180
ON THE EXPECTED
GENERAL RISING OF THE FRENCH NATION,
IN 1792.
Rise, mighty nation, in thy strength,
And deal thy dreadful vengeance round;
Let thy great spirit, roused at length,
Strike hordes of despots to the ground!
Devoted land ! thy mangled breast
Eager the royal vultures tear;
By friends betrayed, by foes opprest,
And Virtue struggles with Despair.
The tocsin sounds! arise, arise!
Stern o'er each breast let Country reign;
Nor virgin's plighted hand nor sighs
Must now the ardent youth detain: