Charles Sprague （b. 1791,d. 1875） was born in Boston,Mass. He engaged in mercantile business when quite young,leaving school for that purpose. In 1825,he was elected cashier of the Globe Bank of Boston,which position he held until 1864. Mr. Sprague has not been a prolific writer;but his poems,though few in number,are deservedly classed among the best productions of American poets. His chief poem is entitled "Curiosity."
1.Gay,guiltless pair,What seek ye from the fields of heaven?Ye have nneed of prayer,Ye have nsins tbe forgiven.
2.Why perch1 ye here,Where mortals ttheir Maker bend?Can your pure spirits fear The God ye never could offend?
3.Ye never knew.The crimes for which we come tweep;Penance2 is not for you,Blessed wanderers of the upper deep.
4.Tyou 't is given.1 Perch,tlight or settle on anything. 2 Penance,suffering for sin.Twake sweet Nature's untaught lays1;Beneath the arch of heavenTchirp away a life of praise.
5.Then spread each wing,Far,far above,o'er lakes and lands,And join the choirs2 that singIn yon blue dome3 not reared with hands.
6.Or,if ye stay.Tnote the consecrated4 hour,Teach me the airy way,And let me try your envied power.
7.Above the crowd,On upward wings could I but fly,I'd bathe in yon bright cloud,And seek the stars that gem the sky.
8.'T were Heaven indeed,Through fields of trackless5 light tsoar,On Nature's charms tfeed,And Nature's own great God adore.1Lays,songs.2Choir,a collection of singers.3Dome,an arched structure above a roof;hence,figuratively,the heavens. 4Consecrated,set apart for the service of God.5Trackless,having npath.
