TO GENERAL LAFAYETTE.
Presented by the children of Hartford, September 4th, 1824, who were decorated with Ribbons bearing the inscription, "Nous vous aimons La Fayette.
Welcome thou to Freedom's clime,
Glorious Hero! Chief sublime!
Garlands bright for thee are wreath'd,
Vows of filial ardour breath'd,
Veteran's cheeks with tears are wet,
"Nous vous aimons La Fayette."
Monmouth's field is rich with bloom,
Where thy warrior's found their tomb,
Yorktown's heights resound no more,
Victor's shout or cannon's roar,
Yet our hearts record their debt,
"Nous vous aimons La Fayette."
Brandywine, whose current roll'd
Proud with blood of heroes bold,
That our Country's debt shall tell,
That our gratitude shall swell,
Infant breasts thy wounds regret,
"Nous vous aimons La Fayette."
Sires, who sleep in glory's bed,
Sires, whose blood for us was shed,
Taught us, when our knee we bend,
With the prayer thy name to blend:
Shall we e'er such charge forget?
No!—"Nous aimons La Fayette."
When our blooming cheeks shall fade,
Pale with time, or sorrow's shade,
When our clustering tresses fair
Frosts of wintry age shall wear,
E'en till Memory's sun be set,
"Nous vous aimons La Fayette."