Fair Gratitude! thou glowing friend of Truth,
Bright with the ardour of unfading Youth!
When Kindness pours its balm with graceful art.
To heal the sorrows of the wounded heart —
Come to my aid — the languid Muse inspire —
Come with thy vivid spark, thy verse of fire!
And next to Heaven, where first the tribute's due,
Turn from the faithless world, to ONE that's true.
I call thee, Sense and Goodness to proclaim,
Temper'd and bright, and polish'd as his name!
Though terror oft attends the warlike sound,
The friend of gentle Mercy here 'tis found;
And Truth, with grateful Friendship shall reveal,
The Orphan's — Widow's Patron — dwells with Steel !