The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys Late Minister Plenipotentiary from the United States of America to the Court of Madrid |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys |  |
Yes, earth shall know what arm the strife maintain'd,
And who the palm of independence gain'd.
'Twas that blest meed, to Washington so dear,
Sustain'd his efforts through the dread career.
Shall I, who knew the secrets of his soul,
His smother'd anguish ere he reach'd the goal;
When faint, with sickness visited by heav'n,
His feeble band before the foe was driv'n—
(Their snow-tracks stain'd with blood—their limbs by frost
Benumb'd) defeated—all but honour lost;—
When scarcely hope surviv'd the chilling blast—
And every hour of freedom seem'd the last—
Shall I not tell how firm he met the shock,
Impassable his breast, a diamond rock?
And who the palm of independence gain'd.
'Twas that blest meed, to Washington so dear,
Sustain'd his efforts through the dread career.
Shall I, who knew the secrets of his soul,
His smother'd anguish ere he reach'd the goal;
When faint, with sickness visited by heav'n,
His feeble band before the foe was driv'n—
(Their snow-tracks stain'd with blood—their limbs by frost
Benumb'd) defeated—all but honour lost;—
When scarcely hope surviv'd the chilling blast—
And every hour of freedom seem'd the last—
Shall I not tell how firm he met the shock,
Impassable his breast, a diamond rock?
| The miscellaneous works of David Humphreys | |