Address for the Opening of the Attic Chest
Dec. 1812
Hark I hear the tempest roar,
Hark the rain and driving hail
Summer’s cheerless reign is o’er
Gloomy King December, hail!
Oh how many view with gladness
Summer’s vaunted roses blooming
Oh how many view with sadness
Wintry clouds the welkin glooming
Oh how few like me, so gaily
Dark December, thus will hail ye.
Now the rose and jasmine turning
Now the lily’s bloom is fled
But the laurel brightly shining
Lifts thro’ storms and snow its head
Brighter green its boughs adorning
See the favourite of Apollo
Bids from lighter themes returning
You the bright example follow
Waking from inglorious slumbers
Pour again your magic numbers.
Hark obedient to the call
Friends again around me prest,
And with looks of transport all,
Hail the opening of the Chest.
Joy illumes the well known faces
Every eye more brightly glances
While amid her sister Graces
Now the Editress advances
Stored with many a votive offer
Opes the consecrated Coffer.
As the last in sense and spirit,
Every former year surpassed
So may this in sterling merit
Brighter still, excel the last.
Future years to this succeeding
Still with added lustre shining
Every year the past exceeding
For your brows fresh laurels twining
Till the Attic Chest in story
Swells the note of Albion’s Glory.
Oh my friends ’tis yours to say
Must these hopes I fondly nourish
Now forgotten pass away,
And your Chest no longer flourish.
No! that burst of indignation
From so hard a fate secures me
And that smile of approbation
Of your firm support assures me,
Place on us you say reliance
We to time will bid defiance.
A.F.C.