Page:The American Revolution (scriptural style).djvu/374

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COLUMBIAD.

Thy fons, thy happy fons, fiiall yet be free^

And in their land enioyblell Liberty.

The heavenly plant uprooted in this ifle,

Shall on the banks of the Potowniac iraile :

There dwells a Son, to freedom ever dear.

Shall guard its trunk, its tender branches rear.

Where it (liall I'orni abroad and fpaclous Uiade,

Till every tyrant's head is lowly laid :

Each foH of liberty {liall thence repair.

And find repoie and perfect fafety— there.*

Thus f^Dake the maid — and ilowly wavM her hand,

Then pensive,— mov'd along the furf-beat (Irand.

Her fading fplendor and departing fame,

Columbia (i^w, and felt an honell pain.

Her own bleft fhores, then ciaim'd her guardian care^

Her Tons to rouze, and guide the ihreat'ning war.

The chiefs of Boflon caught the facred fire — Firft felt the force of Briton's vengeful ire : Their port Oiut up — by foreign troops poileis'd — Their commerce ruin'd, and by foes opprefs'd. Brave, they fullain the furious wrath of Gage, Ailert their rights, and boldly fhew their rage : Deltroy the weed, deep charg'd with future v.'oe, And in the deep the baneful plant they throw. For this, the king burn'd with revengeful ire, North fann'd the fiunie and fpread the raging fire.

Sudden, the troops depart from Albion's coaft. And proudly vain, their martial prowefs boalt. Dreaming of conqueil, vainly they repeat, Battles unfough I, and future foes defeat; Till rich with fpoils, and fatcd^ with applaufe, Home they return — brave champions of the laws. Thus, they with pleafing thoughts the hours beguile, And fondly deem'dto fee their native iile. Vainboall, vain hope! their native plains no more Thofe eyes Ihall fee — clos'd on a foreign Oioie :