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A FRAGMENT.[1]
The Roman's force in war and warlike arts,
The Grecian's genius and heroic parts,
The Egyptian's learned skill, the Persian's power,
The Macedonian's fire, the Frank's brief hour-
All these are themes that in the historic page
Shall live transcendent to the latest age.
But even now a story forms, whose pride
Above these other themes shall one day ride;
Repressed each fault that in the warring jars,
His rage forgotten, and his wanton wars.
The Briton's fame in after years shall light
A glory 'mid these beams more fair, more bright.
- ↑ These verses were written in a small county town, nearly 200 miles distant from the metropolis, and were suggested by the wondrous evidences of the progress of civilization which were everywhere visible—a progress the more striking when viewed in relation to the apparently insuperable obstacles which had been overcome in carrying civilization so far into the interior of a rugged and inhospitable country.—Jan. 1855.
