Poetry: The Wants Of Man

Mr. Adams was informed last year by Gen. Ogíe, that several young ladies in his district wished to procure Mr A.'s autograpli- To gratify tlicm, Mr. Adams wrote a poem of twenty-five stanaas, on "The Wants of Man," each stanzas on a sheet of note paper. For the benefit of our readers, we have cut off the last stanzas for publication. They doubtless expresa the real feelïngs of the writer. and will raise this distin guished gentleman still higher in the estimation of that portion of his countrymen who reverence probity and virtüe, uoited with traoscendant talents. XVII. I want a warm and faithful friend To cheer the adverse hour; ' Who oe'er to ilatter will descend Nor bend the kaoe to power. A friend to chide me when I'm wrong, - My inmost aoul to see; And that my friendship prove as strong For him, as his for me. XVIII. I want a kind andftender heart, For others wants (o feel: ,A soul secure frotn Ibrtune'e dart, And bosom artn'd with steel, i To bear divino chastisement's rod And mingüng in my plan, Subnn'ssion to the will of God With charity to ni:in. XIX. I want a keen, observing eyo; An ever listcning ear, The truth through all disguise to spy, And wisdom's voice to hear. A tongue to speak at virtue's need In heaven's sublimeststrain; And lips, tho cause of Man to picad, And never plead in vain. XX. ] want uninterrupled health Throughout my long career; And streams of never failing wealth To seattcr far and near, The destitute to clothe and feed Free bounty to bestov: Supply the helpless orphan's need And sooth the widow's woe. XXI. I want the genius to conceive, The talents to unfold Designs, the vicious toretricve; The virtuous to upliold. Inventive power, combining skill: A persevering soul, Of human hearts to mould the will And reach froin Pole to Pole. XXII. I want the 6eala of power and place, Tho ensigns of command; Charged by the People's unbought gracc, To rule my native land - Nor crown, nor eceptre would lask But from my country's will, By day, by night, to ply the taek Her cup of büss to fill. t ■ XXÜÍ, I want the voice of honesLpraise To follow me behind; And to be thought in future days The friend of human kind, That after ages as they rise Exulting raay proclaim In choral union to the 6kie8 . Their blessinga on my name. XXIV. These are the wants of mortal man, I cannot want them long - For life itself is but a span And earthly bliss a song. My last great want absorbing all Is, when beneath the-6od, And summon'd to my final cali; The mercy of my God. XXV. And oh ! while circles in my veins Of life the purple Etream; And yet a fragment still remains, Of nature's iransient dream ; My soul in humble hope unscar'd Forget not thou to pray, Thatthia thy want muy be prrpored, To meet the Judgment day. Wasbington, l4th Juno, 1341.