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 |  |
What eagle flight can trace through regions far,
Th' immortal march of Washington in war?
Who sing his conq'ring arms o'er York that shone,
And deeds surviving monumental stone?
How cloud-hid batt'ries rain'd red bullets dire,
Volcanic mortars belch'd infernal fire,
While baleful bombs that buoy'd in ether rode,
Emblaze the skies, and, fill'd with fate, explode!
Till great Cornwallis, hopeless of relief,
Resign'd whole armies to a greater chief?
Then solemn thanks by blest Columbia giv'n,
With songs of gratitude, rose sweet to heav'n.
What though my lips no common fervour warm'd
To sing th' achievements that his arm perform'd;
Though strong as when I follow'd where he led,
Toil'd in his sight, or with his mandates sped,
Or bore his trophies to our pow'r supreme,
I sink beneath th' immensity of theme.
Yet might a muse that soars on stronger wing,
So vast an argument divinely sing;
Then should the numbers rise as heav'n sublime,
Defy the ravage of corroding time,
Make late posterity his deeds admire,
And raptur'd bosoms burn with more than mortal fire.
Th' immortal march of Washington in war?
Who sing his conq'ring arms o'er York that shone,
And deeds surviving monumental stone?
How cloud-hid batt'ries rain'd red bullets dire,
Volcanic mortars belch'd infernal fire,
While baleful bombs that buoy'd in ether rode,
Emblaze the skies, and, fill'd with fate, explode!
Till great Cornwallis, hopeless of relief,
Resign'd whole armies to a greater chief?
Then solemn thanks by blest Columbia giv'n,
With songs of gratitude, rose sweet to heav'n.
What though my lips no common fervour warm'd
To sing th' achievements that his arm perform'd;
Though strong as when I follow'd where he led,
Toil'd in his sight, or with his mandates sped,
Or bore his trophies to our pow'r supreme,
I sink beneath th' immensity of theme.
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So vast an argument divinely sing;
Then should the numbers rise as heav'n sublime,
Defy the ravage of corroding time,
Make late posterity his deeds admire,
And raptur'd bosoms burn with more than mortal fire.
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |