Birthday Odes
By Annis Boudinot Stockton
Today our Parish Pres church staff will continue our decade-long tradition of celebrating birthdays. Our very gifted pianist, Mirandi Herrenbruck, and our beloved assistant pastor, Mike Fennema, will be blessed by the rest of the staff with kudos, tributes, thanksgivings, and affirmations.
I typically try to find a quote apt for the occasion and today I have taken a cue from my current obsession with the 18th century Neoclassical poetry of Annis Boudinot Stockton—she would often write verses for friends on their birthdays. So, I have chosen two of my favorites for our lunchtime celebration: Ode to Constantius for Mirandi and Ode to Lassiter for Mike.
Ode to Constantius
Tis thine, Constantius, to possess the skill,
To sweep with airs divine the sounding lyre;
To make the notes harmonious gently trill,
And soothe the heart with music’s sacred fire.
Nor is the heavenly muse to thee unkind;
Witness those numbers, which so smoothly flow: —
Tho’ you so modest, to your merit blind,
Decline the wreath, and with it grace my brow.
Yes — if the pleasing task to me were given,
To aid thy progress in the devious road
Of transient life so rugged and uneven:
And lead thy steps to virtue’s calm abode,
As thy good Genius with maternal care,
Such as your sons and daughter proves,
I’d warrant that Glory, Fame and Science are
The fruits that grow in her immortal groves.
Ode to Lassiter
No lassitude or dullness clogs the mind,
Who follows grace with a taste refin’d,
Who seeks faith’s secret haunts, its powers and laws,
Tracing its works to the efficient cause,
Finds treasure vast, unknown to carnal minds —
And as they contemplate the soul refines —
While ease and leisure every charm renews,
When deeds of other times employ the muse,
This may you prove till latest time shall end,
Blest: a husband, father, son, and brother!