University of Virginia Library


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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
Jan 1, 1809