And basely murder unoffending women! - But what are this world's goods, that they for them What are these mighty riches we possess, That they should send so far to plunder them? — Already have we felt their potent arm And ever since that inauspicious day, When first Sir Francis Bernard His cannons planted at the council door, And made the assembly room a home for strumpets, And soldiers rank and file — e'er since that day This wretched land, that drinks its children's gore, Has been a scene of tumult and confusion ! Are we so happy that they envy us? Leander Enough, enough—such dismal scenes you paint, I almost shudder at the recollection What, are they dogs that they would mangle us? — To brighter skies I turn my ravish'd view, And laws, a pattern to the world beside, Acasto And when a train of rolling years are past, No dangerous tree with deadly fruit shall grow, From native innocence. A Canaan here, And from a fairer Pisgah's top be seen. No thistle here, nor thorn nor briar shall spring, Shall kindle up to deeds of death no more, Such days the world, And such, America, thou first shalt have, When ages, yet to come, have run their round, And future years of bliss alone remain. 1771. |