Page:Moral Pieces in Prose and Verse.pdf/18

  Didst thou there obtain thine hour Of wild and temporary pow'r? Gain the strength that wraps thy breast? Win the cloud that forms thy crest? Beg to wield the mighty scourge, To stir the main—and lash the surge, And wake the waves whose white heads rest Lightly on old Ocean's breast?

Speed'st thou now to rouse the gale, That rends the white and shivering sail? Speed'st thou now to break the sleep, Of those that ride the foaming deep? To shriek like ghosts to those that roam, "Thou ne'er shalt view thy distant home."

Then go, thou angry tempest—go, Speed thee on thy task of woe, Traverse earth from pole to pole, Crush the form—but save the soul.

 

"LIVE well to day"—a spirit cries, To day be good—to day be wise; 