18
poems.
THE BIRTHDAY OF WASHINGTON.
Blow ye the trump of Fame!
And raise to heaven its deathless sound!
Loud let it spread earth's circuit round,
And waft the one loved name,
Far as the sun with radiant beam hath shone,
Thy sacred name, Immortal Washington.
And raise to heaven its deathless sound!
Loud let it spread earth's circuit round,
And waft the one loved name,
Far as the sun with radiant beam hath shone,
Thy sacred name, Immortal Washington.
O glorious, hallowed theme,
That name by wondering millions blest,
So dear to every freeman's breast!
Well may the poet's dream,
The painter's canvass, and the marble tell,
Why in our hearts joy's gushing fountains swell.
That name by wondering millions blest,
So dear to every freeman's breast!
Well may the poet's dream,
The painter's canvass, and the marble tell,
Why in our hearts joy's gushing fountains swell.
A cloud burst o'er our cherished land;
True was each heart and nerved each hand.
The young their parents' blessing sought,
And boldly for their country fought.
The aged poured one fervent prayer,
And meekly shared the soldier's fare:
Their blood, their lives, for our fair homes were given,
Their hopes were rested on the arm of Heaven.
Yet still no morn of bliss was near,
No sun, to chase their night of fear
Dark seemed their future fate,
Dreary and desolate.
True was each heart and nerved each hand.
The young their parents' blessing sought,
And boldly for their country fought.
The aged poured one fervent prayer,
And meekly shared the soldier's fare:
Their blood, their lives, for our fair homes were given,
Their hopes were rested on the arm of Heaven.
Yet still no morn of bliss was near,
No sun, to chase their night of fear
Dark seemed their future fate,
Dreary and desolate.
Sad were the presages then given.
But lo! upon their clouded heaven
But lo! upon their clouded heaven