Hartford, in two octavo volumes. In 1825 Judge TRUMBULL removed to Detroit, to the residence of his daughter, the wife of the Honorable WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, where he remained until the time of his death, which occurred in May, 1831, in the eighty-first year of his age. Beside the poems already mentioned, which were his chief productions, there are a number of shorter ones contained in the volumes of our author, mostly upon serious subjects, which deserve notice. They prove that while satire was his peculiar forte, he was not unequal to other styles of composition. Of these the "Ode to Sleep," and "The Prophecy of Balaam," may be instanced as possessing superior merit. Judge TRUMBULL maintained through life an honorable and upright character. The powers of satire, which formed a striking trait of his character, while they gave a pointedness and piquancy to his common conversation, he endeavored to restrain within the bounds of courteousness and kindness. As a scholar, a wit, and gentleman, he was greatly admired: and he left a name which must always sustain a conspicuous place in the early history of American letters. THE PROPHECY OF BALAAM Numbers, Chapters 23d and 24th. I. On lofty Peor's brow, That rears its forehead to the sky, And clouds in bright expansion sail below, Sublime the Prophet stood. Beneath its pine-clad side The distant world her varied landscape yields; Winding vales and length'ning fields, Streams in sunny maze that flow'd, Forests green in summer's pride. Waving glory gilds the main, The dazzling sun ascending high, While earth's blue verge, at distance dimly seen, Spreads from the aching sight, and fades into the sky. II. Beneath his feet, along the level plain, The host of Israel stretched in deep array; Their tents rose frequent on the enamelled green, In awful steel th' embattled heroes stood; The years unborn ascend to sight; His magic footsteps rove no more. And awed by Heaven's supreme command, III. Fair, oh Israel, are thy tents, Blest the banners of thy fame; Blest the dwellings of his saints, Where their GOD displays his name. Fair as these vales, that stretch their lawns so wide, As rising cedars, on the streamlet's side, GOD, their guardian GoD, descends, And Israel's favorite host Omnipotence defends. IV. And see, bright Judah's Star ascending Awful o'er his foes impending, Deadly triumph, war severe, What echoing terrors burst upon mine ear! V. Dimly on the skirt of night, Loud the astonished ether rends. Long hosts, emblazed with sunbright shields, appear, Glides on their light'ning swords: along thy shores, What hostile navies wait! Above, around, the shout of ruin roars. For nought avails, that, clad in spiry pride, Thy rising cities glittered on the day; The vengeful arms wave devastation wide, And give thy pompous domes to smouldering flames a prey. VI. Edom bows her lofty head, Seir submits her vanquished lands, Amalek, of hosts the dread, Sinks beneath their wasting hands. See, whelmed in smoky heaps, the ruined walls Low thy blasted glory falls; Back to swift fate thy trembling standards turn; War sweeps in front, and flames behind them burn; Unfold their universal grave, and ope the mighty urn. THE SCHOOLMASTER.* Next see our youth at school appear, Judge, jury, bailiff, all in one; Holds all good learning must depend Upon his rod's extremest end, Whose great electric virtue's such, Each genius brightens at the touch; With threats and blows, incitements pressing, Thinks flogging cures all moral ills, And breaks their heads to break their wills. The year is done; he takes his leave; * From Progress of Dulness, Part I. THE FOP'S DECLINE.* But ah! how short the fairest name Stands on the slippery steep of fame! The noblest heights we 're soonest giddy on; The sun ne'er stays in his meridian; The brightest stars must quickly set; And DICK has deeply run in debt. Not all his oaths can duns dismay, Or deadly bailiffs fright away; Not all his compliments can bail, Or minuets dance him from the jail. Law not the least respect can give To the laced coat, or ruffled sleeve; His splendid ornaments must fall, And all is lost, for these were all. What then remains? in health's decline, Worn by disease, with purse too shallow, That chatt'ring tongue must prate no more. In lonely age he sinks forlorn, Of all, and even himself, the scorn. The coxcomb's course were gay and clever, Would health and money last for ever, Did conscience never break the charm, Nor fear of future worlds alarm. * From Progress of Dulness, Part II. |