The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
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 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
But what avails to trace the fate of war
Through fields of blood, and point each glorious scar?
Why should the strain your former woes recall,
The tears that wept a friend or brother's fall,
When by your side first in th' advent'rous strife,
He dauntless rush'd, too prodigal of life?
Enough of merit has each honour'd name,
To shine, untarnish'd, on the rolls of fame;
To stand th' example of each distant age,
And add new lustre to th' historic page:
For soon their deeds, illustrious, shall be shown
In breathing bronze, or animated stone,
Or where the canvass, starting into life,
Revives the glories of the crimson strife.
Through fields of blood, and point each glorious scar?
Why should the strain your former woes recall,
The tears that wept a friend or brother's fall,
11
He dauntless rush'd, too prodigal of life?
Enough of merit has each honour'd name,
To shine, untarnish'd, on the rolls of fame;
To stand th' example of each distant age,
And add new lustre to th' historic page:
For soon their deeds, illustrious, shall be shown
In breathing bronze, or animated stone,
Or where the canvass, starting into life,
Revives the glories of the crimson strife.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |