2793. anecdote. 183 
fhould approach’him, whether ofthis world or ofthe other. 
This discreet ghost desisted, and the people got rid of 
their fears in that neighbourhood. 
ae ee 
STANZAS, 
WRITTEN IN A HAUNTED ROOM. 
Tr from the cearments of the silent dead, 
es Our long departed friends could rise anew ; 
Why feel a horror, or conctive a dread, 
To see again those friends whom once we knew? 
* 
Father of All! thou gav’st not to our ken, 
To view beyond the athes of our grave; 
?Tis not the idle tales of busy men 
_ That can the mind appal.—The truly brave, 
‘Seated on reason’s adamantine throne, 
» + Gan place the soul, and fears no ills unknown. 
©! if the flinty prison of the grave 
Could loose its doors, and let the spirit flee, 
Why not return the wise, the just, the brave, 
And set once more the pride of ages free ? 
Why not restore a Socrates again? : 
Or give thee, Newton, as the first of men? 
In this lone room where now I patient wait, 
To try if souls departed can appear, " 
O could a Burgh escape his prison gate, 
oe Or could I think Latouche’s form was near. J 
Why fear to view the fhades which long must b¢ 
’ Fj 
Sacred to freedom and to charity ? 
- 
A little onward in the path of life, 
And all must stretch in death their mortal frame; 
A few (hort struggles end the weaiy strife, : 
And biot the frail memorial ot our name. 
‘Torn from the promontory’s lofty brow, 
fa time the rooted oak itseli lies low. 
ORO 
