________________________________________________
Title: To Elihu Burritt
Author: Thomas Cowherd [
More Titles by Cowherd]
TO ELIHU BURRITT AFTER LISTENING TO
HIS LECTURE ON "COMMERCE," DEC. 26, 1857.
[Footnote: It affords me much pleasure to be able to say that after presenting these verses to Mr. Burritt he was kind enough to call on me at my house, and expressed himself pleased with them.]
DEAR SIR:--
Pray deem it not presumptious in me
To give expression thus to what I felt
Last night, while listening to the poetry
In your discourse, as you on Commerce dwelt.
I know not if you ever wrote a rhyme,
Or framed your thoughts in a well measured line;
But sure I am your language so sublime,
Shows you possess a deep, poetic mine.
I listened with attention most profound,
As did the audience that before you sat,
Feeling as if I was on holy ground;
Which in my mind deep reverence begat.
And O, when you led us in spirit back
To Eden's God-formed, most delightful bowers.
Ere our great parents had endured the rack
Of sin-struck consciences among her flowers,
I almost fancied that I heard the birds
Warbling melodiously the praise of God;
While sinless man in soul-enraptured words,
Responded as he pressed the flowery sod.
And when Sin came, as with hot furnace-breath,
To blast the loveliness of all around,
And our progenitors first tasted death
With consciousness that they were naked found,
You did portray the scene so vividly,
Of their rude efforts at an uncouth dress,
That tears of pity from strong sympathy
Bedimmed my eyes to see their great distress.
And when you showed how God with skillful hand
Employed Himself to make them coats of skin,
I saw mechanic skill take higher stand
From this divine and early origin.
And O, I thought this fact should ever lead
Artificers to strive and manage well
Their several crafts; and show by word and deed
Their love to him who does in glory dwell.
Then, as I watched the progress made by Art,
And peaceful Commerce coming by degrees,
I felt it was your mission to impart
To this war-ravaged world such views as these.
My gladsome soul did to such views respond,
And utterance found before my God in prayer.
Hence caught fresh glimpses of the time beyond
The present age, which shall such glory share.
Go on, great champion of the Good and True,
Spread wide the messages of dove-eyed Peace,
And may God's richest blessing flow to you
Where'er you are, until your labors cease!
[The end]
Thomas Cowherd's poem: To Elihu Burritt
________________________________________________
GO TO TOP OF SCREEN
