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Oh I that my muse to lofty height might rise,
To speak the praise of Pinel, good and wise,
Now more than century has passed away
And we have cause to bless his natal day;
A spark divine, enkindling native worth,
Still propagates its influence o'er the earth,
To guard, encourage, elevate the mind,
While morbid nature mentally is blind.
And check the cruel sense of cold neglect,
And all estrangement of the mind protect;
Discarding every law but that of love,
Descending like the gentle dews will prove
Through every age of future time, to be
The highest law of christian charity.
Humanity so pure and lovely, brings relief
To every victim of disease and grief,
For none more keenly, vividly can feel,
Than those devoid of reason or of weal.
Who more deserves the meed of spotless fame,
Than the great man who to the rescue came
Of the Insane? When frenzy moves the brain,
And every nerve and sense is stung with pain,
Methinks the angel-spirits then would weep
If human sympathy could coldly sleep,
Or bind in chains the suffering hapless wight,
Deprive him of the air and cheerful light,
While the Omniscient God permits the sun
Shine on the evil with the righteous one.
Mysterious impulse moved the mind
Of generous nature, -- Heaven designed,
The means of light to shine in the dark cell
Where chains and misery did in union dwell.
Thus, with untiring, earnest, noble zeal,
Did the wise Frenchman move the mighty wheel,
Which once in motion, still is rolling on
Like splendid nature's never-setting sun,
And like his rays a glorious light impart,
Illumine science, shield the healing art
That earth may with primeval beauty shine,
Few fall the victims of disease and crime:
Then all on earth be pure and bright and free,
Each voice attuned to sacred minstrelsy.
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| 2 |
Christ is the only "way, the truth, the life,"
His holy precepts conquer sinful strife,
His highest precepts fixed upon the heart,
Will make the christian hero act his part,
With rich success his warfare will go on;
Thus hath our Hero brightest laurels won,
And prayed his effort might successful be,
Then plumed his soul for vast Eternity.
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