not to choose his station, but were he permitted to express a preference, he would request the place of first lieutenant in the First Regiment of Infantry, but in this, as becomes him in all things, he is willing to rest on your Excellency's decision. Should your Excellency be induced to favor his wishes in this respect, he hopes to be faithful and assiduous in the discharge of his duty. And your petitioner shall ever pray, etc. 1
WILLIAM C. BRYANT.
MANUSCRIPT: Unrecovered TEXT: Bigelow, Bryant, pp. 32-33, note.
[Cummington, c December 1, 1814]
The hills are white with new fall'n snow,
Beneath its weight the forests bow,
The ice-clad streams can scarcely flow,
Constrained by hoary winter.
Haste, to the cheerful parlour fly,
And heap the generous fuel high,--
And then--whenever thou art dry,
Why, broach the bright decanter.To Providence resign the rein,
Nor vex with idle care thy brain,
To know if thou shalt go to Maine
Ohio, or Kentucky.Nor give to moping dread thy mind;--
The man to gloomy dreams inclin'd,
The ills he fears will always find,
And always be unlucky.Submit, if troubles cross thy way-- Smooth up thy brow--enjoy the day-- For age steals on without delay-- Repress thy wish for roving. The man who thinks--(whate'er his case)
-46-
Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.com
Publication information:
Book title: The Letters of William Cullen Bryant.
Volume: 1.
Contributors: William Cullen Bryant II - Editor, Thomas G. Voss - Editor, William Cullen Bryant - Author.
Publisher: Fordham University Press.
Place of publication: New York.
Publication year: 1975.
Page number: 46.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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