He who would emulate Dan Spenser's song Must own a bosom thrill'd with tenderness, A fancy prodigal, a genius strong, A power of numbers fitted to express All tones, all feelings; nay, he must possess A pure simplicity of heart and mind, A worth of soul, a moral gentleness That joys in every joy of human kind. With these should piety its lustre join: This thou hast added, Minstrel all unknown! Much of my namings were before thine own; And hence thy verse will still have power to shine, When the false brilliance of the worldling's lay Shall fade, like meteor-gleams of yesterday.
Note: The minstrel since proves to be one of the Society of Friends.
