The Columbian memorial edition of Robert W. Stout's poetical works

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THE COLUMBIAN MEMORIAL EDITION

ROBERT W. STOUT'S

POETICAL WORKS

Complete in One Volume.

AUTHOR'S EDITION

BUFFALO

CHARLES WELLS MOULTON

i8q2

"35

Printed by

Charles Wells Moulton, Buffalo, N. Y.

DEDICA TED

TO THE

CITIZENS OF CHICAGO

AND THE

LOVERS OF LIBERTY THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

Preface

The author in seeking a place amongst the bright galaxy of American poets who have achieved a permanent place in the affections of their countrymen, is not actuated by sordid or self- laudatory motives, but because he feels as an American citizen, it is his inalienable right, as such, to explore in fields that are most pleasing to his fancy and acceptable to his understanding. Whilst the human mind is of infinite variety, man will seek according to his bent, if he be true to his instincts, the avocation that accords most truly with his faculties; and, in doing so, will aim to accomplish more than the mere pecuniary reward. It is this principle that elevates and enobles every occupation. The lawyer who can see beyond his fee; the physician who aims to ameliorate the pain and affliction, of his fellow-men ; the teacher in the house of God or halls of learning who rightly considers the obligations of his trust, are far above the mere drudge in the routine of life, for they aid in elevating the race, and hence are worthy of all honor.

The author' humbly ventures within the broad and pleasant precincts of the muse — fields that have been trodden by the mighty of many nations — with much trepidation, but witli the earnest desire tliat his aspirations may beai* worday fruit, and would ask the forbearance and intellisrent discrimination of his readers.

It has been his aim to publish notliing but diat which is pure, chaste and instructive in character and elevating in principle, and in accord with true and rehned religious instniction and tlie precepts of the Word, that add a charm to any work : thus to be worthy of a place in every home.

Contents

PAGE

Dedication v

Preface vU

Address to the City of Chicago, and Memorial Greeting to

ColumVjus I

Preface to the Song of Liberty 5

Analysis to the Song of Liberty 7

The Song of Liberty — Part I 9

The Song of Liberty— Part II 16

The Song of Liberty— Part III 25

Ahasuerus — Canto I 33

Ahasuerus — Canto II 37

Ahasuerus — Canto III 41

Ahasuerus — Canto IV 48

NATIONAL AND PATRIOTIC POEMS.

The Grangers' Alliance 57

The Cause is All 64

The Anthem of the Free 65

Bunker Hill 68

My Native Land '. . . 70

The Veteran's Return 73

Washington's Birthday 75

Memorial Day 76

The Soldier Boy 77

Resurgam 78

X CONTENTS.

PAGE

Battle of Lookout Mountain, and Mission-Ridge 79

The Drummer Boy of Gettysburg 82

The Prison-Pen 86

TALES OF ADVENTURE.

The Aerie 97

The Treasure-Trove 105

The Reconstructed Rebel 115

Prairie Flower, or Love's Adventure 119

The Hunter's Camp 125

MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

Faith's Sweet Trust 143,

Intellectual Powers 147

The Daisy 160

The Wine Cup 165

The Builders 166

The Drunkard Redeemed 169

The Wanderer's Refuge 172

Our Redeemer Liveth 173

Woman's Love 174.

Wealth 175

The Shattered Vase 175

Waiting for the Verdict 177

Old Bill 179

Spring's Welcome 186

Faith 187

My Beloved 18S

'Tis Ever Thus 189

Spring 191

CONTENTS. xi

PAGE

The Star of Bethlehem 192

The Old Love 194

Misfortune 195

Mirth 196

Contentment 197

Friendship 198

Rest 198

Poverty 201

Friendship 202

Love 203

Waiting 204

Words of Love 206

Thanksgiving 207

Rest for the Weary 209

Echo 210

Folly's Mishap 212

Love's Inspiration 213

Spring 214

God's Creatures 215

Love Flings a Charm 216

The Poet 218

The Maiden's Leap .' 220

Ellen Hughes 226

Human Rats 229

Love's Sweet Refuge 231

The Dnmkard's Fate 223

TYPES OF WOMEN.

Cornelia — Domestic Felicity 235

Felicia Hemens — Genius 237

PAGE

Lady Macbetli — Ambition 239

Cleopatra — Gorgeousness 241

Eliza McCook — Patriotism 243

Rosaline, The Slave Mother — Maternal Love 245

POEMS OF SENTIMENT AND AFFECTION.

A Kiss 249

The Old Homestead 251

The Burial at Sea 253

The Parting- 255

In Memorinm 257

The Fatlier's Return 25S

Fond Memories 261

The ^'oices of tlie Past 262

A Christmas Tale 264

Ella 266

The Exile of Erin 267

Sleep Sweetly, Gentle Spirit 271

FAIRY AND FANCIFUL POEMS.

Pixy's Betrotlial 273

Pixy's Wedding 276

The Fairies' Child 279

Cupid Captured 2S1

The Fate of tlie Fair 2S3

\"ajivt\- 2S5

ADDRESS TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO

AND MEMORIAL GREETING TO

COLUMBUS.

Written to covwtenwrate the Columbian Expositioti held at Chicago.

GREAT, wonderful City, where bright Genius glows And Beauty doth blossom in culture's repose! I hail thee, thou fair one, the brightest among Thy sweet sisters who bloom in the land of my song! I recall now with pleasure those bright, happy hours, In youth's sunny spring when I dwelt in thy bowers, When the heart is most hopeful, all careless and light. And life's future prospects look cheerful and bright. Thou art changed in the days that so swiftly have flown, How wondrous the grandeur thy present doth own ! Thou marvel of cities! fit type to express , The triumphs of Freedom, and Labor no less! For it was not by conquest and pillage of spoil, But by skill and the fruits of true wisdom and toil. That have built up thy greatness exempt from the guilt, That shadows the splendors where tyrants have built. 'Tis fitting, thou great central mart! to respond To the instinct of intellect's creative bond, That bestows as a right the just homage that's due To a soul so undaunted, unfaltering and true, As his that inspired to create the fair scene. That spreads in its beauty around and between

ADDRESS TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

Thy broad bounds that do stretch o' er the prairies afar, And the lake's silvery wave that doth circle to bar, That now bears on its bosom the harvest of lands, That is reaped by the toil of its millions of hands.

Should thy spirit, Columbus! be hovering around, Methinks thou wouldst gaze with rapt wonder profound, At the prospect before like a magical scene — Exceeding in splendor and grandeur, I ween, All before that's depicted on history's page! 'Tis the climax of skill of a marvelous age! But perchance like a dream thy great soul did foresee — Like a vision's vast vista it opened to thee. When tossed on the waves of the great boundless vast; When its spell was upon thee, around thy soul cast. There did gleam o'er thy spirit the future's great store. At least this is sure, thou didst open the door. And lo! 'twas the portal where Freedom came in! And Liberty, too, was but waiting to win For her empire, a continent boundless and vast. By Jehovah reserved from the guilt of the past — The guilt of its conquests, its passions and greed — 'Twas reserved for His children oppressed and in need! Then its prairies lay silent, all fertile and wild. Its far western mountains all nameless were piled In grandeur profound; its rivers flowed on As mighty as now, in the days that are gone; No sound then did echo, no footstep had trod, O'er its wide-spreading prairies' then virgin sod, Save the wild agile hunter, of race then unknown. Who has passed from our view like a dream that has flown. Uncultured its valleys, unfettered its streams. No flag yet reflected its sun's golden beams;

MEMORIAL GREETING TO COLUMBUS. 3

All unvexed were its waves by an insolent foe, Exempt from all strife, all contention and woe: Like a vast precious storehouse 'twas locked all alone, Till thy skill showed the way o'er the boundless unknown. Columbus, great soul! yes, the honor is thine. Who of mortals alone did conceive the design, And with patience unequaled explored the lone way, Undismayed by the dangers that lurked to delay! Then thy honors wear proudly, being honestly won. Through true courage and deeds, all so worthily done! Brave Admiral! we hail thee a hero in truth, 'Mongst the mighty, the peer of the greatest in sooth! For thine was the hand that guided the helm. That opened to Freedom a glorious realm! God's care did encompass, protecting from harm, When the wild angry waters waked round thee alarm; He sustained thee undaunted, He sheltered to save. When thy timid companions did fear the strange wave, Columbus ! thy name is kept green on the part Of each soul that revereth thy greatness of heart! All undimmed is the lustre that circles thee round! We bow to thy worth with due reverence profound! Unvexed now by care, or ingratitude's wrong. Thy true fame's recorded in history and song! May thy dust still be cherished by sons of the brave. Of that gem of the ocean that gives thee a grave! And now we recall the bright dawn of that day, When his sails were first furled on Guanahani's deep bay; On its strand 'midst a tumult of gladness and praise, Whilst the land in its beauty lay spread to their gaze, They first raised the emblem, the symbol of light. That soon would illume with a radiance bright,

ADDRESS TO THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

All the regions then compassed by darkness profound, The glad tidings to speed to each far distant bound; In the fullness of heart they then knelt on the strand, Whilst Thy praises, O God! did resound o'er the land In an anthem of gladness, the spirit's o'erflow, That only the tried of Thy people can know.

'Tis past — they have fled — but their memory goes on, In the records that live of the days that are gone; Their deeds, like a scene in a pageant, have cast A halo of romance o' er all the long past. Then place for the hero who led of the brave Of the sons of old Spain in the way o'er the wave, To a continent vast — this far western land! A nation to-day giveth praise to that band, Who braved the wild billows of oceans unknown. Unfurled the bright banner of Christ all alone On a strange wondrous coast, far, far from their home In sunny old Spain, 'midst dire perils to roam. Nor 'grudge to those sovereigns most liberal and wise. Who beyond the false glitter of thrones, saw to prize The true merit of genius, of intellect's worth, The mighty 'mongst men, the true kings of old earth.

Columbia's fair daughter, the pride of the free, Yes! this far distant city pays tribute to thee! Unto thee, brave old Admiral! she brings of her store. Sweet perfumes and gems, like fair Sheba before. And spreads of her treasures more precious than those, The mar\'els of labor, all of value that flows From industry, virtue and intellect's source, All that beareth man on in true progressive course! She would scorn to a foe to bend her proud knee, But because of thy worth now does homage to thee.

Preface To The Song Of Liberty

The following Poem is dedicated to the lovers of Liberty throughout the world.

The inspiration of Liberty is one of the loftiest sentiments of the human mind; who is most enlightened and familiar with history will be most inspired by it.

The time seems ripe when there should be a more definite understanding between those who have a sincere regard for Liberty and desire to reform the fundamental laws that control the welfare of the human race; and that all such should make an earnest effort to improve the condition of the downtrodden of all nations.

The author does not seek to promulgate doctrines that would lead to the disintegration of States, but advocates obviously necessary changes in the form of laws; neither does he wish to inculcate ideas that would lead to the nullification of existing just and humane laws; on the contrary, it is the paramount object of the author to uphold order and justice, without which it would be impossible to maintain Liberty.

We advocate that the whole people of each nation should be the source of governing power, and that that power should be tempered by divine instruction; that forms of government emanating from such source and founded on sound principles of justice are the necessity of the time.

Despotic and oligarchical forms of governing power have been on trial long enough to practically demonstrate that they have failed to secure to their people prosperity or justice; hence we deduce that there can be no risk in venturing

6 PREFACE TO THE SONG OF LIBERTY.

upon a different course, more just and humane in its principles, because it is obvious that such a change would secure and surround its advocates with blessings that make life desirable.

The theory that the people at large are unfit or incapable of organizing and sustaining a superior form of government, has long been proved to be unsound where it has been tried; where it has not been tried, it is quite evident that an honest effort towards a radical change would result in practical benefit to the larger proportion of the people, if a wise prudence was exercised to carry such people up from the effects of the debasing and paralyzing influences which in the past have cramped and crushed their energies.

A new era, fraught with great results for civilization, is dawning upon the world: the hand of a beneficent Creator will lead his people from out the wilderness of wrong, suffering and despair, and point the way to a higher and happier condition.

If the opponents of Liberty ask, "By what right the author presumes to question the affairs of nations to which he is alien ? ' ' the answer is, ' ' By the right flowing from the common brotherhood of man that knows no special language or boundary; which is recognized by all lovers of humanity as a general right; by the same right that the common safety demands of us to use our best endeavors to suppress the slave-trade, piracy or any glaring evil that imposes or involves wrong and danger to the weak and helpless; above all, when it is detrimental to the moral development of the human race."

There are two great, real dangers that threaten organized society to-day, and both are the natural result of despotic or oligarchical forms of government; one caused by such

Preface To The Song Of Liberty. 7

government favoring the few at the expense of the many, thus creating a privileged and titled class, thereby discouraging honest enterprise and national thrift; the other, that result of such wrong, that creates a vast undercurrent of vice, ignorance, poverty, and consequently misery, which seeks to avenge itself on society without due discrimination.

National governing laws, founded on true principles of justice, would remove both dangers and carry the people to a higher and happier consummation of their natural destiny.

He who loves Liberty cannot afford to be indifferent to any encroachments upon its vital principles.

ANALYSIS OF THE SONG OF LIBERTY.

The Song of Liberty opens with a retrospect of the past and natural inquiry as to where Liberty was first inculcated. Upon reviewing the history of the past, we search in vain to find true Liberty. Where Liberty has lent a momentary gleam over the despotic form of government of the past, we find upon investigation that it was far from meeting our present conception of its just and humane principles, consequently, the writer takes the broad ground that it has been a gradual awakening or development of the mind of man through or by the light of Divine Revelation.

The attention of the reader is directed to some of the facts of history relating to despotism, showing the hypocrisy of any pretended kindly interest in the welfare of the people on the part of monarchical rulers — the cowardly and contemptible nature of conquerors who are actuated by sordid

8 ANALYSIS OF THE SONG OF LIBERTY.

or selfish motives — from their devastating wars no adequate good has resulted — that they are unworthy of the praise usually bestowed upon them ; — a review of some of the leading nations of the world, beginning with Great Britain — her grasping and oppressive policy in the treatment of Ireland and India, — of France, urging her to take a higher and more honorable position in the future, — of changes impending in Russia, — that Spain can be regenerated only through the influence of more liberal principles, — speaking in general terms of the condition of central Europe, — of the decay of Turkey, — the degenerated condition of Asiatic nations, — the relentless nature of despotism and debased state of man in the past.

Shall oppressive power still deny mankind their obvious rights ? A higher power has decreed that the mind of man shall expand and progress.

The efforts of the advocates of Liberty in the past have not been in vain; evident progress has been made.

An apostrophe to Washington — allusion to the government of the United States of North America — the advance of Liberty — the glorious result of its tranquilizing influences upon the human passions.

The era of peace, happiness and love that will flow from a due observance of the principles of Liberty as made manifest through the Word and Law of our Heavenly Father for the final regeneration of the world.

THE SONG OF LIBERTY.

TIS LIBERTY that doth inspire The patriot with heroic fire, Bids baseness from his soul depart, Bids youth to play the warrior's part, And prompts each worthy wife and maid To deem it duty's course to aid The cause most cherished by each race — Redemption from their bondage base; The bonds that curb the mind's true course, The bondage of the law's fell force. That fetters the aspiring soul That thirsteth for a higher goal.

Part I

Sweet Liberty! o'er all the earth What favored country owns thy birth ? We search the past from age to age, But find no clue on history's page: Though many lands assume to claim, How false, their code of laws proclaim! The past recorded of each clime.

Is but a chronicle of crime, Where tyrants ruled each subject land, And Rapine spread on every hand.

lO THE SONG OF LIBERTY.

Where Conquest rolled in blood along, To vex a world harassed with wrong; All quenched the glow of Freedom's light To gloom each race with Sorrow' s blight, Or shone athwart each nation's way At intervals with fitful ray; Where Liberty's aspiring cause Was fettered by unrighteous laws; Where still desponding patriots bleed In vain to check some despot's greed; And modern rulers yet aspire, Unblushing own the vain desire.

To pluck the emblem steeped in gore — The tarnished garland Caesar wore.

We turn in sadness from the page Depicting wrong from tyrant rage; Thus, see the patriot firm and brave, 'Twas Austria gave an early grave; And thou of nations vaunted most. Gave slavery to many a coast, Nor was there pity in thy creed When conquered nations knew thy greed, Or untold victims felt the brunt Of Tyranny's judicial front; And hark, where northern tempests moan To sounding knout or dying groan! Or milder skies by nature blest But view a land by Wrong oppressed; Where Rank usurps each natural right To curse each home with Want's dread blight; Where Justice, captive, shorn and prone, Is symbolized by Power alone.

ThM song of liber TV. I i

Whose savage instincts flout to scorn

Those bleeding backs all gashed and torn

By darker deeds of rankling hate —

His plea, "The safety of the State

Makes vengeance right, though sad the need ' ' ;

Claims " Love and pity still his creed."

'Tis such as midnight thieves accord

Viewing some victim's treasured hoard;

Such pity as hyenas yield,

When prowling o'er a battle-field

For crippled warriors' puny strife,

Who struggle for the boon of Hfe;

The cowards from the helpful shrink,

But of the weaker' s life-tide drink.

Where'er dread Tyranny builds sure, Each law and form's a deadly lure; There suffering millions sigh in vain, Live, but to hope for future gain. Whilst Craft still bars each pleasing way. To bid inquiring Thought to stay. Held on the barren edge of doubt. Lured on by show of good held out.

Like mariners all wan with care.

Who see some distant beacon's glare. Content in soul each eye is bent, Where Hope portrays good will be blent. With all the evils long endured By hearts to hardship's lot inured. Think, soon their shattered bark will ride. Upon soine haven's gentle tide; And fancy pictures to each mind That there warm friends with greetings kind,

With hearts that kindred ties unite, Will all the past of pain requite; When lo! that lure but lights the way Where watchful robbers lurk for prey; So monarchs with deceit beguile, Still lure their subjects with some wile, While Guilt doth aid each shameless fraud, And Pretence all their ways doth laud; Confiding, they will know the pain. Their rulers joy in all the gain.

Leagued tyrants, thus, unyielding still. Professing much they'll ne'er fulfil. Assuming show of grace and love, With claimed endowment from above Of supreme and exclusive power, And sovereign rank as special dower, Assert the throne the source to be, Of mercy flowing full and free.

Can mercy from Oppression flow ?

What general good can Wrong bestow ? Where'er their crime-stained hands have shorn, There should they know their subjects' scorn; Thus learn, each honest soul of worth Would shame to gloom the lowly hearth.

Presumptuous baubles of a day!

Encumbering with your worthless clay Through unjust power each high estate. And yet of grace and mercy prate! Go, vampires of the human race!

Seek mercy ye and plead for grace, For well your crime-stained souls should know. No mercy from your God will flow,

Unless in penitence ye seek

The Heavenly grace that crowns the meek.

Go trace each despot's fell career — Behold a thousand crimes appear!

Oh! witness Thou indignant Heaven, Each dastard act to history given! See where each guilty path hath been Strown with the blasting fruit of sin ! The people's paltry gains they've wrung, Then to some favored minion flung Such hard-earned hoard of peasant's dole, Nor shamed to play su.ch petty role; A cruel, grasping, braggart crew. To naught but selfish interest true.

Each bold usurper of man's rights. Still hopes for conquest where he fights; His suffering subjects die in vain. Or strive their brothers to enchain; The father from his home is torn. Causing his loved ones long to mourn. For forced to join the ranks of Power, Disaster o'er his home must lower. What recks Oppression if the best Of all the nation sleep at rest.

Or wasted field or ruined cot Bring sorrow to the toiler's lot, Provided Conquest's brutal course. Obedient to the law of force, Through blood in triumph borne along, Shall be the burden of each song That menial rhymsters of his train, His deeds in fulsome verses frame!

Tyrant! what gain is thy fell power That bids each subject trembling cower, Bereft by thy despotic might, And robbed of every natural right ? Of what avail all pride of state ? Can such avert the hand of fate ? Can senseless form or silly show Check for a moment Time's dread flow? Can all thy pomp, thy power or pride, Keep the Dark Angel from thy side. Whose wings are poised e'en while perchance. And shadow now thy stricken glance ? Too soon portentous crimes shall weigh To quench the soul's celestial ray; Then, then despair will gather round To whelm its hopes in gloom profound; Plead not 'tis by thy subject's will — Thou art no less a robber still, For ages of oppressive rule Has moulded each a willing tool; Thy ruffian power but bars the way To Liberty's most righteous sway, Whose chosen servants should unfold The chartered law that freemen hold; Dispensing equal justice there, The people's rights, the general care. Each gilded robber's plea is thus — ' ' We are the law, the law in us ! You should not question to unfold The sacred creed that monarchs hold ! Ordained to wield the sceptre's might — Our sole prerogative and right —

'Tis treason if ye seek to find Exemption from the withes that bind ! You should from all complaints refrain, Our patient vassals still remain, For lo! from wisdom's vantage ground, We deign to shed our light around; No chartered rights should subjects know, All law must from true sovereigns flow! What need have ye of other source Than the hereditary course ? ' ' Such constitutes the damning creed Of tyrants prompted by vile greed; Presumptuous despots e'en would close The Heavenly solace for man's woes; Thus, damn him in his future state, To fill the measure of their hate. Know minions of base Passion's spleen. Your deeds will stand your souls between ! Not God ordained that brutal Power Should build to bid mankind to cower, Or aim to bind with shackles sure, His chosen servants good and pure; For selfish Power in Greed's embrace Demoralizes all such race.

There righteous Justice still must lag, And Misery new fetters drag;

There suffering Want in ceaseless strife Still struggles with her sorrows rife, Or knows the woes of cankering care That bid each stricken wretch despair; There trace each sullen peasant's lot. See penury in every cot;

The boon of life their God hath lent, With suffering, sin and hardship blent; Thus power abused becomes foul crime. Such is the verdict of all time; And crime be sure in any cause, Finds no excuse in Heaven's laws.

' ' Fiat Justitia. ' '

'' And what have Caesar's deeds and Caesar's fame Done for the earth? We feel them in our shame! The gory sanction of his glory stains The rust which tyrants cherish on our chains, Though glory, nature, reason, freedom bid Bound millions do what single Brutus did Sweep these mere mock-birds of the despot's song From the tall bough where they have perched so long- Still are we hawked at by such mousing owls. And take for falcons those ignoble fowls: When but a word from Freedom would dispel Those bugbears, as their terrors show too well."

— Byron.

Part II

Go! view each land by Wrong oppressed. Mankind by direful Woe harassed.

Where millions yet do know the sting. That Tyranny's foul rule doth bring! E' en England, though her sons can trace The lineage of a noble race.

Blinded by Ambition's greed.

Ignored sweet Mercy's humane creed.

When subject nations strove in vain To rule their own fair land again. Her history's page is foul with stain, Crimes that indelible remain To stamp dishonor where her power Has served to bid misfortunes lower.

Most famed 'mongst nations, great indeed! No stint of praise would be her meed. If justice held a worthy place Beside the valor of her race; But when her martial strength is used To crush, through sordid greed abused. The triumphs of her warlike sons. The prowess of her famed legions. Awakens not in noble minds Esteem that patriot valor finds.

The greatest victory of earth, Is when the soul has nobler birth! The greatest conqueror is he Who strikes that the oppressed go free! But Justice seeks her aid in vain, Where Britons strike 'tis to enchain! Her favored sons with laurels crowned, Are tools of dark Oppression found! Still midst her honored ones are many, The sycophants of Tyranny; Eager for power and gain they strive, And blind to woe if still they thrive; Surrendering manhood's priceless dower. The mind's illimitable power — Expediency their only plea — To the base craft of Tyranny,

Whose sordid instincts all his own, Thinks spoil of conquests grace a throne.

Sweet Erin's wrongs oppress the soul Of all who strive for Freedom's goal; Her race in sorrow weeps for kin, For England's rule hath ever been A blight to sear that lovely isle. Her laws a scheme but to beguile; Of their just rights the people shorn, Their pleadings answered still with scorn : Think not, no retribution waits.

Or hatred to her rule abates!

The long dark past in Memory's train Brings grief unto each heart again; What noble soul can be beguiled To honor laws that wrong his child ? Their very hills and valleys plead Exemption from her robber greed!

Such rule is but a blot to mar And drive her sons to lands afar. That isle shall soon be freed from foes. Loved Liberty will bring repose; Then shall her sons the laws dispense, 'Tis thy just will, kind Providence!

Still other lands bereft and torn. Of rights deprived and treasure shorn. And untold victims 'neath the sod Have felt the terrors of her rod; The glowing skies of Ind's warm clime Bear witness to her giant crime; Too, western lands have known the woe That stamped her as fair Freedom's foe.

Tyrant! oppression's still thy theme, Where e'er thy meteor banners gleam! That flag once foremost in the fight Shall soon be furled in gloom of blight!

And thou, fair France! dost still aspire To conquest; 'tis thy soul's desire! Go, play again that bloody role To gain a tyrant's crime-stained dole. The senseless show that monarchs bring. Or dubious glory poets sing; Still seek the praise of soulless Fame! Add fickleness to crown thy shame! Rejoice to own the gleanings wrung From many a weaker race among!

Consent a groveling slave to be To lust, to gold and tyranny!

Trust some new idol still again — But why of Fortune's freaks complain ? If still content with each deceit, Sweet Liberty must know defeat;