University of Virginia Library

Once more the advent'rous band, my lays explore,
From Charlestown heights, manur'd with British gore;
From Cambridge barriers, frowning on the foe,
Who harmless bluster on the depths below;
Through howling desarts, many a weary'd mile,
The dreary forest and the dark defile.
The dashing torrent, and the deep morass,
Braving, like Hannibal, the tow'ring pass;
But Fancy quits those realms where horrors reigns,
And welcomes Arnold to Canadia's plains.
Those plains where mighty Wolfe in triumph bled;
Britain subdu'd and vanquish'd Bourbon fled:
Thy sons, America, with chearful heart,
In all her conflicts took a willing part,
With steps resolv'd ye trod the hostile wood,
Where famine threatens and where murders brood.
For Britain's glory, flow'd the purple vein,
Warm from the heart to prop a Brunswick's reign.
How chang'd the scene! no more with friendly hand
To aid thy pow'r, we leave our native land
Burst are those ties, alas! and scatter'd wild,
That join'd the Parent to the faithful child:
Fatal ambition, to each vice ally'd,
Dire mischief's progeny, the child of pride;
These wars malign, from thy curst genius flow
Those fields of slaughter, and those scenes of woe;
Death marks thy steps, while o'er our land high waves
Destruction dire;—deep yawns the op'ning graves,
Portentous ill! see hecatombs expire,
And cities falling! 'midst th' unhallow'd fire.
'Midst thundering Culverins, and dread alarms,
Crush'd to their base, by tyranny in arms.
Thro' the bleak arctic clime thy spirit glows,
While blaz'ing ramparts banish soft repose.
Montgomery, glorious from his conquest won,
To Abra'ms plains now leads his cohorts on.
Where hostile batt'ries stern resistance shew,
And dare the fury of th' advent'rous foe.
While Britain's union streams upon the walls,
Our hardy troops to fierce encounter calls.
Now round each heart, fair freedom spreads her flame.
That glows and kindles at the voice of fame.
E'en Carleton trembles from his bastion'd height,
Nor dates, 'gainst freemen, risk the dubious sight.

Tho' Autumn black'ning on the mountain lowrs,
And o'er the dreary heath the tempest roars.
Tho' o'er his head the sweeping whirlwind flies,
And blazing mortars rend sea, earth, and skies—
Fearless of danger, for he smiles at pain,
Spreads his wide flag and opes the bold campaign.