Page:The works of Anna Laetitia Barbauld volume 1.djvu/264

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ON THE EXPECTED

GENERAL RISING OF THE FRENCH NATION,

IN 1792.

Rise, mighty nation, in thy strength,
And deal thy dreadful vengeance round;
Let thy great spirit, roused at length,
Strike hordes of despots to the ground!

Devoted land ! thy mangled breast
Eager the royal vultures tear;
By friends betrayed, by foes opprest,
And Virtue struggles with Despair.

The tocsin sounds! arise, arise!
Stern o'er each breast let Country reign;
Nor virgin's plighted hand nor sighs
Must now the ardent youth detain: