 | The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth |  |
127
THE BIRTH OF WASHINGTON.
When Freedom perceives from the regions above,
That fiends would assail the loved empire she planted,
She appealed to the Father of mercy and love,
For a shield of defence—her petition was granted.
Attended by Fame,
In a chariot of flame,
She descended to earth this behest to proclaim,
An infant is born to enlighten the earth,
Then hail to the day of our Washington's birth.
That fiends would assail the loved empire she planted,
She appealed to the Father of mercy and love,
For a shield of defence—her petition was granted.
Attended by Fame,
In a chariot of flame,
She descended to earth this behest to proclaim,
An infant is born to enlighten the earth,
Then hail to the day of our Washington's birth.
Years rolled—and the infant like Hercules grew,
While as fast grew the Hydra of ruthless oppression;
Till Tyranny's vassals their hands dared embrue,
With his countrymen's blood—he avenged the aggressions.
Long and bloody the fray
Till they yielded the day,
To the hero whose glory will never decay;
But long shall its lustre enlighten the earth,
Then hail to the day of our Washington's birth.
While as fast grew the Hydra of ruthless oppression;
Till Tyranny's vassals their hands dared embrue,
With his countrymen's blood—he avenged the aggressions.
Long and bloody the fray
Till they yielded the day,
To the hero whose glory will never decay;
But long shall its lustre enlighten the earth,
Then hail to the day of our Washington's birth.
128
'T was then that the victor appeared like a god,
For he thought not of self, but the good of the nation;
Though a crown and a sceptre awaited his nod,
He preferred, like a Roman, to till his plantation.
For the helmet he now
Gladly threw from his brow,
And from Power's dizzy summit retired to the plough.
Such brillant example enlightened the earth,
Then hail to the day of our Washington's birth.
For he thought not of self, but the good of the nation;
Though a crown and a sceptre awaited his nod,
He preferred, like a Roman, to till his plantation.
For the helmet he now
Gladly threw from his brow,
And from Power's dizzy summit retired to the plough.
Such brillant example enlightened the earth,
Then hail to the day of our Washington's birth.
Then join in the anthem with rapturous hearts,
For delight and warm gratitude she must o'erflow them,
Ye lovers of science and friends of the arts,
'T is to Washington's valor and wisdom you owe them.
Then unite in the lay,
'T is to honor the day,
For the light of its glory shall never decay,
But long shall its lustre enlighten the earth,
Then hail to the day of our Washington's birth.
For delight and warm gratitude she must o'erflow them,
Ye lovers of science and friends of the arts,
'T is to Washington's valor and wisdom you owe them.
Then unite in the lay,
'T is to honor the day,
For the light of its glory shall never decay,
But long shall its lustre enlighten the earth,
Then hail to the day of our Washington's birth.
| The poetical works of Samuel Woodworth | |