Charity: an Ode

"Ascend the bark, the sail expand; "And fly the blood-polluted land! "The tyrant's rage, and bigot's zeal "Already whet the murd'ring steel, "While virtue from the scene retires, "And persecution lights her fires.

"Ascend the bark, expand the sail! "Thy God shall grant the fav'ring gale; "And awe-struck waves the ship respect, "Which Piety and Faith direct: "As from the land of rage and tears, "The philosophic chief she bears.

"I see, I see the untaught band, "Mildly they welcome thee to land; "Thy brow no sullen fury wears; "No dark resentment low'rs on theirs. "Can Piety and Justice fail? "Ascend the bark, expand the sail!

Thus Charity the chief address'd, And warm'd with sacred zeal, his his breast. His ready feet the bark ascend; His friends, a pious train attend. Hope smiles, affection vainly pleads, And Albion's guilty shore recedes.

Each wind in gentler breezes blows; With gentler current ocean flows, As if—(what will not Virtue charm?)— His pious vows their rage disarm; And Delaware's capacious breast, Exulting bears the welcome guest.

"Ye gazing tribes! your fears forego; "No plund'rer I, or cruel foe. "These hands, in war's dire trade unskill'd, "No spear protend, or falchion wield; "Nor from my bark, with art accurs'd, "Shall lightning fly, or thunder burst.

"O'er wide extended lands you roam; "We seek, alas! a peaceful home. "These gifts your kindness shall repay;" His friends the useful stores display. Virtue the treaty ratified, And Reason smil'd with decent pride.

"Ye people hear! (again he spoke) "Who groan beneath a double yoke, "The voice of Charity revere; "No holy tyrant threatens here; "No despot rules with cruel sway; "Securely toil, securely pray.

"Religion who shall dare restrain? "New systems choose, or old retain. "From temples, let your vows ascend; "Or private in your closets bend. "By priestly zeal or pow'r unaw'd, "Let all in freedom worship God."

The British ifles with rapture heard; His voice the suff'ring German cheer'd. In crowds they hasten to the shore, And hear unmov'd old Ocean roar. Their shores they quit, and dangers slight; Religion, Freedom, Peace invite.

Ye statesmen, whom weak minds revere! Ye kings, who empire build on fear! With candid minds, survey the plan, And venerate the upright man, Who, not to selfish views confin'd, Studied the good of all mankind.

He spoke not to unwilling slaves; The forest falls, the harvest waves; The curve-disdaining street extends; The dock resounds, the mast ascends. Hope vig'rous Labor sweetly cheers, And Property the base endears.

To neighb'ring shores, and distant lands, His worth a bright example stands. A fertile region bears his name; Philosophy exalts his fame; The arts his matchless deeds record, And heav'n bestows the great reward.