Poems (Hornblower)/Lines (Books! sweet associates of the silent hour)
For works with similar titles, see Lines.
LINES.
Books! sweet associates of the silent hour, What blessed aspirations do I oweTo your companionship—your peaceful power High and pure pleasure ever can bestow.—Of noble ones I trace the path through life, Joy in then-joys, and sorrow as they mourn;Gaze on then- Christian, animating strife, And shed fond tears o'er their untimely urn:Or, with heroic beings tread the soil Of a freed country, by themselves made free,And taste the recompense of virtuous toil, The exaltation of humanity.—With Washington the battle-field I lead, Or walk with Howard in the dungeon's gloom;With Channing purify the bigot's creed, And breathe the glories that are yet to come;With Romilly a people's rights I guard, And humanize the savage penal law,And, of benevolence the high reward, With him from purest, holiest founts I draw: Or with my Father's spirit taste the charm Of all philanthropy and virtue give;Mild judgment, genius bright, and feeling warm, As in Iris works they shall for ever live:Or, in thy page, my Henry! see what youth, Adorned with noblest virtues, may achieve;Arresting Science at the bar of Truth, Labours which death's cold hand may not bereave.O! ever foremost in thy country's page, Thy toils, my brother! shall prolong thy name,A bright example to a thoughtless age Of tender years, yet ripened in thy fame.Yes, sweet the lonely hours I consecrate, My loved companions! to your influence blest;The joys ye bring me are secure from fate, The glad forerunners of eternal rest!