The Philadelphia Book (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1836 Excerpt: ... song; Whose kindling ardour still can wake the strings When learning triumphs, and when Gifford sings. To thee the lowliest bard his tribute pays, His little wild-flower to thy wreath conveys; Pleased, if permitted round thy name to bloom, To boast one effort rescued from the tomb. While this delirious age enchanted seems With hectic fancy's desultory dreams; While wearing fast away is every trace Of Grecian vigour, and of Roman grace, With fond delight, we yet one bard behold, As Horace polish'd, and as Persius bold, Reclaim the art, assert the Muse divine, And drive obtrusive dulness from the shrine. Since that great day which saw the tablet rise, A thinking block, and whisper to the eyes, No time has been that touch'd the Muse so near, No age when learning had so much to fear, As now, when love-lorn ladies light verse frame, And every rebus-weaver talks of fame. When Truth in classic majesty appeared, And Greece, on high, the dome of science reared, Patience and perseverance, care and pain Alone the steep, the rough ascent could gain: None but the great the sun-clad summit found; The weak were baffled, and the strong were crowned. The tardy Transcript's high wrought page confined To one pursuit the undivided mind. No venal critic fattened on the trade; Books for delight, and not for sale were made. Then shone, superior, in the realms of thought, The chief who governed, and the sage who taught; The Drama then with deathless bays was wreathed, The statue quickened, and the canvass breathed. The poet then, with unresisted art, Swayed every impulse of the captive heart. Touched with a beam of Heaven's creative mind, His spirit kindled, and his taste refined; Incessant toil inform'd his rising youth; Thought grew to thought, and truth attracted truth, Till, ...