ANALYSIS OF BOOK I.
Allusion to the surrounding Prospect—Invocation to the River and sylvan
Deities—to the Historic Muse—Fiction discarded—Dedication
to Washington—The Action opens at the Retreat of the Columbians
from Bunker's Hill—General Howe—The Memory of his Brother—
Death of Warren—Personification of Fortune and Fame—Washington
at Mount Vernon—called to the chief Command—Formation of
the Columbian Camp at Cambridge—Natural, moral, or political History
of the several States—Their commanding Officers—Siege of Boston
—Its Sufferings—Negociation for the safe Retreat of the British
Army—Its Departure—Appointment of Congress—Declaration of
Independence—Character of the Columbian Soldiers—The Poet's
prophetic Apostrophe to the Progress of Freedom throughout the
World.
