ODE for the FESTIVAL of ST. JOHN, THE BAPTIST, 5791

Behold the social Band appears! Imparting joy, dispelling fears! And wak'd by duty and by choice, Command the sons of Freedom to rejoice.

Boast not mortals human skill; If the sculptur'd dome you raise, Works of art by sancy's will, Lead us oft thro' folly's maze. What if Phidia's chissel guide? What if Titian's pencil grace? Marble flatters but our pride, Bane of all the human race.

'Tis from the watchful culture of the mind, A well-directed soul, a sense refin'd, That heavenly virtues spring to grace the man. This be our noble conflict and our plan.

Let the diamond's azure blaze, Call its water bright and clear, But confess the greater praise, Rests on pity's tender tear. May the social virtues bind, Tune each sympathetic heart, Raise the feeble, lead the blind, Wipe the tear that swells to part.

Ye blessed Ministers above, Who guard the good with purest love, Propitious hear the notes of praise, Columbia's Sons their voices raise.

Blessings await this Western Land, Blessings o'erflow with lib'ral hand, Commerce uprears our infant State, And golden currents make us great: Fair Science lifts her head and cries, "I come to make you good and wise." These be the glories of each day, Marking OUR BROTHER'S gentle sway.

Our social band, by love and honour join'd, Unite their zeal, as friends to human kind: The Mystic sense is out, the sign does move, Behold the SIGN—Peace, harmony and love.

Let the day be ever prais'd, When the Royal Craft was rais'd, Let the social virtues shine, Doing good is sure divine.

Give the Heroes all their due, Twine their brows with laurels too, But shall we no laurels find, For our love to human kind? Let the Social Virtues shine, DOING GOOD is sure DIVINE.