The Ode of Genius to Truth

I'll sing to thee, O truth!-Thy laws are giv'n The slumb'ring nations, waken with thy blaze,

For my directory o'er earth and heav'n!

I sing of thee-I prize thy presence more In falsehood's stream, let error bathe his soul

Than all the gifts of richly treasured lore- And slander bend to envy's base control;

I sing thy praises-thou art all to me- Be thou, 0 truth! my arbiter and guide-

I crave no pow'r but that confer'd by thee. Beneath thy standard, let my feet abide

Let thy celestial banner be unfurl'd,

Until its crescent circumscribes the world;

Eternal beauties in thy features glow, On hope's high pinion, write thy burnished name,

And from thy lips eternal fountains flow; And plant thy signet, on the spire of fame.

Let the pure luster of thy radiant eye

Beam thro' my soul and lift my nature high; Go forth and conquer-all to thee shall bow:

The master strokes that on my pulses roll And fadeless laurels fade thy noble brow:

Are but emanations of thy soul. The palm of victory waits to crown thy war--

The seal of triumph lingers not afar.

Let the fierce tigress chide her churlish brood; Victorious truth! the conquering scepter wield

Monster on monster, vent its spiteful mood- Till all thy foes in meek submission yield-

Let crawling reptils [reptiles] of the reptile school Until inquiry spreads himself abroad,

Chastise offenders of their puny rule- And knowledge smiles to his instructive rod-

Let insects feel the weight of insects' paw

For the transgression of an insect law: Till party zeal is shrouded with disgrace,

But truth! thy advocate shall not descend And superstition hides his lengthen'd face-

To sordid means, thy honor to defend; Till old stupidity is forc'd to fly-

For thou, O truth! wilt not ignobly bend Till ignorance and prejudice shall die-

To servile measures, for a noble end. Till pompous error, vanquish'd, licks the dust

And princely falsehood fires his smoking bust;

Should lofty Genius strike a feeble string; Then shall thy fiat hold the world in awe

No: in thy presence Truth, of Truth I'll sing: And barb'rous isles exult to hear thy law;

Thou art the basis of each worthy theme- Strong as omnipotence, thy arm shall prove,

Thine is the luster in each golden beam: And as eternal as the throne above.

Wide as eternity, diffuse thy light Morley Settlement, Nov. 25th, 1843

Till joyous day shall burst the shades of night:

Benighted earth, illumine with thy rays-