AN ODE Designed a public commencement in the college of Philadelphia

When heav'n spreads blessings with unsparing hand, And smiling plenty crowns the joyful land, The happy peasants tune their rustic lay, And back to heav'n their grateful tribute pay: And shall not we enraptur'd snatch the lyre, And sing to strains which thankful hearts inspire, When heav'n consents, and men unite to bless This seat of science with ensur'd success?

Rise! rise! ye sons of science, rise! Your loudest strains employ; With glowing fire, Attune the lyre To gratitude and joy.

Hail to the king! whose virtuous heart Directs his lib'ral hand, To stretch o'er wide extending seas, And bless a distant land. Oh! let the num'rous throng that daily prove The sweet effects of his paternal love, Unite their hearts in one accord and sing In acclamations loud, Hail to the king!

Rise! rise! ye sons of science, rise! Your loudest strains employ; With glowing fire, Attune the lyre To gratitude and joy.

A gen'rous throng demands our love, Who in a desert wild, Heard infant science cry for help, And nurs'd the drooping child: Tho' men forget, heav'n will the deed record, And to their race extend the blest reward.

Rise! rise! ye sons of science, rise! Your loudest strains employ; With glowing fire, Attune the lyre To gratitude and joy.

And can the muse forget his toil, Who compass'd sea and land To rear the tender plant which oft Had felt his pruning hand? Oh! let his care and unexampled love, Our just returns of warm affection move!

Rise! rise! ye sons of science, rise! Your loudest strains employ; With glowing fire, Attune the lyre To gratitude and joy.