Page:The American Revolution (scriptural style).djvu/388



22 COLUMBIAD.

Fall Toon the battle join'd, with jarring Tound, Men, fleeds, and arms, lay mingled on the ground! Tlius a fmall remnant, like the rugged oak, vSudain'd the (torm, nor from their leader broke. See them retiring from the haughty foe — With hearts opprefs'd, and ftung with gen'rous v/oe; They turn their eyes upon the vklor hoil, And frown tremendous — as the Briton's boad : Thea brave, rcfolve to rufii amidft the foe, And end vbeir forrows by a defperate blow.

■' Thus they awhile, by jarring psflions tofs'd — J<Iowthey defend, and next defert their poll : Tortur'd with doubts, and harrafs'd cvu with care. To heaven's high court preferr'd this ardent pray'r^ O thou, whofe eyedifcerns our iamod thoughts; "Who's rod in mercy — fcourges man for faults! If thou had feen Columbia's fonsremifs, Thyfelf chaftlfe them, when they do amifs :— On thee we call, tbv powerful aid invoke. On thee rely and dejirecate thy (Iroke! Infpire each patriot with thy facred fire, Inform their minds, and grant our juft defire. Teach L'rltain's king the law of right and VyTong : Oh, f^ve Columbia! and her race proU.ng; Nurtibers in vain oppofe thy dread decree. If thou srt for us, we will yet be free.

Thus pray'd the men, inur'd to every florm; Whom death oft threaten M, in each frightful lorm. ' They now retreat before fuperior might : Wifdom commands to fiian th' unequal fight. Through the rich plains, where Ceres loves to dsvell; V/here beauteous maids their am'rous ditties tell j (New Jeifey call'd) the fcatter'd remnant flics, Tl>e foe purfues, ft,he draggling culprit dies! And now to Delaware's majedic dream, This band of herpes in the evening came;