THE Banks OF Kentucke

The spring was advancing, and birds were beginning To sing on the boughs o'er each purling brook; On the early green herbage at leisure reclining, I was carelesly viewing the banks of Kentucke. Hail stranger to song! hail deep channel'd river, Thy prominent cliffs shall be famous forever, Obscurely roll down thro' the banks of Kentucke.

Disgusted with idle, romantic pretensions, The populous city I lonely forsook; Delighting in nature with fond apprehensions, I eagerly came to the banks of Kentucke. O, never did art so much beauty discover, To reward the long search of its most raptur'd lover, As nature's luxuriant fancy spreads over The gay fertile soil on the banks of Kentucke.

Here genius shall rove with an endless desire, Improvements to make without learning or book: While virtue and truth shall forever conspire, To bless those that dwell on the banks of Kentucke. Here, far from tyrannical power remov'd, The spirit of freedom shall hap'ly be prov'd The patriot shall by his country be lov'd; And live without guile on the banks of Kentucke.

Here bigotry never shall raise its foul banner, The basis of joy thro' all ages it shook; The young and the aged in more happy manner Than those shall improve on the banks of Kentucke. In honest industry their time still employing, With heart cheering mirth all their meetings enjoying, With the blessings of friendship, and love never cloying All ranks shall unite on the banks of Kentucke.

Rich plenty and health, with visage all glowing, Invite and allure us with promising look; Never more to regret other rivers long flowing, Not such as glide down thro' the banks of Kentucke. Pale sickness doth pass thro' the land as a stranger, No dreadful distemper here frightens the ranger, As he passes thro' canebrakes and waters no danger Expecting to meet on the banks of Kentucke.