 | The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827 |  |
120
PATRIOTIC POEMS
On General Washington
When Alcides, the son of Olympian Jove,
Was called from the earth, to the regions above,
The fetters grim Tyranny burst from his hand,
And with rapine, and murder, usurped the command:
While Peace, lovely maiden, was scared from the plains,
And Liberty, captive! sat wailing in chains;
Her once gallant offspring lay bleeding around,
Nor, on earth, could a champion to save her to be found.
Was called from the earth, to the regions above,
The fetters grim Tyranny burst from his hand,
And with rapine, and murder, usurped the command:
While Peace, lovely maiden, was scared from the plains,
And Liberty, captive! sat wailing in chains;
Her once gallant offspring lay bleeding around,
Nor, on earth, could a champion to save her to be found.
The thunderer, moved with compassion, looked down,
On a world so accurst, from his crystalline throne;
Then opened the book, in whose mystical page,
Were enrolled the heroes of each future age:
Read of Brutus, and Sidney, who dared to be free;
Of their virtues approved, and confirmed the decree;
Then turned to the annals of that happy age,
When Washington's glories illumined the page.
On a world so accurst, from his crystalline throne;
Then opened the book, in whose mystical page,
Were enrolled the heroes of each future age:
Read of Brutus, and Sidney, who dared to be free;
Of their virtues approved, and confirmed the decree;
Then turned to the annals of that happy age,
When Washington's glories illumined the page.
“When Britannia shall strive with tyrannical hand,
To establish her empire in each distant land,
A chief shall arise, in Columbia's defense,
To whom the just gods shall their favors dispense:
Triumphant as Mars, in the glorious field,
While Minerva shall lend him her wisdom, and shield:
And Liberty, freed from the shackles, shall own,
Great Washington's claim, as her favorite son.”
To establish her empire in each distant land,
A chief shall arise, in Columbia's defense,
To whom the just gods shall their favors dispense:
Triumphant as Mars, in the glorious field,
While Minerva shall lend him her wisdom, and shield:
And Liberty, freed from the shackles, shall own,
Great Washington's claim, as her favorite son.”
Aug. 26, 1780
121
On General Arnold
At Freedom's call, see Arnold take the field,With Honor, blazoned on his patriot shield!
His gallant deeds a dazzling luster spread,
And circling glories beamed around his head.
But, when estranged from Freedom's glorious cause,
Renouncing Honor, and its sacred laws,
Impelled by motives of the basest kind,
Which mark the vicious, mean, degenerate mind:
To virtue lost, and callous to disgrace,
The traitor hiding, with the hero's face;
His cankered heart, to sordid views a slave,
To Mammon yielding all that freedom gave,
Enleagued with fiends of that detested tribe,
Whose god is gold, whose savior is a bribe,
Could basely join, his country to betray,
And thus restore a ruthless tyrant's sway;
On freedom's sons impose the galling yoke,
And crush each foe to vice, beneath the stroke;
Not all his laurels in the field obtained!
Not all that Philip's son, by conquest gained!
Not all that once adorned great Caesar's brow!
Nor, all that Washington may challenge now!
Could save a wretch, whom crimes, like these, debase,
So far beneath the rank of human race!
122
In vain, shall seek repose, from pole to pole;
Perpetual anguish shall torment his breast,
And hellish demons haunt his troubled rest;
Not even death shall shield his hated name,
For, still, the caitiff shall survive to fame;
By fate's decree! who thus pronounced his lot:
“Too bad, to live! too base, to be forgot!
Thy crimes succeeding ages shall proclaim,
And Judas be forgot, in Arnold's name!”
Oct. 25, 1780
The Progress of Cornwallis An Irregular Ode
I
Bellona's thunder rends the western skies,The din of battle shakes the troubled air;
Sounds of frantic horror rise,
Shrieks of woe, and wild despair;
Through Carolina's laurel groves,
Secure, the prowling Briton roves,
And mocks the foe, and fate defies;
Since, prostrate on the ground,
O'erwhelmed with many a wound,
In agonizing pangs Rebellion gasping lies.
123
II
See Terror stalking through th' affrighted land!Grim Rage, and fell Revenge his steps pursue,
Rapine, and harpy Famine join the band,
The wretched victim's dying groans
The widowed matron's tender moans,
The virgin's plaints, the orphan's cries,
Ascend, in concert, to the skies:
There hollow Want in secret anguish pines,
No more relieved from Plenty's cheering hoard;
Here pale disease the parting breath resigns,
And Desolation waves around her flaming sword!
III
See the gorgon foe advance!
See him couch his quivering lance!
Thine, Virginia: next to feel
The fatal vengeance of his steel:
See him couch his quivering lance!
Thine, Virginia: next to feel
The fatal vengeance of his steel:
Thine, with terror to survey,
His splendid host in dread array:
Thine, beneath is power to languish,
Torn with rage, despair, and anguish!
His splendid host in dread array:
Thine, beneath is power to languish,
Torn with rage, despair, and anguish!
IV
In her car triumphant riding,
'Midst ten thousand glittering spears,
Through the liquid azure gliding,
Bright-eyed Liberty appears.
'Midst ten thousand glittering spears,
Through the liquid azure gliding,
Bright-eyed Liberty appears.
Far renowned in martial story
See a chief her faulchion wield!
Beaming with celestial glory,
Lo! a monarch bears her shield!
See a chief her faulchion wield!
Beaming with celestial glory,
Lo! a monarch bears her shield!
Britain! thy short triumphal course is run!
Thy flitting glories vanish from the sight;
Lost in the radiance of a brighter sun,
Like falling stars they're seen, 'midst darkness, only, bright.
Thy flitting glories vanish from the sight;
Lost in the radiance of a brighter sun,
Like falling stars they're seen, 'midst darkness, only, bright.
June, 1782
“At the period alluded to, the British never spoke of the Americans but as rebels and the Revolution as a rebellion”
(Tucker).124
Ode to Peace
Come, sweet Peace, and with thee bring
All the odors of the spring;
Summer's golden harvests, too,
Autumn's fruits of various hue,
Winter's health, and cheerful fires,
Joys, which competence inspires.
All the odors of the spring;
Summer's golden harvests, too,
Autumn's fruits of various hue,
Winter's health, and cheerful fires,
Joys, which competence inspires.
Leave to war the vernal blights,
Scorching summer's sultry nights,
Autumn's fogs, and sickly dew,
Rugged winter's blustering crew,
Slavery, famine, and despair,
Leave behind to cruel war.
Scorching summer's sultry nights,
Autumn's fogs, and sickly dew,
Rugged winter's blustering crew,
Slavery, famine, and despair,
Leave behind to cruel war.
All the good that freedom brings,
Mirth from innocence that springs,
Temperance, the foe to strife,
Friendship, sweetest balm of life,
Love, that rivals bliss divine,
Gentle Peace; be ever thine.
Mirth from innocence that springs,
Temperance, the foe to strife,
Friendship, sweetest balm of life,
Love, that rivals bliss divine,
Gentle Peace; be ever thine.
1787–1788
125
On Hearing of the Attack Made by the British Captain Douglas, of the Navy, on the Chesapeake, Commanded by Commodore Barron, in June, 1807, Near Cape Henry
Tyrant! again, we hear thy hostile voice!
Again, upon our coast thy cannons roar!
For peace, again, thou leavest us no choice!
Again, we hurl defiance from our shore.
Again, upon our coast thy cannons roar!
For peace, again, thou leavest us no choice!
Again, we hurl defiance from our shore.
Hast thou forgot the day that Warren bled,
While hecatombs around were sacrificed?
Hast thou forgot thy legions captive led?
Thy navies blasted, by a foe despised?
While hecatombs around were sacrificed?
Hast thou forgot thy legions captive led?
Thy navies blasted, by a foe despised?
Or, think'st thou we've forgot our brothers slain!
Our aged fathers weltering in their gore!
Our widowed mothers, on their knee, in vain,
Their violated daughters' fate deplore!
Our aged fathers weltering in their gore!
Our widowed mothers, on their knee, in vain,
Their violated daughters' fate deplore!
Our towns in ashes laid! Our fields on fire!
Our wives and children flying from the foe!
Ourselves in battle ready to expire:
Yet struggling still to strike one other blow!
Our wives and children flying from the foe!
Ourselves in battle ready to expire:
Yet struggling still to strike one other blow!
Know then this day recalls the whole!
Now, hear our solemn, and determined voice:
In vain proud tyrant! shall thy thunders roll;
Since, once more, victory or death's our choice.
Now, hear our solemn, and determined voice:
In vain proud tyrant! shall thy thunders roll;
Since, once more, victory or death's our choice.
July 2, 1807
126
Ode For the new year—1809
Still, Bellona's thunders roll,
Rend the earth, and shake the pole!
Europe smokes from east to west;
Gaul and Britain feed the fires;
Tyranny erects its crest;
Freedom from her shores retires.
Rend the earth, and shake the pole!
Europe smokes from east to west;
Gaul and Britain feed the fires;
Tyranny erects its crest;
Freedom from her shores retires.
Hail Columbia! happy land!
Peace, with liberty be thine!
But, would Freedom's voice command,
Instant, at the call divine,
Rush to glory, at her shrine!
Peace, with liberty be thine!
But, would Freedom's voice command,
Instant, at the call divine,
Rush to glory, at her shrine!
Freedom! endless by thy sway!
Boundless, as the solar ray!
Peace the consort of thy reign;
Virtue foremost in thy train;
Wisdom thine unerring guide;
War and tyranny defied.
Boundless, as the solar ray!
Peace the consort of thy reign;
Virtue foremost in thy train;
Wisdom thine unerring guide;
War and tyranny defied.
Hail Columbia! happy land!
Peace with liberty be thine!
But if Freedom's voice commands,
To arms! To arms! To arms!
Instant, at the call divine,
To arms! To arms! To arms!
Peace with liberty be thine!
But if Freedom's voice commands,
To arms! To arms! To arms!
Instant, at the call divine,
To arms! To arms! To arms!
Rush to glory at her shrine!
Rush to glory!
Rush to glory,
Rush to Glory, at her shrine!
Rush to glory!
Rush to glory,
Rush to Glory, at her shrine!
127
(If such the will divine),
Fall, with glory!
Fall, with glory!
Fall, with glory, at her shrine!
Fall, with glory!
Fall, with glory!
Fall, with glory, at her shrine!
Jan 1, 1809
Union March
Rise, Columbia rise! For peace hath lost its charms!
Hark from afar,
The clang of war!
Insulting foes
Your rights oppose:
Rise, Columbia rise! 'Tis freedom calls to arms!
Hark from afar,
The clang of war!
Insulting foes
Your rights oppose:
Rise, Columbia rise! 'Tis freedom calls to arms!
Rise, Columbia rise! Let union arm your bands.
From east to west,
Her high behest,
Let all obey:
In dread array
Rise, Columbia rise! 'Tis freedom's voice commands.
From east to west,
Her high behest,
Let all obey:
In dread array
Rise, Columbia rise! 'Tis freedom's voice commands.
Rise Columbia, rise! At freedom's sacred shrine,
Your vows renew:
Swear to be true
To Liberty!
And still be free!
Rise, Columbia rise! Be death or freedom thine.
Your vows renew:
Swear to be true
To Liberty!
And still be free!
Rise, Columbia rise! Be death or freedom thine.
Feb. 26, 1809
128
Lines Written Soon After the Declaration of War Against Great Britain, in June, 1812, When Congress Passed an Act for Raising Troops.
To the Friends and Supporters of Liberty, and Their Country.
Remember the days, when fair Liberty's call
Roused the sons of Columbia to arms;
When we swore, one and all, at her altars to fall,
Ere a tyrant should rifle her charms:
When Montgomery, Warren, and Mercer the brave,
Sealed the thrice-solemn oath, with their blood;
And Washington, destined his country to save,
Swept off all her foes, like a flood,
Roused the sons of Columbia to arms;
When we swore, one and all, at her altars to fall,
Ere a tyrant should rifle her charms:
When Montgomery, Warren, and Mercer the brave,
Sealed the thrice-solemn oath, with their blood;
And Washington, destined his country to save,
Swept off all her foes, like a flood,
Remember, when Freedom her banners unfurled,
And exalted her standard on high;
We swore to defend her against the whole world,
And for her, to conquer, or die:
Bunker's Hill, Saratoga, Kings Mountain, and York,
Attested the truth that we swore;
Independence, and union, and peace, crowned our work;
And Liberty triumphed once more.
And exalted her standard on high;
We swore to defend her against the whole world,
And for her, to conquer, or die:
Bunker's Hill, Saratoga, Kings Mountain, and York,
Attested the truth that we swore;
Independence, and union, and peace, crowned our work;
And Liberty triumphed once more.
Now, when insolent tyrants assail her again,
And traitors are plotting her fall,
Shall the bliss-giving Goddess invoke us, in vain,
Like lions to rouse at her call?
Remember our oath! And remember the blood,
That sealed the dread oath, that we swore!
And remember the days, when victorious we stood!
And conquer for Freedom, once more.
And traitors are plotting her fall,
Shall the bliss-giving Goddess invoke us, in vain,
Like lions to rouse at her call?
Remember our oath! And remember the blood,
That sealed the dread oath, that we swore!
And remember the days, when victorious we stood!
And conquer for Freedom, once more.
Aug. 7, 1810
129
Invocation Addressed to Every Friend of His Country; September 1814
Sons of freedom! who have bled,
Where Washington or Warren led,
Over heaps of mighty dead,
'Gainst a tyrant enemy;
See again: The battle lower!
Britain rallies all her power—
Now descends a fiery shower!
Cannons roar, and rockets fly.
Where Washington or Warren led,
Over heaps of mighty dead,
'Gainst a tyrant enemy;
See again: The battle lower!
Britain rallies all her power—
Now descends a fiery shower!
Cannons roar, and rockets fly.
Shades of patriots in the grave!
Shades of parted heroes brave!
Born, your country's rights to save,
From a ruthless tyrant's sway!
Rouse your gallant sons to arms!
Bid them wake to freedom's charms!
Bid them rush to war's alarms!
Rouse! And drive their foes away.
Shades of parted heroes brave!
Born, your country's rights to save,
From a ruthless tyrant's sway!
Rouse your gallant sons to arms!
Bid them wake to freedom's charms!
Bid them rush to war's alarms!
Rouse! And drive their foes away.
Bid them hasten to the strand!
Sword to Sword, and hand to hand!
Suffer not a foe to land
On the shores of Liberty!
Back to ocean drive the slaves!
There to perish in its waves!
Sink them to their watery graves!
Worthy not on earth to die!
Sword to Sword, and hand to hand!
Suffer not a foe to land
On the shores of Liberty!
Back to ocean drive the slaves!
There to perish in its waves!
Sink them to their watery graves!
Worthy not on earth to die!
130
Chorus
Sons of patriots in the grave!
Sons of parted heroes brave!
Born, your country's rights to save
From a ruthless tyrant's sway;
Be not blind to freedom's charms!
Be not deaf to war's alarms!
Rouse ye! rouse ye! quick to arms!
Rouse ye! and drive your foes away!
Sons of parted heroes brave!
Born, your country's rights to save
From a ruthless tyrant's sway;
Be not blind to freedom's charms!
Be not deaf to war's alarms!
Rouse ye! rouse ye! quick to arms!
Rouse ye! and drive your foes away!
Haste ye! haste ye! to the strand!
Sword to Sword, and hand to hand!
Suffer not a foe to land
On the shores of liberty!
Back to ocean drive the slaves!
There to perish in its waves!
Sink them to their watery graves!
Worthy not on earth to die!
Sword to Sword, and hand to hand!
Suffer not a foe to land
On the shores of liberty!
Back to ocean drive the slaves!
There to perish in its waves!
Sink them to their watery graves!
Worthy not on earth to die!
Aug. 15, 1810
| The Poems of St. George Tucker of Williamsburg, Virginia 1752-1827 | |