Poems (Charlotte Allen)/Improvement
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POEMS.
"Whoever thinks a perfect piece to see,
Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, or e'er shall be."—Pope.
Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, or e'er shall be."—Pope.
IMPROVEMENT.
Since learning spread o'er wide creation's plan,
And mighty Genius owned a sire In man,
From Science dawning to the present time,
In every age and every varied clime,
Lured on by power, by conquest and by fame,
Man's noble spirit finds a well-earned name.
We proudly trace in wond'rous works of art,
The high aspirings of some skilful heart.
I sing Improvement! She, whose magic hand,
Spreads o'er the earth her fast increasing band;
And with a quenchless spirit, onward still,
Yields to no power, and obeys no will,
Save that alone which bids the yearning soul
Spurn all oppression, shunning all control,
'T is this that bids our innate feelings soar,
Pleased with a little, but yet seeking more.
A thirst unquenchable that fills the heart,
Breathing progression in each whole and part.
Trace but the efforts of the vig'rous mind,
With happy skill and useful art combined,
That now propels across the foamy sea,
The rapid Steam-ship for the bold and free.
Oh! could our "Pilgrim Fathers" now appear,
And see what great improvement's making here,
Well might they doubt the vision of their eyes,
When such success on human efforts rise!
Well might they wonder at the progress made,
Since they retired to their silent shade.
Would they could look upon the changing scene,
Improvement's made: methinks they sure would deem,
An "ignus fatuus," all the change they saw,
A deviation from creation's law.
But let it pass; it is no idle tale,
Or fancy's vision that we now inhale!
Where'er we cast our oft admiring eyes,
We see improvement on improvement rise;
And from effect we learn to trace the cause,
And find the whole is based on Reason's laws.
Far as the eye can roam, the form can go,
There's nought too great for intellect to know!
And as advancing ages pass away,
Progressive knowledge yet will bear the sway,
And man pursue the wide extending track,
Upward and onward still, but never back.
And when with us earth's time shall be no more,
When our light barque has reached its destined shore,
Then will succeeding ages still pursue,
Striking new Imes our fingers never drew
Age after age will be yet wiser still,
As bright improvement doth each bosom fill.
And we, in future years, could we but stand
Where now we are, and view our favored land,
We scarce could think it was the self same spot,
Where Heaven once placed our own loved happy lot.
How changed the scene! (we might perbaps exclaim;)
Was this our former home, is this the same?
The same indeed: but yet 'tis better still;
We see and feel Improvement's magic skill,
That thus extends her empire o'er the earth,
And claims no country for its own a birth.
O'er every realm, unfettered as the air,
Still will Improvement all its missions bear,
And spread through every clime, from pole to pole,
The useful lessons on Improvement's scroll.
When once invented, man will still invent,
And e'er obey his giant mind's intent.
As from small seeds some mighty trees arise,
So man projects, and wonders meet our eyes.
Throughout the earth, till Time shall be no more,
As long as billows leap from shore to shore,
So shall Improvement's banner be unfurled,
Spreading its influence o'er all the world;
Teaching mankind, though mortal they may be,
The mind is destined for eternity.
And mighty Genius owned a sire In man,
From Science dawning to the present time,
In every age and every varied clime,
Lured on by power, by conquest and by fame,
Man's noble spirit finds a well-earned name.
We proudly trace in wond'rous works of art,
The high aspirings of some skilful heart.
I sing Improvement! She, whose magic hand,
Spreads o'er the earth her fast increasing band;
And with a quenchless spirit, onward still,
Yields to no power, and obeys no will,
Save that alone which bids the yearning soul
Spurn all oppression, shunning all control,
'T is this that bids our innate feelings soar,
Pleased with a little, but yet seeking more.
A thirst unquenchable that fills the heart,
Breathing progression in each whole and part.
Trace but the efforts of the vig'rous mind,
With happy skill and useful art combined,
That now propels across the foamy sea,
The rapid Steam-ship for the bold and free.
Oh! could our "Pilgrim Fathers" now appear,
And see what great improvement's making here,
Well might they doubt the vision of their eyes,
When such success on human efforts rise!
Well might they wonder at the progress made,
Since they retired to their silent shade.
Would they could look upon the changing scene,
Improvement's made: methinks they sure would deem,
An "ignus fatuus," all the change they saw,
A deviation from creation's law.
But let it pass; it is no idle tale,
Or fancy's vision that we now inhale!
Where'er we cast our oft admiring eyes,
We see improvement on improvement rise;
And from effect we learn to trace the cause,
And find the whole is based on Reason's laws.
Far as the eye can roam, the form can go,
There's nought too great for intellect to know!
And as advancing ages pass away,
Progressive knowledge yet will bear the sway,
And man pursue the wide extending track,
Upward and onward still, but never back.
And when with us earth's time shall be no more,
When our light barque has reached its destined shore,
Then will succeeding ages still pursue,
Striking new Imes our fingers never drew
Age after age will be yet wiser still,
As bright improvement doth each bosom fill.
And we, in future years, could we but stand
Where now we are, and view our favored land,
We scarce could think it was the self same spot,
Where Heaven once placed our own loved happy lot.
How changed the scene! (we might perbaps exclaim;)
Was this our former home, is this the same?
The same indeed: but yet 'tis better still;
We see and feel Improvement's magic skill,
That thus extends her empire o'er the earth,
And claims no country for its own a birth.
O'er every realm, unfettered as the air,
Still will Improvement all its missions bear,
And spread through every clime, from pole to pole,
The useful lessons on Improvement's scroll.
When once invented, man will still invent,
And e'er obey his giant mind's intent.
As from small seeds some mighty trees arise,
So man projects, and wonders meet our eyes.
Throughout the earth, till Time shall be no more,
As long as billows leap from shore to shore,
So shall Improvement's banner be unfurled,
Spreading its influence o'er all the world;
Teaching mankind, though mortal they may be,
The mind is destined for eternity.