The Embargo

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The Embargo
by William Cullen Bryant


When private faith and public trust are sold,
And traitors barter liberty for gold;
When fell corruption, dark, and deep, like fate,
Saps the foundation of a sinking state;
Then warmer numbers glow through satire's page,
And all her smiles are darken'd into rage;
Then keener indignation fires her eye,
Then flash her lightnings, and her thunders fly!


PD-icon.svg This work published before January 1, 1923 is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.