' universal rule shall hush 
 Thy wo-begetting voice ; when I shall toil 
 To fortify the mind 'gainst temporal ills, 
 And tender drooping buds of life prolong, 
 Instead of scattering death through angry hosts ! 
 
 He ceas'd ; the Monarch frown'd, nor deign'd reply ; 
 His serpents hiss'd ; fierce flames and gloomy clouds 
 About him roll'd ; the Furies, reddening, rag'd ; 
 Gorgons rode round in whirlwind, and upbore 
 Thick grove of arms, that bray'd, with rocky throat, 
 And dreadful gleam'd. He draws his murderous blade, 
 
424 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Earth groans, Heaven casts a quivering bolt, and scowls 
 
 As mustering storm, then, swift, with frightful shout, 
 
 Bounds from the lofty world-illuming dome ; 
 
 And hovers, wrapt in clouds, o'er Lutzen's field ; 
 
 There, high above the destin'd scene of blood, 
 
 He stands, and bids the Furies urge the fight. 
 
 The nations hear his voice, as the wreck'd tar 
 
 Wandering in wave-tost skiff forlorn, hears nightly howl 
 
 The spirit of the deep. Valor, the while, 
 
 With Wisdom, from the bright abode descends, 
 
 To great Nopoleon ; Valor first he saw, 
 
 And thus address'd him : Welcome conquering power, 
 
 Who help'st me brave the dreadful storms of fate. 
 
 Th' assembled nations soon before my arm 
 
 Shall fly confus'd ; already Fear has shook 
 
 The Prussian monarch ; Lauriston now goes 
 
 To Leipsic's gate I haste to meet him there, 
 
 To rouse the battle with our youthful bands, 
 
 And early teach them to subdue the foo. 
 
 Thus he ; Valor responded : My advice 
 'Thou hast anticipated ; Wisdom grave 
 Will temper aught of rashness in thy views. 
 
 He spoke ; forthwith the sapient power began : 
 Hush not, too daring, on uncertain doom : 
 Be cautious of the foe, whom victory fires 
 WTio, like resistless torrents, has advanc'd, 
 Sweeping the wreck of mighty hosts before. 
 For fiercely will he combat with your powers. 
 The weak subdue the strong by patient toil 
 And prudent care ; great strength gives small results 
 When ill applied. Be thou prepar'd for fight 
 I seek thy foes. Say, Valor, wilt thou wend 
 With me, companion of my journey ? Come, 
 Diffuse thy favors with imperial hand. 
 
 Thus she ; the power of bravery thus replies : 
 The merit of their progress Winter claims ; 
 Go on, illume the doubtful road of thought 
 
 ' o 
 
 Know, Valor early dwells with warriors wise. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 425 
 
 He ended ; and the fair directly pass'd 
 To Wittgenstein near Altenburg he lay ; 
 She found him musing on his foe's intent, 
 And thus address'd him : Lo ! Napoleon comes 
 To hurl thy armies headlong to the grave : 
 A sudden onset might defeat his schemes. 
 He waits for Lauriston to Leipsic gain, 
 When he that way will move. His centre now, 
 Assail'd in flank, perhaps might be surpris'd, 
 If by quick movements thou commence the fight ; 
 So wont to be th' attacking party, he 
 Scarce dreads the active valor of his foes. 
 
 She spoke, and disappear'd ; then Wittgenstein 
 His generals summon'd and her plan advis'd : 
 
 A third of Gaul at Listenau contend ; 
 There Lauriston, would open Leipsic's gates ; 
 May not our conjunct force the rest defeat, 
 If, with united strength, we quick assail ? 
 Then let us march on Lutzen, and o'erwhelm 
 Gaul's youthful corps. Such sudden blow will damp 
 Her warriors, and her sovereign's plans confound. 
 
 An anxious world beholds us ; much depends 
 On our discretion. Austria would not aid 
 Were we defeated ; then let pass no chance 
 To weaken the great foe, whose mighty powers, 
 When concentrated, 'twill be hard to oppose ; 
 But when divided, as they now appear, 
 We may presage success. Part after part 
 May be detach'd, till mountains are remov'd : 
 ' Tis thus the weak o'ercome the strong in war. 
 
 He so reveal'd what Wisdom had inspir'd 
 The listening chiefs approved. Mild Yalor hears 
 And kindles at the bold resolve ; the sound 
 Of drums unnumberd rouse the camp to arms ; 
 Line following line, as wave rolls after wave, 
 Move on, bright glimmering in the beams of morn. 
 The mounted chiefs in glittering robes career, 
 Along the polish'd iron groves, that blaz'd 
 
4:26 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 On heaven, and dancing floods of radiance shed. 
 So myriads far advanc'd to gory fray, 
 While Sol the zenith traversed, wheel'd below 
 The western world, and from his orient throne 
 The stars extinguish'd and the night dispelPd. 
 
 He twice had look'd on May with rosy smiles, 
 When throng'd the banded host on Lutzen's field : 
 That morn, the angels mourn'd ; the immortals' seats 
 Were fill'd with sorrow for ill-fated man ; 
 But earth awoke to thoughtlessness and wo. 
 
 Soon, toward the centre of the host of Gaul, 
 De York and Blucher lead their numerous bands. 
 Napoleon sees th' impending storm, and swift, 
 By rapid heralds borne, his orders fly. 
 Ney, Soult, Marmont, McDonald and Regnier, 
 On fiery coursers hurry through their trains, 
 And sudden shine in terrible array 
 The Gallic armies, burning to contend. 
 
 Now wide and dreadful flame the thundering guns 
 From wing to wing of Blucher's laboring powers. 
 France fired as soon. Throughout her dauntless lines 
 Thick flashes rise ; gregarious deaths are hurl'd, 
 And smoky darkness blackens all the field. 
 The neighboring region tremble earth, amaz'd, 
 Groans, pants with anguish, human lot deplores, 
 Flooded with gory tears. The foaming steeds 
 Prance wild ; high bounding, like red lightning, dart 
 With ardent chiefs along the deadly storm 
 And snuff the troubled air. Dark dusty clouds 
 Tumultuous thicken on the eddying wind. 
 Swells martial music loud ; scarce heard, for sounds 
 Of clamorous muskets, voices of dismay, 
 Screams of the wounded, and the clash of arms. 
 Discord, fell fury, lifts her banner high, 
 Streaming with blood, and pregnant with distress ; 
 Hell in her countenance shines, infernal forms 
 Throng in her way, and join her horrid roar. 
 Mars, from his cloudy seat, comes flaming down, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 427 
 
 His furies raging round, and shrieking dire. 
 On every side he aggravates the fight, 
 Makes nations fear, and damps the hopes of kings. 
 Through all the bleeding field he hurl'd his bolts 
 In deathful play, from gloomy clouds of smoke 
 Low rolling midst the combatants ; there bent 
 On havoc vast, he thunders, foams, and swells 
 In wild commotion, spreading fatal rage, 
 While hapless mortals die. Glory, the while, 
 Eeside Ambition, on tempestuous cloud, 
 Edg'd with pale terrors, glides around the fight. 
 Her wreaths refulgent flaming, like the beams 
 Of bright Aurora, vivid splendor shed ; , 
 Her countenance fir'd the field, and greatly swell'd 
 The voice of battle ; Yalor labor' d there, 
 Inspiring ardor ; flames and deaths around 
 Careering dreadful, and red streaming floods 
 Increasing hideous, burden' d him with pain. 
 
 Ambition much anxiety display'd ; 
 On Glory now, and now on bleeding men 
 She darts her fiery eyes in mute suspense ; 
 Her views long lines recede, and there advance, 
 And heaps of slaughter'd mortals gather round, 
 Her visage changing at the voice of fate. 
 
 Against red Kaya Blucher swells the fight ; 
 Thousands on thousands thither thickening pour, 
 Led by his skilful arm infuriate rage 
 Incites his thirsty bands, and carnage rolls 
 In horrid tide before. France boldly meets 
 The hostile flood, and fearful fray begins : 
 Bayonets encounter bayonets ; steely groves 
 Weep human blood ; muskets revers'd descend 
 Ponderous with death, and spread destruction round. 
 At length the French recede, contesting brave ; 
 Wounded, they wound, and on the following foe 
 Shower copious ruin. Still, by Blucher urg'd, 
 They tread reluctant the red way this seen 
 By Gaul's impatient monarch, he commands 
 
428 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENDT. 
 
 His herald thus : Go, charge Marmont to bring 
 All his reserve, and with the lightning's speed 
 Aid yonder shatter'd centre ; for Bertrand, 
 Most opportunely on our right arriv'd, 
 Will in his stead the enemy's left oppose. 
 
 This heard, the herald, like the bird of Jove 
 Flying midst thunderous clouds, vehement strode 
 Through war's loud storm to Marmont, and thus speaks : 
 
 Our Emperor wills, that thou bring all thy force 
 In aid of our rent centre, and expel 
 The enemy's troops from Kaya ; for Bertrand, 
 Arriv'd, will in your stead his left oppose. 
 
 He spoke ; JMarmont forthwith conducts his bands, 
 Inspir'd with ardor, which the yawning grave 
 Can not abate ; stern Mars beholds, sublim'd 
 With homicidal rage ; Glory displays 
 Full in their front her animating beams ; 
 Ambition glows, Heaven darkens, Russia quakes ; 
 E'en Blucher feels unusual coldness run 
 Through all his frame, and in his army's rear, 
 Hurrying, like tempests of the torrid zone, 
 Thus urges firm resistance : Lo ! What comes, 
 Gloomy, terrific and intent on deeds 
 Of fatal import to this crimson day ! 
 Yet may our forces sweep them from the field 
 Were ye to act your parts with Prussian grace : 
 Lead then your bands to deadliest charge, and drive 
 With furious might the Gallic forces hence ; 
 Go, bathe your weapons in their flying rear. 
 
 Now headlong, loud, and dreadful, like the floods 
 Fast down Niagara foaming, rushes Gaul, 
 Fearless, on bristling bayonets, scattering death 
 And consternation ; nought withstands th' attack ; 
 Through the torn village vanquished Prussia flies, 
 Close follow'd by protended arms, and shouts 
 Of valiant victors. This De York sore griev'd, 
 And like bright comet, flaming midst the storm 
 Of wild retreat, he waves his sword, and calls 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 429 
 
 His routed train : Where fly ye, recreant crew, 
 Before the host of Gaul ? Halt ! for your lives, 
 And honor of your country face the foe, 
 That he retrace the steps of impious war, 
 Nor more disturb the nations near, in view 
 Come reinforcements let the foe not win 
 Such fatal victory as to blast our hopes, 
 And make our country's strenuous efforts vain. 
 
 He spoke ; inferior leaders strive to form 
 The host fugacious ; soon array'd, it meets 
 The furious foe ; dread clash of arms succeeds 
 The slaughter swells ; Death stalks remorseless round ; 
 Disploding arms, shouts, groans, and screams convulse 
 The air with hideous noise. France now recoils, 
 In wounded plight, before the Prussian charge. 
 But Marmont rushing mid her broken lines, 
 Arrests their flight, arrays them to contend. 
 
 And now Napoleon leads th' imperial guard 
 To breast the torrent on his centre thrown. 
 Dishevell'd Discord and tempestuous Mars 
 Check their red coursers, smear 'd with dust and gore, 
 To gaze one moment at the dreadful shock : 
 Here Blucher urges, and Napoleon there 
 The direful battle ; and the Emperor thus 
 His heroes moves : Maintain this precious ground : 
 Here lies our shame or glory. Here the scale 
 Of victory falls or rises. Here one inch 
 Maintained, or lost, decides the fate of realms ! 
 The foe his flanks has weaken'd to o'erwhelm 
 Our centre ; but our strengthen' d will straight 
 Show where the greatest force in shortest time 
 Has been assembled ; for their balls will soon 
 Each other strike along yon centre's rear, 
 If we this post maintain : Then, then the foe, 
 Almost surrounded, in confusion flies ; 
 Alarm'd at the profoundness of his skill, 
 That leads, with such precision, to defeat : 
 You see how Fortune favors ! Spread your sails ! 
 
430 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES OENIN. 
 
 Catch, all her breeze ! Make roar your thundering arms ; 
 For these our want of cavalry must supply. 
 Here, skill and courage cannot toil in vain. 
 
 Thus he, and round him wak'd heroic fires ; 
 Repelling terror's king from human thoughts. 
 Nor less did Blucher animate the fight : 
 
 Behold th' auspicious sign ! the imperial guard 
 Brought down for slaughter ! proving that the foe 
 Staggers on ruin's verge. One effort more, 
 Another Eosbach then shall Kaya be ; 
 And Jena's field, and Prussia's wrongs reveng'd, 
 Sooth the kind Queen, and Frederick's awful shade, 
 That loud, above this conflict, on us calls 
 To die as freemen, not to live as slaves ; 
 But seize th' oppressor of our country here : 
 Improve the time : Behold th' important prize ! 
 Advance ! Your honor more than Blucher bids. 
 
 Thus he ; and Scharnhorst seconds his designs : 
 Rush on, my countrymen ! Oh ! pause not now, 
 When shame, or glory, on a moment turns ! 
 Here, here the foe must quickly be o'erthrown ; 
 Ere danger menaces our weaken'd wings. 
 If valor fails, our science plans in vain. 
 Not only Prussia in our bravery trusts, 
 But Europe's hopes and fears are on our arms. 
 A we succeed, or fail, we roll a tide 
 Profound of joy, or grief, o'er mighty realms. 
 
 He spoke, but spoke his last ; th' informing soul 
 Of Prussia's war, by iron tempests fell'd, 
 In ruins lies, and guides her steps no more. 
 
 And now, in trembling Kaya, in close fray, 
 The combat rages ; bayonets are sheath'd in man ; 
 Clamor tremendous rises ; terror reigns ; 
 Blood copious streams, and mountains of the dead 
 Strew the late walks of innocence and love. 
 
 Thrice Victory siml'd on France, on Russia thrice, 
 By bayonet point, in Kaya's crimson field. 
 Each host retreated thrice before death's storm 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 431 
 
 Confounded and dismay'd : Brave France, at length, 
 By dint of havoc vast, the town retain'd. 
 
 Meantime Napoleon's right breasts many a shock 
 Of squadron'd cavalry, by gray Platoff rul'd, 
 Alternately advancing and receding, gored 
 By sabres and fleet hoofs ; there thousands fall, 
 A ghastly pavement for the bounding steed 
 And gradient warrior ; streams of reeking blood 
 O'erspread the ground, and horror shades the scene. 
 
 Now Lauriston from Listen au returns 
 With his division ; on his Emperor's left, 
 Like a dark tempest, rushes to the fight, 
 Sweeping the field before him as a flood 
 Hoarse rolling o'er some fen bears off the leaves, 
 And spreading terrors and confusion wild. 
 
 Kliest saw his Prussians fly the dreadful storm, 
 And lighting in their front, them thus recalls : 
 
 O shameless officers, ye foremost lead 
 Our host to sad disgrace ; shall boys, mere boys, 
 Drive veterans from the field ? Check while you can 
 Their odious course, resist the daring foe ; 
 Behold, I wait his coming ; let me die 
 Nor see my country's fall, nor your disgrace. 
 
 So speaking, twixt the adverse powers he rides, 
 High brandishing his sword, midst swarming balls, 
 Dense smoke, and terrors the sub-rulers view, 
 Fir'd with new courage, fast array the lines 
 Retain'd in mid career, and hurling fast 
 The deadly globes through intermediate space, 
 Scatter destruction on the Gallic host. 
 Now draw they near, the horrid space between 
 Decreasing, till the bristling groves unite, 
 Braying tremendous, like some frozen shore, 
 Where icy fragments, scatter'd o'er the main, 
 Are hurl'd tumultuous by tempestuous winds, 
 Island, on island, thundering to the skies, 
 Impell'd by mountain billows crowding round. 
 
 Short time in equal balance hung their fates ; 
 
432 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEST. 
 
 Then Prussia, fiercely fighting, slow retires. 
 This, Wittgenstein beholding thus commands : 
 
 Herald, attend ! Bid Platoff quickly rush 
 To our disorder'd right, with all his steeds, 
 Swift as the winds ; there make resistless charge, 
 Breaking Gauls serried files, audacious grown ; 
 That threaten much to whelm us in defeat. 
 
 The herald nods, like lightning darts away, 
 And soon to Platoff thus his message tells : 
 
 Our Chief command, that forthwith thou proceed 
 With all thy force, our suffering right to aid ; 
 There, furious charge th' audacious lines of Gaul, 
 That menace with defeat our laboring host. 
 
 He spoke, and quickly wheel'd. Platoff collects 
 His warring thousands, and as autumn's clouds 
 Glide o'er the welkin on the wings of wind, 
 O'er hill and lawn his gleaming cavalry strode, 
 Thirsting for slaughter. Wittgenstein now sees 
 McDonald here, and there Bertrand approach, 
 Loud thundering on th' allies, that bleed between : 
 From twixt the hostile wings he leads his powers ; 
 With stronger cavalry shields the endanger'd rear, 
 And skilfully eludes the grasp of Gaul. 
 Night throws her mantle o'er the woful field 
 Where twice ten thousand lay to rise no more. 
 
 t/ 
 
 In mournful ruins, gash'd with gory wounds, 
 Deep lacerated with the hoofs of steeds, 
 And tread of striving troops. Each host withdrew 
 From deadly play, to spend the truce of night, 
 In ill repose ; for dismal groans were heard, 
 And soul-afflicting screams of dying men. 
 
 Mars roll'd him in dun clouds, and thro' the Heaven 
 Tower'd roaring triumph ; while in festive dance 
 His furies troll'd, and mimic'd dying groans 
 Shriek'd, like the coward, shouted, like the bold, 
 Enjoying converse sweet with terror pale, 
 And rioting in horror. Glory sad 
 Ascended to Eenown's sublime abode, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 433 
 
 With kind concern the graves of greatness eyed ; 
 There, midst her pensive train, in secret mourn'd, 
 Till balmy slumbers sooth 'd her lofty soul. 
 
 Now on day's throne bright Phoebus mounts the skies, 
 Dispelling darkness drums unnumbered sound 
 In either camp, and rouse the martial swarms. 
 Shrill breathes the fife ; the trumpet rends the air, 
 And fast the plum'd battalions wend along 
 Towards Leipsic; while the vanquish'd nations pass 
 The Elb, the Elster, and the war-worn fields 
 Of Wurtcher, where great Frederick once withstood 
 The force of conjunct nations, who fierce warr'd 
 Seven hapless years, and steep 'd a world in blood. 
 There Wittgenstein his various troops combines 
 By Wisdom guided, long entrenchments froms 
 And with two hundred thousand warriors waits 
 The swift advance of Gaul's victorious King. 
 
 JSTapoleon's myriads unimpeded march'd 
 Through Leipsic and Probestheyda, o'er the Elb 
 By Dresden, and encamp'd near Bautzen's field 
 111 fated field, where Death will soon extend 
 His pale dominion, fearful discord rage, 
 Crushing the brave, and gory rivulets flow. 
 
 Great Providence, the while, -convokes the powers, 
 That labor on the destinies of mankind, 
 And thus attention to the crisis calls : 
 
 Shall now, for peace, Napoleon to the Alps, 
 The Rhine and Pyrenees, confine his sway ? 
 
 Straight Yanity begins : Midst Victory's shouts 
 What storm impends, that Gaul's great Chief should cast 
 Into the deep the fruits of many a field ; 
 His fortresses, his friends in foreign states, 
 His high pretensions, and perhaps his throne ! 
 For, tarnished, would it curb impetuous Gaul ? 
 ' Tis better to oppose a world in arms, 
 Than, fetter'd on the hard bed of regret, 
 Groan o'er concessions needless : Scarce five months 
 Have pass'd away, since he from Russia took 
 28 
 
434 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 His solitary flight ; yet now he drives 
 
 The nations o'er the Elb, with soldiers young, 
 
 Rais'd by his energy, and train'd to war, 
 
 In time how brief ! The earth, thro' all her states, 
 
 The presence of a wondrous sovereign owns, 
 
 Whose giant steps wide Europe feels with awe. 
 
 The lofty oak before heaven's bolts may fall 
 
 It cannot shrink into the lowly shrub. 
 
 So she ; then Pride : ' Tis early to succumb, 
 When fortune overwhelms. He yet maintains 
 His high pretensions, and with victory's voice : 
 No circumstance appears that proves his need 
 To make so great a sacrifice for peace ; 
 Not ten lost battles thus should lop his power. 
 Shall Talleyrand, with well-affected grief, 
 Pretend his counsels have been heard too late, 
 That France such sway had held without the wars 
 That strew'd her bones from Calpe to the pole ? 
 Why seek humiliation ere its day ? 
 Anticipate the scorn and jeers of men ! 
 Which, though they oft on prudent counsels wait, 
 Reach not th' unlucky brave. Misfortune's storm, 
 Bursting around him in its bitterest rage, 
 Hath but increas'd his glory. Wither' d Gaul 
 Beneath his touch reviv'd, as forests, shorn 
 By Winter's breath, their verdant leaves regain 
 Before the vernal sun. She straight outpour'd, 
 With matchless energy, another host, 
 E'en now to Victory dear. Shall he not soon 
 O'er Niemen drive his foes ? Will Russia's power 
 Increase by new alliance ? Austria sure, 
 Will not oppose Louisa's lord, late press'd 
 To sad extremity. Her gratitude 
 For favors past, her policy forbids. 
 Nor will Rhine's federate states forget themselves, 
 To lift against their friend a hostile hand : 
 As well the limbs might on the body war ! 
 Can Holland, Naples, Italy, wish his fall 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 435 
 
 Whose magnanimity has blessed their lands ? 
 No, should he stagger under Fortune's blows, 
 Their ready aid would prop his useful sway. 
 He then may safe advance o'er Order's stream, 
 Assur'd, twixt him and Rhine no foe will rise 
 To blight his budding conquests. Yictory still 
 Shall cheer his road, and peace his efforts crown 
 On terms that will not provo a thousand fields 
 And vast dominion have been won in vain. 
 
 She spoke ; Considerate Yalor thus proceeds : 
 Peace, at the price propos'd, his interest claims : 
 E'en all beyond the limits nam'd is lost 
 Already ; let him, therefore, well evince 
 His moderation, by exchanging soon 
 The shade for substance. Germany, oppos'd 
 To his control, can scarce restrain her arms 
 From vengeance. Kings and people have combin'd 
 Against his power. What though he victories win ! 
 Whom a whole people combat toils in vain : 
 A sword may cut, not stop the ocean stream : 
 Austria will Prussia's course pursue, so sure 
 As sovereign states by interests are controll'd. 
 The marriage was for Austria's good, not harm, 
 Her gratitude would, doubtless, leave him France. 
 Her policy would prop Louisa's throne 
 Far as consistent with the Austrian weal, 
 That bids him keep within the Alps and Rhine. 
 The Germans will his blessings bear in mind, 
 When they forget their children lost in war. 
 He should the occasion seize to abandon Spain : 
 A short, short space, the will of Heaven allows, 
 To fix the terms of peace in Victory's arms ; 
 But this short time, gone unimprov'd, he floats 
 Upon a shoreless and tempestuous sea, 
 And finds no harbor till he finds his grave. 
 
 Thus Yalor spoke, and lofty Pride rejoin'd : 
 Would Austria war against Louisa's lord ? 
 Has Russian power no terrors, that she sees 
 
436 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 All danger on the side where her own child 
 In grandeur reigns ? Then let her join his foes : 
 "War's pedantry shall to its science yield ; 
 The hero triumph, though the Emperor fall. 
 Will people, as their kings, ' gainst him combine 
 "Who feudal tyranny has swept away ? 
 Who schools, roads, bridges, harbors and canals, 
 In short, their interests fosters more than that 
 Of kings and nobles ? Let the fools be slaves ; 
 But self-approving days shall sooth his soul. 
 
 Thus she ; then Providence : His destiny leads 
 To toss the nations on the waves of war. 
 The power he deems essential to his throne 
 Is inconsistent with the world's repose. 
 
 He ceas'd, and Valor to Napoleon calls : i 
 Ere long will Austria's legions aid th' allies 
 In combat. Crush your foe before he gains 
 The great accession. Were his host o'erthrown 
 The fears of Austria would outweigh her hopes, 
 And keep her sword in sheath e'en if resolv'd 
 To war against thee. Though the enemy holds 
 A strong position, cogent reasons urge 
 Immediate battle. Stronger will he prove 
 Should Austria, with two hundred thousand troops, 
 Increase his forces. Be no moment lost ; 
 The fate of empires on that space may turn. 
 Thus he ; Napoleon answers : Bubna, late, 
 On Austria's part, insisted hard on peace, 
 With striking hints at most ungracious terms ; 
 Still, I can scarce believe she would do more 
 Than menace, to advance her own designs ; 
 Howe'er, the safer course shall be pursued, 
 And Bautzen's heights, forthwith, be turn'd or storm'd. 
 Thus he ; and straight far round on mountains rides, 
 Surveying, with decisive eye, the plains, 
 Deep shaded valleys and defensive hills, 
 Firm occupied by various thousands arm'd ; 
 Interrogates the captur'cl peasantry 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 437 
 
 On every point beyond Ms vision ; where 
 Each stream is fordable ; how steep each slope ; 
 Where cavalry and artillery may advance ; 
 And where such precipices as obstruct 
 The march of infantry. Then strict compares 
 The statements made ; discrepancies detects ; 
 Again interrogates, till, all explain'd, 
 The varied ground is pictured in his mind. 
 He makes each marshal fully understand 
 The part that in his sphere of action lies ; 
 And with such caution for events prepares, 
 That Fortune scarcely can results control. 
 Determin'd on the plan of combat soon, 
 He to his listening marshals thus reveals : 
 
 Some toil before ye waits victorious toil. 
 By menacing Berlin, we hop'd to draw 
 The foe from yon position ; but he knows 
 Its strength, and does not choose, on equal terms, 
 To meet the conquerors of Lutzen ; soon, 
 Turn'd by our skill, his heights shall useless prove : 
 Ere night begins, our flag o'er Bautzen waves. 
 Thou, Soult, wilt rule our centre in this fray, 
 And cross the rolling Spree when we command. 
 In front of Bautzen sage McDonald sways, 
 Whose care shall be to bridge th' obstructing stream 
 When we give order ; on his left, Marmont 
 Another road shall o'er the river throw ; 
 Upon his left Bertrand from Zelitz move 
 Against the enemy's heights. Regnier and 
 With theirs, and the remains of Lauriston's 
 Division, round the enemy's right will march 
 On Klix, the river pass, and aid Bertrand, 
 Establishing their powers on Wissenburg. 
 Here the main torrent of the fight will rage, 
 While Oudinot will to his left direct 
 The foe's attention, lead our right athwart 
 The intermediate vale and silver stream, 
 And on yon mountains furious kindle war, 
 
438 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENTS'. 
 
 The federate left displacing, while, o'ercross'd 
 The stream, McDonald Bautzen's walls shall hold. 
 
 He ended, and the listening chiefs retir'd 
 To their important stations. Oudinot 
 Arrays his numerous host, fast down the vale 
 Careers, and fords the intervening stream ; 
 To shield his march a hundred thunderers roar ; 
 Astonish'd, Russia sees the movement bold, 
 And ere the distance suits, begins discharge 
 Of loud artillery on high glacis thron'd ; 
 Dark clouds of smoke accumulate round the hills ; 
 Lightnings arid thunders midst its volumes rage, 
 Which seem unsettled mountains rolling high. 
 Wide sweeping dart the iron globes along, 
 Heaving the sod to heaven and rending groves : 
 The venerable oak reclines vast limbs are hurl'd 
 In various courses through the darkening air. 
 Soon, through th' approaching French, they dreadful fly, 
 Whole bands destroying. Oudinot returns 
 The deadly thunder from his numerous tier. 
 Near stands each host ; a frightful space between 
 Sighs with thick-darting balls, that hit and glance 
 In angry flight. Unnumber'd muskets burn, 
 And horrid Discord holds triumphant reign. 
 
 The while, McDonald o'er the Spree erects 
 A broad highway, on which Compans advanc'd 
 With following thousands, furious as the waves 
 By wrathful tempests drove 'gainst rushing tides. 
 Marmont, too, o'er the Spree a bridge extends ; 
 With his division moves against the foe. 
 The nations thunder on the thronging files, > 
 Making vast havoc ; ponderous balls transpierce 
 The bold battalions, scattering blood and death 
 With unremitting violence, thick as hail 
 When boisterous Boreas hurls his wintry storms. 
 There thousands fall ; thick darkness clouds their eyes, 
 And deep oblivion of the dreadful day 
 Pours on their souls. The rolling waves below, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 439 
 
 Faint groaning, blush with blood of heroes dead. 
 
 Compans, at length, upon the hostile shore 
 
 Arrays his valiant train ; the voice of fight 
 
 Now doubly hideous rises ; flames and smoke 
 
 Involve the myriads darts embattled Gaul, 
 
 With bayonets keen protended, on the foe ; 
 
 Loud clash of arms ensues, and wild outcry, 
 
 Shouts, screams, such uproar as if all the fiends 
 
 Of burning Tartarus, in blackest cloud, 
 
 Sail'd heaven midst flames and thunders warring dire. 
 
 So terrible the adverse armies join'd ; 
 Attended by blank Horror, through the groves 
 Of bloody iron, flies pale Terror's king : 
 Around him wounded mortals gasp and groan, 
 Before him burn Contention's angry fires. 
 
 Mars, in a dusky cloud, moves o'er the field ; 
 His red hand bears a goblet crown'd with gore ; 
 Sad triumph brightening on his vengeful brow, 
 He quaffs the reeking liquid with delight, 
 Wild dances to the notes of Horror's lyre 
 On every point, where bleeds the dreadful fray: 
 Now, where De Tolly, Blucher, Ney contend ; 
 Now, where Marmont is tost on slaughter's waves ; 
 Where Oudinot ascends redoubts in gore ; 
 Where gray McDonald rolls the tide of death ; 
 With nimble step he heaves his giant form : 
 Now seems a gloomy mass, a quivering flame, 
 A hill, uprooted, whirl'd by furious winds, 
 And now a stormy cloud that hides the field. 
 
 Bossart there falls, by ruthless bayonet pierc'd : 
 He staggering tumbles, bites the slippery ground, 
 And everlasting darkness shades his eyes. 
 He liv'd an honest life, and bravely died 
 In combat's hottest rage. Florain in youth 
 Beside him sudden plunges in the grave ; 
 His head a winged death convey'd away, 
 Gasping and bleeding through the fearful storm. 
 Strelitz, intrepid Chief, careering bold 
 Midst battle's direst tumult, death o'ertakes ; 
 
44:0 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 A fatal bullet perforates his breast 
 From his high steed he falls among the dead, 
 His eyes in darkness swim, the soul departs 
 Indignant o'er the angry naming fight. 
 In quick succession fall illustrious men ; 
 O'er myrtled thousands Kuin fiercely drives ; 
 What noble youths beneath his tempest fall ! 
 The lofty spirits from their bodies flown, 
 They lie in dust and gore, deform'd with wounds. 
 So, under lightning, falls the stately pine 
 So, fades its verdure, and its beauty dies. 
 Bessieres, the good and brave, ere this had fall'n 
 Struck from his courser in Poserna's vale ; 
 "War's thunder snatch'd him from the troubled world 
 Without a pang, the day ere Lutzen bled : 
 Heaven kindly sav'd him from th' afflicting field 
 And the foul evening of Napoleon's reign. 
 Humanity and Justice haunt his grave, 
 And own their much-lov'd votary slumbers there. 
 Six hours the armies strove ; when Prussia flew 
 From the sore combat, in rude disarray, 
 Beyond astonish'd Bautzen ; then resumes 
 A battailous aspect in redoubts reserv'd. 
 Ney, Lauriston, Regnier, meantime advance 
 O'er Spree, on Klix, to take in flank and rear 
 Their enemy ; but brave Blucher on them pours 
 An iron tempest, and his ground maintains. 
 Bold Oudinot impetuous leads his bands, 
 With reeking bayonets o'er the bulwarks high, 
 Which Russia's left defends. Contention here 
 Red mantle wore ; like winds on mountain rocks 
 Vehement storming, up the high redoubts 
 Rush'd banded Gaul ; and thrice rebounded, urg'd 
 By thronging iron groves and thundering tubes. 
 And now, the sun descended, wildering night 
 Delays the slaughter, and the nations rest 
 From odious labor ; but with heedful eye 
 Retain the field and wait the light of morn, 
 To bathe in human blood their thirsty arms. 
 
BOOK X. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 The second day's battle of Bautzen, in which the Allies are defeated, their 
 wings being forced back on their centre. They are attacked the next day at 
 Reichembach and compelled to retreat. Deceit, surprised that Austria does 
 not assist the Allies, Intrigue explains, that Austria was deterred by their 
 defeat at Lutzen ; and suggests that, if truce could be had until the armies 
 of the Allies were recruited, Austria would join them. Kliest and Shouva- 
 loff are deputed to Napoleon to propose a suspension of hostilities, to which 
 he agrees for forty-seven days. Touching the negotiations which follow, 
 Wisdom admonishes him to take no steps on the supposition that he and 
 Austria have the same views of her interest. The speech of Rashness, of 
 Napoleon, his soliloquy at the tomb of Frederick the Great. He extends the 
 truce twenty days at the request of Austria : at its close she declares war 
 against France. 
 
 'Now morning open'd wide her golden gates, 
 Illuming orient heaven with rosy light ; 
 Loud swell'd the music of the martial powers ; 
 Days beaming face was met by glittering arms 
 Of mighty armies thirsting to contend. 
 The rear of France tremendous blush'd with gore, 
 Cumber'd with mountains pale of slaughter'd men ; 
 But smaller heaps of death than soon will rise : 
 Impatient Havoc o'er the hosts impends, 
 Vast numbers soon must sleep in death's cold arms, 
 And mournful ruins strew th' ensanguin'd field. 
 
 From all-beholding heights Napoleon views 
 The thronging myriads, and the fight controls ; 
 There his assembled chiefs he thus bespeaks : 
 
 Brave men, your conduct in the conflict last 
 Delights your Emperor, and auspicious seems 
 Of what awaits us this momentous day, 
 
442 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 In which unusual toil must be endured, 
 And skillful movements made. Exertion "bold, 
 That in short time inundates half the field 
 With crimson floods, will yet more life preserve 
 Than lengthen 'd combat, while it conquest brings. 
 Sweep all the field of enemies, as strong winds 
 In boisterous grandeur drive the clouds along. 
 Thou, Oudinot, by brave McDonald join'd, 
 Discharge your rending thunderers on the foe, 
 His left involving in a night of clouds, 
 Our main intent concealing ; while Mortier 
 Speaks to their centre with his hundred guns. 
 While thus ye combat, Ney on Klix shall raise 
 War's loudest voice, and turn the enemy's right. 
 I here shall stand and scan your deeds ; act well, 
 And ere night comes the victory will be ours. 
 
 He ceas'd each to his station hies and fast 
 The warlike forest moves in mazy rounds, 
 Bristling with shining arms through the long lines 
 Impetuous fly the chiefs bearing command, 
 Soon roars th' artillery of the hostile powers, 
 Uptearing ground, and trees, and spreading death. 
 Unnumber'd muskets labor with more din 
 Through all the jarring scene, than thousand storms 
 United thundering on th' affrighted world 
 Along the mountain-rolling deep, and woods 
 Stupendous branching in the void of heaven ; 
 While clouds and seas commix, and oaks, uptorn, 
 Are hurried wild through lightning-darting skies, 
 
 Soon sable clouds o'ershade the trembling field, 
 That now is wrapp'd in darkness, now in flames. 
 Gigantic Havoc, fiercely raging round, 
 Rends mountains, crushes rocks, and trees, and men. 
 On Bautzen's neighboring heights Napoleon stands, 
 Attesting valorous deeds. Kirgener and 
 His lov'd Duroc beside him view the fray. 
 Glory, above, conceal'd in silvery clouds 
 From general view, celestial balm diifus'd, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 443 
 
 Inspiring vigor, such as lifts the soul 
 To loftiest tone. He bids his herald fly, 
 And ISTey inform, against th' enemy's right 
 To rush directly, and victorious prove, 
 Advancing through Prelitz, Presig, and Klix, 
 To Wurtcher's fields. Forthwith the herald flew 
 Down the dark hill, like lightning from the skies, 
 And quick reveals his message : Straight the Chief 
 Leads his bold myriads to th' encounter dire ; 
 Loud roar two hundred thunderers iron-mouth'd, 
 Rending the region round of earth and heaven. 
 Thick flame the muskets of th' opposing powers, 
 Distracting tumult and unnumber'd sounds 
 Tremendous rise ; the spirit of the land 
 Starts from the onset, howling dread and wild 
 The mountains tremble, bellow the long vales ; 
 The combat bleeds in darkness ; Mars in flames, 
 Careers in tempests o'er the stormy field, 
 Roaring with brazen throat, such frightful sound 
 As spread blank horror through the laboring war. 
 Now o'er Klix' domes he storms ; now where Mortier 
 Wide rages on the hostile centre ; now 
 Where Oudinot's redoubled thunders sound. 
 Terrors, his pale attendants, shriek ; red floods 
 Blush in his course, aud swarming ghosts ascend. 
 
 Through shatter'd Klix France headlong pours, her foes 
 Driving amain, who combat as they fly 
 In desperate fury ; thousands fall, expos'd 
 To trampling victors : carnage spreads around 
 And writhing mortals horrid strew the field. 
 
 ~Now on Prelitz the dreadful battle glides ; 
 Its turrets rent, in shatter'd ruins fly ; 
 An iron shower falls ponderous on its domes, 
 And consternation stalks o'er all the scene. 
 Brave Blucher soon a force reserv'd arrays 
 Against the victor foe ; heaven darker frowns, 
 While the infuriate armies near approach, 
 Incessant hurling deadly balls between, 
 
444: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 From clamorous muskets and superior arms. 
 
 Impetuous Prussia comes ; nor France recedes, 
 
 Waiting, indignant, the o'erwhelming charge. 
 
 Dire clash their arms, unusual uproar grows, 
 
 Blood streams around, shrieks, shouts, and groans arise 
 
 And deaf ning clangor swells along the field. 
 
 Now here, now there, the wearied French retire 
 Before the thronging groves of thirsty steel, 
 Retracing the red way, contending still 
 With obstinate valor, while the ample field, 
 For many a furlong groans, and weeps red streams. 
 Continual iron showers, at random huii'd 
 By the fast flying armies, scatter death ; 
 Huge ghastly mountains of dead mortals rise ; 
 Dismember'd heads roll frightful on the plains, 
 Streaming and and gasping with death-rolling eyes. 
 When Klix repass'd, the French with bayonets pois'd. 
 Await close combat Prussia, fearing, halts, 
 And distant hurls a deadly iron shower. 
 
 Meantime, Napoleon orders Soult to march 
 (Who rul'd his centre) on the foe's main post. 
 Soult, with bold myriads, like tempestuous storm, 
 That prostrates forests and infuriate sweeps 
 The clouds and lands along, falls on the foe ; 
 Loud roar his thunders, deathful muskets flame 
 In near contention, smoky gloom involves 
 The angry prospect ; Wittgenstein, alarm'd, 
 Impetuous hurries with his martial train, 
 Thus speaking : Friends, the trying moment comes, 
 When this great fight in doubtful poise depends. 
 Use all your vigor bring our whole reserve ; 
 For see, our host recedes inveterate Soult, 
 With ardent legions, plays such fatal game ! 
 
 Thus he ; swift, Karpoff with large force advances bold 
 Through the dark iron showers ; his sullen bands 
 A quenchless vengeance fires ; not France they deem 
 Shall urge them from the life ingulfing fray. 
 With force resistless, on astounded Gaul, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD, 445 
 
 "With flaming guns and bayonets keen, they plunge, 
 
 Like quivering lightning on some stately tower, 
 
 The pride of empire wild commotion grows, 
 
 Shouts, groans, and clang of arms dire Discord drinks 
 
 The blood of thousands disarrayed, France stands 
 
 Scattering destruction, and deep swallowing death. 
 
 The Gallic marshals, like fierce meteors, dart 
 
 Along the dreadful burning combat Soult sublime 
 
 Hides through the gloom impelling hideous fray 
 
 Shouvaloif in severest battle flames ; 
 
 His eye seeks victory, or the grave and Kliest, 
 
 Careering lofty midst disploding tiers, 
 
 Excites heroic rage two hundred guns 
 
 Hurl thick destruction on the Gallic powers, 
 
 "While many a warrior's head flies through the heavens 
 
 Chattering in death. At length, o'er mountains pale 
 
 Of fallen men the lines of Gaul retire, 
 
 The federate armies thronging on their rear, 
 
 "With crimson bayonets, and destructive balls, 
 
 Spreading dread carnage, and confusion wild. 
 
 Napoleon hastes to end the furious fray 
 In victory, concentrates his utmost strength, 
 And thus addresses Mauborg's soldiery brave : 
 
 'Tis now the moment to decide the field ; 
 Prepare for conquering : rush, resistless rush 
 Against th' audacious foe, whom late ye drove ; 
 Myself will lead the way. Then like some storm, 
 That levels harvests, branching woods, and sweeps 
 Huge billows from the ocean to the clouds, 
 Advance the guard beneath the Emperor's rule. 
 Soult, recollecting his far routed powers, 
 Joins with like fury in the bold attack : 
 Fast flames th' artillery, and inferior arms, 
 Incessant flashing, thunder direst peals. 
 
 Blucher array 'd, presents an awful front 
 On right of the allies ; but what shall stand 
 Napoleon's onset with selected men ! 
 
 Short time at distant battle stood the powers : 
 
446 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Led by imperial valor, France drives on 
 
 Like fiery floods ascending craggy hills, 
 
 And on the Prussian forces pours amain. . 
 
 Prussia the shock withstands ; keen sword on sword, 
 
 Bayonet on bayonet, in close fight oppos'd 
 
 Bray fearful ; javelins red, like lightning streams, 
 
 Glance o'er the heads of myriads ; arms revers'cl 
 
 High lifted, ponderous fall, with deadly weight 
 
 Screams, dying groans, and shouts commingled rise 
 
 With din of arms, sound of drum, trumpets' roar, 
 
 And various uproar of tempestuous steeds, 
 
 In cloudy squadrons, charging round the field. 
 
 At length the Prussian lines confus'd retire, 
 
 Wide-spreading ruin rages on their rear. 
 
 Wild disarray, and soul-dejecting rout 
 
 Betide th' unhappy nations. Ney, the while, 
 
 Through Klix advancing, by the bayonet point 
 
 The vanquish'd enemy drives. In storm he comes ; 
 
 Like chaff before fierce whirlwinds, flies his foe 
 
 O'er the thrice trodden road of blood he hurls 
 
 A shower of ruin on their frighten'd rear 
 
 Through Prelitz, and Presig, to Wurtcher's fields ; 
 
 And simultaneous, Oudinot o'erthrows 
 
 The Russian left ; across the ramparts wades ; 
 
 And, as a tempest drives a shatter'd fleet. 
 
 In wild commotion sweeps his foes before. 
 
 Both wings, now turn'd, th' allies make safe retreat 
 O'er many a bloody league ; nor France pursues ; 
 For Phoabus rolls down occidental skies, 
 And sudden darkness wraps the smoky field. 
 Yet fly the nations from the jaws of death 
 Through chill nocturnal shade, till far away, 
 At Reichembach, they take desired repose. 
 
 Soon as Aurora's early light prevail'd, 
 Skirting the eastern horizon, the French, 
 Rous'd by their wakeful King, pursue the foe 
 At Reichembach o'ertake him, and the voice 
 Of bloody conflict dreadful sounds again ; 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 447 
 
 Again he flies before victorious Gaul ; 
 Again Napoleon with triumphant hosts 
 Pursues the vanquished' nations ; and attempts 
 Into his rushing columns to infuse 
 His lion spirit ; threatens, praises, moves 
 By every motive that may stir the soul ; 
 Nor words alone employs ; he sends his aids 
 To every point ; from rank to rank he darts, 
 And foremost in th' attacking masses, toils 
 Midst deadly showers, by flying nations thrown, 
 " Scoundrel thou creep'st !" he to a general calls, 
 As headlong past him, with his staff, he bounds : 
 What lethargy ! Are corses in pursuit, 
 Or slumbering men ? O expedite the chase 
 Or would ye nothing win but bloody fields ? 
 Without the harvest we have sown in vain 
 The fight is won, but yonder goes the prize ; 
 Insulting goes, and scarce a trophy leaves : 
 Awake ! advance ! or we have bled for nought 
 But barren glory, and an empty name ! 
 
 Thus he excites, and onward pours his host, 
 Deploying, as the foe in battery plac'd 
 His thunderers, and contracting, when the road, 
 Unrak'd by iron hail, his march invites. 
 
 'Twas then, Duroc, some evil fated globe 
 Thee, and Kirgener brave, remorseless hurl'd 
 To death's cold door, while yet thou converse held 
 With great Napoleon on the deeds of war. 
 What pity melted his heroic soul 
 To view the dying brave ! his steady friend 
 And long companion in the walks of fame ! 
 Unheeding battle's horrible career, 
 The mighty Monarch lifts the dying Chief 
 From the cold ground, and sighing, thus begins : 
 
 Thy hapless fate deprives me of a friend, 
 Who many a year midst all the storms of wo, 
 And smiles of Fortune, hath most constant prov'd. 
 Death comes unwelcome, but he gilds the close 
 
448 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Of life's short journey, when he mows the brave. 
 He, by his victim, sees himself out-frown'd, 
 And counts his conquest poor ; his mortal stroke 
 Gives fame immortal, and his shaft so loud 
 Eesounds, he shrinks before the life it gives, 
 And mourns th' existence which defies his rage. 
 
 Insatiate power, how many a valued friend, 
 Limbs of my tree, and glories of my reign, 
 Thy havoc-spreading arm hath torn away ! 
 The space they fill'd is now a dreary void 
 On the old trunk new friendship feebly grows 
 Old age to early ties with fondness clings, 
 Which sever'd, pain the heart, till memory dies. 
 
 Alas ! all things must end, friendjhip must cease. 
 The heart that heaves for glory turn to dust ; 
 "Whole armies die, great monarchies decay, 
 Lovers be separate, and the oblivious grave 
 At length determine all our wants and fears. 
 
 Thou go'st before me ; but few years will roll, 
 Ere down the road of death I too must wend : 
 Till then my memory oft shall wander here, 
 To catch the glimpses of thy setting sun ; 
 Till then, as oft as to thy life I turn, 
 Thy name be honor'd, and thy exit mourn'd. 
 
 The generous Monarch ended, and the chief : 
 Mourn not, lov'd sovereign, thy poor servant's fall ; 
 His doom is that of thousands this proud day ; 
 But far more blest than theirs. In thy great sight 
 I hear my country mourn a patriot gone, 
 And see imperial honors grace my tomb. 
 I ne'er ignobly shunn'd this gloomy hour ; 
 But glory sought in many an iron storm ; 
 Perhaps too heedless of man-shielding gold. 
 I fall resign 'd ; but that domestic train, 
 Their prop destroy 'd, expos' d on life's rude stream, 
 Will curse the fatal ball which laid me low, 
 And future years behold with tearful eyes. 
 I leave them to the guardian who so oft 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 449 
 
 Hath kindly wip'd the widow's tears away. 
 
 Eetire good Sovereign, for my plight obscures 
 Thy soul with grief ; more great events require 
 Thy present notice than one mortal's death. 
 
 So he, with faltering tongue ; the king replies : 
 'Tis sadly pleasing to attend our friends 
 Distress'd, and sooth the death-bed of the brave. 
 Strangers to want thy progeny shall rise, 
 My bounty wipe thy widow's tears away, 
 Save those that spring in memory of thy worth. 
 
 He ended, and the Marshal from his arms 
 Releas'd, whose eyes soon stiffen'd at death's hand. 
 His spirit rose above the stormy world. 
 
 Now dark Deceit emerges from her cave, 
 Involv'd in darkness, seeks Intrigue's abode, 
 High o'er where Alps on many a kingdom frowns, 
 And thus begins : Alas ! what I foretold 
 Is now transpiring. Roars the storm of war 
 Tremendous, shaking Europe's utmost bounds. 
 With matchless expedition victory bears 
 The Gallic Emperor over bleeding foes 
 On Oder's stream e'en now his legions throng, 
 The scatter'd nations flying wild before. 
 Why is not Austria's warlike host array'd 
 To breast the headlong torrent of his arms ? 
 Does she not seek Illyria, the Tyrol, 
 Her influence high in Germany to regain, 
 To make the Inn her limit, and acquire 
 Warsaw's rich dukedom ? What event will more 
 Advance th' accomplishment of her designs 
 Than Gaul's destruction in the Russian land ? 
 When Providence invites her to the field, 
 Why does she wallow in inglorious sloth, 
 And let the hopeful time forever pass ? 
 
 Thus she ; Intrigue the Austrian views explain' d : 
 When late she saw the Gallic legions fall 
 By Winter's power, mov'd by thy force nnd mine, 
 She form'd alliance with the Russian king ; 
 29 
 
450 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And had, with all her strength, encounter'd Gaul ; 
 But ere her armies march'd was Lutzen won. 
 Her hostile pact unknown, she deem'd it wise 
 To still dissemble, lest her generous foe, 
 Whose banners thrice have o'er Vienna wav'd, 
 Might keep th' advantage, if he swept again 
 Her vaunting antiques from the field of war. 
 What thou foretold'st has but in part transpir'd : 
 Know Sweden's strength hath not attain'd the field, 
 Nor hath the Russian half his force ernploy'd. 
 Could truce be had till all the federate bands 
 Were gather'd, them would potent Austria join, 
 And with o'erwhelming might the French oppose. 
 
 Still uninform'd of Austria's hostile aim 
 He might suspend the contest if she sought, 
 By mediation, to .compose the feud : 
 His generous nature readily would yield 
 To her entreaty ; he, too, wants repose. 
 A double object, then, we shall have gain'd, 
 Time to collect our powers, and chance to throw 
 On him the blame of this wide-wasting war. 
 
 How loud th' allies could tell the cheated world 
 Of their desire for peace, while they employ 
 All means t' ensure Contention's lasting reign ! 
 Should we let slip a time so opportune 
 To influence Europe's crisis, and decide 
 The destiny of great nations ? But ev'n now 
 Does Wisdom, by Necessity implor'd, 
 Admonish Wittgenstein to seek a truce 
 Of that destructive conflict. Let us aid, 
 In work so useful, that sagacious dame. 
 
 Thus she, and quickly plung'd thro' yielding air, 
 To bright Vienna ; while Deceit descends 
 To Russia's Emperor, and explains the plan 
 Intrigue suggested, to elude the weight 
 Of present trouble : He forthwith convenes 
 His Chiefs and Councillors, and thus begins : 
 
 Our foes have triumph'd, nor the fault is ours : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 451 
 
 You did what heroes could ; but Heaven oppos'd. 
 
 Ah, what can feeble men ! O'er-ruling Jove 
 
 Dispenses human doom : In vain man strives 
 
 Against his high decrees : "We to our fate 
 
 Should act accordant, not, with venturous aim, 
 
 Counter to Wisdom's lore, draw greater wo 
 
 From Heaven's unwilling hand ; then should we still 
 
 Join doubtful battle with Napoleon's host, 
 
 To ours superior, and innam'd with pride 
 
 Of constant victory ? Should we not recruit 
 
 Our ranks, where Death, with greedy rage, hath prey'd ? 
 
 With greater numbers we may war secure. 
 When reinforcements shall increase our strength, 
 ' Twill be fit time to face th' imperious foe ; 
 But ere such succor comes all Poland's clime 
 May see his banners in proud triumph wave, 
 And half our flying remnant glut the tomb. 
 Such wo to shun should we not truce request 
 Of Gaul's great Chief, since Austria firm demands 
 Her mediatorial voice be heard ? Who asks the boon 
 Dreadless of war seeks peace ; gives him to hope, 
 Nought promising, that we would much resign 
 To gain the blessing, fairest gift of Heaven ! 
 Nor intimates our weakness and distress, 
 Nor tries to hide what France too well perceives. 
 
 Thus he ; the prudent measure all approve. 
 Kliest and Shouvaloff are deputed soon 
 To Gaul's victorious Emperor, to propose 
 The grateful intervention of a truce 
 To war's outrageous fury, while the powers 
 Negotiate in pursuit of blissful peace ; 
 
 The delegates the victor Chief attend, 
 And straight the needed object thus pursue : 
 
 Illustrious Emperor, war on thee confers 
 Brilliant success, on us defeat and toil ; 
 Because our kings command new hosts to rise, 
 More numerous than the masses that oppos'd 
 Thy way at Lutzen and red Bautzen's fields ; 
 
452 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEKT. 
 
 But much the hard necessity they mourn, 
 "Which makes them separate sire and son to bear 
 Defensive arms against their fellow men. 
 And though of victory they have not despair'd, 
 As Austria wishes peace, they ask a truce 
 Of this contention, to deliberate well 
 The high conditions, free from war's alarms. 
 So they. Th' imperial hero thus replies : 
 When late the storms of heaven o'erwhelm'd my host, 
 You warr'd successful ; but no truce I ask'd ; 
 Yet truce there was of Mercy's healing reign. 
 Your savage fury fell not on the strong, 
 Subdued by Eussian valor ; but the weak, 
 The chill'd sojourners, whose surrender call'd 
 The hand of Pity to relieve their woes. 
 Can time efface this soilure from your name ? 
 I wish no foe the infamy which he earns 
 By cruelty to the fallen. If revenge 
 Prompt me to give one's fame a cureless wound, 
 I him will tempt t' oppress the captive brave ; 
 And if I fail, most joyfully will fail, 
 And own he merits victory and respect. 
 
 Now rouse ye half the world to bring me low ; 
 But Heaven again must aid you, else my arms 
 Make dance your regal trumpery wild retreat 
 Make England's gold and Sweden's valor vain ! 
 
 He ended, and Shouvaloff thus rejoins : 
 More as philanthropists than statesmen we 
 Thy sanction ask of truce. The good man wants 
 No power, attain'd by human wo ; but seeks, 
 By generous sacrifice, to save his race : 
 Yet Virtue's self, could Heaven neglect her pray'r 
 And let Ambition's sateless claim prevail, 
 May make resistance fatal as severe, 
 ' Till sadly pleas'd th' emancipated world 
 Wondering exclaims, " th' oppressor is no more ! " 
 
 As God is just, he gives to short-liv'd man 
 No license to disturb and bleed his kind ; 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 453 
 
 But each one in his sphere requires to act 
 
 The part of Heaven to man prevent distress 
 
 Be charitable, merciful, benign, 
 
 And as he would be treated, treat with all. 
 
 If you persist in war, what hosts must die ! 
 Fair youth and hoary age will rush to fight, 
 Till, cloy'd with blood, Mars sickens at the view. 
 When this great slaughter shall have curs'd the world, 
 ~No better offers, I predict, we make 
 Than now ; for then we well may try to gain 
 Meet compensation for the bloody toil. 
 
 We act impolitic, but most humane 
 To cease from warring while events afford 
 Excuse to summon millions to the field ; 
 ' Tis what will bless our people, not our kings ; 
 Humanity solicits, wilt thou hear ? 
 
 Tims he ; the Chief resumes : What wondrous charm 
 Hath on your principles so deeply wrought, 
 So chang'd your monarchs' nature ? These of late 
 Methought unmerciful, though now so kind 
 So truly anxious for their people's weal, 
 They give up policy for justice ! More defeats 
 Would doubtless swell their virtue, and the good 
 Which thence would flow to half the human race 
 Might be immense : In causing which I judge 
 My acts accord with Heaven's benignant will. 
 ' T would not be wrong, then, to refuse your pray'r ; 
 But much dispos'd to quench the torch of war, 
 And taste the joys of peace, I grant the truce 
 Till two score days and seven shall pass away. 
 In that calm time East Prussia shall contain 
 The enemy's armies, and Silesia mine. 
 E'en Breslau and Berlin your troops may hold. 
 Our garrisons of Dantzic, Stettin, Molsk, 
 And Custrin, shall, if such our pleasure be, 
 Receive provisions each five days the while, 
 And round each post one league of liberty enjoy. 
 
 Your present force, which Magdeburg blockades, 
 
454: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLN". 
 
 Must be remov'd, and that position freed. 
 Subscribe to this and ye may cease from war. 
 
 Thus he ; the embassy assent, and bear 
 The pleasing tidings to their mighty lords. 
 These soon the object of the truce disclos'd ; 
 NOT fear'd he whom their followers faithless call'd, 
 Would e'en that fraudful compact disregard ! 
 They summon men of every age to arms, 
 And loud proclaim the truce will end in war : 
 How well they knew th' events of future days ! 
 
 Each moment of the respite gain'd is pass'd 
 In busy preparation, to renew 
 With force resistless war's unhappy reign. 
 While Austria mediates for the peace she shuns ; 
 And asks of France Illyria to restore, 
 With the Hanse Towns that independent kings 
 Hule Italy and Holland that the Pope, 
 Degraded long as prisoner at St. Cloud, 
 (How chang'd, since monarchs as his hostlers toil'd !) 
 Be thron'd in Rome ; anon withdraw from Spain 
 Her troops, and captive Ferdinand enthrone. 
 
 Wisdom this heard, as, from her high abode, 
 She view'd the subtle movements of th' allies ; 
 And loth his magnanimity should more 
 Expose him to the malice of his foes, 
 Swift as a solar ray she shot from heaven, 
 And thus the Chief admonish'd and ad vis' d : 
 
 Man's guardian hero ! Why inconstant prove 
 To constant victory ? Why this ominous truce ? 
 Deem'st thou that I control thy Austrian sire, 
 Or light the gloom of prejudice which surrounds 
 His court ? Experience big with wo must aid 
 My voice ere he discerns that Austria's weal * 
 Depends upon the safety of thy power. 
 To shun the Lion he will feed the Bear ; 
 From fancied upon real dangers run. 
 He fears the march of mind may harm his throne, 
 Instead of aiding those who fill it well ! 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 455 
 
 Ah, from his policy no hopes indulge. 
 
 His dam will not repel the hostile floods ; 
 
 But, by collecting, much increase their force, 
 
 And, treacherous, whelm thee under Europe's weight. 
 
 Know'st thou what pacts these kings with Freedom hold, 
 What clogs they put to revolution's wheels ? 
 Has not each peace new coalitions rais'd, 
 Of the crown'd brethren, to o'erthrow thy power, 
 Who blam'd thee for the wars themselves provok'd ? 
 Would Russia armistice have now implor'd, 
 But to gain force from old despotic states ? 
 Her choice of her negotiator shows 
 The terms propounded copious answer give. 
 To these accede not, lest thy wants confess'd, 
 Increas'd demands would still the peace defer. 
 Let what the armistice concedes seem given 
 Through confidence in thy superior might. 
 Had I been heard when Bubna sought to end 
 This mournful war, just after Lutzen bled, 
 I might have reconcil'd with Europe's peace 
 Thy glory, and the safety of thy throne ; 
 But now thou canst not rest till kings despair 
 To crush thy power : Let not their hopes be fed 
 By indiscreet concessions ; nor their fears 
 Awak'd by large demands. Peace must be woo'd 
 As if thou lov'dst, but couldst without survive. 
 
 This Rashness hearing, thus, with tremulous voice, 
 Indignant interrupts the sapient power : 
 
 Why parle of peace, where insult sole is found ? 
 Conciliation flow from Borgo's lips ! 
 As soon would Envy praise, or Malice love. 
 But honor holds the Emperor to the truce ; 
 Else should the flames of combat furious burn, 
 And Discord toss the nations. This would give 
 His fortune matchless lustre. Shrink the arm 
 That signs inglorious peace, and blasts his hopes 
 Of shielding Europe's race with sacred laws. 
 Th' allies, I doubt not, tremble at his power ; 
 
456 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Then, since negotiation's farce is doom'd, 
 Let him insist on such oppressive terms, 
 As shall disgust his foes and quickly end 
 Prague's solemn mockery. 'Twas in evil hour 
 He gave the vanquish'd truce I feel the guilt 
 Of that ill deed ; its storm-engendering calm 
 Sees fearful doubt o'er cast the face of kings, 
 And armies gathering from all Europe's states 
 Its end is big with war, discord its dirge. 
 
 Thus she ; the Emperor then : Too late advis'd, 
 I see in vain th' advantage rashly given 
 Th' insidious foe ; but since this course is taken, 
 I'll firm pursue, or good or ill befall, 
 And seek industriously the wish'd result. 
 
 Ere I descend this mountain of my power, 
 'Tis mine to swell the tide of royal woes. 
 My ill-requited kindness shall not spare 
 The sceptred ingrates who have prostrate lain 
 Before th' imposing triumphs of my arms. 
 Have I o'erpriz'd the sense of kings so far ? 
 My generous presents into vipers turn'd ? 
 Shall then nor Hymen's altar, honor's voice, 
 Nor Austria's own dear interest, interpose 
 Against the iron torrent ? Sure this truce, 
 If she were wise, can bring no ill result ; 
 'Twill swell my numbers, and may sheath the sword, 
 If all well founded expectations fail, 
 We must submit to fate. Or win or lose, 
 Glory shall crown my toils. But will the foe, 
 Quite buried in defeat, persist to ask 
 My acceptation of less rule than erst 
 Was mine ? Such daring impudence indulg'd 
 By those so late in flight before our arms ! 
 'Tis ominous of dull Austria's dark designs. 
 Some steps of fiery war must shake their thrones, 
 The kingdom-crimsoning tragedy be resum'd ; 
 Lutzen and Bautzen's horrid strife recur : 
 Thus I'll negotiate with the thunder's voice 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 457 
 
 In the plain language of contested fields 
 Which soon makes Avarice hear and Prejudice see, 
 And hurries compliments from monarchs' tougues. 
 
 Scarce once bright Dian fill'd her silver horn, 
 While thrice defeated, thrice the nations fled 
 Before our infant armies. (Thou, Renown, 
 Hast told the story to th' admiring world.) 
 As erst, I saw the gates of war unfold 
 To glory's ample field and giant power ; 
 Which exercis'd by me, but transient time, 
 Would shed thick blessings on th' unhappy world ; 
 But truce implor'd, I swift restrain'd the car 
 Of victory, bounding trembling princedoms o'er, 
 Forsook again the interests of mankind, 
 And limited our fortune for the kings 
 Who prove so thankless for the joys of peace 
 A flood of gladness rush'd upon my soul 
 That she was near : Yain hope ! no rest is mine : 
 To quit my crown or subjugate the world, 
 Is the hard choice propos'd by ancient thrones. 
 Though on the waves of war I glorious sail, 
 I long to reach the haven of repose, 
 Lay down the great dictatorship and show 
 The laws transcendent o'er the sword and crown. 
 
 He spoke, and wandering near great Frederick's tomb, 
 Pensive survey'd th' unconscious earth that holds 
 The majesty renown'd of other days. 
 How have the mighty vanish'd ! (he exclaims,) 
 Their greatness ended, save the empty sound ! 
 Here set the sun of Prussian glory here 
 All that could die of Frederick sleeps in dust. 
 Here ends his body when will end his fame ? 
 On that, disease and worms and time have prey'd ; 
 But what can this devour ! This stone may fall, 
 His kingdom crumble, pass to foreign hands ; 
 But his renown shall flourish undecay'd 
 While letters last and wisdom is admir'd. 
 
 Alas ! thou hear'st not Fame's obstreperous trump : 
 
458 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 "No human voice can pierce the ear of death ; 
 Nor joy nor grief to his cold breast impart. 
 As some poor swain, untaught to stray beyond 
 His native fields, thou minglest with the clod. 
 Then why should man with toil pursue renown ? 
 Sure not to enjoy it in the cheerless grave ; 
 Self-approbation strews our path with flowers : 
 Just hopes, the consciousness of worth, rewards 
 Our enterprise, ere death concludes our days. 
 
 Sad bourn, ere long I too shall pass thy gloom, 
 And only live in history and in song 
 Great monarchs then may ponder o'er my grave, 
 Forget themselves in memory of my deeds, 
 And say, " this mouldering dust once shook the world." 
 
 Grand monuments, and useful, I shall leave : 
 Well guarded Justice long shall bless my laws : 
 The traveller, oft, as o'er the Alps he wends, 
 Shall think of him who smooth'd the long ascent. 
 Great navies, yet unhewn, as safe they ride 
 In Cherbourg's sheltering port, shall laud the art 
 That, rivalling nature, dug in solid rock 
 The harbor huge, and fac'd with ocean isles. 
 The works which thrice four hundred millions rear'd, 
 Shall oft to life this fleeting form recall. 
 But O, how transient are the works of men ! 
 E'en fame itself may die, though deathless deem'd : 
 One quake of ocean-trampled Earth might raze 
 All mortals' names, with all their structures proud. 
 
 Grandeur and power, how few are all your joys ! 
 How small an isle, in time's eternal stream, 
 My labors form ! Ah, what has man to boast ! 
 Truth's sober influence Fancy's dreams dispels, 
 Evincing, happiness all things outweighs. 
 The greatest of mankind is poor and frail : 
 We seem as insects on a body vast, 
 Scrambling each other o'er : Yet earth's huge bulk 
 Scarce that relation bears to nature's frame, 
 As the minutest sand to yonder sun. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 459 
 
 Coop'd in this vault of stars, our eyes survey 
 But one apartment of the dome of Jove. 
 We know not, but the whole creation booms 
 Each second through th' interminable void 
 Of leagues unnumber'd millions. O, how high 
 Th' Almighty sits, and guides the march of worlds ! 
 Preserves their order : here Sol's fires renews 
 There wheels the planets round the burning orb 
 Now gives direction to the comet's flight, 
 And in its place each constellation holds. 
 
 Thus he. The truce expires yet unprepar'd for war, 
 The Austrian king for its extension sues. 
 Gaul's Emperor grants for one score days his pray'r, 
 That time may show where Austria's interest lies. 
 But all conciliatory measures fail, 
 And big with war th' armistice rolls away. 
 
 Now with affected anger and regret, 
 That Gaul's pretensions forc'd him to contend, 
 The Austrian Emperor to the world declares : 
 " My friendly call conven'd the powers at Prague 
 In search of peace : Great were my hopes to view 
 The jarring nations own her blissful sway, 
 While every power retain'd what Justice gave ; 
 But these glad hopes have fled : A sea of war 
 Napoleon o'er the suffering Continent rolls, 
 Alarming all her states. His daring claims 
 Our being menace, and insult our crown. 
 Then we must on him war, or yield our throne 
 And honor to th' encroachment of his power ; 
 A sad alternative ! May Heaven ordain 
 It bring to long distracted Europe peace." 
 
BOOK XI 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 The position and number of the troops. The plan of operations of the 
 Allies discussed by Moreau, the sovereigns of Russia and Prussia, and 
 Schwartzenberg. Napoleon pursues Blucher, who, according to the plan 
 adopted, retreats for the purpose of seducing the French Emperor from 
 Dresden. In his absence, the main force of the Allies attempts to storm the 
 city ; but Napoleon returns during the battle, and directs a sortie against 
 both wings. The next day the Allies are defeated and pursued by Van- 
 damme into the valley of Culm, where he and his corps are captured and 
 dispersed. Brief notice of events contemporary and subsequent. The 
 Allies menacing Napoleon's communications with France, he concentrates 
 his armies between the Partha and Pleisse, in and around Leipsic. The 
 battles of Leipsic and Hanau. 
 
 TEN times had Sol on sultry August shone, 
 When blazing rockets stream'd from height to height, 
 Up heaven's dark vault, from Prague to Trachenberg : 
 Thus, Austria, to th' allies, announc'd the end 
 Of truce, and that the dogs of war were loos'd. 
 Wild Discord glow'd, as glared the threat'ning sign, 
 And flew to Lunenberg, in headlong haste, 
 To hear his thunders, shouts and groans. For there 
 Davoust, with Gaul's and Denmark's fiery sons, 
 Assails th' allies and drives them from the field. 
 O'er Stettin then she shakes her crimson brand ; 
 'Its batteries feel the rage of thundering arms, 
 With Russia interchanging deadly blows. 
 
 Meantime, Napoleon, from Yittoria, hears 
 The tidings of defeat. He Soult deputes 
 To bring back victory to his hosts in Spain 
 And guard his France from Albion's threat'ning arms. 
 He turns the graceful trees of Dresden's walks 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 461 
 
 To palisades and bulwarks. Here he bides 
 With his fam'd guards, his armies posted round : 
 Full sixty thousand in Lusatia camp'd ; 
 At Leipsic, Oudinot three score controll'd ; 
 McDonald ninety, on Silesia's bounds ; 
 Wrede thirty, in Bavaria ; the viceroy, 
 In Italy, forty, on th' Adige, commands ; 
 St. Cyr, near Pirna, twenty ruPd, and watch'd 
 The passes fro Bohemia. There th' allies, 
 In number ten score thousand, Prague surround, 
 And Schwartzenberg obey. Prince Bernadotte 
 Twice fifty thousand, at Berlin controls ; 
 Bold Blucher guards Silesia with fourscore ; 
 And Walmoden, with forty, Schwerin holds : 
 The prince of Reuss, with equal force, observes 
 The corps of Wrede, and Hiller the viceroy's. 
 Full twice four hundred thousand stalk in arms. 
 
 Moreau had left the refuge of th' oppress'd 
 To aid his country's foes ; by them uprais'd 
 To guilty dignity, through him to crush 
 Th' Earth-filling Emperor. Although France retain 
 Napoleon on her throne, can that excuse 
 The matricidal blow ? While nations hold, 
 ' Tis glorious in our country's cause to die, 
 That private must to public objects yield, 
 May he, for personal wrongs, attack the state ? 
 Though she on Linden's conqueror looks with pride, 
 She mourns the errors of her wandering child. 
 With him the chiefs and sovereigns of th' allies 
 Confer upon the future course of war : 
 The Russian Emperor thus invites his aid : 
 
 If great Napoleon fall, loud-tongued Renown 
 Will say, the arm was thine that laid him low ; 
 If he prevail, with his inferior force, 
 We, with th' astonish'd world, may well exclaim, 
 " This cannot be Moreau of other times !" 
 Now all our armies in a circle stand 
 Round Dresden, where Napoleon keeps his guard, 
 
4:62 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN". 
 
 His armies an interior circle hold. 
 
 Their numbers and position thou hast seen. 
 
 So situate, what shall we do ? Declare. 
 
 He spoke ; Moreau replies : Man may deserve 
 Though not obtain success ; and Fortune oft, 
 Capricious, mocks the skillful and the brave. 
 Napoleon best is fought where he not holds 
 With energy his own the battle's reins. 
 All circumstances show 'tis his design, 
 As bounds the tiger from his compass'd lair, 
 To dart from Dresden with his guard, and give 
 Preponderance to each army, when the hour 
 For combat comes, and crush th' opposing force ; 
 Then back on Dresden fall, and leisurely 
 Await th' occasion for another stroke ; 
 And thus successively our hosts o'er whelm. 
 So circumstanced, he greater force than we, 
 In equal time, may concentrate on points 
 Upon the lesser circle which he holds. . 
 To thwart his plan, then, if he forward move, 
 Admit him scarce to skirmishers ; but fly, 
 Well serving on his front, our heaviest arms. 
 Let no temptation lead one to resist 
 The ponderous torrent that his presence rolls ; 
 His voice, his look, makes heroes. When he rides 
 Through shouting armies, Death indignant sees 
 That man no longer trembles at his darts. 
 His genius, boundless as great nature, guides 
 Efficiently the tempest that he wakes. 
 While thus he marches far in vain pursuit, 
 Let Schwartzenberg on Dresden fall in storm ; 
 Our other forces press Napoleon's rear ; 
 Destroy his intercourse, and round him close. 
 He will not scale Bohemia's mountain roads 
 ' Till Bernadotte or Blucher is assail'd ; 
 Hence, Schwartzenberg's will be th' glorious task 
 To spread our banners over Dresden's walls. 
 His appui gone, and his supplies our own 
 
THE NA.POLEAD. 463 
 
 The enemy then must quit the vale of Elb. 
 
 Thus he ; then Russia's Emperor : Sweden's Prince 
 Like counsel gave. The plan implies delay : 
 Some fain would rush on Dresden and secure 
 The great disturber with our giant force 
 Before he could combine his scatter'd hosts : 
 Our strength sufficient seems t' ensure success ; 
 But may the victory not be bought too dear, 
 And prove less welcome for its bloody haste ? 
 
 He spoke ; the Prussian Monarch thus advis'd : 
 Let myriads bleed, and flood the field with gore, 
 If this may frustrate Europe's hated scourge. 
 What though a hundred thousand warriors fall ? 
 Full thrice that number, if Napoleon reign, 
 Must tread the downward way ; then let us sweep 
 Him and his legions, with united arms, 
 Down ruin's gulf, and close the deadly game ! 
 Protracted war not only robs of life, 
 And causes general wo, but wastes our stores. 
 A limb cut off, the body, heal'd, revives ; 
 As one who sick repels the loathsome dose, 
 And after many a painful hour expires, 
 Are we, unless this joint attack be made. 
 Our thunderers vast shall prostrate Dresden's walls 
 And his cramp'd legions rend, while our large hosts 
 Infuriate, strong and dreadful on them plunge, 
 Sweeping, like mighty floods, their lines along. 
 Will victory then be doubtful ? Must not France 
 Yield her Napoleon to our mightier arm ? 
 
 I hate to hear my burden'd people groan 
 At war's wide havoc in their native land : 
 The sound already harrows up my soul. 
 For us they bear the frightful weight of woes ; 
 To us they look for quick relief; say, then, 
 Shall millions mourn, and we reproach endure, 
 To keep some thousands from an earlier grave ? 
 Hope not to gain the object of this strife 
 Without extensive slaughter of our sons ; 
 
464r POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 A man of carnage wields th' opposing sword 
 The mob's dread sovereign and the plague of kings. 
 
 The Monarch ceas'd, and Schwartzenberg began : 
 Napoleon and his guard, beside St. Cyr, 
 With twenty thousand would our host detain 
 Before the walls of Dresden ; while his skill 
 "Would concentrate and throw superior force 
 Upon our flanks. Th' attempt propos'd might end 
 In our destruction. Be th' attack deferr'd, 
 Until diminished numbers, and St. Cyr, 
 Comparatively, small defense can make ; 
 That with more certainty we may compute 
 The time essential to secure the prize. 
 
 He spoke ; the Council with Moreau concur ; 
 And couriers, straight, to every distant chief 
 Convey th' adopted plan, with earnest charge. 
 To rigidly pursue the course prescrib'd. 
 
 Soon Blucher menaces McDonald's powers : 
 Forthwith, Napoleon to his marshal's aid 
 Conducts his guard ; but Blucher timely flies ; 
 He bids adieu, in thunder, as he goes 
 Across the Kutzbach, and position takes 
 Near Jauer, Silesia's capital to shield. 
 
 Meantime, near Prague, a living ocean heaves 
 With shining arms and waving flags and plumes, 
 Hoarse trumpets, rattling drums and neighing steeds, 
 And in the midst, three kings of mighty realms : 
 The bristling torrent from Bohemia pours ; 
 St. Cyr beholds, and heralds thrice he sends 
 Napoleon from Silesia to recall, 
 With speed retreats before th' enormous mass, 
 And, entering Dresden, waits the threaten'd storm. 
 Moreau directs the way each chief shall guide 
 His myriads to the fight. Soon the vast hosts 
 Array'd for deadly conflict, sternly wheel 
 On battle's verge. Like gloomy, rolling clouds 
 Driven by hoarse blasts with heaven's artillery fraught, 
 Portentous darkness casting o'er the world, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 465 
 
 The arm'd hosts seem thick hovering round the town. 
 
 Like twice ten thousand thunders, bursting loud 
 From heaven's dark batteries, roar the guns allied ; 
 Thick as the wintry hail descends the sky, 
 An iron tempest pours on Dresden's walls 
 And van-redoubts. Whence France the storm return'd ; 
 The city, fiery-niouth'd, talk'd deadly tongue ; 
 A flood of ruin on th' assailants falls ; 
 Heaven darker grows ; earth drinks the bloody streams ; 
 Red Slaughter banquets ; Mars infuriate spreads 
 Fearful commotion ; screams of dying men 
 Thickening arise ; Discord, with ghastly smile, 
 Glides round upon a cloud of angry shapes, 
 And the destruction of mankind enjoys. 
 
 In front the Austrians press the bulwarks high, 
 Tremendous flaming ; soon on one they seiz'd ; 
 But quick the French to safer post retir'd 
 Whence they pour'd copious ruin on the foe, 
 Who slow receded from his deathful prize. 
 
 St. Cyr despairing long to hold the town 
 Against the raging nations, often cast 
 A longing eye beyond the Elb ; at length, 
 He sees rush o'er the bridge th' imperial guard ; 
 High midst them rode the lion-hearted Chief ; 
 With lightning eye, and thundering voice, he storms, 
 Directing, urging fast the panting throng ; 
 He throws the light of hope on Saxony's King, 
 O'er whose abode Destruction lifts her bolts, 
 And flies t' assail the foe on either wing, 
 Already wounded deep by shelter'd France. 
 
 Lo ! the check'd enemy ! Thus to Ney he calls, 
 Make instant sortie on his shatter 'd left ; 
 Lest fast approaching night should give him chance 
 T' elude our vengeance, and escape disgrace : 
 Go, doubly clad in terrors, on him fall, 
 Like darkness on bewilder'd traveller lorn. 
 Remember, proper union to maintain 
 With Dresden's batteries ; nor intemperate rage, 
 30 
 
466 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENTN. 
 
 seeming flight of foes efface this lore : 
 Excess of zeal defeats its own designs. 
 
 Thus he ; then bids Mortier, by Pirna's gate 
 Assail the enemy's right ; but still rely 
 On Dresden's shielding thunder. While he spoke, 
 Through Plauen's gate Ney thirty thousand leads 
 Along the ball-plough'd field, and like swift floods 
 Against the nations rush'd, destroying wide, 
 First, big with death, their levell'd muskets burn'd ; 
 Then, closing on the adverse host, dread strife 
 Began ; arms bray'd on arms ; dire tumult rose ; 
 Bayonet on bayonet clash'd, seeking sad sheath 
 In warriors' hearts ; and soon th' allies gave way : 
 As a wide sea of clouds along the horizon spread, 
 Pierc'd by resistless tempests, scatter'd rolls 
 In troubled grandeur on the lofty air, 
 Disorder'd and confounded, they swift wheePd 
 From the close terrors ; France amain pursues, 
 Scattering destruction ; and now fatal rout 
 Had waited the leagu'd powers ; but Maurice bold 
 Resum'd the combat ; stopp'd the hurtful flight, 
 And firm withstood th' attack of furious France, 
 Till nigress night began her friendly reign. 
 
 Gaul slumbers on the bloody field, tillmorn 
 Look'd sullen through the water-pouring skies, 
 O'ercast with darkening clouds, and black with storm. 
 Big floods of rain oppress' d the warring powers ; 
 A howling tempest swept along the world ; 
 Yet Gaul's high sovereign wills the flames of fight 
 Shall not decay. He deems the host allied, 
 That late gigantic durst his bulwark storm, 
 Will fly confounded from his waken'd rage ; 
 And thus addresses his assembled chiefs : 
 
 Marshals, th' audacious foe completely foil'd 
 And hurried by plain argument far off 
 The field he sought, still blushing with his gore, 
 Behooves us to pursue the great success, 
 And by one noble stroke conclude the war. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 467 
 
 Methinks ye say, why take the equal field 
 Against who late seem'd stronger thrice than we ? 
 Know, if superior numbers aid their cause, 
 We have superior valor. Flush'd with joy 
 Of recent victory, can mere thousands rout 
 Our heroes ? If repuls'd, we have this shield. 
 With everything to gain, at little risk, 
 Fortune invites us to th' important fray. 
 Let our wing'd thunderers, from positions bold, 
 O'erwhelm the enemy with resistless force, 
 Our lighter arms swift seconding their blows. 
 My genius shall attend on every side. 
 Go, end in victory this tempestuous day. 
 
 Thus he ; then on their weaker points directs 
 Each column 'gainst th' allies, from Strehlen's heights 
 To Plauen's, issuing fast from Dresden's gates 
 With standards billowing on the violent wind. 
 A thousand drums and trumpets hoarse resound, 
 That draw the mind from gusts and chilling showers. 
 In squadrons lofty coursers prance along, 
 The trampled field o'ershading, like dun clouds 
 Tumultuous hurried through th' aerial hall. 
 Th' assembled nations swift prepare to meet 
 The coming tempest. Monarchs anxious view 
 The broad plain darkening with th' assailing host. 
 Alas ! they cry, what wo betides us now ! 
 What daring scheme Napoleon's mind employs 
 To wreck our armies ! these superior far 
 Are enervated by abortive strife. 
 O Sovereign Jove, forget not Monarchs' prayers ; 
 !Nor doom our kingdoms to be rul'd by France ! 
 Must revolution's terrors on death's wings 
 Pursue us all our days ; while millions mourn ; 
 While nature's face a drearier aspect wears ; 
 Ev'n God's own works are marr'd by human pride ! 
 
 Soon o'er the ample field th' artillery roars ; 
 An iron tempest falls on either host, 
 And ghastly slaughter grows. Discord elate 
 
468 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEST. 
 
 Flies to and fro amidst the stormy scene, 
 
 And swells the fury of contention's fires. 
 
 The bleeding conflict, rob'd in smoke and flames, 
 
 Incessant thunder'd all the dreadful day, 
 
 Thousands on thousands to dark Hades hurl'd, 
 
 And heap'd the field with steeds and warriors dead. 
 
 And thou, Moreau, while with the Kussian King 
 
 Conversing, heard'st the summons of the grave. 
 
 Sad was thy fall ; lamented was thy doom ; 
 
 It cast deep sorrow o'er the federate kings ; 
 
 Their brighter star seem'd snatch'd from hope's fair heaven, 
 
 Where cold the blast of disappointment blew ; 
 
 For much had they depended on thy skill, 
 
 And evil influence o'er the mob of Gaul. 
 
 As Sol was gliding down the western skies, 
 Napoleon thus Murat commands : Behold 
 The enemy's left, where Austria's forces war, 
 By Plauen's vale are separate from the main ; 
 Against them lead thy cavalry, fury-wing'd, 
 "While I assist thee, by manoeuvring well 
 On this rent centre, and decide the strife. 
 
 Thus he ; Murat his ardent squadrons leads 
 With headlong expedition on the foe. 
 As surges swelling under angry storm 
 Fall foaming from mid heaven on rocky shores, 
 With dreadful clangor rush the squadrons bold 
 On Austria's bands. As flexile corn, assail'd 
 By mighty tempests, bends, and breaks, and sighs, 
 The Austrians yield before the onset dire. 
 Loud screams and groans succeed ; wild disarray, 
 And unavailing flight ; for myriads quit 
 Their frustrate arms, and prisoners leave the field. 
 
 Napoleon eager to secure the spoil 
 Yandamme past Pirna urg'd. The nations saw 
 Th' ominous movement ; Fear her banner wav'd 
 Above the host, foul signal of retreat ; 
 Nor more th' allies of high dominion dream'd, 
 But personal safety, and swift flight began 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 469 
 
 Through fields, and woods, in unfrequented paths, 
 O'er prostrate fences, and down steep descents ; 
 For Gaul on Pirna and on Plauen stood, 
 Both wings victorious, holding each highway : 
 Great monarchs, marshals, squires and soldiers fled 
 Her fiery face in wild uproar, nor stopp'd 
 "When darkness settled on the stormy sphere. 
 But fled through darkness, tangled thickets wild, 
 Deep miry vales, and chilling rain, till morn, 
 With cheerless aspect, greets their weary eyes ; 
 Then Osterman beholds Yandamme behind, 
 From the high ground of Peterswald, descend 
 The vale of Culm, and he, oblig'd to brave 
 That marshal's tiger fury, or expose 
 Toplitz, that lies beyond, with all the kings, 
 To capture. Straight on fight resolv'd, 
 He passes Culm, close follow'd by his foe, 
 Approaches near Toplitz, and sudden turns, 
 Like boar at bay, and pours a furious blast, 
 Bold earning Victory's favors, faces death, 
 Excites the guard : For by the heavens ! he cries, 
 There stands our father, yonder come his foes. 
 Shall we, his sons, his guard, his favor'd band, 
 Prove recreant in this hour ? O if you lose 
 The memory of your bleeding country's wrongs, 
 Th' examples of devotion that she boasts, 
 The sacrifice of Moscow, all her tears 
 And cries for" vengeance, still, regard yourselves ; 
 Soil not the glorious title that we bear ; 
 ISTor let the world, with scornful finger, say, 
 There goes the guard on which their sire relied : 
 Their shameful conduct clos'd his life in chains ! 
 Thus he ; and motionless, the listening powers 
 Look'd stern defiance through the thickening storm. 
 Yandamme makes dreadful onset ; like wild waves 
 Thundering on rocks, his army moves ; as rocks 
 Meet boisterous waves, the Russians breast the surge 
 Loud, fierce and deadly ; corps succeeding corps, 
 
470 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEST. 
 
 From Peterswald moves darkening all the vale, 
 And breaks, in thunder, on the Kussian shield ; 
 That, like a mountain, midst tempestuous storms 
 "Which shiver giant rocks, and oaks, stands firm, 
 "What lives, though scath'd and torn, and dripping gore. 
 Where reel'd the fight, brave Osterman was seen, 
 Exhorting, threatening, urging on reserves : 
 In greeting fierce Mars snatched away his arm, 
 That bleeding flew along the darkening heaven. 
 Just then De Tolly reinforcements brought, 
 And Schwartzenberg dispatch'd essential aid ; 
 Still undecided raged the fearful fray. 
 Kind night, at length, a starless banner wav'd, 
 Earth ceas'd to tremble at the battle's voice, 
 And silence o'er Bohemia's mountains reign'd. 
 
 Now, now, Yandamme, reflect, Napoleon bade 
 Thee pass not Peterswald ; thy steps retrace, 
 "While darkness calms the stormy sea of war. 
 Seek not to mend what loftier genius fram'd ; 
 But, ah ! 'tis thine to give another proof, 
 That he, who deals with evil, feels her fangs : 
 Thy Emperor soon shall curse the luckless hour 
 Thy vice or folly could his fate control ; 
 For morn and danger overtook the French 
 In that forbidden vale : Superior force, 
 Led on by Schwartzenberg, compell'd their flight 
 Towards Peterswald ; but Kliest, (escap'd St. Cyr 
 Through Schoenwald's woods,) advancing from that town, 
 Believ'd them bent to intercept his flight : 
 The powers of France, too, deem'd he them waylaid : 
 Each nation quick resolv'd to force a path 
 Through th' other, onward plunging in despair ; 
 Both striving to retreat ; but Kliest, at length, 
 Sees Austrian armies press the Gallic rear, 
 And tries no more to fly, but seize the prize : 
 Yandamme and twice four thousand, with his park, 
 Are captur'd, and his host, disbanded, fled. 
 Thus was dissolv'd the net Napoleon cast 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 4:71 
 
 To sieze tli' advantages of Dresden's field. 
 So fate ordain'd ; for when he left her walls 
 To aid Vandamme and take the federate kings, 
 His countenance glowing with the light of joy, 
 Disease with hasty fury on him threw 
 Her withering venom ; sudden dimness veil'd 
 His eyes high prone ; life's vigor ebb'd away ; 
 On the dark verge of death his senses reel'd ; 
 The routed nations, the whole world he lost. 
 Borne back to Dresden on the bed of pain, 
 Three days he suffer'd heedless of events, 
 "While fled th' allies and swept the French before. 
 
 Meantime Silesia witness'd dreadful fields : 
 There Blucher on McDonald drove war's storm, 
 Who, girt by foes, and Bober's raging flood, 
 Lost ninety thunderers, twice seven thousand troops. 
 While Bernadotte brave Oudinot o'ercome : 
 Gross Beeren witness'd that tremendous fray, 
 Just as the fervid Sun in Virgo blaz'd. 
 When thence the life of worlds the fifth day gave, 
 And at the moment Gaul from Dresden flam'd, 
 Girard endur'd like fate ; the venturous Swedes 
 Dispers'd his legions with destructive rage, 
 While Belzig blush'd with gore of slaughter'd men. 
 Next Dennewitz, the shock of armies views ; 
 There Sweden's prince foils Ney ; ten thousand men 
 And forty guns are lost ; the field is strew'd 
 With human ruins, wither'd, pale in death, 
 Crush'd by the iron feet of cruel war ; 
 So flowers, by steeds proud bounding o'er lawn, 
 Broke from their vital roots, shrink, fade and die. 
 
 Zehista next attested mortal fight, 
 And Dohna's turrets smok'd with iron showers ; 
 Thence Wittgenstein retreated. Gaul pursues, 
 Led by her Emperor (just escap'd disease,) 
 To Peterswald. Soon Culm again surveys 
 Contending armies, and sad havoc spread ; 
 There Coleredo with his Austrians bears 
 
472 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 The brunt of combat, and his army leads 
 To safety from Destruction's closing jaws. 
 
 Next Altenburg saw Cossack battle burn : 
 There Platoff on Lefebre warr'd ; their steeds, 
 Like meeting whirlwinds, mingled in wild fray, 
 And with their warriors strew'd the slippery plain 
 France met defeat, and flew the mournful field. 
 Bledin the while was shock'd by iron storm ; 
 DeYork and Blucher there against Bertrand 
 Destruction pour'd, and France was doom'd to yield ; 
 At Mockern, too, where Langeron, St. Priest, 
 And Blucher warr'd on Key, Bertrand, Marmont, 
 Who fled sore beaten o'er the Parthian stream. 
 Thrice Blucher tempted, and thrice Wittgenstein 
 Napoleon's onset, and as oft pursued 
 Moreau's advice, and shunn'd the fatal blow. 
 His rear now threaten'd, he from Dresden moves, 
 Leaving St. Cyr th' important town to hold ; 
 On Pleisse concentrates his shatter 'd hosts : 
 His foes in combination on him press, 
 Moving towards Leipsic, and to Europe's doom, 
 "With giant armies, lately reinforc'd 
 With three score thousand, by Beningsen led ; 
 Midst these were Tartars, e'en from China's wall, 
 And Baskirs, clad in skins, with arrows arm'd, 
 Drawn in war's vortex from their distant wilds. 
 
 Twice twelve times had the sun in Libra shone, 
 When Europe's banded powers round Leipsic throng'd ; 
 They cover'd earth, as forests, seen from peaks 
 Of Caucasus, or Alleghany high, 
 With limbs light waving to the summer breeze. 
 What pity such vast numbers should contend ! 
 Celestial Wisdom calls the world to peace ; 
 But few, a mourning few, attend her voice. 
 Oh ! mighty Jove, fast hasten that glad time, 
 When war shall end, and Justice rule mankind, 
 All tyranny and fraud to hell remov'd, 
 And human hearts no more to evil prone. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 4-73 
 
 Half circling Leipsic stands Napoleon's host, 
 Each wing on Pleisse's stream that laves her walls, 
 His centre on Probstheyda. In his front 
 Bristled the conjunct force of mighty states, 
 Outnumbering twice his own ; in various robes, 
 With standards waving proud. At early dawn 
 He leads the giant battle, big with fate, 
 And hopes to rout the hosts in front before 
 The Swede and Blucher on his left will fall ; 
 "Whose coming, rockets, in the nightly sky 
 Red streaming, told, answering the silvery glare 
 Of signals from the neighboring camp upthrown. 
 A thousand raging thunderers earth alarm, 
 As when the hand of Jove hurls angry day 
 Of quivering bolts, red hissing o'er her realms : 
 An iron tempest rends the darkening air ; 
 Long lines fall groaning on the trembling ground, 
 And crimson streams roll, smoking, o'er the plains. 
 Through Pleisse's marshes, Mehrfeldt's legions wade ; 
 On Markleberg Kliest pours a deadly storm : 
 The Gallic right here reels ; the Polish Prince, 
 By Souham aided, from the left recall'd, 
 The man-devouring tempest fierce returns, 
 Drives from the shatter'd town the Prussian host, 
 Assails Mehrfeldt in flank, and him secures. 
 
 Wirtemberg's Prince fought Victor at Wachau ; 
 Klenau on Lauriston at Liebert flam'd ; 
 Thither, six times, th' allies like furious floods 
 Impetuous dash'd ; as oft they backward roll'd, 
 Like surges from the wind-tost ocean's shore. 
 Napoleon noting well the pulse of fight, 
 And where the tide of courage ebbs and flows, 
 Bids sage McDonald sweep Klenau away, 
 Lauriston aids, and bids him swift advance, 
 And break the enemy's centre, weary grown 
 "With efforts vain. Straight forward rush his powers. 
 And soon on G-ossa rolls the thickening fray ; 
 The Emperor's genius on the tempest rides, 
 
POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLN". 
 
 His armies moving with resistless force : 
 As day's bright orb illumes the worlds around, 
 Their course directs, and animates their soil, 
 So he enlightened, with new strength inspir'd, 
 And rul'd his host. On all sides now ascends 
 The thundering voice of battle. Muskets burn, 
 Thrice ninety thousand in one deafening peal, 
 Effusing flames and smoke and leaden showers; 
 O'er many a league the march of death resound. 
 E'en while from Gossa vanquish'd Russia flies 
 From Gaul's advancing centre, busy Mars, 
 At Blucher's furious onset, startled turns ; 
 He on Marmont, with thrice his numbers, falls : 
 The Gallic left can scarce withstand his blows ; 
 Swift breathless heralds, from Ragusa, claim 
 That Souham's forces to his aid return ; 
 But these were fiercely warring on the right, 
 Where Poniatowsky hardly held his ground 
 Against Bianchi, and the Austrian host. 
 The while, Napoleon bids Murat assail 
 The broken forces just from Gossa hurl'd. 
 The King of Naples his fleet powers arrays ; 
 They fly like whirlwinds, wheeling at his call ; 
 Himself in front, intent on victory's palms, 
 Careers sublime by peerless valor fir'd. 
 O'er all his host, conspicuous, bright with gold, 
 His brows o'ershaded with a snowy plume, 
 High nodding, like the foam on troubled waves, 
 He rides upon the foremost surge of war, 
 And leads his squadrons headlong on the foe, 
 Scattering in storm his serried files ; as floods 
 Swift down Niagara's cataract thundering hoarse 
 Dash from their path the foamy tide below ; 
 While flash the water's lightnings through the rising mist, 
 And from the streaming column bound the boiling waves. 
 Maubourg and Kellerman like ardor moves ; 
 With grenadiers reserv'd, Rajefsky seeks 
 To stop their progress ; but they o'er him drive, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 475 
 
 To Magdeburg advancing. Russia's King 
 Observes them now disordered by success, 
 And bids his guard attack : While Leipsic's bells 
 Proclaimed th' advantage brief, his Cossacks charg'd : 
 Then horrid Discord rag'd ; tremendous sounds 
 Of arms loud clashing, screams of fallen men, 
 Low trampled by steel'd hoofs, extended wide ; 
 Though furious, disunited France oppos'd ; 
 Her broken clouds to Gossa's heights return'd 
 Before the Cossack blast ; condensing there, 
 Beneath the sheltering thunder, dark she lowers. 
 
 While Saxony's King, with sounding bells, rejoic'd 
 At coming victory, Leipsic's walks were strew'd 
 With wounded, groaning men, and blood, and tears ; 
 Tremendous thunders roar'd from Lindenau, 
 That hurl'd an iron tempest o'er the field, 
 Fast sweeping the leagued armies from life's stage ; 
 Kleins chacher, answering loud the murderous showers, 
 On France a man-destroying torrent hurl'd : 
 But sudden now, east, south and north he hears 
 The voice of fight with tenfold fury rise : 
 That drowns the sounds of joy and shakes his towers : 
 The Gallic left reels under Blucher's blows : 
 Torn Mockern to superior numbers yields, 
 With twice ten thunderers, twice ten hundred men. 
 On all the warring circle wasteful rage 
 Labors in slaughter. Fierce on G-ossa fall 
 Th' impetuous Russians, like rocks, bounding down 
 Stupendous mountains craggy vast and steep ; 
 As rocks, long seated in some woody vale, 
 Withstand the might of ponderous rushing floods, 
 The French sustain the shock, with bayonets red, 
 Muskets revers'd, and fierce athletic grasp. 
 Then swells loud tumult ; hideous Discord storms 
 In wildest fury ; darker frowning, Mars 
 Shoots round the field, and fiery tempests breathes, 
 Like lightning, burst from blackest cloud of even. 
 Impending terrors deck his stormy brow ; 
 
476 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLN". 
 
 His hasty glancing eyes infuriate burn ; 
 While laugh hell's demons on th' infernal main, 
 And ghost of warriors glide into the gloom, 
 Where winds ne'er rove, nor light nor sound invades. 
 
 Blood and disparted limbs round Gossa roll'd : 
 Thence thrice the French, the Russians thrice were driven, 
 With shouts, the clash of arms and cannon's roar. 
 When taming darkness hush'd the battle's voice, 
 Fortune with Russia left the gory prize. 
 
 The while, on thundering Lindenau a host 
 Was led, but Gaul repell'd. Her voltigeurs 
 Pour'd copious ruin on th' advancing mass : 
 From tree to tree, from shield to shield they sped, 
 Their arms disploding with incessant blaze. 
 The leaden tempest, beating on th' allies, 
 Compell'd them soon to fly the face of France, 
 And answering bolts from shielding heights discharge. 
 
 Now Phoebus drives beyond th' Atlantic waves, 
 And truce-imposing night broad Europe shades. 
 The hostile myriads quit their wicked jar, 
 Encamp midst gore, and kindle fires along 
 Their far extended lines. Each party holds 
 The ground he cover'd when the fight began, 
 Except Marmont is nearer Leipsic's walls. 
 
 The morn rose sacred to the sire of worlds ; 
 Nor will'd the warring nations to profaue 
 Its sanctity with battle's odious din ; 
 Though much they toil'd, preparing to contend. 
 Gaul look'd for peace, th' allies for Sweden's prince, 
 Whose rockets, blazing on the nightly air, 
 His presence promis'd ere another day. 
 
 Mehrfeldt, just captur'd, to the Austrian King 
 Napoleon delegates to ask a truce ; 
 The same Mehrfeldt, who erst at Austerlitz, 
 On Austria's part, solicited kind terms 
 From one who wielded kingdom-crushing power : 
 ' Go, says Napoleon, bid your Emperor heed 
 The interests of his child : Tell him we yield 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 477 
 
 To all the terms th' allies required at Prague : 
 If they accord the truce we now request, 
 Forthwith from Germany will our army move. 
 The sire and husband's interests both demand 
 The measure, since Bavaria on me wars. 
 To circumstances let our steps conform. 
 Mehrfeldt, adieu ! when on my part you ask 
 An armistice of the emperors, at thy voice, 
 Doubtless, w r ill many a recollection rise ! 
 
 The Count departs, but never to return : 
 To Sovereigns less accustom'd to success, 
 Than Austerlitz's great victor, he held forth 
 The olive branch, tempting what might exist 
 Of generous nature to reciprocate, 
 One tithe of the indulgence he had given 
 On that fam'd field, where with heroic grace, 
 He spared the feelings of imperial foes. 
 He wanted no permission to retreat ; 
 For on him still the hope of victory blaz'd ; 
 And time had prov'd the things conceded worth 
 Less than the needful price of their defence. 
 
 The while Deceit forsakes her sombre cave 
 On gloomy pinions hurries through the deep, 
 "Which opening to the surface gives her way, 
 Where, wrapt in silvery clouds, she glides along 
 Swift as inclement winter's loudest gales. 
 The bright ey'd sylphs and demons round her throng 
 Hevealing actions of terrestrial men ; 
 But sly depart her presence as she tends 
 "Where danger frowns, bordering on Fear's domain. 
 Still on through darkening air, and lowering sky, 
 Menac'd by surging billows, fares the queen, 
 Her veil of mist blown off by whistling gusts, 
 And wings stretch'd on the fitful blast till lost 
 In blackest clouds, with heaviest thunder stor'd, 
 Threatening to burst and set the heavens on fire : 
 Here she loud calls : What being rules this wild, 
 Where furious winds blows adverse, and convolve 
 
478 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Such frightful ocean of electric cloud, 
 That were it to explode, might singe high heaven 
 And scatter to and fro earth's rocky hills \ 
 Hear, thou dark spirit of the midnight storm, 
 (Sure, here thou dwell'st,) bestow some kinder blast, 
 That soon shall waft me from this dreary plight 
 To rest's calm haven. Or thou, eternal Jove, 
 Help me to traverse this perplexing gloom. 
 
 Thus spoke she, louder than the roar of floods 
 From some huge continent's bosom pour'd, that mix 
 And thunder down a craggy steep, in foam, 
 Shaking the mountains round ; the goblins heard, 
 And groans. swell'd on the murky air o'er all the waste. 
 Fear at the sound, with all her haggard train, 
 Forsook her trembling palace, to explore 
 The region dark, whence came the wondrous voice, 
 Exclaiming thus : What stranger wanders here 
 Nor calls my aid, though none beside me holds 
 This stormy reign ? Some wretched one, I ween, 
 "Who on Hope's lofty summit tottering stands, 
 And dark despair's drear wild with horror views 
 Some rash adventurer for unlawful prize, 
 Who finds presumption's fit reward. Thus she ; 
 And now the bursting clouds hurl'd angry day 
 Of thunderbolts, red hissing o'er her main ; 
 Swift rush'd a furious tempest on the waves, 
 And lash'd them foaming to the blazing skies ; 
 On a fierce quivering bolt Deceit flew down, 
 Thrown from the summit of the roaring clouds 
 To the dark bottom of the sea profound : 
 Ascending thence she spies the wild-ey'd queen 
 Beside her dome, half buried in the flood, 
 And thus bespeaks her, louder than the storm ; 
 
 O sister, what great perils have I pass'd ! 
 Lost and bewilder'd in a night of clouds, 
 Thou might'st have heard me wail my evil plight ; 
 At length the lightning hurl'd me headlong down 
 The dark profundity of this wild main ; 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 479 
 
 Just from its lurid vale, thus singed, I rise, 
 After short durance midst the whirlpools there. 
 
 But now brief time is left me ; let us fly 
 Towards Leipsic, and thou lead the shortest way 
 From this bleak waste ; for now methinks Gaul's chief 
 Admits thy presence. In Silesia late 
 He triumph'd o'er the nations ; and by pride 
 Of victory spurn'd their offers of repose ; 
 For so mankind or dup'd or not believe. 
 Now hemm'd round Leipsic by superior powers, 
 His sole salvation must be courage vast, 
 Sure nought but superhuman skill can save. 
 He always, a*s thou know'st, derides thy name : 
 His fickle host unnerve and take revenge ; 
 Let them confounded fly the nations' rage, 
 And grant insulting pride full cause to mourn. 
 
 Thus she ; and thus the timorous queen replied : 
 I heard and sought thee till the thunder rag'd, 
 And threw me hither. Glad I learn thy aim, 
 And quick will guide thee from this boisterous wild ; 
 But though that hero holds my name in scorn, 
 He erst has given me sway o'er Europe's kings ; 
 These too begin to scoff unhappy Fear, 
 Since they make head against his failing arms, 
 Perhaps forgetful of my favors past : 
 To my advice the German monarchs owe 
 Their present power : I taught them to repair 
 The faults of Yalor with persuasive gold, 
 And from the victor buy the sceptred prize. 
 
 Thus she ; and fix'd her steeds to cloudy car ; 
 Each with a thousand pinions smote the air, 
 And look'd for terrors with a thousand eyes ; 
 Each eye, as sultry Sirius, brilliant shone. 
 High on the dusky wain Deceit and Fear 
 Together sit ; the winged monsters fly 
 Through clouds and tempests o'er the rolling waves ; 
 Before them Hope's bright star exulting shines, 
 Through fast decreasing darkness, and behind 
 
4:80 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENTN. 
 
 The storm, in lessening murmurs, dies away. 
 
 Ere this Intrigue had spread her radiant wings 
 For Leipsic, in the chill nocturnal gloom, 
 And there explor'd the minds of Saxon bands. 
 As high o'er Faucha sat the fraudful queen, 
 Involv'd in clouds, and night o'erspread the land, 
 The twain approach'd her ; greeting small she gave, 
 Then fast them shrouded in redoubled night, 
 And thus address'd Deceit : Kind adjunct, hail, 
 So much desir'd ! I will'd, ere long, to go 
 To earth's far end, where deep in caves thou dwell'st ; 
 But much I dreaded that bewildering gloom 
 In which Fear holds her watchful, hapless reign, 
 For travellers oft are buried in its night, 
 And driven by terrors to a wretched doom. 
 
 " Or happy state that well repays their dread," 
 Loud interrupting adds the timorous queen. 
 Then, after silence brief, Intrigue resumes : 
 
 Our subtle arts may now successful prove : 
 Napoleon late near fortune's slippery verge 
 Has wander'd rash, scarce able to sustain 
 The shock of hostile nations. Could we grant 
 His foe more might, or enervate his powers, 
 Methinks he tumbles from his wondrous height, 
 And all the subject nations break their chains : 
 E'en war-sick France would throw him from her breast 
 For were he in this battle overthrown, 
 Th' allies would rush resistless o'er his realm, 
 Like ocean when he bursts some lofty shore, 
 And ponderous thunders o'er devoted plains, 
 Swallowing their busy tenants, herds and men. 
 Then while this darkness Europe's continent shades, 
 (Time opportune t' accomplish dark designs) 
 Let us inspire the Saxon bands to fly 
 The lines of France on morrow's final fray. 
 They occupy important station, whence, 
 When fled, th' allies must be victorious, and 
 Gaul's daring monarch ne'er subdue them more. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 481 
 
 Already I have on their leaders wrought, 
 Fearful as thou, when riding the red bolts, 
 That grasping hope's lov'd object it might die. 
 Their views accord with ours : they say long strife 
 "Will waste their native land ; to end it soon, 
 And to Napoleon's harm, shall be their aim, 
 That peace revisit their unhappy clime. 
 
 Thus she ; Deceit replies : O much lov'd peer ! 
 My plight long past has perilous been ; the dread 
 Of quick detection buried me in gloom 
 Pregnant with terrors, whence by stormy way 
 I came with Fear, perhaps with useless pains. 
 'Tis time we triumph'd o'er th' imperial chief, 
 And fate seems favoring our conceal 'd desire. 
 If here our arts prevail, and he retreat, 
 Far better game in France we soon shall play ; 
 As unsuccessful her great champion grows, 
 Her friendship wanes, or into hatred turns ; 
 In him will reason say the failure lies, 
 The great o'erruling Providence unknown, 
 "Who works invisible to mortal sight ; 
 Exalts and prostrates with resistless hand, 
 While mortals with erroneous reasoning jar 
 To learn the secret cause. They seldom know 
 Our devious courses tools of passions strong, 
 That, as th' inconstant tempests drive the clouds, 
 Impel them, darkling onward to their fate, 
 As Providence directs, mysterious art of God ! 
 
 She ended ; to the Saxon troops they fly 
 And them determine to desert the French 
 By hopeful lures and moving eloquence. 
 Through all the hosts the triune secret walk'd, 
 Exploring where their fatal rule obtain'd. 
 
 And now Aurora sprinkled o'er the world 
 Her golden radiance source of life and joy 
 By man perverted to discern where hosts 
 On hosts may readiest wing the shafts of death. 
 
 Loud music call'd the martial bands to arms ; 
 31 
 
482 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 The wheeling lines were fast array'd ; frowning they stand 
 
 In iron forests, spread o'er many a league, 
 
 Reflecting Sol's benignant beams. The chiefs 
 
 Prancing sublime, on conscious steeds, mov'd round 
 
 The gleaming myriads. Europe's destiny now 
 
 Had been decided by the conjunct skill 
 
 Of Wittgenstein, De Tolly, Bernadotte, 
 
 Blucber and Schwartzenberg, to that oppos'd 
 
 Of Gaul's fam'd Emperor ; but Intrigue had wove 
 
 Her doom before. Monarchs spectators stand 
 
 Of the great onset. Half mankind await 
 
 Th' important issue, burden'd with suspense. 
 
 Blucher and Sweden's Prince begin the fray : 
 Twice eighty thousand on the left of Gaul 
 Pour fierce and terrible, as mountain waves 
 Dashing on ragged shores ; Regnier, Marmont 
 And ISTey, with sixty thousand, face the storm, 
 Break and roll back the flashing, thundering tide 
 That still returns. On all sides battle joins ; 
 Against the Gallic right all Austria pours : 
 Homberg, Bianchi, Colleredo there, 
 On Poniatowski withering tempests send : 
 His valiant Poles an equal blast return ; 
 The broken ranks before their blows recoil. 
 De Tolly, "Wittgenstein and Kliest assail 
 The centre ; on Probstheyda ponderous falls 
 All Russia ; Lauriston, McDonald there, 
 With Augernau and Victor, breast the fight, 
 Rending the warrior clouds with deadly arms. 
 Behind, on Thonberg high, Napoleon stands, 
 Yiews the vast field, and guides the growing storm. 
 
 "Now fierce, in quivering flames, from flank to flank 
 Of banded myriads, thundering battle rag'd ; 
 The sounding field, besmear 'd with carnage, groan' d, 
 Quak'd and wept crimson tears ; omniverous hiss'd 
 The iron hail ; loud clash'd ensanguin'd steel, 
 And rushing squadrons ; rav'd devouring War : 
 With terror plum'd, midst toiling ranks he strode, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 483 
 
 Discord and Death beside him ; frightful powers 
 Of devastation ! Where they go, distress, 
 And sorrow's tears, and pale dismay attend : 
 Now o'er Stollentz they rage ; its turrets fall 
 Beneath the rending showers ; its streets are strew'd 
 With wounded mortals, and their reeking gore. 
 Now o'er Probstheyda, where each centre storms 
 With deadly fury ; now o'er Markleberg 
 And Poniatowski ; Leipsic trembling sees 
 The dreadful labor ; horrid slaughter swells, 
 And doleful ruin decks the shuddering field. 
 Sol from the zenith saw th' allies on Gaul 
 Rush and recoil, as waves from some rough shore, 
 The rocky remora of the horrid flood ; 
 But now o'er Partha Sweden's Prince advanc'd. 
 Ney from the stream to neighboring heights withdrew 
 Th' out-number'd left, and took position strong 
 In vain. Deceit foil'd Prudence ; friendship's guise 
 Conceal'd the viper sting of fraud : straightway 
 Ten thousand Saxons quit the cause of France, 
 ^ass to the foe, with flags of truce display'd ; 
 Who, viewing with distrust the treacherous troops, 
 Conducts them to the rear, and turns their arms 
 (That half the day had roar'd against th' allies) 
 On weaken'd Gaul ; Ney, rushing through his lines, 
 While scorn and anger light his lofty mein, 
 Leads on reserves the fraudful breach to close, 
 And loud exclaims : Lo ! treason ! Treachery pours 
 Its hell of curses on yon field betray'd ! 
 Shall France effuse her choicest blood in vain ? 
 Shall meanness blast what valor has achiev'd ? 
 Haste, haste your isolated brethren call, 
 Who stand on Faucha bleeding ; thither pours 
 The hostile tide. Our safety bids us save 
 Our friends, now doubly dear. Thus he, in vain ; 
 The darkness of defeat on Faucha lowers ; 
 The Russians triumph : thrice ten hundred yield 
 Their liberty ; their comrades swift retreat ; 
 
484 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And Ney, receding fast, contracts again 
 
 The line of battle ; posting well his troops. 
 
 Inflicts, with force inferior, staggering blows : 
 
 With one to four the dreadful fight maintains. 
 
 At times, Napoleon lends him needful aid, 
 
 Though furious, on his right and centre, drive 
 
 Two mighty nations. O'er the stormy scene 
 
 He casts his guardian eye ; his soul above 
 
 The great commotion looks with calmness down, 
 
 Like the mild heaven upon a troubled world, 
 
 And props, on every point, the wavering fray. 
 
 Heralds careering through the raging storm, 
 
 On every side th' imperial will reveal'd. 
 
 Now at his feet a thunderbolt descends ; 
 
 High Thonberg startled, trembles ; headlong bursts 
 
 O'er whelming myriads through Probstheyda ; Pirch 
 
 And Prince Augustus urge the fearful flood, 
 
 Sweeping Gaul's centre backward, shrieking wild ; 
 
 The clamor swells above th' artillery's roar : 
 
 Napoleon leaps upon his fiery steed ; 
 
 Stern valor's lightning on his countenance plays ; 
 
 He forms his guard points to the tumult loud : 
 
 " Advance ! myself shall breast yon ruinous tide ; 
 
 ' Tis ours to brace the faltering battle there, 
 
 And turn the flood of death upon the foe." 
 
 He spoke ; in gallop rush'd the excited guard, 
 Following th' imperial warrior ; breathing storm, 
 He seem'd the thunder travelling o'er the field, 
 Descended from his cloud-encircled throne, 
 Tempestuous conflict round him raging wild. 
 Whole armies reel'd before his rushing force, 
 That seiz'd with bloody triumph the red ground, 
 O'erstrown with ruins of the brave and bold. 
 
 Increasing sounds now heard from either wing 
 He leaves the warring guard up Thonberg speeds 
 Snatches an optic tube, and instant casts 
 His practis'd eye through all the laboring field 
 With confidence the reins of battle holds ; 
 
THE JSTAPOLEAD. 485 
 
 Nor frowning Fortune, nor unnumber'd foes 
 Can damp his courage, or relax his powers. 
 
 Sol from o'er Andes flam'd, when Langeron 
 ' Gainst Schonfeldt led his legions. As strong winds 
 Rush on a forest wide of lofty oaks, 
 Rending their branching tops, and sturdy trunks, 
 They on the shatter'd village fall ; brave France 
 The heavy shock withstood ; wide slaughtering burn'd 
 Her loud artillery ; deadly muskets showered 
 Destruction on the nations. Terror now, 
 Flight by her side, outspread her gloomy wings, 
 Exerting influence cold. They own her reign, 
 And fly Gaul's fury disarrayed and torn. 
 Brave Langeron their drooping spirits cheers ; 
 Renews the combat. But the French again 
 Repel th' assault, and drive them as the winds 
 Hurl chaff or smoky vapor through the skies. 
 This Blucher learning thus his herald bids : 
 
 Fly ! Langeron inform, it is my hest, 
 That he obtain Schonfeldt ere night begins ; 
 For much that station will our arms avail. 
 
 He spoke ; the herald through terrific storm 
 The mandate bears ; and straight the war-worn chief 
 Darts, like a meteor, midst his broken powers, 
 Their lines arranging, and sub-chiefs commands 
 To keep their fire till closing on the foe ; 
 Then, thundering, onward, with the bayonet plunge. 
 
 And now, impetuous, midst a leaden shower, 
 Thick falling, as the hail of wintry skies, 
 Rush the bold legions to the fearful field ; 
 France, with redoubled ardor, on them pours 
 Destruction terrible, but not repels ; 
 O'er falling thousands brave survivors run ; 
 Soon, in close combat, flame their deadly arms ; 
 France, staggering, meets the shock ; red bayonets clash ; 
 Men, struggling, grapple men in horrid strife ; 
 Disorder wild begins ; shouts, dolorous moans, 
 And frantic screams resound ; blood, reeking, glides, 
 
486 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And Havoc rages o'er the dusky field. 
 At length, the French, forc'd step by step away, 
 Leave the torn village, and the nations hold 
 The scene of conflict, cumber'd with the dead. 
 Still formidably JSTey the left defends : 
 Unhappy Gaul, most valiantly maintains 
 Her bloody ground ; th' allies, deep gored, recoil 
 Before her right and centre, and discharge 
 Their heaviest arms, in distant war, till night, 
 In sullen state, her starry wings unfolds, 
 Taming the murderous rage of warring hosts. 
 
 Leipsic scar'd inmates from deep cellars rise, 
 Or from high domes descend and mourn their plight 
 With famine, conflagration, butchery near 
 The wife and children hang upon the sire, 
 And he, dismay'd, can lean on nought but Heaven. 
 The streets are strew'd with wounded and the dead ; 
 Fair beardless youths, still uttering childhood's cries, 
 The father's hope, the mother's pride, forlorn, 
 On the cold stone, in chilling darkness, groan'd 
 Their gentle souls away. Yictims more fair 
 Were never crush'd beneath War's gory wheels : 
 With hearts of men, of heroes, they had crown'd 
 With mournful glory youthful beauty's brows, 
 And well their country's lofty valor prov'd. 
 
 JSTapoleon to the troubled town retires 
 With weary mind unnumber'd orders gives 
 To bridge the streams, defend the walls, assist 
 The wretched wounded, and his troops withdraw 
 In darkness from their well defended ground. 
 His marshals gather round him covered o'er 
 With dust and blood ; their eyes the crisis speak, 
 And anxious turn upon th' imperial guide, 
 Who thus begins : Retreat is now decreed : 
 Unconquer'd yet unconquering have we bled : 
 Mehrfeldt and Austria give me hope no more ; 
 On well stor'd Erfurt we direct our powers. 
 Our main supplies were ordered on Torgau : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 487 
 
 Our ammunition, near exhausted, but 
 
 Two hours can feed the battle's fire ; our troops 
 
 Want bread ; Bavaria threats our road. 'Tis plain 
 
 Another day must not behold us here, 
 
 Thus hemm'd by thrice our numbers ; but we scarce 
 
 Can half our forces o'er this river urge 
 
 Ere morn on Leipsic's walls will bring the foe. 
 
 You, Poniatowski and McDonald, have 
 
 The perilous honor to protect the rear. 
 
 May not your corps the southern suburb guard ? 
 
 (He asks the Polish Prince, who thus replies :) 
 
 Ah, Sire, few soldiers to my corps remain ; 
 But doubtless we will hold our ground ; for all 
 Are ready in their country's cause to die. 
 
 From midnight, till the blushing morn disclos'd 
 Th' uncommon movement, pour'd retreating Gaul 
 From the red field, through Leipsic, o'er the streams, 
 Unharrass'd by the foe : but with the day 
 On Leipsic's suburbs rush'd the federate powers. 
 McDonald on the north the town defends ; 
 Poniatowski on the south. On either shield 
 Fall ponderous strokes, and loud the battle grows. 
 Commotion frightful, heaven convulsing shouts 
 On all sides rise ; gigantic Terror frowns ; 
 The volleyed ruin sweeps whole bands away ; 
 Fall'n thousands writhe beneath the laboring war, 
 And wild the furies of the conflict rave. 
 A thousand thunderers roar'd at Leipsic's walls 
 That shook her base ; her reeling turrets burn'd, 
 Glaring on Gaul with threatening aspect dire. 
 Her troops thick crowded o'er the narrow bridge, 
 In hideous uproar, like tumultuous floods 
 Through straiten'd pass loud growling, foaming high. 
 
 The while, the Gallic Emperor Saxony's King 
 Releases formally from th' engagements made 
 With France, the farewell scene was sudden clos'd 
 By peals of musketry, that loudly told 
 Th' allies had forc'd the suburbs, and now fought 
 
488 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENET. 
 
 | 
 
 From house to house, and hand to hand with Gaul. 
 The anxious Queen and King besought him quick 
 To mount his steed and save the soul of realms : 
 Scarce had Napoleon fled the war-rack'd town 
 When in it rush'd the nations on they came 
 Like torrent waves ; no time was left their foes 
 Cohfus'd and wild, and unprepar'd, they hied. 
 Swift, from the north, along the river press 
 The Swedes and Prussians ; from the south, advance 
 The Austrians ; from the east, all Eussia drives ; 
 E'en Saxony's troops, quick shifting sides, discharge 
 Their arms against the French from Leipsic's walls ; 
 There plac'd to aid the troops they now annoy. 
 Their conduct Blucher thus regards with scorn : 
 
 Lo ! help is rife when weights are downward roll'd. 
 Conciliate victors by a treacherous deed ! 
 A. most substantial favor to our cause, 
 To shoot at foes, our valor made to fly ! 
 
 His words are lost in sound all sounds above, 
 As Heaven and Earth had met in dreadful shock, 
 Quaking and thundering. In the clouds up hurl'd 
 Flies the dense peopled bridge, in fragments torn. 
 The crowds, just entering on the vanish'd road, 
 Impell'd by pressing masses, far behind, 
 Long time, in darkness and confusion, fall 
 Down the rough precipice, in watery graves. 
 Some twenty thousand, by th' untimely blast, 
 Are captur'd ; others try to cross the streams : 
 McDonald plunges in th' obstructing waves, 
 Swims the corse-laden floods, and France rejoins. 
 
 Meantime the Polish Prince, near Borna's road 
 Contending, saw him midst surrounding foes, 
 Hears Pleisse's bridge untimely blown away, 
 And thus exhorts his friends : Behold our plight ! 
 Unhappier far than if we strew'd yon field. 
 Heavens ! who shall view me, while possess'd of life, 
 And while our country is not quite o'erthrown, 
 Surrender'd to my foes ? Hope, Yalor calls 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 489 
 
 Come, with the lightning's fury, let us plunge 
 Through yon obstructing host, and make retreat, 
 Or nobly perish. Though oppress'd with wounds, 
 Still Cuirassiers, what yet remains of me 
 Shall lead the desperate onset ; swift advance, 
 You who love glory more than shameful life, 
 And emulate your long victorious Chief : 
 If we succeed, the act will honor give, 
 And if we fail, in great endeavors fail ; 
 Our friends shall never blush to tell the deed. 
 Nor merit leans on Fortune's frowns or smiles : 
 In dark adversity it glorious shines ; 
 Prosperity gains lustre from its beams, 
 And on it Death exerts his rage in vain. 
 
 He spoke his listening warriors look'd applause ; 
 Superior valor, midst them, towering burn'd ; 
 Their eyes reflected Ifis enlivening light, 
 With bold intention fraught. They sudden drive, 
 With fiery steeds, against the Russian lines ; 
 Poniatowski foremost on a bristling grove 
 Of shining bayonets rushes in a shower 
 Of whizzing bullets drops his blasting arm, 
 Pierc'd by a winged death in thunder hurPd 
 Still onward striving with his valiant band, 
 He gains the Pleisse, plunges in its waves, 
 The admiration of his vanquish'd foes ; 
 For much he seem'd a fiery tempest fled, 
 The winward groves in smoking ruins laid. 
 Hard struggling he attains the farther shore 
 His faithful steed was buried in the waves ; 
 He mounts another, to the Elster hies, 
 Its banks already liii'd with swarming foes, 
 Down the deep stream he dashes, and no more 
 Attains its surface ; fate fast binds him down 
 In watery grave, and cold he slumbers there. 
 Illustrious warrior ! oft shall memory dwell 
 On thy great actions. Admiration haunt 
 Thy glorious life, and Elster roll in fame, 
 
490 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 That quench'd thy spirit in heroic blaze. 
 
 Fleet Czernicheff, with Cossack bands, precedes 
 The flying French ; their scatter'd host assails ; 
 Each bridge removes, and fills their way with plagues. 
 And when the tenth revolving sun beheld 
 Their dismal flight, in strong position, Wrede 
 At Hanau with twice thirty thousand arm'd, 
 Their homeward course, with hop'd success, oppos'd ; 
 Yet not dejected, their great Emperor guides 
 The furious onset, rousing thus his chiefs. 
 
 We fight no more grandeur ; but to save 
 The relics of our greatness, the remains 
 Of triumphs brilliant. Fortune's evil star 
 Hath shed malignant lustre on our arms ; 
 She hurls us from that height to which we rose 
 Lur'd by her smiles. A darker cloud impends 
 The nations in pursuit, and Wrede before, 
 To fight or perish is our doom. Behold ! 
 Bavaria's treachery, and vengeance near ! 
 Though sure of nought, of nothing I despair : 
 We still have much to lose and much to gain : 
 Renown shall not forsake whom Fortune leaves ; 
 And though we perish glorious be our fall. 
 Then, with protended bayonets, each his train 
 Against th' audacious enemy lead, and soon 
 Our might shall vanquish his obstructing powers, 
 And France, victorious, cross their gory bed. 
 Fierce on his right begin th' important fray ; 
 Let all the artillery at one time displode, 
 And when the field is wrapp'd in smoky gloom, 
 Swift, with our heaviest force, his left assail ; 
 Thither the torrent of the conflict pour 
 There, bold Lefevre, with your cavalry plunge ; 
 And thither, ]N"ey, impel thy conquering tide. 
 
 He ceas'd ; his generals quick their shatter'd bands 
 Array for fatal fight ; himself sublime 
 Along their front strode with imperial air, 
 Infusing in his host heroic fires : 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 491 
 
 Is this our glory's grave (he loud exclaims), 
 
 Approach we to the tomb of all our power ! 
 
 I hope in you no funeral train is led 
 
 To such sad burial. Spread your banners now ! 
 
 Your friends and parents stretch their pleading hands, 
 
 And ask their safety from your noble deeds. 
 
 Now, now 's the time yon host must fly our arms, 
 
 Or we abandon France and all her joys. 
 
 Be firm, your country sees make known her trust 
 
 Is not in cowards ; but Marengo's race. 
 
 By braving death you drive him on the foe. 
 
 Advance ! the victor of a hundred fields 
 
 Shall guide your rage o'er prostrate legions slain. 
 
 He said ; in nitrous clouds and iron storm, 
 They rush infuriate on Bavaria's host ; 
 Then dire the din of warring nations rose, 
 Flames, furies, terrors, raging through the field ; 
 Trees, men and domes in mingled ruins fell, 
 Torn by huge iron globes in tempest hurl'd. 
 The ground sad groan 'd, with vital fluid stain'd. 
 The mountains trembled on their base profound, 
 And shrieks and shouts re-echo'd through the skies. 
 Long time fell Havoc triumph'd ; France, at length, 
 Her column-scattering bayonets dripping gore, 
 With furious might dispers'd th' opposing foe, 
 Ten thousand of whose dead bestrew'd the field, 
 And mov'd on sternly o'er the sheltering Khine. 
 
BOOK XII. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 Napoleon, inclining to peace, struggles with Pride is reassured by Valor. 
 At the suggestion of Policy he levies three hundred thousand men. De 
 claration of the allies. Address to the Senate and reply. Last interview 
 with the Empress. Battles of Brienne and La Rothiere. Brief notice of 
 events to the time of his taking position in the rear of the allies. Intrigue, 
 seeing this step, urges Schwartzenberg to march to Paris and effect a revo 
 lution, and detaches Marmont and Augereau from Napoleon. He abdicates 
 the throne takes leave of his guard, and departs for Elba ; on his way 
 thither, the Deity, at the prayer of Wisdom, decrees that he shall reascend 
 the throne of France, and teach the world the folly of despair. 
 
 FLED from the wasteful rage of Europe arm'd 
 Napoleon in his Capital appears. 
 His shatter'd armies on the Rhine remain 
 To guard th' inviolable soil of France. 
 Freed Holland's orange banner waves again ; 
 All Germany rejoices, disenthraled : 
 To Rome is Pius, Ferdinand to Spain 
 Conducted from long durance : Fetters fall 
 From Kings and nations : Still untam'd, GauPs Chief 
 Prepares to smite his foes on every side 
 Who, dreading much his skill and power, propound 
 To own him King of France, and sheath the sword, 
 Crimson'd so long by unexampled strife. 
 
 While yet he meditates with wise intent, 
 Of holding sweet communion with fair Peace, 
 Though shorn of much dominion, Pride begins : 
 
 Will the great conqueror, to his glory blind, 
 Relinquish tamely what he earn'd so well 
 Nor boldly seek to gain that dazzling height, 
 Whose brightness hides the woes of humbler days ? 
 Though peace you need hold Italy and the Rhine, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 493 
 
 For thee my face shall then no blushes wear. 
 
 She ceas'd ; the Emperor answer'd : Wouldst thou rule 
 As erst in Moscow ? Wisdom there, though late, 
 From thy disastrous counsels tried to save. 
 Thy sway was such her heavenly voice displeas'd ; 
 Yet, but for her, Napoleon had no more 
 Directed armies, nor his France beheld. 
 Much inauspicious then thy presence seems, 
 Presage of ruin, or my period dark. 
 
 None is so great but he may bow to Jove, 
 Rejoins the haughty power, and upward flies, 
 Sweeps through the murky clouds. Fame's crystal gates, 
 In music opening, through the shining way, 
 With lofty mien and graceful step she moves : 
 Indignant then before the burning throne 
 She loud begins : Thou Minister of Jove, 
 Who guid'st his lightnings, grant Napoleon hurl 
 Destruction on the nations, till his power 
 Be as of old, or they th' Italian realm 
 
 Resign to his dominion. Why should he, 
 
 So late thy favorite feel thy direst frown ? 
 Remit thy anger, hear a great man's prayer 
 
 Amidst calamity ; nor hear unmov'd ; 
 
 Or fear'st thou his beneficence to man 
 
 Will rival thine ? E'en while he breasts the war 
 
 Of Europe's Aristocracy he scans 
 
 The maze of politics, and Justice arms 
 
 With ready law ; rears sciences and arts, 
 
 And leads Improvement with a father's care, 
 
 O'er every obstacle, through all his reign. 
 
 If at his throne thou driv'st the tide of ill, 
 
 And doom'st his ruin, O direct some ball 
 
 Through his bold heart, and end with him my pain ; 
 
 Let not the great in power, the grand in soul, 
 
 See meanness on his noble ruins prey. 
 
 Thus she ; and Yalor thus, with scorn, remark'd : 
 
 Thy mad suggestion suits not his firm mind : 
 
 True greatness trembles not at Fortune's frowns ; 
 
494: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENET. 
 
 But braves life's ills ; Philosophy divine, 
 A stranger to thy* counsels, is its guide. 
 If all his realm be faithful to his cause, 
 By valorous deeds he may retain his power. 
 
 He spoke ; meantime the many-color'd dame, 
 Arch Policy, the Emperor thus address'd : 
 
 Is war the worst of ills ? Think, ere you act, 
 What force your deeds will have on future days, 
 Their tendency and virtue : Fickle France 
 Must, like a child, be led by pleasing toys, 
 Or drove by rod severe. Hard is the task 
 To combat Europe ; but more hard to hold 
 The reins of empire on a tarnish'd throne. 
 If, at Manheim, diplomacy is tried, 
 Be England's naval claims in question brought. 
 ' Tis not for peace, but war, thy foes would treat : 
 I counsel, then, that thou new armies raise, 
 And put in vigorous action all thy means : 
 This course will much affect th' allies ; ' twill show 
 Twixt thee and ruin many a bloody field. 
 
 She ceas'd he thus : By what is now propos'd, 
 I doubt not that th' allies attempt to gain 
 New matter for objections to our sway, 
 And make us odious in the public eye ; 
 For kings and people, most inveterate foes, 
 Forget their jealousies in hate to me ; 
 The first, adroit, deceive, to make the last 
 Against their champion lift ungrateful hands. 
 Yet, such is our desire for peace, we hope 
 Though met to trifle they will serious treat, 
 As France imposing attitude assumes. 
 Besides, if we the offer'd bases take, 
 Th' intended manifesto of th' allies 
 Will of it's main foundation be depriv'd, 
 On which to blame us for the future war ; 
 These give to France the Alps and Rhine for bounds 
 I readily accept them ; nor the deed 
 Shall make the enemy deem we feel too frail 
 
THE NAPQLEAD. 495 
 
 To guard what he agrees we may retain, 
 
 (Our gathering conscripts such belief will bar ;) 
 
 But show the world our wish to sheath the sword. 
 
 He spoke ; to arms three hundred thousand call'd 
 Against his fate in great attempts to strive. 
 The nations then, before the world, declar'd, 
 On France they warr'd not ; but against the power 
 Which, hapless for herself and half mankind, 
 Her Chief had exercis'd beyond her sphere ; 
 Their use of victory was to offer peace 
 With greater power than erst her kings possess'd, 
 And give her freedom, as to Europe's states ; 
 For they desir'd her to be great and strong, 
 A mighty link in th' European chain. 
 To equalise the strength of states, that France 
 Might not afflict them more with w r ar, they strove ; 
 Nor, till that end was gain'd, would quit the field. 
 
 Thus they ; then with vast armies cross the Rhine, 
 The while Gaul's chief his Senators address'd : 
 
 Exalted late by victory, future times 
 Wore fairer face than now : False friendship's sting 
 Has made our triumphs vain, and brought us here 
 To seek resources to maintain the war. 
 New sacrifices we regret to ask 
 Of our lov'd people. Wishing to repose, 
 We treat on bases, offer'd by th' allies, 
 For peace, bliss by us so oft conferr'd 
 On luckless nations, in our prosperous days. 
 If this should fail ' twere through no fault of France ; 
 Nor she defers the meeting at Manheim, 
 Where ' tis propounded to compose the feud, 
 Which twelve long years has bath'd the world in gore. 
 As fortune n'er seduc'd me I shall prove 
 Superior to adversity. Our arms, 
 With your support, may still resist the foe. 
 Kings I enthron'd, who now desert our cause. 
 Denmark and Naples, only, faithful hold, 
 Of our allies. How much depends on you ! 
 
496 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Be firm and active, and this gathering gloom 
 "Will fly before the brilliance of our deeds. 
 
 Thus he, three days before refulgent Sol 
 From Capricornus made the worlds rejoice ; 
 He quaffs th' all healing balm, domestic bliss 
 Ten days, ere thus the Senators replied : 
 
 We come to offer tribute of our love 
 And gratitude to whom our country owes 
 Her proudest days. Thou ample pledge hast given 
 Of thy desire for peace, and acted from belief, 
 That power is stronger, limited ; that kings 
 Should always try to work their people's good, 
 And first in toils, as first in honors, stand. 
 
 The French, united under thee, will not 
 Permit the foe to triumph. May our Emperor strive 
 "With ardor, worthy his exalted name, 
 To conquer peace, and sign the world's repose ! 
 With martial glory sated, France beholds 
 (Unhappy laboring on this troubled sea) 
 The shore of peace, with longing wistful eyes. 
 There, in thy reign she hopes, in bliss to grow, 
 And with her steel improve the fruitful glebe. 
 
 They spoke. The Chief rejoins : While peace we seek, 
 The foe invades Brabant, Alsace, and Beam. 
 Man's bliss is all my prayer : My heart recoils 
 From scenes before ; but firm we must contend : 
 We fight for safety, not for conquests lost. 
 
 Events now loudly call'd him to the field : 
 Invasion's wave, outspread from Marne to Seine, 
 Towards Paris rolPd. Victor, Marmont, Mortier, 
 And Ney, with fifty thousand, fled before. 
 The rustic population, steeds and wains, 
 Loaded with young and old, in terror fly 
 Th' impending danger. Paris, startled, sees 
 The crowd, and learns the enemy comes so strong, 
 He masks the frontier fortresses, and moves 
 O'erwhelmingly towards her sacred walls. 
 
 The Emperor in the Marshals' hall convenes 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 497 
 
 The officers that rule the National Guard. 
 Amidst them, with his Empress, and his son, 
 Borne on the nurse's arms, he grave appears 
 Pale with the cares of empire, and thus speaks : 
 
 France is invaded : Forth to head our troops 
 1 march and by their valor, and God's aid, 
 Beyond our frontier hope to drive the foe : 
 But should his arms approach our capital, 
 The town, the Empress, and the King of Kome, 
 My wife and child, I to your care confide. 
 Act well your part my own shall be perform'd. 
 He spoke with feeling-shaken voice, and tears 
 Were seen to course on rigid faces stern. 
 And having ordered all things for defence, 
 Louisa regent made, and Joseph plac'd 
 As president of her Council, when the fifth 
 Bright morn from cold Aquarius spread her wings, 
 He bids his Empress thus a last adieu ; 
 For they on earth were doom'd to meet no more. 
 
 I go, Louisa, to the tented field ; 
 ISTot as of yore : oft to the battle's front 
 I now must rush to turn the tide of fate ; 
 If there the hand of Death should end my days, 
 Let France accede to terms th' allies propound, 
 If unabridg'd they leave her old domain. 
 With me the bar to their acceptance dies, 
 As fail the means, t' enforce her present claim. 
 The remnant of our empire sacred keep, 
 For him in whom our mingled graces shine ; 
 Be him thy constant care. Take counsel oft 
 Of those whose fortune 011 thy power depends. 
 Weigh well their different views and arguments, 
 Which understood, perform as fits thy weal, 
 With due dispatch, and in the fortunate time. 
 Step not, through haste, in darkness ; judgment slow 
 Is yet efficient indecision springs 
 Of thought deferr'd, or unexerted mind 
 To suit th' occasion, not the steady march 
 32 
 
498 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN". 
 
 Of cautious sense, which comes to firm resolves. 
 I know my Empress will unceasing pray 
 For my ascendency, although her sire 
 Kules hostile hosts. Prosperity gives friends, 
 And flatterers vile, adversity them tries ! 
 "Winnows the chaff ; one that withstands her gale 
 Is worth a world of those she blows aw^ay. 
 We now may learn on whom we can rely : 
 The genuine patriot shines in trouble's night : 
 Carnot and others have assum'd their arms : 
 The Emperor's foe is still his country's friend, 
 And much priz'd Antwerp to his care is given. 
 
 Superior to misfortune I will move, 
 As Sol majestic smiles above the storm. 
 Though fate deny our claim may we deserve 
 The praise of fortitude ! My part well done, 
 I yield : They are not deem'd unfortunate 
 Who cheerfully resign to Heaven's decrees, 
 And those o'er fortune are above all thrones. 
 
 Our foes shall purchase at no common price 
 Our overthrow, though less our force than theirs. 
 Though conquest shun my sword, I'll win renown ; 
 Though dies the sceptre, still the man survives, 
 And shows his greatness needs no aid of power. 
 
 The Emperor thus; and thus his queen replies : 
 Belov'd Napoleon ! well Louisa knows 
 Thy mind is proof against misfortune's storm. 
 Even now 1 view thee fallen from great height 
 Yet steadfast in good purpose, and sublim'd 
 By valorous hope. What boots it that thou gain, 
 Or lose in war ? Thy merit beams the same, 
 Or Fortune frowns, or smiles : still fame attends 
 Thy various plight, and still the world admire. 
 May Heaven dispose our offspring to pursue 
 The fame his parent won, that sire and son, 
 In matchless glory, go to future years. 
 What solace thence my fading days would know ! 
 What kind ideas animate my shade 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 499 
 
 Beyond the grave ! Though that dissolves our cares, 
 
 O, can a mother's fondness cease to burn ! 
 
 But strange commotion must the world endure, 
 
 Resign'd to Ate and Erinnys dire, 
 
 If chance he find to go his father's ways ; 
 
 "Which ward, O Heaven ! and give the nations peace. 
 
 Chief him direct in Lucien's harmless course, 
 
 To court the Muse, to give the canvas life, 
 
 And woo philosophy, whose sons renown'd, 
 
 In undecaying glory, walk with time, 
 
 Diffusing virtue's seeds through every age. 
 
 Sad is my state, but taught by thee to bear, 
 "With humble dignity the ills of life, 
 I will not grieve, but go where duty calls 
 Protect our empire and its hopeful heir. 
 Hard are the duties of my poyal sire ; 
 Alas ! the Emperor, not the father wars 
 On his Louisa's lord. Ill fated kings ! 
 Their hearts are crush'd by national interest's wheels : 
 I see the sacrifice, and can but mourn. 
 
 Remember France and me, nor rush on death 
 It ill becomes the sovereign thus to fall. 
 Alas ! what miseries might our realm o'erflow, 
 If thou wast dead ! perhaps destruction come 
 To half thy labors, and the stifled tide 
 Of faction burst the bounds thy genius gave, . 
 With ruin fraught to all thou now hold'st dear ! 
 
 Thus the fair queen ; her mighty lord imprest 
 A tender kiss upon her blooming cheek, 
 And, bearing battles, sought the tented field. 
 It seem'd to her she ne'er should see him more, 
 And dropp'd some tears, as from her presence pass'd 
 The hero breasting Europe's realms in arms. 
 
 He now scarce seventy thousand troops, array'd, 
 Though thrice that number of his foes converg'd 
 Toward Paris : on the invaders' right, where rul'd 
 Frederick's great pupil, ere thrice Europe bath'd 
 In day and night, he furious onset made, 
 
500 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Out rushing from a shadowy forest's gloom 
 
 On Brienne, of his youthful toils the scene, 
 
 When science' starry heights he scal'd. Short time 
 
 Had Blucher for escape ; he down a stair 
 
 And through a friendly postern led his steed. 
 
 But Alsufieif the sudden shock withstands : 
 
 His Russians, bleeding, breast the angry blast, 
 
 Midst flaming domes ; while Blucher snatches swift 
 
 His threaten 'd army from the man of fate; 
 
 "Who, compass' d with fierce Cossacks, hand to hand, 
 
 For life and empire with the Scythians fights 
 
 That boldly charge his rear : the bolt was rais'd, 
 
 Whose stroke had laid the spirit of the war ; 
 
 But thou, Gourgaud, with Death, unnerv'd the arm, 
 
 That imminent o'er the fate of nations hung. 
 
 The hapless town in smouldering ruins lies 
 
 Lefevre falls in everlasting night 
 
 Brave Blucher to Kothiere his host withdraws ; 
 
 While thither Schwartzenberg approaches fast, 
 
 Warn'd by the battle's thunder. Midst the fray 
 
 Napoleon marks the oak beneath whose shade 
 
 He in gay youth read Tasso's deathless song 
 
 Ere from life's humble vale his glory's sun 
 
 Throne-withering rose before imperial cares, 
 
 The fate of millions, labor'd in his breast. 
 
 When morn had thrice her golden splendor shed, 
 Th' allies, with armiest vast, on La Rothiere 
 For battle bristling, thus the Prussian chief 
 Directs the nations to the mighty fray : 
 
 Lo ! thus far we have penetrated France, 
 Long deem'd invincible ; triumphant long 
 By our disunion ; but her glory fades ; 
 Adversity's drear winter kills her joys; 
 She gave the nations to detest her sway, 
 Great monarchs their pre-eminence to mourn, 
 Till lost to mutnal jealousies thevi oin 
 Determin'd to subdue her warrior king. 
 
 Hard was the combat which destroy'd his power 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 
 
 501 
 
 Beyond the Rhine, and glorious to our arms ; 
 More glorious will it be to crush him here. 
 Much will he strive to oppose our way ; but well 
 Our host must combat, nor their laurels stain, 
 So bravely won in Leipsic's bloody field, 
 Yon steely barrier, to our course opposed, 
 Before Sol's farewell gaze skirts night with gold 
 Must ruin'd strew the field, or scatter'd fly 
 The victor terrors of our raging arms ! 
 
 The corps of Sacken in two lines will move 
 From Trannes towards Brienne, by Dienville's road ; 
 Part towards Rothiere ; the force of Guilay form 
 Reserve to that, and Alsufieff 's to this ; 
 The Russian guard will be support to all, 
 Plac'd on the heights, twixt Trannes and Eclance ; 
 From which the Prince of Wirtemburg will march 
 On Chaumenil ; there from a wood dislodge 
 The enemy's force, and junction form with Wrede, 
 Who thither from Doulevant is marching fast 
 Be all your movements rapid, and th' attack 
 Resistless : 'tis not life, but victory most we prize. 
 
 Thus spoke the chief; his mighty forces mov'd 
 To the dread onset. France held La Rothiere, 
 Dienville, Chaumoiit, and intermediate plains. 
 Here first the combat rag'd : loud roaring guns 
 Began destruction ; shelter'd by their blows, 
 "Wirtemburg's Prince impetuous leads his host 
 Against the French ; the French fierce battling reel, 
 Their gleaming arms hoarse bray, besmear'd with gore, 
 Laboring in slaughter ; deadly bullets hiss ; 
 La Gibrie trembles under iron showers ; 
 "Wrapped in a night of clouds Mars round her storms, 
 And Death stalks ghastly through her shatter'd paths. 
 At length Mortier, high coursing midst the war, 
 Turn'd his torn bands against the rushing foe : 
 Loud ring their arms ; musket on musket breaks, 
 Bayonets and swords thick clash ; men tumble round ; 
 Soon fly the nations through the groaning town, 
 
502 POEMS OP THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 France thundering on their rear. This Blucher raov'd ; 
 He quickly reinforc'd the royal chief; 
 Who, charging swift, the gory town regain'd. 
 
 The while Napoleon threats his enemy's flank ; 
 But well brave Blucher knew his greater power ; 
 Nor chang'd his early purpose to o'erthrow 
 The Gallic centre. Great spectators came ; 
 Te Russian, Prussian and the Austrian kings : 
 Glad in their presence to fulfill his plans 
 The veteran chief conducts his ardent powers 
 On La Rothiere. Him Sacken bold attends. 
 And now tremendous grows the rage of fight, 
 Th' artillery thunders, levelled muskets burn ; 
 In squadrons deep the cavalry rush amain, 
 Like tempests sweeping o'er the foamy waves, 
 And mournful ruin strews the ample field. 
 Resistless pour the nations ; .France recedes, 
 With flaming arms, before the deadly blast. 
 To prop the fight, Napoleon midst his guard 
 High moves, conspicuous as the moon new risen 
 O'er orient hills, when snow invests the land, 
 And silvery ice the trees, and cloudless heaven, 
 Bespangled thin with stars, smiles o'er the scene, 
 And thus bespeaks them : lo ! th' occasion calls 
 Our army's bulwark to the field of fame ! 
 Myself will lead you on yon boisterous powers : 
 This breast shall foremost in the combat stand, 
 So long detested by the foes of France, 
 Yictor so long o'er potent states combin'd. 
 Advance ! Our country looks to us in tears ! 
 
 He ceas'd ; their answering shout th' battle claim 'd. 
 As clouds on wings of whirlwinds traverse heaven, 
 Following their Monarch, rush'd they on the foe : 
 Then stormy conflict rag'd, shouts, screams and moans 
 Resounded double night o'erspread the field ; 
 Discord assum'd her direst form, and Mars 
 Inhuman rav'd amidst the thickening gloom ; 
 For now the sun had left the western skies 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 503 
 
 To cast his burning eye on happier lands. 
 Napoleon's steed in thickest battle fell, 
 Pertus'd by ponderous ball ; the Emperor rose ; 
 Midst vulgar warriors urg'd the dreadful fray ; 
 Midst falling thousands, facing death, he stood, 
 And in his troops thus breath'd heroic fires : 
 
 On, fellow-soldiers, fortune helps the brave ! 
 Let not our country mourn our valor lost, 
 So oft triumphant o'er these foes, who dare 
 Invade that France whose arms have awed the world ! 
 
 Where'er he wends tremendous conflict grows ; 
 His legions rush infuriate, dire and wild, 
 Scattering destruction like heaven's fiery bolts, 
 Hurl'd from the dark abode of storm, when winds 
 Tumultuous drive the thundering night along. 
 On other steed he mounts and high careers 
 Through the wide uproar. Mighty nations reel 
 Before the army by his presence fir'd. 
 Night veil'd the horrid field ; but Blucher rous'd 
 His bleeding forces to maintain the strife ; 
 Leading the van. Again the dreadful shock 
 Of furious armies tragic scenes disclos'd : 
 All La Ilothiere was wrapt in warring flames 
 Alternate with thick darkness. Havoc there 
 With maw distended, drove with fearful speed 
 The dogs of slaughter round the laboring fight, 
 Terrors and furies screaming in their course. 
 
 At length the French in midnight's gloom reign, 
 Withdrew their legions from the direful fray, 
 Which swallow'd thousands of the bold and brave. 
 
 There fell Bouvier, of valient men the pride ; 
 Heroic patience, persevering zeal 
 Were his ; bereft of hands by Russian frost, 
 He yet bore fatal sword ; fronting his band, 
 And midst the tempest of the fight he died. 
 There Mo watt perish'd in his glory's bloom ; 
 Beneath the tempest of his arm war groan'd 
 And stormy battle wheel'd ; like some tall oak, 
 
504 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 Whose broad unyielding arms made whirlwinds moan 
 Their vain assault, by thunder prostrate laid, 
 He fell, transpierced by balls. ~No more his peers 
 In doubtful fray on him turn hopeful eyes : 
 Their rock of fight is scatter'd in the dust ; 
 Nought lives of Mowatt but an empty name. 
 As wild winds prostrate forests, Discord laid 
 Unnumber'd thousands on the crimson ground : 
 Fair youths, rejoicing for the days to .come, 
 And seniors, careless of Hope's nattering tales ; 
 All ghastly wan ; no more defeat will grieve, 
 Nor victory glad their breasts, in death clay cold. 
 Unhappy France, whose frown made nations mourn, 
 And thou, among whose courtiers kings were seen, 
 Must meet the doom rash enterprize provokes, 
 And teach the strong to reverence Justice' bounds, 
 All sacred, nor them pass, though Avarice tempt, 
 Hope promise, and Ambition's voice conceal 
 The present ill with views of future good. 
 
 The French repass'd the Aube, and fir'd its bridge. 
 At Chattillon ambassadors now meet : 
 For Prussia, Humboldt ; France, Yizenza's Duke ; 
 For England, Stewart, Cathcart, Aberdeen. 
 In Razumowski Russia there appear'd ; 
 In Stadion Austria. These, for peace, demand 
 That France relinquish Belgium, and resume 
 Her ancient limits. Caulaincourt's despatch, 
 Divulging the hard terms, her Emperor reads 
 In trouble ; Maret and Berthier, with zeal, 
 Urge their acceptance. He to peace inclines, 
 Thus pondering silent o'er his luckless plight : 
 
 Alas ! to circumstances all must yield : 
 Sol's fires unfed must fail, and he in gloom 
 Midst faded planets mourn. My throne, ill arm'd, 
 Will cease t' exert a vivifying power, 
 And I, in grief, shall look o'er blighted France. 
 State after state, lopp'd by the arm of Jove, 
 Has from my Empire pass'd. When I assum'd 
 
THE KA.POLEAD. 505 
 
 This purple, full of thorny cares, France held 
 
 The Alps and Rhine, her natural limits ; now 
 
 E'en Belgium fast is crumbling from her side. 
 
 Can I to this assent ? The Bourbon might 
 
 Then let him be restored. But where shall I 
 
 Find rest and safety ? Did not Fox say well, 
 
 That kings, restor'd, forgive not those who fill'd 
 
 Their thrones ? May monarchs that to me have bow'd 
 
 Beyond the Rhine, not wish me far remov'd, 
 
 When Russia threatens ? When their subjects mourn 
 
 My power's declension ? Hannibal affords 
 
 A mournful illustration of the snares 
 
 That compass helpless greatness. Distant realms 
 
 Gave him no shelter from the shafts of Rome : 
 
 She fear'd his mere existence. Can I hope, 
 
 Untroubled, life's sad pilgrimage to end ? 
 
 Or that the world hath place of rest for me ? 
 
 come, kind grave, your dark embrace shall hide 
 The ingrate's meanness, and the flatterer's praise 
 From my tir'd senses. Patriotism calls 
 
 All France to arms ; but calls, alas ! in vain ; 
 
 1 stand, a head, upon a shrivell'd trunk, 
 Its vital heat, its patriot warmth decay'd 
 So much, the insults of barbarous hordes 
 Scarce stir the national blood ; as Nature's self 
 Were chang'd, attraction and repulsion lost, 
 And toil-worn totter'd on dark chaos' verge.' 
 
 Naples has left our cause : Eugene can send 
 No succor o'er the Alps to Augereau . 
 Denmark obeys Necessity, and leaves 
 My failing fortunes. Wellington invades 
 From Spain, and thrice my numbers threat my rear, 
 That now, in mass resistless, onward pour, 
 Too well instructed in my rules of war. 
 Still, I shall wait till morn, ere I direct 
 Th' acceptance of the odious basis. Sleep ! 
 Drown in your balmy tide my cares. Thus he, 
 Down lying careless on the grateful bed. 
 
506 POEMS OF THOMA.S HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And straight in slumber's downy arms repos'd. 
 
 But, ere day dawn'd, returning scouts made known 
 To th' wak'd Emperor, that th' opposing powers, 
 Though taught the advantage of each other's aid 
 At La Eothiere, and at Brienne its need, 
 Had separated ; Schwartzenberg in front 
 Remain'd ; but Blucher to the Marne had led 
 His army, and towards Paris by that vale 
 Approach'd. His eagle eye detects the fault 
 And quick bids Oudinot and Yictor face 
 The Austrian left ; while he the country cross'd, 
 In swift pursuit of Blucher ; nor responds 
 To Caulaincourt's inquiry. Hope had now 
 The ruin promis'd of Silesia's host : 
 Accomplishing his destiny, he heeds 
 The Syren's voice, and leaves th' ambassador 
 To grope in darkness, till the sword may give 
 The needed light. He urges on his troops 
 Through pathless tracts, woods, ditches, snow and fens, 
 Towards the road, where Blucher's host, disjoin'd 
 In three divisions, march'd on Paris sure 
 That Schwartzenberg Napoleon well employ 'd. 
 At Champaubert he on the central corps, 
 By Alsufieif commanded, headlong fell, 
 Like lightning from Jove's hand and quick subdu'd. 
 
 The voice of fight made Sacken and De York 
 Retrace invasion's road, from where they view'd 
 The spires and smoke of Meaux, to Montmirail. 
 There, Gaul's impulsive Emperor them oppos'd : 
 He bids Marmont obstruct gray Blucher's march, 
 While he in torrent sweeps their hosts away. 
 
 As foaming billows thunder on the shore, 
 His valorous legions on the Prussians fall ; 
 As meets the shore the shock of boisterous waves, 
 Th' astonish'd Prussians meet the fearful charge, 
 And horrid swells the fray. The Emperor fans 
 The battle's fires ; tempestuous round he drives, 
 And lightens through the gloomy files of war. 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 507 
 
 Mars, gorgon-rob'd, and Discord hot from hell, 
 
 With blighting breath, hard laboring, shake the field ; 
 
 Dire on March aise the storm of combat rag'd ; 
 
 Thence thrice by bayonet point, the French were driven, 
 
 With odious carnage ; and the Prussians thrice 
 
 Retreated thence, in wild uproar ; at length 
 
 Half fall'n, they fled, hard press'd by thundering Gaul. 
 
 They cross the Marne, involve its bridge in flames ; 
 
 Towards Chalons retreat : Mortier pursues 
 
 O'er the deep stream, his Emperor close behind, 
 
 Till night invests the land, and morn appears 
 
 In rosy stole ; then glad, Napoleon learns, 
 
 That Blucher, ignorant of his centre's plight, 
 
 Is, with swift steps, advancing to its aid, 
 
 Driving Marmont before on Montmirail. 
 
 He bids Mortier pursue the routed powers, 
 
 While he, from Thierry, to Ragusa's Duke, 
 
 With all his guard, returns, and sudden falls, 
 
 With cavalry strong, upon th' invading foe : 
 
 Vast squadrons gallop'd on his bristling lines. 
 
 Brave Blucher, midst the iron tempest, forms 
 
 His troops in quadrates, and retreats in gore 
 
 O'er many a bloody league, till, at Chalons, 
 
 He joins the corps of Sacken De York. 
 
 There Gaul must need permit him to repose ; 
 
 For Schwartzenberg approaches Paris proud. 
 
 Him t' oppose the watchful Emperor hies ; 
 
 But leaves Marmont t' observe the Prussian chief. 
 
 E'en now his Fontainbleau hears hostile arms : 
 
 But, ere two days, on Nangis he descends. 
 
 There, driving Oudinot's and Victor's bands 
 
 Before, towards Paris proudly march'd th' allies. 
 
 Impetuous on them, like a tempest dark, 
 That sweeps the heaven and earth, and rolls the waves 
 Far off their wonted shore, Napoleon rush'd 
 In the strong panoply of valiant hearts. 
 His foes amaz'd, exclaim : Can this be him, 
 And these the troops, who late on Blucher warr'd ! 
 
508 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Has not some Angel, Guardian of the land, 
 Borne hither its arm'd sons in gloomy clouds 1 
 What active valor animates the Chief ! 
 With half our numbers he defeats our aims ! 
 And loud the battle rages ; slaughtering guns 
 Pour ruin forth, and strew the field with death ; 
 Squadrons encounter squadrons, fury wing'd ; 
 Steeds rear and plunge, arms clash, disploding burn, 
 And horrid tumult many a furlong reigns. 
 The dread commotion fills an empire's bounds ; 
 Pyrenee calls to Alp, and Alp throws back the roar. 
 Soon fly the nations ; by dire terrors driven, 
 They cross the Seine, France thundering on their rear. 
 On JVIontereau then rolls the storm of fight, 
 Where Wirternberg's brave Prince th' allies controll'd. 
 Short time he stood the rage of furious Gaul ; 
 Conducted by her King of mighty name, 
 Like torrent floods, or burning winds, she drove 
 O'er many a league her potent foe far oft 
 Th' vicinage of her Paris, beyond Troyes. 
 
 J^or twice seven rounds had made the orb of day, 
 When Oudinot and sage McDonald, left 
 To check the numerous host of Schwartzenberg, 
 The indefatigable Chief of France 
 Returns to oppose the vast Silesian host 
 O'er Aisne's stream his war-worn veterans leads : 
 Then on Craone loud storm of combat rose ; 
 De York and Sacken, after peerless fray, 
 Flew his fierce presence, and the deadly field, 
 O'erstrown with thousands, and at Laon took 
 Position strong, defying their great foe. 
 
 Nor had Hyperion twice drove round the day, 
 Ere Gaul advanc'd beneath the fog of morn, 
 To renovate the angry flames of fight. 
 Twice forty thousand men her banners bore. 
 Gleaming in steel, and tipt with wavy plumes, 
 These led by skillful chiefs, at once begin 
 The mournful fray, thundering amain ; nor less 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 509 
 
 Th' assail'd Silesians. Wide around, the lands 
 
 And skies were wrapt in flames and smoky gloom ; 
 
 Earth trembled under raging squadrons, bent 
 
 On havoc vast, and tiers of thunderers huge, 
 
 Spouting big cataracts of fire and death. 
 
 All day th' earth-shaking battle rag'd, and night 
 
 Faint truce impos'd. Twice Sol meridian blaz'd 
 
 On the great conflict, and twice left the field 
 
 Groaning in darkness. Blucher scarce sustain'd 
 
 The deadly shock, save where warr'd Sacken and De York ; 
 
 There, as the dismal day hung in the west, 
 
 Veiling his radiance in the misty air, 
 
 France from their death-dispensing front recoil'd, 
 
 Deep fraught with ruin unpursu'd, for sore 
 
 Her foemen tarried on selected ground, 
 
 O'erspread with ruins of the form divine. 
 
 Now Discord and her demons, wrapt in clouds, 
 Roll'd up the cone of night with stormy sound, 
 And, as they soar'd, thus sung the hideous crew : 
 
 To see Napoleon bound from host to host, 
 O'er floods and hills, deep snow and miry vales, 
 Against such odds contending, fills with joy, 
 As when the Titans cast the hills at Jove, 
 And he and Nature on the rebels fell : 
 One storm then wrapp'd the globe, that quak'd and rock'd 
 Beneath gigantic forms, reeling before 
 Th' Almighty's blow:, from clime to clime ; each step 
 Passing broad zones. One hand the frigid swept, 
 The other, in the torrid, seiz'd an isle, 
 Or mountain huge, and hurl'd it through the heavens. 
 Th' abruptions vast made vales for watery worlds. 
 With smiles, th' Eternal their presumption sees, 
 Assists the upward flight of mountains ; gives 
 Auxiliar strength ; dilates, in central caves, 
 Th' imprison'd air, that breaks Earth's ribs, and sends 
 The Moon from out her bowels, ne'er to fall, 
 But wheel forever round the fearful scene, 
 And, constant, at her shatter'd parent gaze. 
 
510 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES 
 
 Seeds, from the gloomy deep upthrown, now felt 
 
 The vital heat. New forms of being rose. 
 
 Th' internal fires broke out on every side : 
 
 Etna to Cotopaxi call'd in groans. 
 
 Far Hecla loudly roar'd, and audience claim'd, 
 
 Midst deep-ton'd thunders, and all heaven on fire 
 
 With quivering lightnings, bursting from thick clouds, 
 
 Borne by rock-tossing winds, that forests bore 
 
 In rustling uproar on their thundering wings. 
 
 At either pole storm'd Winter, and between 
 
 Blaz'd thunderbolts, and floods and tempests rag'd. 
 
 Whole oceans bounded from their beds in foam, 
 
 Like tigers from their lairs, unnumber'd leagues 
 
 Above the highest mountains, in their course 
 
 Sweeping whole continents. The giants toil 
 
 Beneath the tempest, staggering to and fro : 
 
 Now in th' Atlantic, now in India's deep, 
 
 On Labrador's and then on Falkland's shore 
 
 They trod, and shook the globe ; as when a tar 
 
 Leaps quick from side to side, on some small boat 
 
 And shakes and rolls it with the shifting weight. 
 
 At length, th' Eternal hurls a comet huge 
 
 Unnumber'd miles along the crashing earth, 
 
 That sweeps the rebels from her stormy face 
 
 Far east, toward the region of the Sun. 
 
 Earth on her axis, still the impulsion feels ; 
 
 Her surface smouldering, with the attrition glow'd, 
 
 Her woods were charr'd and swept to beds of coal, 
 
 Quench'd by the fall of mountains, interchang'd : 
 
 While ocean boil'd and raging roll'd in flame. 
 
 The spirit of the Titans still remains ; 
 Still man against himself and Heaven rebels. 
 Unhappy being ! for our sport he dies ; 
 To get a bauble plunges worlds in war ; 
 He runs on death to win the praise of fools ; 
 His right determines by contention dire. 
 He millions pays that knaves may thousands gain ; 
 His conduct proves, with him unnumber'd lives 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 511 
 
 Can not outweigh a phantom ; wo of realms, 
 
 And death of myriads scarce suffice to test 
 
 A statesman's scheme to seize his neighbor's gold. 
 
 The will of one makes many millions mourn, 
 
 Since in societies the race have joined. 
 
 What hopeful prospect rational man presents ! 
 
 Obtruding Wisdom, not maturing Time, 
 
 Nor Christ's pacific lore shall change his ways ; 
 
 Rejoice, then, dark companions ; Earth is ours ; 
 
 We still shall quaff the gore of battle-fields, 
 
 We still shall hold communion with mankind, 
 
 Inspire their counsels and direct their deeds. 
 
 Rejoice, O Sovereign of th' infernal world ; 
 
 Thrice louder let the blazing tempests howl, 
 
 In joy of our great prevalence on this globe, 
 
 Of all the planets most to us endear'd, 
 
 Its tenants more to wo than bliss inclin'd. 
 
 Ah ! could the souls, that wander on the winds, 
 
 Their great discoveries tell, our sway would end ; 
 
 But all their organs moulder in the grave, 
 
 That may win audience of material forms. 
 
 Roll on, contention's years ! Ye gladsome days 
 
 Advance, when warring hosts, pour'd from the north, 
 
 And from Napoleon's fall, shall glut our shrine. 
 
 Thou, Wisdom, source of peace and human bliss, 
 
 Reside with man no more, nor harm our reign. 
 
 Thus they, in darkness, and now morn advanc'd 
 With blushing cheek and golden tresses fair, 
 Showering new life along the brightening world. 
 
 Upon Soisons the frustrate French retir'd ; 
 Which, garrison'd, they speed to Rheims ; St. Priest 
 There held position. Nor had Phoebus thrice 
 Blaz'd o'er the world, when Gaul against him drove 
 With thunders, bayonets, flames and iron showers. 
 Long, with disastrous violence, rag'd the fray : 
 At length, th' allies resign'd the mournful field, 
 Where early fell their chief, by cruel ball 
 Hurl'd headlong from his prancing steed on heaps 
 
512 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Of dying mortals, quivering, cold and pale : 
 Like a fair rose, torn from its parent trunk, 
 That, faded, withers on the sultry plain, 
 Its living red and grateful fragrance gone, 
 The lifeless general lay with kindred dust. 
 Unnumber'd captives victor France retaiii'd. 
 Much Schwartzenberg the wasteful conflict mourn'd, 
 Which broke a needed link in hope's bright chain ; 
 But when seven suns on St. Priest's grave had shone 
 In front of Arcis came the Austrian chief, 
 Frowning defiance on Napoleon's power. 
 And now Necessity thus Wisdom moves : 
 
 Gaul's Emperor, reaping error's fruit, demands 
 Thy aid. On him much rests. Fair Science mourns 
 His wo ; but Inquisition whets her fangs 
 And views, with ghastly joy, his tottering power. 
 His genius shines out cloudless at my call ; 
 But force must be oppos'd by force ; he stands 
 Too weak to cope with either hostile host. 
 Shall he the frontier posts or Paris seek 
 T' increase his army ? Help him backward turn 
 The tide, that threatens France and liberty. 
 His late bad counsellors around us mourn : 
 Ambition asks of Prudence glory's road ; 
 Pride views her faults, and sickens at the sight ; 
 E'en Yanity laments ; Conviction holds 
 Such dazzling reign ! Thus Need, and Wisdom then 
 
 For him 'twere best to march to Paris curb 
 The factions there, and fight before her walls. 
 To threat his foe's communications would 
 Best serve his country whom he seeks to serve. 
 Who risk'd his life may risk his crown for her, 
 And to the patriot sacrifice the man. 
 
 Thus she ; Ambition reassured, begins : 
 I blame myself no more, for having turn'd 
 His thoughts from Chattillon to Blucher's host. 
 When pondering the power-palsying terms of peace ; 
 For now Captivity, with menace stern, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 513 
 
 Looks on the federate sovereigns ; proud success 
 
 Smiles on his trophied Eagles, and Renown 
 
 Lifts her loud trumpet to astound the world. 
 
 Yet, since diplomacy no longer aids, 
 
 I fear hope flash'd to light him to the tomb ; 
 
 That e'en success, to urge his fate, was given ; 
 
 That five successive victories only prove 
 
 Europe unsafe, with France in hands so brave ! 
 
 Vain dread the frontier fortresses will yield 
 
 The needed reinforcements harder terms 
 
 Will not be ask'd of Austria's relative 
 
 Than were required at Chattillon ; besides, 
 
 The lily cannot bloom in Austria's sun ; 
 
 For thus Louisa's father has declar'd. 
 
 She ceas'd, and Wisdom darts, like ray of light, 
 From Need's rough dome along th' expansion blue, 
 Mid frolic breezes wafting silvery clouds 
 Descends on Arcis, and the Chief bespeaks : 
 
 Here Sohnprtzenberg approaches, Blucher there ; 
 March quick between them, and attain their rear ; 
 There war, while Marmont and the national guard 
 Defend fair Paris, and the federate kings 
 Shall not escape, if thou victorious prove ; 
 But owe again their forfeit crowns to thee. 
 
 She spoke, he pass'd the Aube, towards Vitry march'd, 
 But first on Schwartzenberg's gigantic host 
 Infuriate rush'd ; with boldness weakness hides. 
 He gains their rear, and much th' allies alarms ; 
 On him the look, as pious pilgrims view 
 A lion, intercepting their return 
 To populous caravan, which slow proceeds 
 Through the pale wilderness to Mecca's shrine. 
 
 Deceit and sly Intrigue long time had rode 
 In gloom, avoiding day, accompan'ing night 
 Over vast continents, and lonely seas ; 
 But now the twain remit the dark pursuit 
 To circle France : Observing Fortune cast 
 A doubtful radiance on her Emperor's throne, 
 33 
 
514 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Her lowering changeful face, they thought, design'd 
 
 Great revolution in th' affairs of men ; 
 
 And thence took courage : Wellington they saw 
 
 Advancing far in Gaul, compelling Soult 
 
 From field to field in gore ; and Austrian force 
 
 In Lyons, and th' allies, with numerous hosts, 
 
 Twixt Paris and Napoleon interpos'd. 
 
 Intrigue, assuming Borgo's form and air, 
 
 Thus timely Schwartzenberg address'd : Why not 
 
 A revolution, as a treaty, make ? 
 
 For know, the nation's not the Emperor's weal 
 
 Employs the most distinguish'd sons of Gaul : 
 
 Corruption throws her soul-debasing darts, 
 
 And Patriotism toils to blast his power : 
 
 Both Honesty and Fraud conspire his fall ! 
 
 By venturing all you venture nothing still ; 
 
 To Paris then be War himself dethron'd 
 
 Nor heed Napoleon threatening in thy rear. 
 
 She ceases flies to Paris takes the for*| 
 Of Talleyrand the Senate moves, and shows 
 Rebellion is not treason, when the force 
 Of banded Europe justifies the deed. 
 
 Then to Marmont departs and thus begins : 
 Oh Chief! behold two hundred thousand foes, 
 Foes, not of France, but of the man you serve, 
 Approach our Paris ; canst thou stop their march ? 
 Thy late attempts against their van were vain ; 
 Why sacrifice thy troops for him, whom France 
 No longer deems her Emperor ? Then remit 
 Thy hostile toil ; with warlike honors yield, 
 And let the nations glad the world with peace. 
 
 She spoke, and thus the war-worn Chief replied : 
 One who for Gaul has bled and toil'd so long, 
 When Paris' barriers by th' allies are forc'd, 
 May sacrifice the Emperor to the state ; 
 E'en Patriotism will command the deed, 
 When loyalty to him is perfidy to France. 
 Thus he ; then swift to Augereau, the power, 
 
THE JSTAPOLEAD. 515 
 
 t 
 
 With like intent, discourses, and the Chief 
 Makes like reply. And now eight times had Sol 
 From Aries cast his vivifying beams, 
 When Schwartzenberg, near Paris' walls appeared ; 
 There thrice three hours rag'd battle, scattering death, 
 Wielding his thunders and tempestuous showers : 
 Marmont, with slender force, and valor great, 
 The torrent breasts ; at length, to save the town, 
 He truce obtains ; in Paris stalk the kings. 
 
 Meantime to Fontainbleau ISTapoleon comes, 
 A day too late to keep his tottering power. 
 Still jovial, undepress'd, his host reviews 
 Bids !N"ey, McDonald, Caulincourt defend 
 His dynasty before the victor kings, 
 And do the best for France, nor him regard : 
 Th' ambassadors depart, and urge his views : 
 While yet they speak, the march of Marmont's corps 
 Within the lines of the allies is learn'd : 
 The weighty fact the sovereigns move to claim 
 An unconditional abdication of the throne. 
 The Senate straight decree his reign has ceas'd, 
 And call the Bourbon to the helm again. 
 The flatterers groping for the stronger side, 
 Soon see a fiend where late an angel stood. 
 
 Th' ambassadors to Fountainbleau return. 
 !Ney in his palace finds the fallen Chief, 
 And thus bespeaks him : Sire, ' tis vain to seek 
 Thy dynasty's continuance : Force prescribes 
 Our movements now : ' Tis wise in man to yield 
 To what his efforts cannot overcome. 
 Marmont has quit thy cause, on plight thou live 
 In circumscrib'd domain ; his corps has pass'd 
 Within the enemy's lines : This luckless deed 
 Came to the sovereigns' knowledge while we urg'd 
 The object of our mission ; straight they claim'd 
 Thy unconditional abdication ; next 
 The Senate snatch'd the sceptre from thy hands ! 
 For revolutions never backward move : 
 
516 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 All seek power's rising sun. : So fates adverse 
 Darken our path. Thus lie ; Napoleon heard, 
 With indignation fir'd, and quick' replied : 
 
 Great boon, indeed, Ragusa's Duke has given ; 
 He takes my gold, yet kind, the dross returns, 
 Grateful, perhaps, for all my favors past ! 
 Can I such gifts accept from less than Heaven ? 
 The Senate equal obloquy deserve : 
 If (as is charg'd) I have despis'd mankind, 
 Their recent conduct proves the opinion just. 
 As vines embrace the oak they round me twin'd 
 While revolution's tempest shook the land ; 
 To foreign branches now they fondly cling, 
 Begardless of the trunk up which they rose. 
 The soil whence came my tempest-braving power, 
 Was France and God, it never came of them, 
 Who now so modest grant another's throne. 
 
 All is" not lost ; I might to Italy march 
 With yon brave host, and yet the crown retain ; 
 Or, concentrating all our forces, show, 
 More Capitals than mine in hostile hands, 
 Or, back returning, glut our soil with gore 
 Of foes and traitors, and our sway resume ; 
 But the sole obstacle to earth's repose 
 I bide no longer : Be the throne resign'd 
 By me and all my race ; e'en life itself 
 I will upon my country's altar pour 
 To make her happy. Thus the hero spoke. 
 His abdication swift to Paris flew, 
 And on its pinions smil'd all bounteous peace. 
 
 To him the sovereignty of Elba's isle 
 The arbiters of Europe straight assign, 
 That ocean's vast embrace may far detain, 
 Divested of his king-alarming power. 
 
 When twice ten suns had budding April grac'd, 
 Th' unthron'd Napoleon leaves his Fountainbleau, 
 Addressing first his guard : Brave men, our doom 
 Is to be separate ; Heaven's o'erruling power 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 517 
 
 Has so ordain 'd ; but though with you no more 
 I tread the tented field, yet will I trace 
 Your ways, observe your conduct, and enjoy 
 The dear reflection, that ye once were mine, 
 And I was yours. Know that ye have my love. 
 Your actions much deserve. All I cannot embrace ; 
 But will your general, with respect to all. 
 
 The Emperor thus, majestic in his grief, 
 While mourning thousands heard bedew'd with tears, 
 And sorrow cast a sullen glory round. 
 Cambronne advanc'd from midst the weeping train ; 
 Him the great chief, with mournful grandeur, held 
 To the bold breast long fraught with Europe's doom, 
 The soul-born tears slow trickling from their eyes ; 
 The trophied standard then embrac'd sublime, 
 Great triumphs blazing on th' imposing scene ; 
 So bade adieu to victory's eagled sign, 
 And into exile took lamented way, 
 Pursu'd by Gaul's proud genius, and the tears 
 Of millions griev'd. Britannia's bark convey 'd 
 Th' unconquer'd hero to the destiii'd isle, 
 O'er the wide rolling deep ; and as he sail'd 
 Fair Wisdom comes resplendent from her skies, 
 To him sole visitor, and thus begins : 
 
 Thou fall'st not with thy throne, more than the hill 
 With its tall forest, when before the gale 
 Wide countries reel, and from each mountain's brow 
 Is torn its verdant cloud ; still mild and bald 
 It stands indifferent midst the tempest's rage, 
 And soon resumes its wonted youthful green. 
 From this position every fault appears, 
 Which lopp'd thy power ; with vexing clearness shines 
 The better course neglected, which pursu'd, 
 Napoleon still had been the king of kings, 
 And still triumphant o'er his foes, as now 
 Triumphant o'er his miseries ; nor I blame ; 
 'Tis luckless, not reproachful, to be wrong'd ; 
 'Tis not in man to shun perfidious wiles : 
 
518 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Night-shrouded fraud eludes the hero's sword, 
 
 And fatal crime abuses Wisdom's trust. 
 
 Thy part was well perform'd : it now remains 
 
 To bear with patience what thou canst not shun, 
 
 And from adversity snatch living crowns, 
 
 Of which nor fraud nor arms nor Fortune can deprive. 
 
 Thus speaks the power divine. The chief replies : 
 I know too well that life all things outweighs, 
 That all its dignity is virtue, and its pomp 
 A trifling ornament to lay it down 
 In grief for sceptre's pageantry and power. 
 They pain their kings when kings their people bless ; 
 Such labor honest sovereigns must perform ! 
 Let thrones attract the bubble-chasing world ; 
 For such I am not weak enough to die ; 
 Nor eager as to suffer France to bleed 
 At every pore to keep my royal state. 
 
 Yon isle is not too small for happiness ; 
 Nor shall renown forget Napoleon there : 
 His pen shall tell the deeds of former days, 
 Delineating his laborious life. 
 Of what is done 'tis better to dispose, 
 Than let it perish while performing more. 
 
 He ceas'd, the fair one mounts her native skies, 
 Involv'd in golden clouds, and near the throne 
 Of Heaven's eternal Monarch, thus begins : 
 
 Omnipotent Creator, deign to hear 
 Thy "Wisdom's voice of things in Europe's realms : 
 When angry late, thou saw'st her kings conspire 
 'Gainst human rights, while thunders rock'd thy throne, 
 And darkness round thee roll'd, thou badst me guide 
 One gifted man to peerless height of power 
 In that great state awak'd to Freedom's charms, 
 And him endue with mercy to forgive 
 Those he might conquer : Great Napoleon rose 
 From that high mandate, and the thrones around 
 Long trembled at his arms ; war, glory-plum'd, 
 Trampled the nations low, and sham'd their kings, 
 
THE NAPOLEAD. 419 
 
 Thtfugh not destroy'd : at length, in pride of power, 
 He strove to vanquish Russia ; in her clime 
 Victor he march'd, and had her king subdned ; 
 But the unlucky passions rul'd him there, 
 And I, delay'd by Heaven to stop their sway, 
 Till hoary winter scowl' d with gathering storms, 
 Scarce sav'd him and his host from icy graves ; 
 For soon benumbing algor, tempest-borne, 
 Chill'd the wide land, and heap'd with silvery snow ; 
 Then congregated nations on him warr'd ; 
 He lean'd on interest, duty, nature, all in vain ! 
 ~Nor I could aid, e'en when in France he brav'd 
 The rage of conjunct states ; for treason there 
 My plan defeated and the hero falls 
 From his proud eminence of imperial power 
 Lo ! how magnanimous, he bids not blood 
 To flow in civil strife, to save his crown : 
 For France and glory may her children bleed 
 But not her sceptred servant ! such his thoughts, 
 While he resigns the greatest throne of earth, 
 And seeks repose in Elba's humble isle. 
 Too w r ell he knows the worth of regal power 
 To deem it needful to the bliss of life, 
 Or listen to the voice of wounded pride ; 
 Let me intreat, then, that he reascend 
 The Gallic throne, his wisdom to reward, 
 And teach the world the folly of despair. 
 For mortals marvel that he fall and lives, 
 Condemn the patience which on misery smiles, 
 And measuring (vain attempt) his soul by theirs, 
 Blame conduct past their comprehension great. 
 Thus spoke th' immortal fair ; the starry hall 
 And dazzling throne seem'd listening to her voice, 
 When from a cloud of living gold, sublime, 
 Jehovah blaz'd insufferably bright ; 
 The conscious ether glow'd ; on Wisdom shone 
 Superior majesty, adorn'd with rays 
 Of Heaven's approving smile, as thus he speaks : 
 
520 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Yirtue shall be rewarded and thy sons 
 Shall know our bounty : we thy prayer approve ; 
 Though fate forbid Napoleon keep the throne, 
 Till death relieve him from terrestrial woes, 
 He, ere two summers shall have spent their rays, 
 Shall reascend, but transient time endure 
 Its labors, that mankind may wisdom learn ; 
 Such is our will, and such the hero's doom. 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION 
 
 AND OTHER POEMS. 
 
 THE FATAL DISUNION. 
 
 THE "Fatal Disunion" alludes to the history of the United 
 States until the introduction of Joseph ; and afterwards to 
 the supposed consequences of their political bigotry. Lucius 
 may be considered the leader of the Federal, and Gurus of the 
 Democratic Party. It was written during the Hartford Con 
 vention : is intended to show the liability of man to work his 
 own ruin ; the tendency of infatuation, and the danger of dis 
 union among ourselves. 
 
 ANALYSIS. 
 
 A Father* having done much for the benefit of his family, whose resi 
 dencef and history are described, desirous of continuing to them his bless 
 ings beyond his life, advises them to obey their Mother,:}: remain united, 
 attend to each other's welfare, and guard against certain vices. His coun 
 sel is applauded. Agreeable to the will of the mother, a leader or overseer 
 of their State is elected for four years, by the name of John,|| who retains 
 his power till suspected of designs against their liberty, which draws on 
 him reproach. Tom is elected in his stead ; who rules with more art, but 
 less to their good ; resigns in good season, and is succeeded by Joseph,^ a 
 man of moderation, in whose reign the hostility of discordant factions occa 
 sions sad disregard of the monitions and government of their parents the 
 litigants clamor against each other ; the party in minority rejoice at the 
 misfortunes of the State, alleging them to the incapacity of the rulers, and 
 form an alliance with their natural enemy, who invades their dominions on 
 pretence of attacking Joseph ; he, seeing the threatened danger, implores 
 their assistance in repelling the foe, together with the Mother ; their en 
 deavors proving fruitless, she retires to a neighboring mountain, and there 
 weeping, dissolves to a sulphureous stream. Joseph, with his faithful few, 
 combats the enemy ; is overcome ; the invaders pursue their victory, de- 
 
 * Washington. f The United States. \ The Constitution, 
 
 || Adams, Jefferson. T[ Madison. 
 
522 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIX. 
 
 stroying in their course the joint property of the discordant brothers, and 
 take, notwithstanding the traitorous treaty, the defectious alike with the 
 vanquished captives, after witnessing the destruction of their native seats. 
 
 A LOFTY building stood in happy lands, 
 
 Of noble frame, and reared by Valor's hand ; 
 
 Twice nine fair columns grace its front sublime, 
 
 Founded on bases that should rival time, 
 
 Bearing memorials of the patriots dear 
 
 That give to deathless fame their great career, 
 
 Whose exit Yirtue still regards with sighs 
 
 While pious sorrows dim her radiant eyes : 
 
 Bright Honor decks their tombs with ceaseless care, 
 
 And Admiration dwells enamor'd there. 
 
 An ample field the lofty pile surrounds, 
 And lakes and oceans mark its utmost bounds ; 
 O'er which Bellona from o'er waters far 
 Once furious rushing wag'd destructive war ; 
 The country's father then great efforts made, 
 Forth rushing, stain'd with hostile blood his blade, 
 Reliev'd his people, won the victor crown, 
 And lives the dearest object of renown. 
 
 Ere rose the temple in despair of aid, 
 Wept liberty, the all-endearing maid. 
 But when the brilliant pile stupendous rose, 
 Secure from greedy kings and traitor foes, 
 The nymph triumphant heavenly charms display'd ; 
 By laws protected which the virtuous made, 
 Assum'd high sway ; her flag o'er navies hung 
 In every clime ; her songs of triumphs sung, 
 And promis'd her dominion to maintain, 
 Until imprison'd in death's cold domain. 
 
 The chief constructor of the beauteous dome, 
 Illum'd with love and hope of heaven to come ; 
 Beholding death approaching, and the grave, 
 His children summon'd, and this counsel gave : 
 
 Your watchful sire will soon be lifeless clay, 
 Oppress'd with age he goes the downward way ; 
 By hard toils form'd and with experience wise, 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION. 523 
 
 'Tis deem'd his duty to his sons t' advise : 
 Then with well-heeding mind to him attend, 
 And learn the dictates of a sire and friend. 
 
 In human breasts an erring fury dwells, 
 Which often virtue, often reason quells, 
 But statutes most, or some o'erruling power 
 Whom all should sanction, if not all adore. 
 Then let your mother, author of your state, 
 Whose love and wisdom shine supremely great, 
 With unrestrain'd dominion o'er you sway, 
 And all transact as she directs the way. 
 To do her will let ev'ry one unite, 
 Nor be deter'd by jealousy nor spite ; 
 Nor private int'rest, which the mean controls, 
 And drags in snaky paths their little souls. 
 
 When foes harass, and dangers low'r around, 
 Let all united guard their native ground 
 By her direction, whose superior cares 
 Arise from wisdom of maturer years. 
 
 As sacred union only can sustain 
 Your future bliss, this carefully maintain : 
 The rods so hard to break in bundle tied, 
 Are snapp'd with ease as you the mass divide. 
 To that let all your laws and deeds agree, 
 As various limbs to form one kindred tree ; 
 As streams from various courses mix and pour, 
 More straight and forceful than they flow'd before ; 
 Let each with all in union's strength combine, 
 And sectional aims for general good resign ; 
 And who but hints that union to destroy, 
 Deem him your foe, or in some foe's employ. 
 But e'en the best of things in human use 
 May be perverted to intense abuse : 
 And if a few whom local interests join, 
 To blight the freedom of the rest combine ; 
 Let such not in the sacred Union's name 
 Demand submission to their deeds of shame ! 
 When power through all is equally diffused 
 
524 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 'Tis less obnoxious then to be abused ; 
 But if concenter'd on an interest, then 
 It saps the virtue of inconstant men 
 Who purchas'd by that interest soon resign 
 The peoples' right, who fear no ill design, 
 Till reft of all of freedom but the name, 
 Find citizen and slave to mean the same. 
 
 Most nations lose their liberty by sleep. 
 Unceasing care, alone, the bliss can keep. 
 Tyrannic thieves somniiic portions deal, 
 Till those who see not must confess they feel 
 Severe exactions, which their substance draws, 
 By what they think their own enacted laws. 
 O'er all your actions hold untrammel'd sway, 
 Nor by alliances be led astray ; 
 Nor love nor hatred of your neighbors swerve 
 You from the rules which best your interests serve. 
 In times of peace, for times of w r ar prepare, 
 To spread the means of knowledge be your care. 
 Let Virtue with Religion's aid advance ; 
 Be just ; for Justice w r ill your power enhance ; 
 She reverence wins, nor brings distrustful fear, 
 But Yice in power implies a danger near 
 To both yourselves and neighbors ; trust not then 
 With grave affairs, but wise and honest men ; 
 Their life and conduct ever strictly scan, 
 For as the private is the public man. 
 Trust not the weak, though honest, for a fool 
 Too soon of cunning knaves becomes the tool ; 
 These make well-meaning statesmen undermine 
 The structure whose protection they design. 
 Unblest by wisdom, Honesty may will, 
 But greatly forward knavery's projects still. 
 The public good to private interest yields, 
 When Lobby force the legislation wields. 
 
 Against infatuation always guard, 
 And liberty and peace will well reward ; 
 For she, dire monster, happy States o'erthrows, 
 And spreads around the w r orld devouring foes. 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION. 525 
 
 Against her reason and mild virtue war, 
 And with her adjuncts, pride and ignorance, jar : 
 But she, victorious in a vulgar throng, 
 Extends her form, and sweeps the world along. 
 
 In proper friendship with your neighbors live, 
 Improve with industry what heaven may give. 
 Upon each other mutually depend, 
 And all unto each brother's wants attend ; 
 That blissful glory through my race may flow, 
 And glad my spirit in the shades below. 
 
 With grateful hearts the rev'rend sire they hear, 
 His hoary locks and kind advice revere, 
 Declaring loud before attesting Jove 
 And all the pow'rs that rule the realms above, 
 To heed his lore, their mother's will obey, 
 And only act as she directs the way. 
 
 Soon, Time the father to the tomb conveys, 
 To whom proud monuments his children raise. 
 Dark vesture round the shining temple spread, 
 In mournful splendor for its patron dead ; 
 And through its num'rous halls and blooming plains, 
 Rais'd lamentations loud, and dolorous strains : 
 
 Then safe directed by parental hand, 
 All cultivate their patrimonial land : 
 Between each column of the federal dome, 
 A door unfolding op'd to each a home : 
 Where each a common family maintain'd 
 In local bliss ; domestic rules ordain'd, 
 And furnish'd laborers for the general weal, 
 Distinguish'd for their greatness or their zeal. 
 
 It was accordant to the parent's will 
 That sub-directors should her laws fulfill, 
 While she supreme in quiet glory reign'd ; 
 For that her children call'd, and thus ordain'd : 
 
 Illustrious offspring, by my guardian pow'r 
 These rules are form'd which in remembrance store ; 
 Perform their full intent, secure from blame, 
 And emulate your mighty father's fame, 
 
526 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENET. 
 
 Who pass'd a radiant life to human good, 
 And vanish'd guiltless of his country's blood ; 
 Who rais'd this temple, gave it charms divine, 
 And bade me govern our transcendent line. 
 Select a ruler from your virtuous peers, 
 Who safe shall lead your four revolving years ; 
 Direct the manner to adorn the field, 
 With pleasure to my sacred precepts yield, 
 Deliver true description of his deeds, 
 And honest prove of all the States' proceeds. 
 
 To whom let ev'ry one prefer his pray'r, 
 And sure expect a second father there. 
 But if invidious to your rights he reign, 
 Appeal to me, that he from wrong refrain ; 
 Who, if rebellious, then persists to wield 
 A grievous sceptre, or neglects the field, 
 Shall never more by our assent command, 
 Disgrac'd and banish'd from his native land ; 
 A parent's heavy curses on his head, 
 His life shall darken, nor forsake him dead. 
 
 With high concern attend to justice' scale ; 
 In all elections let the just prevail. 
 From them you need not fear reproach or harm ; 
 Mere justice more than force will foes disarm. 
 
 Thus speaks the parent, loud applauses rise 
 Through all the dome, and echo in the skies. 
 The question offer'd, which of all the train 
 Was most endued with faculties to reign ? 
 Some altercation rose, and vain debate, 
 At length to John was given the reins of state : 
 A person fit in sovereign rule to shine, 
 The second glory of a radiant line : 
 But soon, alas ! the libellers began, 
 As shone his merit, to condemn the man : 
 But he, regardless of their malice, sway'd, 
 And for their comfort ev'ry one obey'd ; 
 His high commands with secret awe were heard ; 
 Due order through his government appear'd. 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION. 527 
 
 The fields were bright with cultivation's charms, 
 
 By his attention shielded safe from harms. 
 
 The beasts of prey seem'd conscious of his pow'r, 
 
 And shunn'd his province in the midnight hour. 
 
 He liv'd respected by the neighboring lords ; 
 
 Return'd their insults with avenging swords : . 
 
 But rivals clamor'd he too long retain'd 
 
 The envied sceptre that his merits gain'd. 
 
 For short it suits in patriotic zeal, 
 
 To shoulder honors for the public weal ; 
 
 Round fame and riches dwell a gloomy throng, 
 
 That ever charge the fortunate with wrong ; 
 
 Or just, or vicious, slander toils the same. 
 
 And who is prosperous long, is charg'd with blame. 
 
 A flood of stigmas, dark as night, arise, 
 Rage round the land, upborne on wings of lies. 
 While dark the cloud of defamation low'rs, 
 John's reign expires ; on Cam devolves his pow'rs. 
 To prove accordant to the people's will, 
 And be the object of indulgence still. 
 He laws ungrateful to the mass repeal'd, 
 But form'd no better, though defects conceal'd ; 
 At once his mother's joy, his brother's pride, 
 All lack of prudence public love supplied ; 
 For though the beasts their flocks and grain despoil'd, 
 Through his neglect, his fame was still unsoil'd. 
 In him his votaries blind such faith repos'd, 
 Calm reason's voice had not his acts oppos'd ; 
 E'en truthful libels caus'd more love than hate, 
 A certain signal of the wisdom great, 
 That taught him to no longer seek to sway, 
 Than twice four years, and with the rest obey. 
 
 Then from his family was Modon chose, 
 A worthy man, though he had many foes. 
 A just dominion o'er them long he held, 
 While all the fields were duly fenc'd and till'd. 
 But party interest raising causeless hate, 
 And all the messengers of evil fate, 
 
528 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIST. 
 
 At length began an inauspicious reign, 
 The wo and poverty of many a swain. 
 The monster, Discord, clad in darkness, rose, 
 "With hideous sceptre spread devouring woes ; 
 Through all the dome the frightful fury storm'd, 
 While various passions many a face deform'd. 
 And thus to fill the weaker swains with rage, 
 The artful leaders war loquacious wage. 
 
 I, Lucius, in the arms of freedom born, 
 Dare all my rights assert, and rulers scorn ; 
 Against their pow'r my liberties defend, 
 Though they or I to blackest hell descend. 
 What mean complaisance to the shapeless thing, 
 Gaul's substitution for the murder'd king ! 
 For four long years must Modon still remain, 
 To rule our ways, and all my wrath be vain ? 
 No, heaven attest, if yet elections fail, 
 The northern sword shall o'er the south prevail : 
 Or hence withdraw, and evermore disown 
 The unblest pow'r of this elective throne. 
 For why, subservient to the whole, should we 
 Obey a man who scarce pretends to be 
 Acquainted with our plight, or northern fields, 
 And, ever partial, to his neighbors yields ?' 
 Are there no worthies in my local train ? 
 Have then we not a person fit to reign ? 
 Ko, not while tenants of the southern side, 
 With lies delusive simple swains provide ; 
 They still my father's holy precepts shun, 
 Whose day was clos'd ere deed of fraud begun. 
 With dark collusion, and a flood of lies, 
 On John they warr'd, on John the great and wise, 
 Who all the virtues of our sire possess'd, 
 ControlPd with justice, and his people bless'd. 
 
 Thus he, vehement ; Gurus thus replies : 
 Cease, rebel, cease, what boundless ire supplies, 
 That poison tongue, intent on spreading woes 
 Through all our mansions, making brothers foes. 
 Ev'n now, methinks, I see thine evil hand, 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION. 529 
 
 Spread black destruction o'er our native land ; 
 
 Cast flames and terrors through this boasted dome, 
 
 So long our pride, and sign of bliss to come : 
 
 Is it for this the mountain nymph displays 
 
 Her heavenly charms and fills with joy our days ? 
 
 Or has the King of Heaven, by kind decree, 
 
 On us bestow'd the bliss of liberty, 
 
 That all who lifted by undue conceit, 
 
 To deem him fit to fill the regal seat, 
 
 Should war on those whom merit made to sway, 
 
 And teach the simple swains to disobey 
 
 The holy counsels our great father gave, 
 
 Our happiness to form, and state to save ? 
 
 To our good mother only lies appeal, 
 
 The sacred guardian of the public weal 
 
 Will soon redress, if real your complaint, 
 
 For she on all imposes just constraint. 
 
 But see the commerce, flocks, and heaps of grain, 
 
 Declaring Modon's kind and prudent reign : 
 
 Divest thyself that malicious mind, 
 
 If evil frailties may forsake mankind ; 
 
 Pray heaven to alter thine infernal will, 
 
 Love harmony, and be a brother still. 
 
 Be just and meekly moderate, wise and great, 
 
 For such are rulers of a virtuous state ; 
 
 While those who on insidious arts depend, 
 
 And discord spread, in foul disgrace descend ; 
 
 Long maledictions dark'ning on their name, 
 
 They live despis'd, condemned to damning fame. 
 
 Then Lucius, with disgusted mien, rejoins : 
 How easy ' tis to charge with ill designs, 
 When your arch tongue accustomed to deceive, 
 Would make the wav'ring credulous believe. 
 ' Tis ihou who seek'st the ruin of the state, 
 And thy compeers ; but transient is their date ; 
 A time will come, when Modon rules no more, 
 But lives dependent as he liv'd of yore, 
 A humble shepherd, ne'er again to say, 
 34 
 
530 POEMS or THOMAS HEDGES GENIK. 
 
 Go, manage thus, and we submiss obey. 
 The flocks no more the prosperous air retain, 
 As in the days of John's auspicious reign ; 
 Who faithful to his parent's precepts stood, 
 And always labor'd much for human good. 
 
 ' Tis meet a ruler from the northern side, 
 Should o'er the whole, and near our halls preside ; 
 To that our int'rest, yea, our honor, calls, 
 Or to my lot or his the sceptre falls ; 
 But if I sway, I sway by suffrage free, 
 Nor brook insults, nor want advice from thee. 
 Would'st thou rebuke, or better ways commend ? 
 Then early to thy own defects attend, 
 Which banish'd, venture to assume the sage, 
 Advise mankind and mend a vicious age. 
 
 Thus Lucius speaks, and Gurus thus replies, 
 While from their votaries ireful shouts arise ; 
 To what dire length will thy mad fury go, 
 And with thyself involve the whole in woe ? 
 Avaunt, dark monster, leave thy native land, 
 Unworthy as thou art to join the band 
 That annual walks, adorned with fragrant flow'rs, 
 Around our teeming fields and shady bow'rs. 
 To dread Cocytus' frightful brink retire. 
 There, with thy votaries, glut thy fell desire ; 
 And with the furies that infest thy soul. 
 Complain, disturb, and rage without control. 
 To hell's dire monarch and Erinnys tell, 
 How in disgrace their faithful agent fell ; 
 Go, and no more, inspir'd by lust and hate, 
 Molest the members of a virtuous state. 
 
 While thus they jar, a messenger appears, 
 From western fields, and thus express'd his fears : 
 Our country's prospects, once with hope so bright, 
 Are clouded now by dangers that affright ; 
 Alas, unnumber'd savage tribes combine, 
 Who general slaughter of our friends design. 
 Thus, while you vainly tarry in debate, 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION. 531 
 
 Our homes and lives are in precarious state ; 
 Perhaps ere long the Albion king may come, 
 And while we wrangle, fire this stately dome. 
 Or take us captive in ill-fated hour, 
 Our lives dispose of, and our wealth devour : 
 Then quit your ragej be brother-friends again, 
 And all the welfare of the state maintain. 
 
 The reckless Lucian throng receive with sneers, 
 The dismal tale, and ridicule his tears ; 
 And thus Clyanthus, of the evil band, 
 One disappointed of undue command, 
 Malignant speaks : What now of Modon's reign, 
 The mighty guardian of the valued plain ? 
 It will transpire as I presag'd before, 
 Who now has flocks will soon have flocks no more ; 
 Who now of plenty and renown can boast, 
 May shortly say the same was early lost ; 
 Since Modon governs, whose few acts betray 
 His total incapacity to sway. 
 
 Thus aggravating ev'ry ill event, 
 Are all the shafts of rage and envy spent ; 
 The bad, themselves to raise, devour the good, 
 Like tigers fattening on their victim's blood. 
 
 An Espialtes now informs their foes 
 Of civil discord and domestic woes. 
 (A meddling fiend who fondly pleas'd the great, 
 And at his brother's cost, a foreign state.) 
 But him the savage king, with wrathful breast, 
 Eeceiv'd, and thus the trait'rous fiend address'd : 
 
 I knew thy tidings ere thy hateful soul 
 (That mean subservience and foul lust control,) 
 Conceiv'd the base intention of this deed, 
 By which your kindred or near friends might bleed, 
 Or groan in slav'ry till by death convey'd 
 From scenes disgusting to eternal shade ; 
 For I sly emissaries round them keep, 
 Who watch them while they unsuspecting sleep, 
 So needless is thy tale for soon I go 
 
532 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 To waste your state and strike the dreadful blow : 
 But thou, detested wretch, remain a slave, 
 Curse thy black deeds, and dig thyself a grave. 
 Soon Modon hears the foeman's trumpets sound 
 On distant hills, and calls his friends around, 
 Thus speaking : Whence shall we d*ue forces draw, 
 To check the foe and shield the public law, 
 Since discord with relentless fury burns, 
 Confounds our plans, and half our hopes o'erturns ? 
 Must this bright mansion, pregnant with delight, 
 Lose freedom's beams, and sink in mournful night ? 
 The happy dynasty our sire begun, 
 And all the honors by his valor won, 
 At once, in evil day and dismal hour, 
 A helpless victim fall to savage power 1 
 Oh Heaven forbid ! let kind entreaties move 
 The rebel faction that themselves they love ; 
 Lest, all devoted to a doleful end, 
 They see but incense to their rage attend 
 In our great danger and deride my wo 
 'Till all our mansions flame before the foe ! 
 
 Then Ormus thus replies : Two friends we boast 
 Bravery and Patriotism are not lost : 
 They still inspire a small but virtuous band, 
 Who bold will combat for their native land ; 
 And if victorious in the dreadful field, 
 Would fierce return and make the rebels yield. 
 But first entreat them by our parent's aid, 
 The matchless beauties of the sacred maid, 
 And holy precepts which our father gave, 
 Who travell'd glorious to the peaceful grave. 
 
 Then Modon swiftly at their sev'ral doors 
 Depicts their peril and their aid implores 
 When all launch forth their warriors to the plain 
 But six (the northern) families remain ; 
 To them he prays, appeals, and pleads in vain. 
 
 The guardian mother then in wild despair, 
 Forsakes her mansion with dishevell'd hair, 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION. 533 
 
 And tears fast flowing down her face divine : 
 Now traits of anger, now of pity shine 
 "While she recounts the num'rous favors shown 
 To those who, base, her tender cares disown : 
 While she recounts the lore their father gave 
 Their happiness to form and state to save'; 
 The heavy curses that would swift pursue, 
 And make them long the fatal error rue ; 
 But fruitless urges Lucius thus replies : 
 Respected mother, are we not too wise 
 To join in war I Convinced that bliss is peace, 
 We would that this unjust contention cease. 
 5 Twas mad imprudence on our kindred's part, 
 To vex the strong Irom peaceful rules depart, 
 And give a parent this vast load of grief, 
 For which we mourn, but cannot grant relief 
 Since solemn treaties we should not invade, 
 And such, as neutrals, with the foe we made. 
 Firm pledg'd our honor, sacred to maintain, 
 Before the Ruler of the aerial reign ; 
 And will a mother, duteous to her young, 
 Against their God and honor urge to wrong ! 
 
 The parent heard and sigh'd with mournful look, 
 And thus indignant to the rebel spoke : 
 
 O words ungrateful to a mother's soul ! 
 Thou speak'st insulting and against control, 
 First counter to her holy precepts run, 
 You bar repentance with the injury done, 
 
 Fly, traitor to thyself and country, far 
 From fields of glory and defensive war ! 
 Go with my curses may dread dreams devour 
 Thy rest, and spectres haunt thy midnight hour. 
 For this rebellion, from my seats I go, 
 Oppress'd with sorrow and o'er wh elm' d with wo ; 
 A deep, ah ! mournful gloom shall shroud my course, 
 While fated troubles sting thee with remorse ; 
 While groans distressful burst along the air, 
 And clouds look angry with the souls they bear, 
 
534: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Untimely by thy hideous treason hurl'd 
 
 From this once favor'd but now damned world. 
 
 Devourers dire shall waste yon blooming plains, 
 
 And all your race be held in slavery's chains ; 
 
 This dome shall soon in angry names expire, 
 
 Ah, filial hands' will light my funeral pyre ! 
 
 But oft in sadness will my shade be seen, 
 
 And call'd of former days the blissful queen, 
 
 While oft these words are heard : " Too late our prayer, 
 
 A parent's loss, and guilty wounds we bear ; 
 
 Oh must we living be sore-burden'd slaves, 
 
 And fame with infamy o'ercloud our graves !" 
 
 Now Mod on with his faithful few departs, 
 With wise harangues pours courage in their hearts ; 
 And soon approaching near the intruding foe, 
 From mountain high surveys their force below, 
 As numerous as leaves that strew the vale, 
 Or snows descending on the wintry gale 
 The unexpected numbers come to sight, 
 Destroy his hopes and whelm his soul in night ; 
 His followers pause ; in solemn silence stand ; 
 Behold the foe, and mourn their native land, 
 Till Ormus thus the still amazement ends : 
 How dire our plight, what fearful cloud impends ! 
 A savage foe before, a pest behind 
 To which should be our last great rage confin'd ? 
 If on the former we infuriate fly, 
 Our fate is certain to be slaves or die ! 
 In slavery or in death, while that first cause 
 Of all our woe a pleasure from it draws ? 
 With force superior why should we contend, 
 When justice calls, her glory to defend ? 
 Then leave the foe against the rebels turn ; 
 Fierce through their mansions let the ombat burn, 
 That they and we alike in ruin fall, 
 And death and slav'ry be the doom of all ! 
 
 When Modon thus : They well deserve the fate, 
 Adverse to counsels of our parents great : 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION. 535 
 
 But leave revenge to Heaven's omniscient Power 
 
 The friend of virtue will their peace devour ; 
 
 Though slow to anger, he will timely send, 
 
 Of evil actions the reproachful end 
 
 Unnumber'd mis'ries, conscience fraught with fears, 
 
 Self-accusations and repentant tears. 
 
 If we be vanquished in the stormy field, 
 
 Their future destiny with ours is seal'd ; 
 
 The law of nations is the law of pow'r, 
 
 The greater kingdoms will the less devour. 
 
 If disunited states reject their sway, 
 
 Part follows part till all is swept away. 
 
 Our luckless brothers, by the furies driven, 
 
 Involve the whole and urge the wrath of heaven. 
 
 Of us secure, the foe will not withhold 
 
 His conquering sword for treaties, bribes, and gold ; 
 
 But they will captive from their lands be torn 
 
 To serve the men whom erst they hold in scorn. 
 
 Thus Modon speaks, when all consent to move 
 Against the foe, and each his valor prove ; 
 And swift they rush to fight ; loud shouts arise, 
 Thick flash their weapons ; darkness blots the skies. 
 The neighboring mountains quake with dire alarms, 
 Resounding with the odious din of arms ; * 
 
 More loud than when the vex'd Atlantic roars, 
 To curian winds against the coral shores ; 
 Or when through gloomy heaven the thunder rolls, 
 Awes the wide world and shakes the distant poles ; 
 With horrid toil the valiant warriors bend, 
 And grac'd with streaming wounds to death descend : 
 Their chief in front a crimson sword displays, 
 In hottest combat Cam and Ormus blaze, 
 Alike determined not to spare or fly ; 
 But live victorious, or with glory die. 
 
 The contest long in dreadful poise remain'd 
 The savage king at length the victory gain'd 
 Nor stopp'd ; but forward like the boreal storm 
 Or raging whirlwinds that the deep deform 
 
536 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENE*. 
 
 Pursues success ; pursuing which, destroys 
 The fences, herds, and seats of former joys ; 
 And soon profanes the Temple's hallow'd floor, 
 Its riches sacks, and bids the flames devour ; 
 "When from their mansions all the Lucian train 
 Forth rushing, of the barb'rous act complain 
 And Lucius thus : Behold, O king, our home 
 Is form'd by part of this extensive dome ; 
 To burn the halls of vanquish'd Modon, all 
 The wealth and shelter of your friends must fall 
 In sad combustion our distresses heed, 
 A gen'rous tribute shall reward the deed ; 
 To our last treaty's solemn voice attend, 
 Let that protect us, and our sorrows end ; 
 By that, as neutrals, if we would remain, 
 A splendid commerce through thy wide domain 
 Thou promis'd long should last and safe to guard, 
 Now heed our state and give the full reward. 
 
 The king, regardless of his prayers .and cries, 
 At all his miseries laughs, and thus replies : 
 
 But Modon's tribes are those on whom I war, 
 The same with whom yourself was wont to jar ; 
 Can passion only men of sense divide, 
 When %11 their interest are so near allied ? 
 Perhaps the trust was not perceived before, 
 Then thank the fates you're wiser than of yore. 
 Can you in Modon's foe expect a friend ? 
 What wounds the arm must sure the head offend. 
 If you'll transpierce a stone of various hues 
 And only one of all its dies pertuse, 
 I'll use endeavors to protect your wealth, 
 Take none by open warfare, none by stealth ; 
 Else all must go ; but thou, of home bereav'd, 
 Wilt in my real a menial be received. 
 
 The arch king. thus, while Lucius heard in tears, 
 The folly mourning of his former years ; 
 Then to his friends in frantic fury hies, 
 His friends salute him thus, with dismal cries : 
 
THE FATAL DISUNION. 
 
 537 
 
 Where now is Modon and his valiant band ? 
 The once great bulwark of our native land ; 
 By acts presumptuous we from him withdrew, 
 Which sowed the seed from which this evil grew ; 
 And thou the cause ! oh, could 'st thou be so blind ! 
 Once prescient deem'd, and skill'd in human kind ! 
 O, had we listen'd to our parent's will, 
 This dome had shone in peaceful splendor still ; 
 Our shepherds fondly sought the flow'ry plain, 
 And we not seen our gen'rous kindred slain ; 
 Or thou hadst never been thy syren tongue 
 To list'ners fond no fatal ditties sung. 
 
 Thus they sore griev'd, and Lucius thus replies : 
 I see my follies ; but too late made wise, 
 Cannot redress for chains or death prepare ! 
 Against such mighty foes 'tis vain to war ; 
 Our solemn treaty should abatement plead, 
 Yea, have averted this ungrateful deed ; 
 But now we 'wait a tyrant's hard decree, 
 A curse, O parent, for the loss of thee ; 
 In various forms thou haunt'st me while I sleep, 
 O that I slumber'd under mountains deep ! 
 This conscience banish'd, and my suffering peers 
 No more approached me, grac'd with scalding tears. 
 
 Thus he and all exhibit deep regret 
 Their day of liberty in darkness set 
 To rise no more ; confin'd in dreary gloom 
 Mid cries arising from a parent's tomb ! 
 
 And when the last destructive flames expir'd, 
 The foe with frolic rage and plunder tired, 
 Relentless drive the weeping Lucian train 
 Beyond the limits of their ancient reign. 
 With dismal hearts and languid step they go, 
 Oft looking back (while briny sorrows flow) 
 To view their paradise ; but all had fled 
 The groves were withered and the flow'rs were dead : 
 They saw drear slavery's hated cup before, 
 And mus'd of better davs to come no more, 
 
538 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GE^IN. 
 
 LAWKENCE. 
 
 KIND Hesper saw distress'd our peaceful star, 
 Set in the dread tumultuous sea of war ; 
 Whose dismal reign of slaughter, ruin, wo, 
 Bespeaks its birth with Satan's sway below ; 
 Where first it rag'd, when his rebellious arms, 
 Spread discord wild above and dire alarms, 
 And heaven's tremendous Sov'reign headlong hurl'd 
 Him and his legions to the burning w^orld. 
 But soon the guardian genius, joyful smil'd, 
 When Bainbridge, Hull, Decatur, Britain foil'd, 
 With Lawrence, bravest of the mighty brave, 
 Who now lamented moulders in the grave ; 
 To whom the muses dedicate their lyre. 
 And hail his honor'd shade with hallow'd fire. 
 
 Far on the rolling deep a ship he spied, 
 Nor saw content, the voice of glory cried : 
 Why rests my Lawrence passive in the bay, 
 While his proud foes presumptuous plow yon way ? 
 Have not sufficient honors been decreed 
 For former victory, to renew the deed ? 
 
 In restless plight he heard the sacred sound, 
 And joyful call'd his gen'rous heroes round ; 
 With patriot ardor all their souls inspires, 
 To rival combats, which the world admires. 
 The list'ning bands, exalted by his voice, 
 Applaud the high design and loud rejoice ; 
 The ship unmoor, the sails extend to wind, 
 And glide the deep and leave the shore behind. 
 Xow gleaming lightnings cast portentous glare ; 
 Dark rolling clouds around the ships appear ; 
 Dread thunders roar ; the bullets furious fly, 
 Glance on the deep, and scale the murky sky. 
 Soon grappling fast, dire horrors thicken round, 
 
LAWRENCE. 539 
 
 Loud dying groans join the tremendous sound ; 
 Gregarious deaths dart swift 011 fatal wing ; 
 Weapons on weapons clash ; red sabres ring ; 
 Dire grenades fly ; the cannon ceaseless ro ar 
 In stormy fight, and Lawrence breathes no more : 
 Ere this, some winged death had borne him far 
 From earthly troubles and tumultuous war ; 
 A light malignant gleam'd on Hesper's throne, 
 His radiant stars in mournful glory shone 
 On silent cliffs, and rais'd the fairy m.oan ; 
 When thus he spoke : O son of freedom's soil ! 
 Thou sleep'st in glory from thy dreadful toil ; 
 Unfading honors shall upon thee wait, 
 And deathless fame record thy hapless fate : 
 Thy name shall flourish in remembrance dear ; 
 And oft for thee shall flow the patriot tear. 
 
 Thus he addressed him from his throne sublime, 
 When faint he fell in honor's field divine, 
 And loud exclaim'd, with fast decaying breath, 
 " Do not give up the ship," and sunk in death. 
 
 Now fairy forms in many a mournful band, 
 Dejected wander o'er his native land ; 
 Through midnight's solemn shade or blazing noon, 
 And ceaseless thus lament the hero's doom. 
 Lawrence, the gen'rous, bold and brave, 
 
 Sinks untimely to the grave : 
 
 Gen'rous, brave and bold was he, 
 
 Who fell in fight on yonder sea. 
 
 Long his loss his friends will mourn, 
 
 Long with flow'rs his grave adorn ; 
 
 Ne'er forget his honor'd name, 
 
 Seal'd with everlasting fame. 
 Solemn sound the fun'ral knell, 
 
 Airy forms, and mourning tell, 
 
 The plaintive shade of Lawrence dead, 
 
 A nation's tears are for him shed. 
 
540 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 KOSSALINDA. 
 
 AH ! Rossalinda, art thou fled 
 To gloomy regions of the dead : 
 The blush of youth and beauty gone, 
 To never, never more return ? 
 
 Like visions pass the proud away 
 From whence they came to senseless clay : 
 The breast that once disdain' d to see 
 An equal live, is cold as thee. 
 
 Though blest with wealth, and dazzling charms, 
 Death's angel comes, the grave alarms, 
 And all thy future prospects bright, 
 Are swiftly whelm'd in mournful night. 
 
 Amidst glad scenes and youthful days, 
 While hope her brightest star displays, 
 What sudden darkness round is spread ! 
 How soon are human pleasures fled ! 
 
 While wand'ring life's tempestuous stream, 
 Fair signs portend, but dimly seen ; 
 Man thoughtless strikes the fatal shore, 
 Devoted to return no more. 
 
PASTORALS. 
 
 PASTOKAL FIKST. 
 
 SPRING. 
 
 BESIDE Peconock's shaded river rov'd 
 Two blooming youths by tender passions mov'd. 
 By artless nature rul'd, the twain reveal'd 
 What more dissembling lovers had conceal'd : 
 One sung the beauties of his virtuous fair ; 
 The other ru'd his choice in deep despair ; 
 He hail'd Melinda, whom he once deceived ; 
 And so, his breast of happiness bereaved. 
 To him the ghost of buried days appears, 
 While thus he tells his errors, hopes and fears : 
 
 When first soft passions mov'd my youthful breast, 
 Melinda, fair and kind, my heart possess'd. 
 Her from the cradle I had friendly known ; 
 But fate our suit denied at fortune's frown. 
 Once, mov'd by soul-subduing love, I swore 
 By all that angels, heaven and earth adore, 
 That she was mine, and I would constant be, 
 Though wide between us roll'd the boisterous sea : 
 Still, I departed from the promise made, 
 And solemn rites in Mammon's temple paid : 
 A youth, to virtue's heavenly reign unknown, 
 Who reverent bow'd at pride or anger's throne, 
 Allur'd me from the path that nature chose. 
 
542 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Ah ! for vain gold my life was stung with woes. 
 
 Why did I thoughtlessly in wedlock join 
 
 With one whose will can never yield to mine ; 
 
 Who feels no love, and has no fear to wound 
 
 My wretched heart in legal fetters bound. 
 
 ' Twas on a luckless day, and evil hour, 
 
 When stars malignant o'er my fate had power, 
 
 That Ave with garlands green adorn'd our brows, 
 
 And spousal rites perform'd with empty vows. 
 
 I now will wander in the shades forlorn 
 
 Of thickest forests, and Melinda mourn, 
 
 Who well remembers, with a just disdain, 
 
 The faithless Pleuron she engag'd in vain. 
 
 By dimpled rills my future hours I '11 spend, 
 
 And sadly sing of her who was my friend. 
 
 Repentant tears shall oft bedew the ground, 
 
 While plaintive strains, with murmuring streams, resound ; 
 
 Or, from some ragged cliff, projecting high, 
 
 Make fatal leap, and for my follies die. 
 
 Thus Pleuron sung ; the mild Peconock wears 
 A pensive brightness to the swain in. tears. 
 To him the pines, with pity, seem to glow, 
 And gazing flocks a mute compassion show. 
 While Mydon, on the neighboring grass reclin'd, 
 Divulged the dictates of a happier mind : 
 
 Amanda, fairest of sweet beauty's train, 
 Now strays beyond the hoarse tempestuous main. 
 Her blooming vizage sheds enchanting light, 
 That moves my heart, and feeds my ravish'd sight. 
 More fragrant odors fill the blossom'd groves, 
 And nature smiles as she displays her loves. 
 The kind expression of her pleasing eyes 
 Enchains my soul, and heaves my breast with sighs. 
 Delightful accents play'd upon her tongue, 
 When, in these flow'ry groves, she tuneful sung ; 
 And, uttering truths divine, dispers'd the gloom 
 That sadly hovers o'er the swallowing tomb. 
 The strains melodious seem'd to charm the breeze, 
 
PASTORALS. 543 
 
 And wake attention in the blooming trees. 
 Though fickle fortune on her beauty frowns, 
 Celestial virtue our connection crowns ; 
 Unites by friendship and endearing love, 
 Unfading bands, by truth and nature wove ! 
 May prosperous gales attend her o'er the deep, 
 And balmy pleasures lull her cares to sleep ! 
 Fly swift, ye rosy hours, till she returns ! 
 Nor linger, while impatient Mydon mourns ! 
 
 As thus he sung, sad Pleuron comes along ; 
 Alternate, then, they tell their thoughts in song. 
 
 Pleu. May nature waste, the hills in smoke decay, 
 Pale death transport me from these scenes away, 
 If I again with mortal woman join, 
 Unless that mortal's will conform with mine ; 
 As curling ivy, grown around the trees, 
 Bends with their limbs to every passing breeze ; 
 Caress'd and prais'd Amelia heard my pray'r, 
 But now disdainful scorns my love to share. 
 Alas ! the sylvan scenes no pleasure give : 
 Melinda lost, her Pleuron hates to live. 
 
 Myd. In vain you mourn a wo-begetting choice, 
 And waste, to heedless winds, a wailing voice. 
 Grief ne'er averted fate's resistless sway ; 
 No soothing pleasures turn his shafts away. 
 May resignation to the eternal king 
 A lasting comfort to thy miseries bring ; 
 A humble spirit move thy sorrowing mind, 
 To own th' affliction just ; to heaven resign'd, 
 On wings of hope from present evils soar, 
 Nor deem the lov'd one will be thine no more. 
 What folly lost good fortune may restore. 
 With happy flocks beside the rivers rove ; 
 Inhale the fragrance of the smiling grove ; 
 Till roll the wheels of time to that glad hour, 
 When, on thy bosom, blooms th' enrapturing flower, 
 And kind oblivion buries all your harms 
 In the sweet circle of Melinda's arms : 
 
5-14 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 While milder breezes on the waters play, 
 And happier strains amuse the passing day : 
 While roses, with increasing blushes, glow, 
 And waters, in more gentle murmurs, flow. 
 
 Pleu. A dreary sadness hovers o'er the plain ; 
 The flow'rets blush, the riv'lets flow in vain : 
 Each passing breeze some dismal message bears, 
 By forms unseen, low whisper'd in my ears. 
 E'en hope, like blasted flower, within me dies. 
 Each rising prospect swims before my eyes. 
 The golden time, youth's blissful dream, is o'er : 
 Melinda's angel smile will charm no more. 
 These perjur'd lips shall to the groves complain, 
 Until I plunge in yonder roaring main. 
 
 Myd. Ye powers benevolent, endless source of good ! 
 Safe waft Amanda o'er the stormy flood. 
 On her mild face the lily's whiteness blows, 
 "With brilliant crimson of the fragrant rose. 
 In her fair presence rival beauties yield, 
 Like Luna, when Sol fires her silver field, 
 Unheard, the waters flow, and breezes sigh, 
 And larks, unnoticed, rove the liquid sky ; 
 If she withdraws, the birds are seen to play, 
 With noisy murmur, riv'lets steal away, 
 And lambent zephyrs from the deep arise, 
 Kiss the sweet blooms, and fill the air with sighs. 
 On hope I rest ; nor Pleuron hopes in vain. 
 Dejected Pleuron woo'd vain wealth to vain. 
 Oh ! sad result of nuptials void of love ! 
 May this to other swains a warning prove ! 
 
 Pleu. Farewell, sweet scenes of youth ! ye shady bowers, 
 Clear sounding streams, gay flocks, and dulcet flowers, 
 And thou, Melinda, innocent and fair ; 
 The guiltless author of my love's despair ! 
 For you I mourn, a prey to cruel wo, 
 And deep in caves of boundless ocean go. 
 By fortune curs'd with too severe a doom, 
 Dejected Pleuron seeks a watery tomb. 
 
PASTORALS. 545 
 
 Myd. She comes, and round her glows superior day ; 
 Celestial beauties on her visage play. 
 The flocks, unmindful of their pasture, view 
 Her tread the meadows wet with glistening dew. 
 More fragrant odors seem to fill the grove, 
 And all the graces in my lov'd one move. 
 Kind nature brightens in each budding tree, 
 
 O O " 
 
 And happy myriads tune their voice for me. 
 But hapless Pleuron goes in mournful way 
 O'er yon pale cliff, towards the boundless sea. 
 Where faint he walks, responsive to his woes, 
 The lordly sun more pale effulgence throws. 
 Ye heavenly powers, console, or lead his breath 
 In easy slumbers through the shades of death. 
 
 PASTOEAL SECOND. 
 
 SUMMER. 
 
 As o'er the fields Sol held his sultry reign, 
 While weary reapers left the scorching plain, 
 And panting flocks, beneath their shepherds' care, 
 Retir'd, the banquet of the shade to share ; 
 In sweet content, beside a fountful hill, 
 Where, winding devious, flow'd a murm'ring rill, 
 Sat tuneful Nireus, with his warbling lyre, 
 Whose tender strains diffus'd a living fire : 
 As, through the groves, the witching music ran, 
 In pleasing accents, Nireus thus began : 
 
 Come, weary swains, beside this breezy hill, 
 Where, constant murm'ring, flows a crystal rill, 
 Where lofty trees, with foliage green, display 
 A cooling prospect, in this sultry day ; 
 Here, if you thirst, the lucid water flows, 
 And bending grass invites you to repose. 
 35 
 
546 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Lo ! Daphne comes o'er yonder crystal stream ! 
 
 And where she walks fresh morning's beauties beam. 
 
 An osier basket and a bowl she bears ; 
 
 This, fraught with milk, and that with dulcet pears. 
 
 My Daphne, welcome to this cool retreat, 
 
 Secure from fervid Sol's oppressive heat ! 
 
 Dap. The yellow harvest hides the fruitful soil, 
 And kindly pays us for our irksome toil. 
 When winter cold resumes his hoary reign, 
 And binds our country with an icy chain, 
 A gentle dove, within thy sheltering door, 
 Shall oft remind thee of th' unhappy poor. 
 For know, tho' blest, thy stay is transient here ; 
 Wait Heaven's high will, and Charity revere. 
 As late, in yonder bower, sleep seal'd my eyes, 
 Her heavenly form arose, or seem'd to rise 
 In fleeting vision, and dissolve away 
 Like dancing forms we in the stream survey. 
 Daphne, she said, with sweet, enchanting voice, 
 In God's just bounty may your heart rejoice. 
 If, cross'd by fate, less happy swains there be, 
 Perform for them the part of heaven to thee. 
 While spoke the Phantom, she resolv'd to air ; 
 Her voice melodious still, methinks, I hear ; 
 Still see her visage bright with heavenly joy, 
 And virtue's luxuries that never cloy. 
 Partake the grateful food, ye worthy swains, 
 While Daphne tries to please with humble strains : 
 'Twas here, Amanda, rosy maid ! 
 
 Led joy triumphant round the shade, 
 
 Till disappointment nipt her bloom ; 
 
 Then languish'd pale in sorrow's gloom ; 
 
 Lone, wander'd thro' forsaken bowers 
 
 Unblest, while Spring rejoic'd the hours ; 
 
 And, when her lover's fate was told, 
 
 She fell in death's embraces cold. 
 
 Where blooms she now, may shepherd tell ? 
 
 Perhaps with him she lov'd so well 
 
PASTORALS. 547 
 
 Disports her native fields around, 
 
 And joyful hears her harp resound. 
 
 Remembrance often haunts yon plains 
 
 To drink her soft melodious strains, 
 
 And view her dance along the grove 
 
 As light as airy visions rove. 
 
 Orlando ! sweetly temper'd youth, 
 
 Mild Plautus ! son of love and truth, 
 
 Ye liv'd to mourn that faded flower, 
 
 But I, surviving, all deplore. 
 
 Your tuneful strains of other days, 
 
 That wail'd her fall and told her praise, 
 
 Still float along the wild of years, 
 
 And Daphne fancies still she hears. 
 
 O could she make the harp you gave 
 
 Resume the tones it used to have, 
 
 Again, methinks, the flocks would rove 
 
 Unknown of all that throng the grove. 
 
 This tuneful harp, ye strung of yore, 
 
 Amanda gave to fame before : 
 
 Some future day 'twill seem to mourn . 
 
 For Nireus from his Daphne torn. 
 
 It oft shall dulcet tones supply, 
 
 While we beneath the green turf lie ; 
 
 Nor longer walk these groves along, 
 
 And only live in shepherd's song. 
 Nir. What soothing zephyr gave thy tuneful breath 
 The wondrous powers that call our friends from death, 
 To seem the same as when they triumph 'd here, 
 And sung the beauties of the rolling year ! 
 When kind Orlando tun'd his melting lyre, 
 And utter 'd tones that heavenly thoughts inspire. 
 When Plautus, listening to the moving strains, 
 Forgot his flocks that roam'd in yonder plains ; 
 Confess'd their charm, with many a joyful tear, 
 And saw fresh flowrets grace Amanda's bier. 
 Her form revives in thy sad dulcet strains ; 
 Again she dances o'er the blooming plains ; 
 
548 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDOES GENIN. 
 
 Again she pines in hopeless love and dies ; 
 
 Again death stops her tuneful voice and seals her eyes. 
 
 Dap. As runs yon river to the sounding main, 
 We pass to dust, and meet our friends again. 
 To their green graves indulgent fancy strays, 
 Conversing with the scenes of 'other days. 
 The pleasing, mournful strains, once taught to flow, 
 When Plautus' death Orlando stung with wo, 
 Still move the soul. In evening's tranquil reign, 
 When silver Cynthia lights the glimmering main 
 I '11 tune the lyre that he bequeath'd to me, 
 And praise his virtues which respire in thee. 
 In his kind arms I spent my tender years : 
 He taught my mind, and hush'd my infant fears. 
 From him I learn'd the melting song to pour, 
 To love our race, enjoy the fleeting hour ; 
 Recall of pleasures past the image dear, 
 Exalt the mind and swell the joyful tear. 
 
 Nir. Remember'st thou our friendship's vernal day, 
 When e'en while watching lambs we let them stray ? 
 From weeping clouds descended milder showers ; 
 The teeming meadows blush'd with brighter flowers ; 
 Regardless of the stream, we saw it flow, 
 And O I joy'd to hear the thunder so ; 
 Because it frighten'd from her quiet nest 
 A gentle dove, and drove her to my breast. 
 
 Da/p. The tender sighs, the music of that spring, 
 The gentle doves to my remembrance bring. 
 In that kind mirror of our early love, 
 What happy scenes the soul with gladness move ! 
 The tales of hope were true, by yonder fields ; 
 Consenting fortune to our wishes yields. 
 But see the sun in watery clouds descends, 
 And o'er the land collected storm impends : 
 With louder sound the riv'lets cross the plains ; 
 The owl, portentous, in the woods complains : 
 The prostrate harvest waits thy timely care ; 
 For moistening rains its future worth impair. 
 
PASTORALS. 549 
 
 Soon, sudden showers, will thirsty earth revive, 
 And smiling nature in fresh beauty thrive. 
 
 Nir. Behold, on distant lands, the rain descends, 
 Thro' fading silvery mist Sol's light extends ; 
 The clouds are gone, by cooling breezes driven 
 Along the blue expanse of smiling heaven. 
 Upon the trees declining sunbeams play, 
 The shadows lengthen with decreasing day ; 
 The feather'd songsters with the sun retire, 
 The flies of night disclose their fitful fire ; 
 Cold dew-drops gather on green nature's face, 
 And sleep invites us to her soft embrace. 
 
 PASTOEAL TIIIKD. 
 
 AUTUMN. 
 
 IN valley deep beneath stupendous trees, 
 Whose falling foliage sail'd the northern breeze, 
 An aged shepherd tun'd his sounding lyre 
 To melting tones parental woes inspire. 
 His fleecy flocks, descending from the plains, 
 Collected round him, listening to the strains. 
 A lover, bright with hope's exulting rays, 
 At distance heard the pleasing, mournful lays, 
 From foreign realms return'd to native vale, 
 And listening, thus he heard the shepherd's tale : 
 
 Mild, playful lambs ! ye make my Delia rise 
 From other days, and greet her parent's eyes. 
 Though pale she slumbers in the deathful gloom, 
 She seems, like spring, to shine in living bloom. 
 The gentle mien, the harmless traits, I see, 
 O, absent Delia, always liv'd in thee ! 
 Ne'er didst thou in a daughter's duty fail 
 Blest nature wrapt thee in celestial mail ; 
 
550 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Of docile mind, and of the kindest heart, 
 Sure of the elect the most select thou art. 
 
 Alas, as Sol with glory deck'd the dawn, 
 She, musing, wander'd from her native lawn 
 To see the river's eddying waters glide, 
 Or her resemblance in the glassy tide : 
 Her soothing voice in tuneful numbers rose, 
 As beauty sweet and soft as zephyr blows, 
 "While cheerful birds, on many a bloomy spray, 
 In mute attention heard her matchless lay, 
 While glad she sung her mind, with thought elate, 
 Became forgetful of the present state, 
 When down the rocky steep she fell, and death, 
 With ghastly presence, snatch'd away her breath. 
 Ah, silent is the voice and cold the tongue 
 That erst in listening groves so sweetly sung ! 
 Dead those dear eyes so lovely wont to roll 
 And tell the gentle temper of her soul. 
 I soon must follow through the land of gloom 
 To where she blushes in immortal bloom, 
 And wings, unbounded, heaven's eternal plains, 
 Exempt from age and all corporeal pains. 
 
 The youth, attentive to the mournful tale, 
 His heart fast fluttering in misfortune's gale, 
 With haste approach'd, and thus address'd the seer, 
 While down his visage stole the lucid tear : 
 
 What dreary story tell thy tender strains ? 
 Is she, my loved one, held in icy chains ? 
 O cruel fate, reverse thy hard decree, 
 Let lovely Delia please the groves and me. 
 Oft have we carol'd in yon shady bowers, 
 In friendly converse spent the winged hours, 
 While roaming round us fed our fleecy care, 
 And birds with music thrill'd the balmy air. 
 
 Shep. Most welcome son, and blest the ship that bore 
 The youthful wanderer to his natal shore ! 
 All things are moving with resistless speed : 
 To vernal blooms autumnal fruits succeed. 
 
PASTORALS. 551 
 
 As oft as man attains perfection's day, 
 
 Some deluge sweeps his golden age away : 
 
 The sad survivors then their toils renew, 
 
 And Nature's wilds again with art subdue : 
 
 Again to civilization slowly tend, 
 
 And reach its summit to again descend : 
 
 The virtuous labor of ten thousand years 
 
 In one tremendous earthquake disappears. 
 
 Should Earth no longer in one posture run, 
 
 Turn north or south, then man would be undone ; 
 
 O'erwhelming oceans o'er broad continents pour, 
 
 And all his works and glories be no more. 
 
 In vain we murmur o'er the tomb of joy ; 
 
 E'en this fair world will conquering time destroy. 
 
 When fate decrees, shall feeble man repine ? 
 
 Though all, like Delia die, we must resign. 
 
 Time yet is ours, nor barren of delight, 
 
 Redundant harvests labor's pains requite. 
 
 From teeming presses dulcet liquids flow, 
 
 And loaded grain'ries heaven's indulgence show. 
 
 Then take the pleasures present objects yield, 
 
 Nor with triumphant fate dispute the field. 
 
 Dre. Me wouldst thou counsel to resign my love ? 
 Tell Dresus rather not himself to prove : 
 With tender Delia pass'd my infant days, 
 Each pleas'd the other with unartful lays. 
 Her lovely smiles with melting brilliance shone, 
 Subdu'd my heart and made me all her own. 
 Where're she came methought new verdure grew 
 And whispering winds a sweeter fragrance blew. 
 O, is she wreck'd on death's relentless strand, 
 No more to wander o'er her native land, 
 No more to play in yonder blissful bowers, 
 Awake the lyre and pluck the blooming flowers ? 
 Beneath what cypress sleeps the wither'd fair, 
 Alas ! my sorrowing heart is buried there. 
 The groves in faded beauty seem to mourn 
 The absent Delia and her lover lorn. 
 
552 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Oh haste the moment for my soul to rise 
 To her blest spirit in the pitying skies. 
 
 Shep. Tell not to heedless winds of sorrow's pains, 
 Nor rue the act which Providence ordains. 
 The blooming season is decay'd and gone, 
 Its faded beauties scatter'd o'er the lawn ; 
 So all things vanish, so our joys decay, 
 So Delia dies, and pleasure fades away ; 
 But recomposing nature soon will bear, 
 The vernal flowerets of the gliding year ; 
 So shall new Delias greet their Dresus' eyes, 
 As morning fair and lovely as the skies. 
 Mourn not the absence of the luckless fair, 
 To woe resign'd and steadfast in despair, 
 As Pleuron erst companion of my youth, 
 Who sway'd by gold forsook the path of truth, 
 Forsook Melinda and incurred her scorn, 
 To wed Amelia, and the error mourn. 
 He sadly wand'ring by the sea-beat shores, 
 Till night o'erspreads the skies his woes deplores, 
 Fast down his cheeks the briny torrents roll, 
 And sorrow's tide swells darkly on his soul ; 
 There lonely moaning by the sullen waves, 
 Hears ocean mutter storm from all his caves ; 
 Sees frowning clouds the lofty ether sail, 
 And fast the silver host with darkness veil, 
 While roars the distant deep ; by slow degrees 
 To lofty mountains rise the boisterous seas ; 
 Huge, tumbling surges lash the trembling strand, 
 Roll back in foam and whiten down the land, 
 The bushy cliff tops frown with gloomier brows, 
 And groan and reel with all their rustling boughs, 
 The quivering lightnings shoot a sudden glare, 
 Surprise the world and fire the fields of air ; 
 Redoubled thunders awful sounding roll 
 Through stormy heaven and shake the distant pole. 
 
 As he beholds the terrors of the skies, 
 He feels no dread no chilling fears arise. 
 
PASTORALS. 553 
 
 So overwhelm ins: is the sense of woe, 
 
 O / 
 
 Unheard the thunder roars and wild winds blow ; 
 Its cruel pangs so grieve his feeble mind, 
 That all the horrors of the night are kind. 
 He thus exclaims : Loud thunders swifter roll 
 Ye pour dread comfort on my wounded soul. 
 Thrice welcome gloomy cliffs, surge-dashing shore, 
 Grim darting lightning, night-invested hour 
 Yc screaming spirits of the tempest bear 
 The thunder's chariot down the wilds of air ; 
 Let all his bolts on Pleuron's head be hurl'd, 
 To sweep his name and being from the world. 
 
 He frantic speaks, and swooning, strikes 'the ground ; 
 Nor hears the ocean's roar ; nor thunder's sound. 
 ~No more distress his panting bosom rends : 
 He senseless lies, and far from helping friends ; 
 While vision'd shapes, and other worlds appear 
 Elysian fields, aud hell's expansion drear. 
 
 Meantime the storm subsides, a calm ensues. 
 The clouds dispers'd, the stars faint light diffuse. 
 The wasted winds from whence they came repair, 
 And dulcet fragrance floats the midnight air. 
 Old ocean's waves lie silent on their deep, 
 And earth and air and main are hush'd to sleep. 
 
 Soon bright Aurora pours the early day 
 On nature's face the gladdening sun-beams play. 
 In smiling lustre rise the verdant hills, 
 And gently murm'ring flow the winding rills. 
 Above, blue ether looks on earth serene, 
 And earth beholds with joy the cloudless scene. 
 The leafy woods in fresher green revive, 
 Confess the day and seem with birds alive; 
 Translucent drops impend from dulcet flowers 
 All nature brightens from th' abundant showers. 
 
 Reviving Pleuron, on the shore forlorn, 
 Casts tearful eyes upon the golden morn. 
 Now thinks of plunging in the unbounded deep, 
 And, freed from miseries, in its bosom sleep. 
 
554 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Now views the prospect of alluring shades, 
 And happy flocks that roam the flow'ry glades 
 Hears feather'd warblers raise melodious voice, 
 And all the land in various strain rejoice. 
 
 While rural beauty thus attracts his mind, 
 Lo ! Wisdom comes to wretched Pleuron kind. 
 Acute perception, born of light divine, 
 And deathless graces on her visage shine. 
 She thus bespeaks him, in her guardian care, 
 To sooth his soul and drive away despair : 
 
 Reject, sad Pleuron, thy severe intent : 
 Sufficient 'tis of follies to repent. 
 Let sober reason o'er thy passions sway, 
 Nor for one object throw a world away. 
 Behold the beauties of the blooming plains, 
 The rural pleasures of well-doing swains ; 
 Philosophy's delights, the sweets of love, 
 And hear the songs that charm the fragrant grove. 
 'Tis folly smites the breast and heaves the sigh ; 
 To wisdom deaf, unhappy lovers die. 
 That mighty power who rules all things below, 
 Affords our pleasure and inflicts our woe, 
 Perhaps intends to purify with tears 
 The soul before it at his throne appears. 
 The objects interpos'd 'twixt us and bliss, 
 He kind removes : and shall we mourn for this ? 
 Say, wilt thou deathward take the guilty road, 
 Or, gathering good from evil, trust in God ? 
 Depart, then, Pleuron, from the threat 'ning deep ; 
 Enjoy the foodful earth and cease to weep. 
 
 Thus spoke this heavenly friend ; his spirits rose 
 This faint heart swell'd, abated were his woes. 
 With secret shame he quits the sounding shore, 
 Quaffs rising odors and complains no more. 
 Pleas'd nature hails him from her rosy bowers 
 And soothing pleasures gild the fleeting hours. 
 Will Dresus then fair wisdom's aid implore, 
 To give him, over evil fortune, power ? 
 
PASTORALS. 555 
 
 Dres. Farewell, my Delia, and my mournful sighs ; 
 And ye, dejecting thoughts, forget to rise. 
 Adieu, dear maid, that never can be mine. 
 Adieu, remembrance of thy charms divine ; 
 Nor linger on my soul one thought of thee : 
 For wisdom bids from thy lov'd form to flee ? 
 Ah no, she tells me never to deplore, 
 The wither'd blossom tears cannot restore ; 
 Nor interdicts the memory of the past : 
 'Tis hers to think of joys that could not last. 
 She sits on tombs of buried hopes and cries : 
 Lo ! what are these? consider and be wise. 
 
 Thus sung the shepherds till the starry veil 
 Of night with frosty stillness chill'd the vale. 
 Too wise to nourish ill-producing woes, 
 They, with the day, withdrew to calm repose. 
 
 PASTOEAL FOURTH. 
 
 WINTER. 
 
 THE trees, divested of their leafy cloud, 
 Through naked limbs the cold winds murmur'd loud ; 
 "When fair Mahalah, mourning for the dead, 
 Sought rest in woods, and in the tears she shed. 
 
 Her grandpa, pitying, heard her sorrowing sighs, 
 And thus address'd her, leaning from the skies : 
 My fair descendant, check thy flowing tears. 
 How different from the girl of other years ! 
 When like the roses on the fertile plain, 
 Thy visage bloom'd and charm'd the gazing swain. 
 What various troubles follow youthful days ! 
 The time of flattering hopes and blissful plays. 
 A lovely child has from thy arms been torn. 
 Couldst thou behold him here thou wouldst not mourn ; 
 But bid kind Death to haste th' immortal morn ! 
 
556 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Mah. My hopeful offspring, once his parents' pride, 
 Like loveliest lily bloom'd, and blooming died 
 Ere thrice the world her annual journey run, 
 Around the moment that his life begun : 
 Ere yet he strove th' admiring world to please, 
 Or brave for glory life's tempestuous seas ; 
 While I behind, in hapless plight remain, 
 And mourn the gift which heaven bestow'd in vain. 
 
 Grandpa. Such are the scenes that human life unfolds ; 
 And such the frequent prospect man beholds : 
 His hopes are shaken by relentless hands : 
 Death chains the spirits with his icy bands. 
 Incessant revolution shifts the scene : 
 E"ow winter scowls ; now smiles the world in green : 
 Unceasing change on nature's march awaits : 
 One step dissolves, another step creates. 
 The stroke of fate 'tis useless to deplore. 
 Though winter kills, the vernal days restore. 
 Seek consolation in the page of truth ; 
 In buoyant faith foretaste immortal youth. 
 Upon her pinions fly from gloomy cares, 
 As birds from frowns that wintry nature wears. 
 They, tuneful songsters of the summer day 
 Retir'd beyond yon clouds, appear to say ; 
 " Farewell, ye frosty bowers, that cease to bloom ; 
 Our wings release us from your barren gloom." 
 Their songs no longer glad the faded grove, 
 Whose dreary smiles no more excite to love. 
 Adorn'd with fleecy snow the boughs appear, 
 The hoary garment of the aged year. 
 The fragrant breeze has left the clouded skies ; 
 To chilling winds the leafless forest sighs. 
 The rivulets groan in icy fetters bound, 
 And roll reluctant o'er the frozen ground ; 
 But soon new verdure shall the fields adorn : 
 The flowers, with joyful tears, salute the morn ; 
 Eefreshing zephyrs through the blossoms play, 
 And tuneful songsters charm the wakeful day ; 
 
PASTORALS. 557 
 
 Resounding rivulets wander through the groves, 
 And pleasing nature shines in all her loves. 
 So shall thy joys revive and sorrows die, 
 When grief's sad causes in oblivion lie ; 
 And thou again the rural choir attend, 
 And lose in bliss the memory of thy friend. 
 Yet shall thy fleecy lambs confess thy care 
 And sportful play, though no Sylvester there ; 
 Though he no longer, tripping o'er the mead, 
 In broken accents, eloquently plead. 
 Great nature, anxious for her lover's rest, 
 Withdrew him early to her peaceful breast ; 
 Yet not unmindful of his worth, she sigh'd 
 In gloom autumnal as her lov'd one died, 
 A while inclin'd to give him back to wo 
 For vain celebrity and empty show ! 
 With me he wanders in th' Elysian fields, 
 He tastes the joys that goodness only yields ; 
 Unstain'd by earth his lovely spirit rose, 
 And left his body to its long repose, 
 That free from ills now hears no tempests rave : 
 Sweet rest and silence bless his humble grave. 
 
 M. Feel as I feel would'st thou true counsel give : 
 Can fish in air, or birds in water live ? 
 Like the drear aspect of the autumnal sky, 
 That shows the year's pale shrouded hearse is nigh, 
 The present prospect of my life appears 
 O'ercast with sorrow's darkness, big with tears ! 
 I fain would practice all your words advise ; 
 But flowers of May ill suit with winter's skies : 
 If, in my bosom, one fair blossom blow, 
 'Tis quickly blasted by the breath of wo. 
 Ah, let me pass to some more blest abode ! 
 Kind angels, waft me on the starry road ! 
 Where age is unattended with decay, 
 And nature glories in eternal May ; 
 Where mortal buds in heavenly youth unfold, 
 And tuneful winds fan groves of living gold. 
 
558 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Grandpa. Eevolving seasons shall remit thy pain ; 
 Retime thy reed and call thy joys again : 
 Thy woes will vanish in the pleasing sounds, 
 And earth forgot, you '11 rove on heavenly grounds. 
 The soul that patient bears the storms of fate 
 Surmounts the troubles of terrestrial state. 
 Thou 'It still with pleasure breathe the fragrant gale, 
 And happy wander in the flow'ry vale. 
 Though now a sullen darkness clouds your day, 
 Though there dejected and forlorn you stray, 
 The flight of years shall bear thy grief away. 
 Full soon the trees will spread a grateful gloom, 
 Involv'd in verdant clouds, and odorous bloom ; 
 Then may'st thou linger in the groves, and prove 
 Thou still hast much to lose, and much to love. 
 
 M. Alas ! no spring can cheer the gloomy urn ; 
 Nor make my darling to these arms return. 
 When feeling shall be lull'd by fleeting years, 
 And memory of the lov'd one bring no tears, 
 Then, nature's may give way to reason's voice ; 
 The heart forgetful of its pain rejoice ; 
 But long, oh long, will last my wintry gloom ; 
 My spring will sadly smile in barren bloom. 
 
 THE BEREAVEMENT. 
 
 'TWAS night, and oh that night was drear, 
 That from me snatch'd my parent dear. 
 
 cruel death, what horrid glare 
 Thy visage cast upon me there ! 
 
 1 saw him gasp ; his life depart ; 
 
 Saw the dear form torn from my heart I 
 No ; still he there superior lives ; 
 There, still, a mournful pleasure gives. 
 The scenes are sweet, though ting'd with wo, 
 
ROSALINDA. 559 
 
 In memory's grateful light that glow ; 
 And oft my thoughts shall wander where 
 I knew a father's tender care. 
 What sorrows dimm'd my infant eye ! 
 What barren scenes of life were nigh ! 
 An orphan lone, while fortune frown'd, 
 And fearful scowl'd the world around. 
 Faint hope was in my sky to cheer ; 
 "No hand the budding mind to rear : 
 From parents, and from riches hurl'd, 
 To brave a selfish, thankless world. 
 
 ROSALINDA. 
 
 DEPARTED days came o'er my soul, 
 While held by slumber's sweet control ; 
 Til' enchanting face, the graceful air, 
 The snowy arm, and ringlet fair ; 
 The blooming groves, and shady bowers, 
 Where happy roll'd the summer hours ; 
 And art thou yet in life ? I cried ; 
 Then memory that dear scene belied ; 
 And quick recall'd the mournful youth, 
 That cold she fell in lovely youth ; 
 That unavailing tears were shed 
 For gentle Rosalinda dead : 
 That old and young in sadness paid 
 Funereal honors to the maid. 
 Still wandering o'er a desert way, 
 In silver robes, she seem'd to stray, 
 Pale, quivering, on the moonlit air : 
 I reach'd to grasp the spectre fair. 
 Alas ! no blooming charms were there ! 
 My arms clos'd through the howling air : 
 Fit emblem of my troubled soul, 
 
560 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GEOTN". 
 
 That seeks green summer at the pole, 
 In her, that with the maids of old, 
 In death's embraces, slumbers cold. 
 
 Her spirit, mingled with the breeze, 
 Flits o'er green hills, brown vales, and seas ; 
 In roses blooms ; in waters flows : 
 Scents morning's breath ; in ether glows ; 
 And in the west, as day declines, 
 From golden clouds refulgent shines. 
 
 OSSIAN'S ADDEESS TO THE SUN. 
 
 O THOU who walk'st the aerial field, 
 Full orb'd, and round, as warrior's shield. 
 Whence is thy ceaseless, gentle light ? 
 When thou appear'st in beauty bright, 
 The stars, the moon, before thee fly ; 
 She hides her in the western sky. 
 Thou, in thy journey, mov'st alone : 
 "Who dare approach thee, blazing sun ! 
 The oak from lofty height descends ; 
 The rock beneath time's sceptre bends ; 
 Seas flow, and ebb ; above the sky 
 The moon is lost ; but thou, on high, 
 Forever shedd'st transcendent light, 
 Eejoicing in thy splendor bright. 
 When lowers dark storm, with thunders loud, 
 And lightnings pierce the gloomy cloud, 
 Thou look'st serene ; thy purple hair 
 Waives, smiling, through the troubled air. 
 In vain thou smil'st on Ossian's eyes, 
 From eastern, or from western skies : 
 No more he sees thy morning state ; 
 Nor farewell at night's dusky gate. 
 Perhaps, like me, thou 'It have thy end, 
 
WISDOM'S COMMENDATION. 561 
 
 Slumbering in clouds, forget to send 
 
 The day ; rejoice, then, youthful sun, 
 
 Ere dark, uncheerful age, shall come : 
 
 'Tis like pale Luna's feeble rays, 
 
 When, through thick mist, she seems to gaze ; 
 
 Like winds, that from cold regions blow, 
 
 Or wounded traveller, faint and slow. 
 
 WISDOM'S COMMENDATION OF HEESELF. 
 
 hears not Wisdom from high places cry 
 Beware, O man ! the ills that hidden lie ! 
 Ye fools, awake ! and hear the truths reveal'd 
 The vain and wicked still would keep conceal'd : 
 I '11 throw upon your intellectual night 
 A useful, pleasing, fair and heavenly light. 
 Nor gems, nor rubies shall with me compare ; 
 Nor all earth's flattering honors prove so fair : 
 I guide invention's lofty flights afar ; 
 Of sages, kings, and mighty states, the star, 
 Beneath my rays laws, fix'd as nature, bloom, 
 And prudent justice speaks th' offender's doom. 
 Who me obeys shall walk life's easiest road, 
 And, loving me, be lov'd by nature's God. 
 For I with him convers'd, when time was young ; 
 Before these worlds from ancient chaos sprung. 
 I saw when first he form'd the ponderous ball, 
 Bade mountains rise, and ocean's valleys fall, 
 The fluent air in lofty regions play, 
 And clouds, and thunders, throng the aerial way. 
 'Tis my delight, with human kind to dwell ; 
 Content are they who keep my precepts well ; 
 And blest is he, who watches at my gates ; 
 For, finding me, eternal life awaits. 
 36 
 
562 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 A DEEAM.* 
 
 IN darksome wilds methought I stray'd 
 Forlorn, and far from friendly aid. 
 Earth thunder'd from her caves profound ; 
 A trembling seiz'd the solid ground. 
 With voices strange the welkin rung, 
 And forms unseen in chorus sung : 
 
 Traveller ! wheresoe'er ye wend, 
 Sorrow, woes, and death attend. 
 Pleasing forms sweet bev'rage give ; 
 Mortals drink and cease to live. 
 Hapless they whom genius fires ; 
 Hapless they of low desires. 
 Few the happy medium know ; 
 All are born to suffer wo. 
 Wildly toss'd by passions strong, 
 On they rush in courses wrong. 
 Passions grovelling, passions blind 
 Rashly urge th' immortal mind : 
 Now bid seek for naught but gold ; 
 ]STow for fame a world be sold. 
 Warring nations' blood they sail, 
 Yice their bark and lust their gale ! 
 
 While yet the candid, thrilling strain 
 Was echoing o'er the gloomy plain, 
 Delightful sounds invade my ear 
 Of heavenly harps and voices near ; 
 And lo 1 more fair than blooming May, 
 Approach'd the Muses, dancing gay : 
 They pointed to Parnassus' height, 
 And thither bade me take my flight. 
 Straight, by the touch ethereal fir'd, 
 I had to that proud height aspir'd ; 
 But Avarice came. With downcast eye 
 
 * Written to present to one who advised not to write poetry, because poets 
 generally are poor. 
 
DREAM. 563 
 
 The various arts of thrift we try. 
 
 Past Glory's votaries, as we bound, 
 
 And see them spreading splendors round, 
 
 Diffusing light in great debates, 
 
 Enacting laws, reforming States, 
 
 Supporting virtue, bold and strong, 
 
 In glowing eloquence of song ; 
 
 Scarce heeding wealth, our joy and pride, 
 
 Their thriftless course we loud deride ; 
 
 Exclaiming : Fools ! they soon will know 
 
 That wealth excels all else below. 
 
 But soon we reach'd life's journey's end, 
 
 A point, where 'tis too late to mend. 
 
 Then quick my guide to ashes turn'd ; 
 
 His eyes on me malignant burn'd. 
 
 I stood, methought, beside my grave, 
 
 Beheld the cypress o'er it wave, 
 
 While near me pass'd of youths fair trains 
 
 Outpouring elegiac strains. 
 
 Behind, appear'd the pomp of war, 
 
 And Glory rob'd the mournful car 
 
 In living light, and deathless bloom ; 
 
 And thus they sung her votary's doom : 
 
 As Sol he came, as Sol retir'd, 
 Spreading truths, by genius fir'd. 
 He like Sol again will rise : 
 Yirtuous genius never dies ! 
 
 Bright around his deathless name 
 Rages emulation's flame. 
 Bright will shine his glory's day, 
 Till the earth shall pass away. 
 
 Often may we boast his peer, 
 One so great, so good, so dear ; 
 Where his honor'd relics sleep 
 Yirtuous travellers will weep, 
 
 When they to his tomb repair, 
 Seeking inspiration there. 
 
564: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEST. 
 
 Long his name will gather praise, 
 Brightening with increase of days. 
 
 I wept, for I was wise too late : 
 Not Jove himself reverses fate ; 
 And ask'd why e'en my heirs forgot 
 To cast a look upon this spot ? 
 A voice replied, with scorn and rage : 
 " You shed no glory on your age. 
 No muse shall save thy name from death, 
 Or give thee life in others' breath ; 
 For you repress'd the flame divine 
 That makes in lofty deeds to shine : 
 With avarice quench' d the heavenly fire, 
 That frees the soul from low desire. 
 Shall slaves to fortune honors find 
 Like glory's man-exalting kind ? 
 Still, what most pleased claims your care : 
 Still, deal with all things as they are : 
 What fits the genius best, pursue ; 
 To mind and body's wants be true : 
 While you ascend Parnassus' height, 
 Keep always fields of grain in sight. 
 Of these, forgetful if you stray, 
 You might the trust of life betray. 
 Man thwarts a law most wise and good, 
 When without sweat he wins his food. 
 Hope not to reap but what you sow ; 
 From parts, well acted, honors grow. 
 The muses never take offence 
 To see man seek a competence ; 
 But when for wealth he needless bends, 
 This, this the heavenly maids offends. 
 
 " Still, in thy sphere, thou didst prevail, 
 As part of earth's essential tail. 
 The various world, 'tis very plain, 
 Must have its legs as well as brain. 
 What matter where one's lot is cast. 
 
CHRIST WALKING ON THE SEA. 565 
 
 As tail or leg of being vast ? 
 
 As one of these, you labor'd well ; 
 
 Sink down, then, to your narrow cell ; 
 
 Nor think that you have liv'd in vain 
 
 By getting all you sought to gain, 
 
 Though form'd to sing the deathless strain." 
 
 FKOM "PKOYEKBS." 
 
 REBUKE shall more than flattery gain applause. 
 
 Who harms his parents wars on nature's laws. 
 
 "Who trust in God shall have a prosperous life. 
 
 Fools trust themselves. The proud are doom'd to strife. 
 
 When vice predominates, fair virtue mourns ; 
 
 Nor, till pure justice reigns, her joy returns. 
 
 Who feeds the poor shall dwell in pleasure's light ; ' 
 
 Who on them frowns shall rove in joyless night. 
 
 The fool will tell what wisdom bids conceal. 
 
 Who hasty speaks will foolishness reveal. 
 
 Meekness shall triumph o'er the grave of pride. 
 
 Hash anger shows the faults we fain would hide. 
 
 CHKIST WALKING ON THE SEA. 
 
 GEIM night o'erspread the deep ; winds adverse blew ; 
 The ship roll'd wild, with pale dishearten'd crew ; 
 When, upright, walking on the waves, appears 
 Th' Eternal Son ; he o'er the deep careers 
 As on dry land ; the mariners sore amaz'd, 
 Believ'd they on some troubled spirit gaz'd. 
 Not so ; " be fearless ; for 'tis me," he cries 
 " Bid me approach thee," Peter then replies 
 He bids, and Peter quits the rolling ship, 
 
566 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 And walks secure along the foaming deep ; 
 
 But faithless, soon the waves had whelm'd him there, 
 
 Had God not rais'd, and bid the billows spare. 
 
 The conscious tempest from his presence flew ; 
 
 To east and north the sighing blasts withdrew ; 
 
 Till solemn stillness o'er the sea prevails, 
 
 And easy rolls the ship, with slacken'd sails. 
 
 PSALM I. 
 
 GOD is my rock, my shield, and trust ; 
 He humbles all my foes in dust. 
 Midst woes, to him I raise my voice ; 
 He hears, and bids my heart rejoice, 
 Though death approach me, drear and pale, 
 And foes and miseries prevail. 
 
 To him I call, the God gives ear, 
 And rocks the ground, and quakes the sphere ; 
 His nostrils breathe devouring fire ; 
 Before his way the seas retire ; 
 The shades of night around him lower ; 
 Red lightnings flash, loud thunders roar ; 
 Hoarse bellowing winds rend earth and heaven ; 
 Stern fate before his feet is driven ; 
 Nor earth withstands his arrows dread 
 Hocks melt, hills fall, and wake the dead. 
 
 Is this because his David wins 
 His friendship for eschewing sins ? 
 The upright man his God will guard ; 
 He ne'er shall want a due reward ; 
 For David's God is great and just, 
 And him in every plight I'll trust. 
 
567 
 
 FKOM SOLOMON'S SONGS. 
 
 O, LET me of thy kisses share, 
 
 The ointments sweet perfume thy hair. 
 
 Supreme delight thy name inspires, 
 
 Thy presence kindles virgins' fires. 
 
 A kinder love bestow on me, 
 
 And I'll that love repay to thee ; 
 
 ' Twill fire my memory more than wine ; 
 
 For sure my love is most divine. 
 
 Though "black I am, my form is fair 
 
 As Solomon's tents or curtains are : 
 
 Nor should complexion change my fate ; 
 
 ' Twas caus'd by wrong domestic hate : 
 
 My brethren made me till their vine, 
 
 Though I bestow'd no care on mine. 
 
 Where feed thy flocks at noon ? Oh ! where 
 
 For why should I not meet thee there ! 
 
 Thou art to me the myrrh or rose. 
 
 Oh ! couldst thou on my breasts repose, 
 
 That we might talk in tender sighs, 
 
 And nectar quaff from dove-like eyes ! 
 
 Our bed is green, and far more fair 
 
 Than Pharoah's chariots Solomon's are. 
 
 ii. 
 
 A lily, midst the thorns, is she ; 
 Nor can the rose out-blossom me ! 
 She's like the tree that apples bears, 
 Its head in gloomy woods that rears. 
 I sat, while hung her branches o'er, 
 And dulcet was the fruit they bore. 
 My love, in wakeful fancy, roves 
 A youthful roe through blooming groves. 
 As once I slept, he kind did say, 
 
568 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENTN. 
 
 Rise, rise my love and come away ; 
 For winter's past, the sky is bland, 
 The turtle's voice is in the land ; 
 The linnets sing, the flowers appear, 
 And sweetly smiles the rolling year : 
 Delightful odors charm the day : 
 Rise, rise my love and come away ! 
 
 JOB III. PARAPHRASED. 
 
 DIE the day that I was born, 
 Darkness hide its evil morn ; 
 God, behold it not, nor light, 
 Sink it in profoundest night, 
 Let it not increase the year : 
 Joyless solitude be there. 
 
 Be no morn nor twilight grey 
 On that early, luckless day. 
 Why beheld it not my death ? 
 Why did milk support my breath ? 
 Endless sleep had held me bound 
 In forgetfulness profound ; 
 Where repose the kings of old, 
 Heedless of their thrones of gold. 
 There the wicked ne'er molest ; 
 There can weary mourners rest ; 
 Prisoners no oppression bear : 
 Great and small are equal there. 
 Hence, can misery see delight 
 Beaming through life's dreary night ; 
 Meet with joy the herald pale ; 
 Fearless enter death's dark vale. 
 
 Why to man is knowledge given ? 
 Humble instrument of Heaven ! 
 
YOUTH. 569 
 
 Sorrows thick upon me pour, 
 What I fear'd has whelm'd me o'er. 
 Tasting joy, I swallow'd pain 
 Prudence, all thy cares were vain ! 
 
 YOUTH. 
 
 SEE, furrow'd age, yon blithsome boy ; 
 His tender heart o'erflows with joy ; 
 E'en like the summer cloud he weeps, 
 And soft as twilight shades he sleeps. 
 
 ' Tis now his happy day of prime ; 
 He feels no guilt, he knows no crime : 
 He sees no ills that torture thee ; 
 But lives from care and sorrow free. 
 
 The rising scenes of nature gay 
 To him superior charms display ; 
 The ways of manhood seem so fair, 
 He fain would swiftly travel there. 
 
 Ah ! infancy, how happily blind ! 
 
 Hope's pleasing scenes thou ne'er shalt find 
 
 Before the silvery hairs appear 
 
 We mourn you gone, and age so near ! 
 
 But man shall be forever young, 
 (For Virtue's sake so Hope has sung,) 
 When past death's valley, dark and drear, 
 And bloom through Heaven's eternal year. 
 
570 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLN. 
 
 THE WEECK. 
 
 , THE sun roll'd down the western steep, 
 And grim, and dark, night cloth'd the deep. 
 Nor star, nor moon, was seen above ; 
 But blackest clouds, by auster drove ; 
 When, sudden, burst the storm around, 
 With lightning flash, and thunder sound ; 
 Thick streaming, dash'd big floods of rain, 
 And winds rush'd dreadful o'er the main. 
 
 Ere while, the lofty canvas furl'd, 
 The mariner braves the watery world : 
 Swift, down the dark profound, he glides ; 
 Swift, midst the flashing clouds, he rides : 
 Now, deep through dark'ning valleys flies ; 
 Now, dances wild through stormy skies, 
 On peaks of rushing mountains tost ! 
 In gloomy caves of ocean lost ! 
 
 Pale terror reigns, loud calls the tar, 
 Eesisting vain the watery war. 
 At length he utters smother'd cries, 
 Ingulph'd, and in the wild waste dies ; 
 His winding sheet, the angry swell ; 
 The howling storm his funeral knell. 
 
 THE SLAVE'S SOLILOQUY. 
 
 WHEN first my wandering mind began 
 To feel the joys and woes of man, 
 How pleasant was the Bentang tree 
 That cool'd my countrymen and me ! 
 
THE SLAVE'S SOLILOQUY. 571 
 
 Beneath it's shade my kindred smil'd : 
 A sister, like fair morning, mild, 
 A father kind, and mother dear, 
 Protecting, cheer'd my gay career. 
 
 The lovely maidens, sweet and coy, 
 Held distant still hope's promis'd joy ; 
 But oft sky-roving fancy there 
 Gave to my arms the tender fair. 
 
 Before me what blest seasons sprung ! 
 What tales deceitful fortune sung ! 
 Gay hoy, she said, the time will be 
 When love and wealth shall wait on tliee. 
 
 Alas, that time was distant far : 
 Fast onward roll'd the storm of war : 
 It ruin'd all that pleas'd before 
 It hurl'd me e'en from Afric's shore. 
 
 Unhappy Africa how long 
 Must thou give theme of tragic song ! 
 Till avarice dies, or Christians bend 
 To practice precepts they commend ? 
 
 'Now midst unfeeling men, in chains, 
 I rave and weep o'er ocean's plains ; 
 Drove by the roving wind that fann'd, 
 In happier times, my native land. 
 
 Soft skies no longer yield delight ; 
 No dreamless slumbers shorten night ; 
 No kind sensation gives the breeze : 
 All happiness from Mungo flees ! 
 
 Mourning my fate, I ask of heaven, 
 Why winds are to injustice given ? 
 Why shines the sun on deed so foul ? 
 Why points the magnet to the pole 
 
572 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Assisting wicked men to bear 
 
 To loath'd disgrace, and dark despair 
 
 The African, and no red arm, 
 
 Keach'd from wrong'd heaven, to do them harm 
 
 But true, that wind is fair to none 
 Which wafts to crime ; nor kind the sun 
 That lights the way ; the magnet's course 
 Conducts to misery and remorse. 
 
 That untried life must soon begin, 
 When conscience, shuddering at the sin, 
 With loud lament shall curse the hour, 
 T' enslave mankind they had the power. 
 
 Yet no relief their endless pains 
 Can me afford, in cruel chains : 
 To me restore no parent's form, 
 Nor hush misfortune's withering storm. 
 
 Ah ! while I see their future doom, 
 My mind is wrapt in deeper gloom. 
 No cruel joy poor Mungo bears, 
 That his wo ends, but never theirs. 
 
 May he soon land on death's calm shore, 
 Where vice can never triumph more ; 
 Clay-cold and dead to earth return, 
 Forget this life, and cease to mourn. 
 
 NAPOLEON'S FALL AND MOKAL GBANDEUR 
 
 How weak the prop of human trust ! 
 All earthly things go down to dust ! 
 The chief who order'd many throne, 
 Who view'd great nations as his own, 
 
TO MY OLD HORSE SHANDY. 573 
 
 The friend of merit and her train, 
 Or seen in princes or the swain 
 Is reft of lofty sway, how soon ! 
 What darkness clouds his blazing noon ! 
 
 Though his great mind and matchless power, 
 That aw'd the world, now awe no more ; 
 False friends forsake, and lowering night 
 Succeed fair victory's dazzling light. 
 His fame shall still refulgent rise ; 
 Misfortune lifts him to the skies ! 
 
 In moral strength he soars elate, 
 And triumphs o'er the storms of fate ; 
 With firmness fortune's anger braves ; 
 The mind (his better kingdom) saves. 
 Nor needs the aid of suicide, 
 The fool's relief for wounded pride. 
 
 Gay fancy oft shall haunt his isle 
 To see him o'er earth's baubles smile : 
 And thither admiration stray 
 To view the evening of his day ; 
 To see the great, by doom severe, 
 Upon misfortune's bosom drear 
 In converse with the glorious past, 
 lie knows his fame with earth will last ; 
 That kings perceive he fills the world, 
 A throne whence one cannot be hurl'd, 
 And feels that he all eyes confines, 
 And, though in ruins, realms outshines. 
 
 TO MY OLD HORSE SHANDY. 
 
 WHY is my breast o'ercast with sorrow ! 
 
 Indeed no fop nor fool is dead : 
 Plain dealing Shandy sees no morrow ; 
 
 An honest friend as e'er wore head. 
 
574 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 He was not skill'd like human lords ; 
 
 Yet of his powers he w T ell dispos'd : 
 He lost no time with lying words : 
 
 His deeds his brethren's faults disclos'd. 
 Let all who fitly act their part, 
 
 Though more or less with legs supplied, 
 Receive the reverence of the heart, 
 
 To nature and to truth allied. 
 
 Yes, he has gone the race-ground o'er, 
 Whence back he ne'er will canter more ; 
 Nor hold his tail aloft, and squeel, 
 And in old stumps see shapes of de'il. 
 Upon this life has turn'd his heels, 
 No more will whinny for his meals ; 
 But on th' bounteous earth will sleep 
 In dreamless rest, till up he leap 
 In form of pink, or clover green, 
 And bloom amidst some rural scene : 
 In thousand shapes his poor remains 
 May swell the beauty of the plains. 
 
 Poor beast, thou hast no ghost for de'ils 
 To pinch and crack on burning wheels ; 
 But if thou had'st I cannot think 
 The rogues would break thy rest a wink. 
 Thou seldom didst from duty stray, 
 Though tempted much by oats or hay. 
 How oft thou did'st to church repair 
 And, tied to stake, do penance there ! 
 I saw old grandam thither ride 
 High on thy back, with youthful pride, 
 While beaus at distance strain'd their eyes 
 At winter in fair summer's guise. 
 
 In youth, you triumph'd in the race, 
 And leap'd all fences in the chase ; 
 But palsying age depriv'd, at length, 
 Of graceful gait and useful strength. 
 E'en thou could 'st see in thy short day 
 Thy easy wrack and pace decay 
 
TRANSLATION OF PETEAECIl's ADDRESS TO VIRGIL. 575 
 
 To awkward trot, while disrespect 
 Thy frailty folio w'd with neglect. 
 
 Thou quite hast slipp'd thy bridle uow ; 
 Eluded being's joy, or wo. 
 Although in life thou wast a slave, 
 And thy cold remnant found no grave ; 
 Yet many a sinner, idly great, 
 May envy thee so mean a fate. 
 
 ~No more thy night is vex'd with dreams 
 Of mounting hills in loaded teams ; 
 No more thou dread'st the morning sun 
 "Will see thee with a chariot run : 
 'No more thou wilt to weddings go 
 For human sport to suffer wo. 
 In short, 'twere, hard to count thy gain, 
 JBy quitting this rough sod of pain. 
 The sons of man may earnest pray, 
 That none pursue more hurtful way ; 
 That every future hero prove 
 As worthy of his country's love : 
 Like thee the world's affections keep ; 
 ISTor till he dies make mortals weep. 
 
 TRANSLATION OF PETRARCH'S ADDRESS TO VIRGIL 
 
 ON VISITING MANTUA, VIRGIL'S NATIVE PLACE. 
 
 WHERE dwell'st thou now, thou poet great ? 
 The honor of the Roman state 
 The muses' hope O tell me where ; 
 Or in dark hell, or upper air ; 
 Or with Apollo and the Nine, 
 Enchanted by their songs divine. 
 Perhaps Elysian fields ye rove ; 
 With Homer walk the happy grove, 
 
576 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENTN". 
 
 And others of immortal name, 
 Who strung the lyre and shine in fame. 
 Inform me if jour dreams were true ; 
 What life you lead, what joys pursue. 
 
 I glad believe thy moments roll, 
 Where never comes unhappy soul ; 
 If human shades thy heaven ascend, 
 May mine thy golden courts attend. 
 Thy poems' fate I'll tell thee then 
 The glory they've to Mantua been. 
 Thy native land has had its woes ; 
 But yet remains unrul'd by foes. 
 'Tis there I write, by thee inspir'd ; 
 Midst rocks and fields where you retir'd : 
 On silver Mincio's banks 1 rove, 
 Where oft you sought the shady grove ; 
 Where on the verdant grass ye lay, 
 And shunn'd the sultry heat of day. 
 All these remind me of thy name 
 They fire my breast and boast thy fame. 
 
 Forbear to ask the Roman lot ; 
 Ah ! better that ye know it not. 
 Learn rather how thy works have prov'd ; 
 Old Tityrus' songs are still belov'd ; 
 Nought with your Georgics can compare ; 
 The fields still blossom heavenly fair ; 
 Your Eneis o'er the world abounds, 
 Delighting with its martial sounds : 
 What gratitude Augustus claims, 
 Who snatch'd it from devouring flames ! 
 
 Adieu, great bard, forever dear ; 
 My thanks to Hesiod and Homer bear. 
 
THE CONSENT. 577 
 
 PEACE. 
 
 HAIL blooming peace, enchanting power, 
 Forever bless the muses' bower. 
 Fair sovereign of the age of gold, 
 Thy reign with joy the good behold ; 
 It spreads the useful and the fair ; 
 Of charity extends the care ; 
 Of human anger slakes the fire, 
 And calms the tumult of desire. 
 As comes she from her native skies, 
 What prospects cheer the good and wise ! 
 Blithe industry on frugal wings, 
 Contentment, wealth and pleasure brings. 
 Mild innocence, the graces gay, 
 And bright-eyed hope around her play. 
 Her gentle, soul-exalting mood 
 Disperses sin's unhappy brood : 
 Before her envy turns to praise, 
 And malice pours of love a blaze. 
 More fair than rosy tranquil morn, 
 With whom the loveliest scenes are born ; 
 Her countenance casts a light divine ; 
 Her looks the melting bow outshine. 
 
 Would man her happy counsels keep, 
 Humanity might cease to weep, 
 The voice of battle cease to roar, 
 And fields be stain'd with blood no more. 
 
 THE CONSENT. 
 
 AN oak thick clouds of foliage bears ; 
 And high above the groves appears 
 In its wide shade a blooming boy, 
 Contented, sings the notes of joy ; 
 37 
 
578 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Disporting in life's hopeful morn, 
 He in its roses finds no thorn. 
 In verdant plains and shady bowers, 
 Komantic mountains, fields of flowers, 
 He roves and feels no ill control ; 
 No furious passions toss his soul ; 
 His faithful dog, delighted, plays, 
 And frisking round, his love betrays : 
 His lambs on flowery beds repose ; 
 The bending grasses o'er them close 
 While Sol high blazes, and the trees 
 Faint whisper in the fragrant breeze : 
 When lo ! a dulcet voice he hears 
 Express a maiden's hopes and fears : 
 
 Unnumber'd days, I've look'd for thee : 
 Ah, sad and irksome days to mo ! 
 I could not think a swain would shun 
 The tender breast his beauty won ; 
 His fond adorer and his friend, 
 "Whose love but with her life will end. 
 Of noble parents is my strain ; 
 But wealth and pomp, you tempt in vain, 
 When Hiram walks along my grove, 
 Refulgent in the arms of love ! 
 O blooming lands ! why should ye know 
 Distress, or hear the voice of woe ! 
 Ah ! why he wrong'd a heart so true ! 
 That e'en forsakes a world for you ! 
 That lets high suitors cheerless rove, 
 And tell to trees their hopeless love ; 
 Engrave her name on poplars fair, 
 And give their sighs to needless air. 
 But ah, what boots it to implore ! 
 I'll seek the grave and weep no more. 
 Perhaps in future days you'll shed 
 A pitying tear for Julia dead ; 
 Lament her lost thou wouldst not save, 
 And strew sweet roses on her grave. 
 
DISPUTE BETWEEN LABAN AND JACOB. 579 
 
 The youth exclaims : Let not decline 
 In storms a day so fair as thine ! 
 Let many a rose thy bosom grace, 
 And many a kiss impress thy face, 
 Ere Hiram stand by Julia's grave ; 
 If aught in him has power to save. 
 Thus he ; and straight the maid refus'd ; 
 And wonder'd he such language us'd : 
 Alas ! said she, may one not joke, 
 And not your impudence provoke ? 
 Still love had stung each gentle breast 
 And both excluded from the blest. 
 
 DISPUTE BETWEEN LABAN AND JACOB. 
 
 WHAT is my fault that merits this pursuit ? 
 My goods thou hast explor'd ; what hast thou found 
 Of thine ? If aught, expose it to our trains, 
 That they our lot most rigidly decide. 
 With hunger pinch'd I serv'd thee twenty years, 
 Nor used for food thy she goats or thy rams : 
 If beasts devour'd our flocks, I bore the loss, 
 Not thou ; dry winds parch'd Jacob's face by day, 
 Sleep fled his eyes by night for twenty years ; 
 Fourteen of which I serv'd to get my wives, 
 And six to get my cattle ; full ten times 
 You chang'd my wages, and e'en now had sent 
 Me off in empty plight, had not my God 
 Beheld his servant's woe, and thee rebuk'd. 
 
 I blush to mention, though it should convince 
 Of my great grievances, that shameless breach 
 Of a plain contract on thy part to palm 
 On me thy eldest daughter : when 'twas told 
 To me that Rachel had possess'd my bed 
 By thy deluding tongue, I went with joy, 
 
580 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Such joy as in this sdrry mood I scarce 
 Can well explain, t' enjoy her radiant charms, 
 Charms won by sweat of sev'n laborious years ; 
 But O what fraud the morning sun displayed ! 
 What perfidy ! may such morn ne'er return, 
 Cold disappointment gathering on its brow 
 There Leah lay for Kachel fruitful vine ! 
 Sure angel's pity for my lot, made her 
 A consolation to my mind, a root 
 Of Jacob's seed : but this was my good luck 
 And not thy honesty. Then seven years more 
 You made me toil for Kachel kindest spouse ! 
 Won spite of fraud and fourteen toilsome years ! 
 Now what hast thou to ask of me but frowns ? 
 Sure nothing else I owe, yet take my smiles, 
 For evil, injur'd Jacob good repays. 
 
 Thus he, while Rachel on the stolen gods 
 Sat deeply anxious ; Laban then replied : 
 
 I nought required of thee but what seem'd just. 
 If I have err'd, 'twas human nature err'd, 
 Not me ; 'twas accident, and not design, 
 That made me wrong thee ; for suspicion strong 
 Urg'd me to this pursuit ; thou gav'st the cause 
 Thereof, by this most secret flight, as if 
 Thy conscience had condemn'd thee happy time, 
 When by strict search I can pronounce thee free 
 From such suspicion ! Thou shouldst deem it well 
 To have by trial thy innocence confirmed. 
 
 Blame then thy flight, for this pursuit, not me : 
 My gods were lost at thy departure sly ; 
 Hence, erring reason taught me to believe 
 They kept thee company ; though I did doubt, 
 That you would do a sacrilegious theft ; 
 And I rejoice to find you innocent, 
 Though much 'twas fear'd 'twould differently transpire ; 
 For vice from little seeds, quite unperceiv'd, 
 Will on occasion grow and bloom aloft, 
 And with chill shade make virtue's flow'rets pine : 
 
DISPUTE BETWEEN LABAN AND JACOB. 581 
 
 Your early frauds, impos'd upon your sire, 
 To get your brother's birthright, plainly show 
 You dare transgress the rule of honesty : 
 That fraud, on a blind parent practis'd, soars 
 Above all frauds, that Laban ever thought ! 
 
 Though your excuse for fornicating Leah 
 Were true, was my deception wicked ? 
 'Gainst filial duty, and a brother's right, 
 Like yours ? ah, no ! invention cannot find 
 On me it seems a fraud to equal yours ! 
 
 Audacity, to cheat thyself, and say 
 Unblushingly 'twas me, that did the deed ! 
 You hop'd to soil the virgin Leah's name, 
 Then plead mistake, and still with Rachel wed ; 
 A double field, thus reap, by double game, 
 "While the dishonor was upon my house. 
 This could a father brook ? To cast the stain 
 Of whoredom from my family, I bade 
 Thee wed the one thy ardor had embrac'd ; 
 Yet by a charity, how undeserv'd ! 
 Allow'd thee to remain, and purchase Rachel, 
 And, at my cost, accumulate much wealth. 
 How far you merited my blessing, hear 
 Each pact of ours was made a path to fraud ; 
 Regardless of our meaning, thou didst 'deem 
 Thyself quite lucky, if a wretched quirk 
 Spoke in thy favor, glorying in that 
 Which honest men would deem a scandal foul. 
 Beneath ambiguous language thou wouldst hide 
 The letter, not the spirit of our pacts, 
 Thy chief regard commanded shelter mean ! 
 Witness the strip'd and speckled whips you placed 
 In watering troughs, to take from me my flock 
 By certainty, while I repos'd on chance, 
 Nor thought the solemn contract to infringe. 
 After these frauds of thine, ungrateful frauds, 
 Dar'st thou rebuke me for dishonesty ? 
 And why this plaint of hunger and of toil : 
 
582 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Because it wrought thee poverty ? sure not ; 
 
 You rival oldest patriarchs in wealth. 
 
 You labor'd well indeed ; but who has reap'd 
 
 Most profit of that labor ? 'Tis not I. 
 
 Look whence ye sprung, and what thou art this day 
 
 Thou wast a wanderer poor ; upon my boughs 
 
 Thy vine I lifted, gave it nourishment ; 
 
 Now with what clustering riches art thou fraught ! 
 
 where couldst thou have toil'd to better purpose 
 Than under me ? If from th' amount of fruit 
 The tree is judg'd, all must infer that mine 
 
 Has been quite fruitful of good things to you. 
 If thou didst not eat mutton, 'twas because 
 Thou wouldst not do it. If you bore the loss 
 Of cattle violently ruin'd, 'twas for that 
 Thou didst omit to keep them from that ruin. 
 For thy omissions do not blame me ; nor 
 Arraign me for the winds that parch'd thy face. 
 Had I the winds controll'd, a milder air 
 Had fann'd thy face by day : had I possess'd 
 Those eyes that could not sleep in such employ 
 By night, and free to seek a happier state, 
 
 1 had so done, unless rewarded well 
 
 For that unuseful wakefulness but hear : 
 He whom I've bless'd I hope will wish me well, 
 And shield me from my enemies, and aid 
 Me in my age to walk contentment's road. 
 I then propose, we join in leagues of peace, 
 And raise a monument in sign thereof 
 To future generations, that our seed 
 Observe the duty we thereby impose. 
 
NOON. 583 
 
 TO THE MUSES. 
 
 BLEST muses, all your succor bring ; 
 O teach a child of earth to sing ! 
 Come, with me rove by lucid streams, 
 That glimmer bright in Phoebus' beams ; 
 Or, midst the flowers, in tuneful play 
 Pursue sweet pleasure all the day ; 
 With zephyrs kiss the quivering green, 
 Addressing nature, beauty's queen : 
 Or sing of artless love of swains, 
 Of heroes, realms, and sanguine plains, 
 And haunting palace, town, or grove, 
 Your heavenly nature let me prove ! 
 Descanting on the things of earth, 
 The pupil show the teacher's birth ; 
 Nor give the world a single line, 
 That serves not virtue's cause divine. 
 
 NOON. 
 
 THE shepherdess, with looks serene 
 Attends her flocks ; they eye their queen 
 With secret pleasure, visage kind, 
 And all that shows the happy mind. 
 She to a shady oak retires, 
 While Sol mid heaven outpours his fires. 
 While sultry breezes faintly play 
 O'er fragrant plains, and die away. 
 The shepherd there, repos'd from toils, 
 Receives her with admiring smiles ; 
 And both reclin'd upon the grass, 
 In converse sweet the moments pass ; 
 And thus she sings : How fair the flowers 
 On which we spend the fleeting hours ! 
 
584: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 In other times, beside a rill 
 That half encircles yonder hill, 
 I led my flocks to quaff the stream, 
 Bright glittering in the lunar beam, 
 While round me soothing winds convey'd 
 A fragrance from this flowery glade ; 
 Then evening spread her dusky wing, 
 And feather'd songsters ceas'd.to sing. 
 Blest warblers of the woods and plains 
 They please the world with grateful strains. 
 Gay liberty among them dwells, 
 And animates their tuneful spells. 
 When balmy breezes softly play, 
 And ether smiles in cloudless day. 
 Or when green summer's sudden showers 
 Expel them from the festive bowers, 
 We hear no thankless voice repine ; 
 They sit beneath some drooping vine, 
 Until the clouds no longer rain, 
 And heaven's fair brow is clear again. 
 Then loud their happy accents rise, 
 The earth rejoices, smile the skies ! 
 
 The shepherd then : Beneath a tree 
 One lives, as fair as life can be. 
 In lovely splendor roll her eyes, 
 Like stars, exulting as they rise. 
 Her breath in tuneful numbers flows, 
 Which, echoing through the listening groves, 
 Attracts the feather'd nations round, 
 And men delighted, hear the sound, 
 Respectful glance at beauty's throne, 
 Admiring treasure not their own, 
 And, thinking of his bliss, the while 
 Behold a happier lover smile 
 In hymen's band : then let us raise 
 To heaven a grateful song of praise, 
 For all that nature's hand bestows 
 To form our bliss, or ease our woes ; 
 
585 
 
 Since here, remote from war's alarms, 
 Where folly seldom struts in arms, 
 We live in plenty's smiling sphere, 
 And peaceful run in life's career. 
 
 He next of buried kindred sings, 
 And back to life past actions brings. 
 Aerial shapes seem hovering round, 
 Repeating oft the silver sound. 
 
 He sings the grace his God displays ; 
 The happiness of virtue's ways ; 
 And asks of innocence and peace 
 The gentle reign to never cease, 
 That fills his bosom with delight, 
 And gives of heaven a prospect bright. 
 The blazing source of life and day 
 Receives the tribute of his lay : 
 He ardent tries, but tries in vain, 
 To paint the glories of his reign, 
 The radiance of the purple dawn, 
 The sparkling of the dewy lawn, 
 The dazzling splendor of his noon, 
 His bright investment of the moon, 
 And him descending in the west 
 Mild gazing, like a spirit blest. 
 
 The shepherd ceas'd, then sweet and wild, 
 His spouse thus sung of Fancy's child : 
 
 Pour'd on hills the morning light ; 
 Fled the stars and sullen night ; 
 Flora lovely, blushing smil'd ; 
 Fragrance flow'd on zephyrs mild ; 
 Rob'd in bloom were groves and plains ; 
 Birds were warbling dulcet strains ; 
 Dew-drops bright impeaii'd the flowers ; 
 Joyful flew the blooming hours ! 
 
 Through the shadowy forest wild 
 Wander'd fancy's rapturous child, 
 Wooing nature, beauty's queen ! 
 Drest with flow'r-bespangled green. 
 
586 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 On her breast, in careless play, 
 Lond he swell'd the lofty lay, 
 While the various beings round 
 Silent heard the pleasing sound : 
 Scowling bulls forgot to roar ; 
 Flocks delighted fed no more ; 
 Dogs, rejoicing in the song, 
 Crouched, and roll'd, and leap'd along. 
 
 Sung he of the peasant's state, 
 Free from cares that wealth await, 
 Roaming freedom's circuit wide, 
 Unrestrain'd by tyrant pride : 
 Or, to moving tales of love 
 Gives the cadence of the dove ; 
 Seems to mingle with the Spring, 
 All its blooming charms to sing, 
 Heaven and earth, the tame and wild, 
 Friends and mates of fancy's child, 
 And applies the tuneful art, 
 As of nature it were part. 
 Inspiration's power he finds, 
 Glows, expands, outflies the winds ; 
 On the blazing wings of light 
 Darts to other worlds more bright ; 
 Basks in hope's refreshing beams, 
 Gilds his hours with golden dreams ; 
 Still his spirit cannot rest 
 Ah, how few are truly blest ! 
 Cloy'd with earth, his fancy flies 
 To the raptures of the skies. 
 Mortals waste their strength in vain 
 When they nothing useful gain ; 
 Roving through the w r orld unknown, 
 Soon the child dislikes his own. 
 Thus I hear th' ingrate complain : 
 Angels must I here remain ! 
 When will nature cease to bind 
 In the dust the deathless mind ! 
 
KOSSALINDA. 587 
 
 When untrammel'd shall I rise, 
 Hearing music of the skies ! 
 Haste ye moments, haste away, 
 Lift me to the realms of day ! 
 
 ON VISITING AARON MERCHANT'S SCHOOL, JUNE, 1823. 
 
 HERE Milton's fire, as yet unknown. 
 
 May into glorious flame be blown 
 
 By science' mind-exalting breatl}, 
 
 And many a name be snatch'd from death. 
 
 KOSSALINDA. 
 
 Air, Rossalinda ! art thou fled 
 To gloomy regions of the dead ! 
 The blush of youth and beauty gone 
 In darkness, where no day will dawn ! 
 
 Like visions pass the proud away 
 From whence they came, to senseless clay ; 
 The hero, that disdain'd to see 
 An equal love, is cold as she. 
 
 Though blest w T ith wealth and dazzling charms, 
 Death's angel comes, the grave alarms ; 
 And all her future prospects bright 
 Are swiftly whelm'd in mournful night. 
 
 Amidst glad scenes and youthful days, 
 While hope her brightest star displays, 
 What sudden darkness round is spread ! 
 How soon are human pleasures fled ! 
 
583 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLN". 
 
 While borne on life's tempestuous stream, 
 On which dim beacons feebly gleam, 
 Man, thoughtless, strikes th' eternal shore, 
 Devoted to return no more. 
 
 IMPATIENCE. 
 
 OH, how can I stay 
 From my Sally away ! 
 If here I should tarry, 
 My feet will miscarry ; 
 My nose will stick out 
 Like the mast of a boat ; 
 My bones seem a hatchel 
 Inclosed in a satchel ; 
 My eyes, too, resemble 
 A light in a thimble : 
 Then blow, snorting gales, 
 And fill my broad sails ; 
 Let oceari roll white 
 As the snow clad in light ; 
 The vessel be drove 
 Swift as thunderbolts move ; 
 For how can I stay 
 From my Sally away ! 
 
 ELEGY ON A CHILD. 
 
 THOUGH fair as the sweet blushing rose of the morn ; 
 Though Hope said for glory and fame thou wast born ; 
 Though beauty and dignity beam'd from thy eye, 
 All wither'd and lifeless in ruins you lie. 
 
ELEGY ON A CHILD. 589 
 
 No more will thy eyes roll in loveliness o'er 
 The meadows, that felt thy light dances before ; 
 Thou never wilt utter the wisdom of eld 
 In fetters of death thy soft features are held. 
 
 As lilies unfold on the waters bright breast, 
 Ere Sol spreads his curtains of gold in the west ; 
 So lovely you bloom'd on the ocean of time, 
 But faded and fell ere the day of your prime. 
 
 No brilliance of glory blaz'd o'er thy doom : 
 A fair spreading now'ret cut down in its bloom ! 
 Thou sink'st in the grave without building a name, 
 Or time to perform what may nourish in fame ! 
 
 No country can owe its salvation to thee, 
 
 Nor canst thou a Dry den or Washington be, 
 
 Or aught that shall make thee with mortals remain : 
 
 Alas, thy existence was given in vain ! 
 
 No traveller shall visit in far distant years 
 Thy grave, and it bathing with generous tears, 
 Say, " here lies the hero, the poet or sage ;" 
 For thou wast cut down in the morn of thy age. 
 
 Yet visions, like Yirgil's, on Mincio's stream, 
 Or such as young Milton's arose in thy dream : 
 In tone with the grandeur of nature, thy mind 
 In tempests and thunder a pleasure did find. 
 
 Proud heaving in majesty, often it rose, 
 Felt motions of greatness no words can disclose : 
 Its grandeur of thought started heavenly tears ; 
 But lost was its light upon infantine years. 
 
 It rul'd no great action, illumin'd no page ; 
 Awaken 'd no voice that might senates engage : 
 Well hadst thou ask'd heav'n to lengthen thy date, 
 And leave to thy genius to labor thy fate. 
 
590 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLN". 
 
 ODE TO DEATH. 
 
 GLOOMY, stern, resistless power, 
 Threatening all things to devour, 
 What can shun thy fatal rage ? 
 Blooming youth and hoary age, 
 Lofty oak and lowly tree 
 Fall an equal prey to thee. 
 
 Sweet the gentle infant smiles ; 
 Hard the hopeful parent toils : 
 Vain the labor, vain the care ; 
 Nought thy withering blast will spare 
 Low the lovely flow'ret lies ; 
 Stung with grief the parent dies ! 
 
 Sickening sun of sorrow's morn ; 
 Tyrant o'er all woman-born ; 
 With destruction's spoils elate 
 Ruins of the good and great ; 
 Wilt thou early in thy race, 
 E'en their names from earth efface ? 
 
 Loath the single dart to throw, 
 Bid the deep o'er mountains flow ? 
 Or that ocean's tribes may end, 
 Life and fame at once descend. 
 Wrap the busy world in flame ? 
 E'en extinguish Homer's name ! 
 
 O permit the lofty song 
 Time's drear wild to lighten long : 
 Still on crumbling matter prey : 
 Snatch the weeds of earth away : 
 Here thy fatal shafts confine ; 
 Aim them not at things divine. 
 
THE TRITE OBJECTS OF AMBITION. 591 
 
 If thou mak'st a Titus bend, 
 Or a godlike Cato end ; 
 If a Newton to thee cower, 
 Or a Franklin's day be o'er ; 
 Let his works survive to tell 
 What of heav'n on earth may dwell. 
 
 ' Tis not given thee to control, 
 
 But release th' immortal soul ; 
 
 Whose bright steps, on Wisdom's page, 
 
 Shall not feel thy mighty rage, 
 
 Till of time the gloomy end 
 
 Shall thy ruthless bow unbend. 
 
 In thy suicidal hour, 
 Time itself shall feel thy pow'r ; 
 All that joy or sorrow gave, 
 Moulder in the dreary grave ; 
 And thy dreadful flag unfurl'd, 
 Shade the silent, lifeless world ! 
 
 THE TKUE OBJECTS OF AMBITION. 
 
 WHO may boast a glorious name, 
 Takes not praise of fools for fame : 
 Justice, Yirtue, Wisdom crown 
 Him, that goes with glory down. 
 
 Those of whom the just are proud, 
 Ne'er to hellward vice have bow'd. 
 They, in heavenly records, live ; 
 Angel hands their cha,plets give. 
 
 Rather let no warrior's name 
 Proudly float the tide of fame ; 
 Yanish Csesar's empty state, 
 Perish all things idly great, 
 
592 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Than meek Worth's example kind, 
 Fail to move the world of mind. 
 Not that virtue's praise can die : 
 Bright before the omniscient eye, 
 Blooming in immortal youth, 
 Flourish Innocence and Truth : 
 Faithful mothers ; rulers lov'd, 
 Who by peace their prowess prov'd ; 
 Gladden'd life's bewildering night, 
 With their virtue's grateful light ; 
 Cheer'd the troubled waste of years, 
 Drying hapless mortal's tears ; 
 Potent to restrain the ill ; 
 Strong to do the eternal will ; 
 These their blissful labors see 
 Blessing their eternity. 
 Happiness on earth they find, 
 In the self-approving mind. 
 Though o'erlook'd in mortal's lays, 
 Seraph choirs resound their praise ; 
 Write their names on records high 
 While their foes in darkness lie ; 
 Banish'd from th' angelic pen 
 To the puny strains of men ! 
 Thousands bent on vain applause ; 
 Barren soils in virtue's cause ! 
 Sink in time's ingulfing tide, 
 While the good sublimely ride. 
 
 Not in vain the meek and just 
 In prophetic wisdom trust. 
 Men shall swords to ploughshares turn ; 
 Heavenly love in mortals burn ; 
 Nor they always slight the good 
 To exalt the men of blood. 
 E'en on earth the sword shall cease 
 To outshine the wreaths of peace. 
 Evil shall to goodness yield : 
 Justice, guarding glory's field, 
 
593 
 
 Drive from all the limits bright 
 Things ungrateful to her sight : 
 Proud ambition treat with scorn, 
 Praise, of vice and frailty born ; 
 And, indignant, spurn the lays 
 Folly to her brows would raise. 
 
 ON BYRON'S DEATH. 
 
 A TUNEFUL wave has broke on death's dark shore ; 
 Byron pale slumbers with the bards of yore. 
 A sadness settles on Parnassus' bowers ; 
 For death has snatch'd the brightest of her flowers. 
 
 He fell, the Muses sigh'd, and Glory spread 
 Her living mantle o'er her poet dead. 
 Stern Tyranny's rough features joyful glow ; 
 But tears fair Freedom's lovely face o'erflow 
 Because her useful votary is no more, 
 Whose deathless numbers spread her happy lore 
 Whose lofty spirit rode her rushing blast 
 And o'er the darken'd east its radiance cast. 
 
 As musing o'er her moss-clad mouldering tow^ers 
 The noble torrent of his soul he pours, 
 The land of song awaken'd by the strain, 
 With conscious grandeur leaps to life again ; 
 The crescent dripping blood indignant hears, 
 And midst war's iron storm her bosom bares ; 
 Leonid as and Miltiades return, 
 And modern breasts with ancient ardor burn. 
 Though chain'd in death he lives in many a page 
 To rouse the genius of each future age. 
 The voice of nations deepens in his praise, 
 Resounding frequent his melodious lays. 
 His monument is in the lofty soul ; 
 Yain on its base shall wasting centuries roll ; 
 Nor undermining time, nor barbarous sway, 
 Shall sweep the mind-enchanting pile away. 
 38 
 
591 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 JEFFEKSON AKD ADAMS. 
 
 ONE day has seen falling two pillars of state, 
 That stood undepress'd mid the tempests of fate ; 
 That from the proud isle snatch'd the gem of the west, 
 The land o'er all others by liberty blest ! 
 
 They fearlessly launch'd into war in their prime, 
 And darken'd with perils their summer of time 
 To avert usurpation and freedom maintain, 
 The brightest of all of Britannian strain. 
 
 Sagacious to see, they were bold to repel 
 The stroke of encroachment, nor slept till it fell ; 
 But, watching its movements, directed its fall ; 
 Hence ocean drank cargoes design'd to enthrall. 
 
 Though fetters were forg'd they could not reach our shore ; 
 We just heard them clank, but we felt not their power : 
 Say not then we came from a race, that could bear 
 To breathe any other than liberty's air. 
 
 We sprung not from mortals degraded and tame, 
 Who relish'd existence in slavery's shame. 
 No, Adams and Jefferson were of a race, 
 With millions for fight, not a cent for disgrace. 
 
 Great champions of Justice, they liv'd to behold 
 The coming of all that kind Hope had them told 
 When, darkness and dangers o'erclouding our doom, 
 The great Eevolution seem'd kill'd in its bloom. 
 
 How happy, that Heaven awarded the meed 
 Of basking so long in the light of the deed, 
 Which hoisted, mid tempests, the standard of state, 
 The firm Declaration, asserting our fate ! 
 
JEFFEKSON AND ADAMS. 595 
 
 They saw their America happily sail, 
 Avoid all the rocks, and advance with each gale, 
 Themselves at the helm, or in greatness retir'd, 
 And compass the objects their fondness desired. 
 
 They heard mighty millions, with filial zeal, 
 Lament for their wo, and rejoice for their weal, 
 As sires of a nation, for fifty bright years, 
 They rose, must we say, from the valley of tears ? 
 
 They rose midst the thunders of that jubilee, 
 In which they declared that their country was free. 
 They rose, when the heavens seem'd leaning to earth, 
 To hear a great nation rejoice for its birth : 
 
 A country where justice is shielded by law ; 
 Whereto from all climes high and lowly withdraw : 
 "Whose lofty example incessant supplies 
 A guide to the nations beneath other skies. 
 
 Whatever of dangers a statesman may brave, 
 Whatever of labors a people may save, 
 Whatever of honors the good may obtain, 
 Were yours, hoary sages, the pride of our strain. 
 
 Yours, too, was the spirit, that never shall fail, 
 That flam'd in Thermopylae's death-glutted vale, 
 That Runnymede shrouded, that lighten'd in Tell, 
 On Washington, Hampden and Lafayette fell ; 
 
 That follows, unceasing, the march of the mind, 
 And leads on', in triumph, the rights of mankind. 
 By which war and wrong from the earth shall be hurl'd, 
 And justice and peace fill the throne of the world. 
 
 Blest sires ! full of honors, of worth, and of days ! 
 What millions to you shall a monument raise ! 
 In the hearts of the great and the good it will rise, 
 The pride of the earth and the lov'd of the skies. 
 
596 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 INDULGENCE INVOKED FOR THOSE WHO ESTIMATE 
 THINGS DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHERS. 
 
 INDULGE the child of tender years ; 
 What trifles melt his soul in tears ! 
 For a bubble broke, or whistle lost, 
 In storm of grief his heart is tost ! 
 
 Before his meek pretensions pause ; 
 Nor judge with needless haste the cause ; 
 Ah ! let not thoughtless harshness rend 
 The gentle breast it seeks to mend ! 
 
 O never, manhood, in thy noon 
 Forget life's tearful dawn so soon ; 
 Nor overlook thy own decline ; 
 A second childhood may be thine. 
 
 Thy wealth takes wings, and darkness vast 
 
 Upon thy day of life is cast : 
 
 An equal gloom o'erclouds the joys 
 
 Of youth for loss of worthless toys ! 
 
 His views and playthings can you blame, 
 Because your own are not the same ? 
 O think the flight of years has hurl'd 
 You far away from childhood's world ! 
 
 Full soon will come life's chilly eve, 
 When little things again will grieve. 
 Let grateful manhood then assuage 
 The woes of youth, the ills of age. 
 
THE PRESENT. 597 
 
 THE PRESENT. 
 
 THE present times are always bad : 
 'Twas such that made our fathers sad ; 
 And such shall make our children mourn, 
 "When we are past the fatal bourn. 
 
 What now is held is not complete : 
 Both past and future seem more meet ; 
 For all departed joys can see ; 
 And all far happier yet will be. 
 
 Great Milton " fell on evil days," 
 A sadness dwells on Tasso's lays. 
 Hear Job of life and fate complain ! 
 And Solomon tell that all is vain ! 
 
 This man at home is ill at rest, 
 Amidst its blissful shades unblest ! 
 Strange lands and dangers he must try, 
 And thus for home be taught to sigh. 
 
 Long practice, which perfects his skill, 
 And soon would brightest hopes fulfill, 
 Is irksome, and he quits his trade 
 To lose what self-denial made ; 
 
 Or if he tugs the useful oar, 
 He feels as near a leeward shore : 
 Unlike the thousands luckier born, 
 Who easier fill the golden horn. 
 
 All states grow powerful, then decline, 
 The present mends the past design, 
 The structure former statesmen rear 
 The present sages rashly tear, 
 
598 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Bold ignorance boasting all the while, 
 How much its labors help the pile. 
 The daubers of a tavern's sign, 
 Ketouching Kaphael's works divine ! 
 
 But one advantage favoring heaven 
 To woe-surrounded man has given ; 
 It is to see without surprise 
 The present always is most wise ! 
 
 Mind ebbs and flows ; conceit remains ; 
 In every age its pride retains : 
 Augustan, Periclean light, 
 To crusade hosts appear'd as night ! 
 
 The skill that made the father gain, 
 The son considers crude and vain ; 
 Though he in twenty months has lost 
 The wealth a life of cares that cost ! 
 
 THE PAST. 
 
 THE past abounds with giant men ? 
 ~No poetasters flourish'd then ? 
 Ah ! many such obscur'd the past, 
 By winnowing time in darkness cast. 
 
 Unnumber'd shallow poets sung, 
 While Homer's mightier numbers rung 
 Unheard amidst the general din, 
 That sought the vulgar ear to win. 
 
 But soon the earth-born poems died, 
 And o'er them clos'd oblivion's tide. 
 Then unobscur'd by mists, and bright 
 The lofty Iliad strikes the sight. 
 
THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS TENDS TO PERFECTION. 599 
 
 Who rais'd the pile of living fire ? 
 The Greeks through all their states inquire ; 
 And find 'twas one both blind and poor, 
 Who sung for bread from door to door. 
 
 Dull mediocrity had won 
 The wreaths due Genius' deathless son, 
 And so conceal'd his lofty mind, 
 His birth-place long was undefin'd. 
 
 But now the chaff was swept away ; 
 Both wits and readers turn'd to clay. 
 Ev'n death-tam'd envy hiss'd no more. 
 Those saw who would not see before ! 
 
 The future, with a like surprise, 
 Shall on the present cast its eyes ; 
 And see the great, now dimly seen, 
 For dulness' envy's mist between. 
 
 THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS TENDS TO 
 PERFECTION. 
 
 ALL beings to perfection tend. 
 Th' exceptions general taste offend. 
 Both ugliness and weakness feel, 
 That love for them has little zeal ; 
 While strength and beauty ever fire 
 The breast and kindle soft desire. 
 
 Why then should any race decay, 
 If art to nature yield the sway, 
 Who for the vigorous and the fair 
 Awakes in all a tender care ; 
 But seldom stirs the heart to seek 
 The ugly, graceless, or the weak. 
 
600 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 So all who happiness pursue, 
 
 Must needs approach perfection too : 
 
 Avoiding low and bad desires, 
 
 The soul to heavenly height aspires, 
 
 And there, at length, from discord free, 
 
 Abides with God in harmony. 
 
 THE MASTER PASSION EULES THE JUDGMENT. 
 
 JUDGE not, lest thou be judg'd ; for know 
 The sun may spots of darkness show. 
 No one is with perfection blest ; 
 On all detracting foibles rest. 
 
 E'en as thy neighbor seems to thee, 
 Thyself to all the world may be. 
 Some master passion rules his soul ; 
 And art thou free from like control ? 
 
 One wastes his wealth with lords to dine ; 
 One starves himself in silks to shine ; 
 Another, for poetic lays, 
 To poverty resigns his days. 
 
 This man to swell his heap of gold, 
 Enacts the slave to Fortune sold ; 
 And though with cares and labors gray 
 Some think he scarce has liv'd a day. 
 
 Bright reason's intermittent gleam 
 Warns all to shun th' absurd extreme ; 
 Yet each would understand her voice 
 To justify his passion's choice. 
 
 The man whose joy is slothful ease, 
 Or thriftless jaunts o'er lands and seas, 
 Would doubtless learn with much surprise, 
 That bliss from gathering wealth might rise. 
 
SEEK A COMPETENCE. 601 
 
 Though hard and toilsome be the race, 
 The hunter still enjoys the chase : 
 No matter what the game may be ; 
 Fame, riches, power, or luxury. 
 
 Says Ben, u though rich, G. coachless died ;" 
 " And verseless, also," I replied. 
 Though pleas'd I read blank verse all day, 
 Most men will not as listeners stay, 
 
 But think of business left undone, 
 And fly th' amusement one by one ; 
 Then may we not with truth opine, 
 All men's enjoyments are not mine ? 
 
 And if we may a crowd disperse, 
 With seemingly attractive verse ; 
 Might not a coach repulsive be 
 To those who would from cares be free ? 
 
 If one must sport because he can, 
 The poorer were the luckier man ; 
 Exempt from Fashion's whip and spur, 
 Which oft from Nature's path deter. 
 
 The use of wealth will be confin'd 
 To what delights the owner's mind ; 
 And what to one is punishment, 
 Affords another sweet content. 
 
 SEEK A COMPETENCE. 
 
 THIS is not the age 
 That epics engage 
 The human attention ! 
 Such age can you mention ? 
 
602 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLtf. 
 
 Simplicity sweet ! 
 For childhood how meet ! 
 Pray when was the time 
 The grand arid sublime 
 Attracted the many ? 
 And how few, if any, 
 Can bear to behold 
 The living enroll'd 
 With the mighty of old ? 
 The ocean of thought 
 Meonides brought 
 'Tis said could not save 
 From want, though his grave 
 Was shook with dispute, 
 To win the repute 
 Of giving him birth, 
 When gone from the earth. 
 
 E'en Tasso, whose fame 
 Gilds Italy's name. 
 And Portugal's bard 
 Found Milton's reward ; 
 On evil times cast : 
 Times always to last ! 
 For though in each age 
 The glorious rage 
 Is felt by a few, 
 High merit that view, 
 As midway they soar ; 
 'Tis not till life 's o'er 
 They speak of it slow 
 To the many below : 
 Thus Addison gave, 
 Almost from the grave, 
 To Milton, 'tis said, 
 To be prais'd, if not read. 
 As one then must pass 
 Through them to the mass, 
 
NIGHT PASTORAL. 603 
 
 Of Zeno take heed : 
 Provide against need ; 
 Nor let the world taunt 
 The poet with want. 
 
 NIGHT PASTOEAL. 
 
 'TwAs night ; the moon in pallid glory rose : 
 A flood of splendor from her disk she throws ; 
 Displays the nightly sphere to mortal view, 
 And tips the mountains with a silvery hue. 
 Deep silence o'er the leafless forest reigns, 
 Save where the solitary owl complains ; 
 Or wolves rapacious, in pursuit of prey, 
 Howl through the woods, and rue the borrow'd day ; 
 Or where, in busy murmurs, ffbw the rills 
 In mazy courses down the snow-clad hills. 
 The farmers in their cottages regale, 
 Scan reason's chart as mov'd by passion's gale, 
 And things discuss as hopes or fears prevail. 
 
 Good Dimon, once the pride of youthful swains, 
 As was his Susan sharer of his pains ; 
 And Dorcas, now in early beauty bright, 
 Her aged parents' pride and fond delight, 
 Secluded live, with humble means content, 
 And Dimon thus reviews his moments spent : 
 
 The clouds may scatter their collected snow, 
 The rivers freeze, and frigid Boreas blow, 
 Th' inclement winter hold his frosty reign, 
 For we have stored sufficient w T ood and grain. 
 Your Dimon spends his time not idle long ; 
 ISTor lets a summer pass away in song ; 
 The stubborn farm has yielded to my cares, 
 And nourishment applied, luxuriant bears. 
 Though oft, my father said, when he was young 
 Mere shrubs and thorny briers from it sprung. 
 
(504 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENLN". 
 
 It long had been the summer range of cows 
 
 And fleecy sheep its scanty greens to browse. 
 
 Adverse to culture, that unfruitful soil 
 
 Most stingily responded to his toil : 
 
 But now, by lime and clover's quickening aid, 
 
 "We see our labors gratefully repaid. 
 
 Blest industry ! what happiness it brings ! 
 
 Exhaustless source, whence all contentment springs ; 
 
 The kindest law, on man impos'd by heaven 
 
 Is that by which his days to toil are given. 
 
 Sus. Our flocks supplied the garments by us worn ; 
 But now, unshelter'd, see them wandering lorn. ; 
 Oppress'd by rising wind, they seem to say : 
 Remember us to ruthless cold a prey, 
 While man un thoughtful near a soothing flre, 
 In sweet contentment, sees its flames aspire. 
 How prone are we, while plenty round us flows, 
 To rest regardless of our creatures' woes ! 
 Should those who merely for our interest live, 
 Meet such requital as we thoughtless give ! 
 
 Dim. With joy I hear thee for their comfort plead ; 
 Were they as we more shelter might they need ; 
 But nature form'd them of a different kind ; 
 Who shields them not is to his interest blind. 
 In verdant summer I propos'd to form 
 An ample shed to shield them from the storm, 
 And you consulted, straight the work forbade, 
 Else this reflection had not now been made. 
 Oh, Susan, Susan, (not unlike thy kind) 
 Why thus in search of ills employ the mind ? 
 
 Dor. How drear and cold appear the mountains bright, 
 While lofty Luna gilds the sphere of night ! 
 Thin fleecy clouds glide through the welkin pale, 
 And leafless trees sigh mournful to the gale. 
 
 Sus. Alas ! how chang'd since you and Caleb sung 
 The flowery glades and blooming groves among ! 
 His evening visit he will now delay, 
 For ice and snow-fraught winds obstruct his way. 
 
NIGHT PASTOKAL. 605 
 
 Dim. Can lovers true be kept apart by storm, 
 Or rivers wide, though raging winds deform ? 
 In other days when, bright in youth, I shone, 
 Ere some were born, long since to manhood grown, 
 I could unwearied thrice the journey go, 
 Through blustering tempest, flinging smothering snow ; 
 Yet, blindly amorous that gallant must be, 
 Who treads this night the icy wilds for thee. 
 Before him far will buildings seem to rise, 
 Invested with the brightness of the skies ; 
 But near approach, the fabrics disappear ; 
 Still distant is the point he thought so near : 
 On lengthening road, though chill'd, he still must go, 
 With toilsome step, through banks of drifted snow. 
 
 Sus. But wast thou blind when first our love begun, 
 To visit me through storms and floods you run ? 
 Or when to rival my melodious strains, 
 And win my heart, you sung the suitor's pains ? 
 Deceptive, then, I tumbled to the ground, 
 And death apparent clos'd these eyes around. 
 Then you, low bending o'er the artful fair, 
 Bedew'd her breast with many a mournful tear ; 
 And while the signs of sorrow glistening ran 
 In eloquence of grief, you thus began : 
 
 Oh, why forget those lovely eyes to roll, 
 That, darting living fire, inflam'd my soul ? 
 Has heart-enchanting music stopp'd thy breath, 
 And borne thee to the gloomy gates of death ? 
 Must that sweet voice delight the groves no more, 
 Nor charm the breast it often charm'd before ? 
 This seems the subject of a recent dream, 
 In which I wander'd by the moon's pale beam 
 Through fragrant groves, and pleasing numbers sung : 
 All things seem'd listening to my tuneful tongue ; 
 The zephyrs chang'd their course, and hovering o'er 
 My vocal grove, could softly breathe no more : 
 The birds were silent ; rivulets ceas'd to flow ; 
 And heaven cast wistful looks at earth below. 
 
606 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 A secret anguish kindled in my breast ; 
 But whence the cause no pondering could suggest. 
 At length, like flash of light, in shining tears, 
 With hair dishevel'd, thy fair form appears ; 
 To grasp thee, swift I strive, but strive in vain ; 
 You shun my kind embrace with rude disdain, 
 And thus address me : Dim on ! grace my bier 
 With blushing roses, wet with many a tear ? 
 Let friends lamenting in long order move, 
 And soothe my shade along my native grove. 
 Hang high thy harp on some dark cypress tree 
 To sigh to passing winds and mourn for me. 
 Excited at the view, I wildly scream, 
 And waking, gladly find it all a dream. 
 The sad presage I rightly read too late : 
 The problem dark is now resolv'd by fate. 
 
 Thus, deeply sorrowing, while the tear drops roll'd 
 Fast down thy cheeks, the piteous tale was told. 
 Then I from that delusive plight arose ; 
 
 Else had I seen thy day in darkness close. 
 
 Dim. Full forty years have made the subject stale. 
 
 Once reason was too weak for passion's gale. 
 
 Experience since has temper'd well the mind : 
 
 To greater losses, now, it were resign 'd. 
 
 Some wisdom in my later life appears ; 
 
 Discards the follies of infantine years ; 
 
 Excites desire again through life to wade, 
 
 To mend its errors and its ills evade ; 
 
 But yonder comes our daughter's spark of hope, 
 
 I see him walking down the mountain's slope. 
 
 The more he toils to reach the object dear, 
 
 The more the lover proves his love sincere : 
 
 Hence through the cold I gladly see him come, 
 
 Presaging for our girl a happy home ; 
 
 For all the virtues in his conduct shine : 
 
 Industrious, modest, frugal, with no sign 
 
 Of dissipation from tobacco's use, 
 
 Which often leads to drunk'ness from abuse ; 
 
* THE BRAVE. 607 
 
 Besides, lie is just comfortably poor 
 Enough to make his virtues more secure, 
 And teach him to preserve as well as gain ; 
 That what he gets will not be got in vain. 
 Then, let us to the grateful bed retire, 
 And to the young. resign the cheerful fire ; 
 They to each other will their views reveal, 
 While lulling slumbers o'er our senses steal, 
 Till weary nature yields to blissful rest, 
 And morning finds us with refreshment blest. 
 
 THE BEAYE. 
 
 THOUGH foreign foes the land invade ; 
 Though ignorance, in bewildering shade, 
 Deems wandering comets, streaming far, 
 Portend fell pestilence and war ; 
 Though superstition o'er the land 
 Throw terrors from her goblin hand, 
 Firm stand the brave, in proud disdain, 
 Like rocks that bound the stormy main. 
 
 When erring frenzy wildly burns, 
 And wit of multitudes o'erturns, 
 That onward rush, like torrent floods, 
 Or angry fires, through branching woods, 
 Yile demagogues to elevate, 
 At risk of ruin to the State ; 
 Then interpose the virtuous brave, 
 And seek th' endanger'd land to save. 
 
 When darkening war-clouds, thundering near, 
 Inspire a nation's heart with fear, 
 And patriotism makes demand 
 Of vengeance for her native land ; 
 
POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Calls all her powers, leaves naught undone 
 To make all hearts unite as one ; 
 Then on the brave turns every eye, 
 And all upon their worth rely. 
 
 In peace and war, their country's guard, 
 A grateful people shall reward : 
 Their names be held in memory long, 
 Inspiriting the patriot song. 
 Where rob'd in honors bright they sleep, 
 Admiring virtue comes to weep ; 
 A nation's tears are o'er them shed ; 
 They live, though number'd with the dead. 
 
 ON THE PIOUS MOTHER OF AUGUSTUS GRIFFIN. 
 JUNE, 1811. 
 
 FKOM earthly cares and scenes unblest 
 The pious mother sinks to rest. 
 Death's pale embrace benign appears, 
 That bears her from the vale of tears 
 To glow again in youthful bloom, 
 Where never enters sorrow's gloom ; 
 Where beauty ceases to repine, 
 Bright with intelligence divine. 
 But oh ! how hard to break the ties 
 That held her from the blissful skies ! 
 Fond friends and worthy children, all 
 Endear'd to her the stormy ball ; 
 Besides the wish of one that lives 
 To keep the life that nature gives. 
 But could we hear, she now would say, 
 (Earth's night exchang'd for heavenly day,) 
 Farewell, vain world, a fate severe 
 Once made me wear grey tresses there. 
 
CREATION AND REDEMPTION. 609 
 
 My cause to mourn, on Earth your stay 
 Is more than yours that I'm away. 
 Life's ills, dear son, still menace thee, 
 From which your parent now is free. 
 All-conquering Death is hovering near 
 To lead you through his valley drear ; 
 Be ready, then, ere long to come, 
 And share with me th' eternal home. 
 
 CEEATION AND EEDEMPTIOK 
 
 WHERE move the world and systems bright 
 Once brooded dark chaotic night. 
 Disorder'd matter, uncontroll'd. 
 In wild commotion fractur'd roll'd ; 
 When God proclaim'd his sovereign law, 
 And, speaking, fill'd the deep with awe. 
 Creative virtue sunk profound : 
 Off flow'd the water, rose the ground, 
 The Sun and all that gild the sky 
 Then took their shining thrones on high : 
 The Earth rejoic'd, and day, in prime, 
 Commenc'd the ancient reign of time. 
 Then flitting scenes of life began ; 
 Then rose the lion, horse, and man ; 
 And birds, with various plumage gay, 
 Leap'd deftly on the budding spray ; 
 Chirp'd sweetly, uttering glad surprise, 
 As newborn objects round them rise. 
 Then angels pour'd melodious praise 
 Of God's omnipotent displays. 
 
 Lo ! worlds created (thus they sung), 
 A man is given angelic tongue. 
 O how can we enough adore 
 Our God, or tell his boundless power ! 
 39 
 
(510 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 Burst forth in praise, ye orbs of light, 
 
 To whom 'tis given to banish night ; 
 
 Ye flowery fields, just sprung from gloom, 
 
 Sing praise and shine in fresher bloom : 
 
 Let every star resound the lay, 
 
 Nor cease through heaven's eternal day. 
 
 Thus they ; and swiftly downward wheel' d 
 To earth, they crossed the starry field ; 
 Then o'er its surface flew, with smiles, 
 O'er ocean's deep and verdant isles ; 
 O'er continents wide, now known no more, 
 Where rushing mountain billows roar ; 
 Then upward sought the bright abode, 
 And joyful o'er heaven's pavement strode, 
 Near God, involv'd in living light, 
 Enchanting to the angelic sight : 
 When sudden, from his glowing throne, 
 A fiery, glimmering radiance shone, 
 From intermittent darkness dread, 
 And thunders mutter'd round his head, 
 WTiile Sol cast pale and doubtful light, 
 As threatening to retire in night. 
 He spoke to one beside him there, 
 Of aspect mild, and heavenly fair : 
 
 My son, I see expos'd to harm 
 What gives us joy for which this arm 
 Eestrain'd the elemental strife, 
 And boisterous chaos call'd to life. 
 A man I made, of angel kind, 
 To freely act as pleas'd his mind ; 
 Before him set the good and ill, 
 And full explain'd our sovereign will. 
 But now towards the blooming world, 
 The fiend, you lately hellward hurl'd, 
 Progresses rapid ; bent to reign 
 O'er man and make our labor vain. 
 'Twere well had he not been brought forth, 
 Nor grac'd the chambers of the north ; 
 
CREATION AND REDEMPTION. 611 
 
 Or when yon did my thunders wield, 
 Had clinch' d him to th' infernal field, 
 To howl unnumber'd years in vain 
 In immortality of pain : 
 Or, while our fatal rage did last, 
 Had hurl'd him with resistless blast 
 Beyond immensity, so far 
 "No thought could reach nor ray of star. 
 Though man may well elude his snare, 
 Yet hell will seize him unaware. 
 Decisive justice must be done, 
 Though perish worlds and fade the sun ; 
 Offending man shall hellward fly, 
 Ne'er to ascend our happy sky ; 
 Unless some power divine atone 
 For his transgressions as his own. 
 
 The heavenly hosts in silence heard, 
 And none to atone for man appeared. 
 At length the son address'd the sire, 
 Calm rising midst the living fire : 
 
 My will is thine ; the task impose 
 To check the tide of human woes. 
 
 Though great the labor, pain and care, 
 
 For thee and man I'll patient bear. 
 
 Thy mercy softens judgment's ray ; 
 
 Of justice tempers well the sway. 
 
 May man into thy truth be led 
 
 Without beholding rise the dead ; 
 
 Induced to all things rightly do, 
 
 And e'en as they'd be done unto. 
 
 But ah, I fear their low desire 
 
 Unfits to know their heavenly sire : 
 
 Still victims to the false will die, 
 
 And crimes with vengeance cloud the sky. 
 
 Far distant is the happy time, 
 
 When all will know the will divine ; 
 
 When Mammon's front to thee shall bow ; 
 
 My flowers in Pagan temples grow ; 
 
612 POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENEST. 
 
 When my redeem'd, not cloth'd with power, 
 Live peaceful, and all wars be o'er. 
 
 While spoke the Son, the Father turn'd 
 To mildness ; no grim vengeance burn'd, 
 Threat'ning to wrap all things in night, 
 Wreck heaven, and put the stars to flight. 
 
 On earth the Son, as man, appears ; 
 With mercy lights the vale of tears, 
 And precepts gives divinely fair, 
 By which mankind for heaven prepare. 
 
 Mount Calvary soon beheld Him die. 
 How startled then were earth and sky ! 
 Hell trembled. He her monarch bound, 
 And chain'd him on tli' infernal ground ; 
 Again his legions headlong hurPd 
 To gnash and snarl in horror's world. 
 Then, reascending from the tomb, 
 Resum'd in heaven his deathless bloom. 
 
 UTOPIA. 
 
 WITHIN Utopia all is fair. 
 
 Such civilization triumphs there, 
 
 That none defensive arms need wield.* 
 
 The law o'er all extends its shield. 
 
 It's form of government is so good, 
 
 That, if with virtue managed, would 
 
 To person and to property 
 
 Accord desir'd security. 
 
 There wrong would not, with viper sting, 
 
 Through recreant courts its venom fling : 
 
 No scoundrel juror's perjur'd breath 
 
 On justice pour the blast of death ; 
 
 * Thucydides considers the Athenians attained to civilization from the 
 time they ceased to go armed. 
 
UTOPIA. 613 
 
 No partial judge, with trickery, hide 
 His leaning to the popular side ; 
 Right stating law, in words of art, 
 False senseto juror's to impart ; 
 Nor low-bred counsel strut and prate 
 Of shameful, as of actions great ; 
 Bad motives charge, for conduct just ; 
 Pure truth o'erclouding with distrust ; 
 For honesty, with noble soul, 
 Would dignify and all control ; 
 And prejudice blind, and meanness fail 
 Of justice to disturb the scale. 
 
 Of governments, then, it is confess'd, 
 The best administer'd is best ; 
 The form is but a lifeless shell ; 
 The ruler works it ill or well, 
 As under vice or virtue's sway : 
 Oh, let not virtue, then, decay ; 
 Let every parson have a care 
 To bid his lambs not falsely swear, 
 As legislator, juror judge, 
 Or witness ; nor from justice budge, 
 Though acting singly, or with crowd, 
 Where sneaks grow bold, from hope to shroud, 
 As one of twelve, their deeds of shame, 
 And bear but fractional part of blame ; 
 For each, though countenanc'd here by eleven, 
 Must answer for himself to heaven. 
 
614: POEMS OF THOMAS HEDGES GENIN. 
 
 TO THE FLAG OF THE UNIOK 
 
 JUNE 13, 1861. 
 
 SIGN of our power, forever wave 
 Power only felt as kind to save ; 
 On thee proud realms respectful gaze : 
 We see with pride thy glory's blaze. 
 
 'Midst storms by valorous Virtue borne, 
 Grim danger gloomed thy early morn ; 
 Oft, floating o'er thy bearer's bier, 
 Around thee flowed the patriot tear. 
 At length, emerg'd from trouble's night, 
 You shone in victory's cheering light : 
 Most, when on Trenton's icy field 
 You saw the host of England yield; 
 When, streaming over spirits bold, 
 War back from Saratoga roll'd ; 
 When, banded with the troops of Gaul, 
 You triumph'd o'er Cornwallis' fall ; 
 And when th' astonish'd seas beheld 
 The thunders of proud Albion quell' d, 
 Then victory, with realm-startling tongue, 
 O'er the wide world thy glory flung, 
 O'er a broad continent bade thee wave, 
 Relieve th' oppress'd, and nerve the brave. 
 
 Earth's millions, panting to be free, 
 Still turn their hopeful eyes on thee, 
 And in thy peril quickly find 
 In thine the danger of mankind. 
 
 No patriots ask what party holds 
 The helm of state beneath thy folds, 
 When threat'ning enemies are nigh. 
 But swiftly to thy rescue fly. 
 
 When they behold thee tempest-tost, 
 They feel they in thy wreck were lost. 
 
TO THE FLAG OF THE UNION. 615 
 
 SANE party strife will silent be 
 As oft as danger frowns on thee. 
 
 Shall foreign or domestic foe 
 Ere lay thy sky-born glories low ? 
 Man's civilization backward roll ? * 
 
 Kill freedom and benight the soul ? 
 The curses of th' indignant world 
 Shall at the snaky head be hurl'd, 
 That, with a traitorous purpose, dare 
 Degrade the dignity you bear. 
 
 " Ambition's fools," for selfish ends, 
 Sow tares, and blast the ties of friends ; 
 To seize the reins of guilty power 
 They bid the sword mankind devour. 
 They care not for the general woe, 
 If thence their private fortunes grow. 
 Such men, loved symbol of the free, 
 Would e'en lay traitorous hands on thee ! 
 Make all our father's labors vain, 
 And on their sons place Slavery's chain. 
 But fierce as lightning cleaves the sky, 
 Again shall valor bear thee high 
 'Midst bleeding battle's stormy roar, 
 Until the wicked plague no more. 
 
24504? 
 
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 LIBRARY, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS 
 
 Book Slip-25m-6,'66(G3855s4)458 
 
N9 542471 
 
 Genin, T.H. 
 
 Selections 
 
 from the writings of 
 the late Thomas 
 Hedges Genin. 
 
 PS1739 
 G175 
 A6 
 1869 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 DAVIS