This honor'd pile, so late in ashes laid, Once more emerges, by your generous aid; Your aid, and their's, who through our vast domain, Befriend the muses, and their cause sustain.
In flames involved, that stately fabric fell, Where, long presiding, you deserved so well; But to the dust when you beheld it fall, The honor'd, famed, majestic, Nassau-Hall,
Not then repining in that darkened hour Your native genius show'd its native power, And plann'd the means to bid a structure rise Pride of the arts, and favorite of the wise.
For this we saw you trace the unwearied mile And saw the friends of Nassau on you smile; They to your efforts lent their generous aid, And every honor to your genius paid,
To the firm patron of the arts they gave What Alfred lavish'd, and what arts should have. For this we saw you rove the southern waste In our Columbia's milder climates placed,
Those happier shores, where Carolina proves The friend of Princeton's academic groves, Where Georgia owns the wreath to science due And honor'd science, genius, art, and you:
And Charleston every generous wish return'd, Sigh'd for the loss, and for her favorite mourn'd, Proud of her sons, who by your cares are seen Lights of the world, and pride of social man.
There Ramsay met you, esculapian sage, The famed historian of a warring age, His word gave vigor to your vast design, And his strong efforts equall'd all but thine.
Nassau revived, from thence in time proceed Chiefs, who shall empire sway, or legions lead, Who, warm'd with all that philosophic glow Which Greece, or Rome, or reasoning powers bestow,
Shall to mankind the friends and guardians be Shall make them virtuous, and preserve them free. From that lost pile, which, now to ashes turn'd; The sage regretted and the muses mourn'd,
Sprung, once, a race who firm to freedom's cause, Repell'd oppression and despotic laws, Unsceptered kings, or one at least dismiss'd, With half the lords and prefects on his list:
Such, early, here imbibed the sacred flame That glanced from heaven, or from true science came; With these enroll'd, be every honor done To our firm statesman, patriot, Madison,
Form'd to the purpose of a reasoning age, To raise its genius, and direct its rage. This tribute from a friendly heart receive, O Smith! which must your kind indulgence crave,
If half a stranger to the poet's lay, It fails your just, your due reward to pay.
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