P O E T R T. ^17 



feut feeling says, no character assume ; 



Let imoalse dictate, and the soul have room. 



Tame glides the smoothest poem ever sung, 



To the heart's language, gushing o'er the tongue : 



Cold the address the ablest scholar drew. 



To the warm glow of crying— welcome you ! 



^\^lcome ! thrice welcome to our new rear'd stage . 



To this liew rera of our drama's age ! 



Genius of Shakespeare, as in air you roam. 



Spread your broad wings exulting o'er our dome ! , 



Shade of our lloscius, view us with delight. 



And hover smiling round your favourite site ! 



But to my purpose here— for I am sent 



On deeds.of import, and of deep intent ; 



Passion has had its scope, the burst is past* 



And I may sink to character at last. 



When some rich noble., vain of his virtu. 

 Permits the curious crowd his hottse to view ; 

 When pictures, b't=;ts, and bronzes to display. 

 He treats tbe public with a public day. 

 That all the World may in their minds retain thera,. 

 He bids his dawdling housekeeper explain them ; 

 Herself, when each original's expected. 

 The greatest that his lordship has collected. 

 A house now opens, which, we trust, insures 

 The approbation of the amateurs ; 

 Each part, each quality, — 'tis tit you know it— 

 And i'rn the housekeeper employd to showiti 

 Our pile is rock, more durable than brass; 

 Our decorations, gossamer, aud gas. 

 ^y eighty, yet airy in effect, our plan. 

 Solid, though light,— like a thin alderman, 

 " Blow wind, come wreck," in ages yet unborn, 

 " Our castle's strength shall laugha siege to scorn." 

 The very ravages of fire we scout. 

 For we have wherewithal to put it out. 

 In ample reservoirs our firm reliance, 

 Whose streams Set conflagration at defiance. 

 Panic alone avoid — let none begin it — I 



Should the flame spread, sit sti!!, there's nothing iriit j V 

 We'll undertake* to drown you all in half a minute ! J 

 Behold, obedient to the prompter's bell, 

 Onrlidc shall flow, and real waters swell. 

 No river of nicindcring pasteboard made. 

 No gentle tinkling of a tin cascade, 

 No brjok of broad-cloth shall be set in motion> 

 No ships bt v.reck'dupon av»oodL-n oc«an, 

 Vol. XXXVI. Ee But 



