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Wisdom is higher than a fool can reach.
I cease to wonder, and no more attempt
Thine height t' explore, or fathom thy profound.      5
But, O my soul, sink not into despair,
Virtue is near thee, and with gentle hand
Would now embrace thee, hovers o'er thine head.
Fain would the heav'n-born soul with her converse, 
Then seek, then court her for promis'd bliss.         10

Auspicious queen, thine heav'nly pinions spread,
And lead celestial Chastity along;
Lo! now her sacred retinue descends,
Array'd in glory from the orbs above.
Attend me, Virtue, thro' my youthful years!       15
O leave me not to the false joys of time!
But guide my steps to endless life and bliss.
Greatness, or Goodness, say what I shall call thee, 
To give an higher appellation still,
Teach me a better strain, a nobler lay,           20
O thou, enthron'd with Cherubs in the realms of day!



To the UNIVERSITY of CAMBRIDGE, in NEW-ENGLAND.

WHILE an intrinsic ardor prompts to write,
The muses promise to assist my pen;
'Twas not long since I left my native shore,
The

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The land of errors, and Egyptian gloom:
Father of mercy. Twas thy gracious hand        5
Brought me in safety from those dark abodes.

Students, to you 'tis giv'n to scan the heights
Above, to traverse the ethereal space,
And mark the systems of revolving worlds.
Still more, ye sons of science, ye recieve          10
This blissful news by messengers from heav'n,
How Jesus' blood for your redemption flows.
See him with hands outstretched upon the cross;
Immense compassion in his bosom glows;
What matchless mercy in the Son of God!            15
When the whole human race by sin had fall'n,
He deign'd to die that they might rise again,
And share with him, in the sublimest skies,
Life without death, and glory without end.       20

Improve your privileges while they stay,
Ye pupils, and each hour redeem, that bears
Or good or bad report of you to heav'n.
Let sin, that baneful evil to the soul,
By you be shunn'd, nor once remit your guard;     25
Suppress the deadly serpent in its egg.
Ye blooming plants of human race divine,
An Ethiop tells you 'tis your greatest foe;
Its transient sweetness turns to endless pain,
And an immense perdition sinks the soul.    30

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Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-29 09:46:10