ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTH BOOK.

Washington. Columbia's address to her sons. Franklin's speech, inciting the Americans to defend their rights and liberties against the efforts of the British Ministry. Washington appointed commander in chief. His speech upon that occasion. Jefferson. Landing of the British. Owen. Battle of Bunker's Hill. Death of General Warren.

WASHINGTON,

OR

LIBERTY RESTORED.

MEANWHILE had Fame with huge expanded wings,
Spread o'er the vast Atlantick, wide diffus'd,
The bitter tale of woe, that Britain's sons,
Forgetting British virtue, had uprear'd

The blood-stain'd standard of despotick power.
Columbia heard the sound; but heard unaw'd;
Rous'd by that deep internal sense of right,
Which Heaven hath planted in the human breast
To shield it from oppression, her free soul
Spurn'd all the hostile threats; she knew that God
Never designed man to be a slave;

She knew that freedom's heaven-clad columns rose
Up to the fountain of eternal light,

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While its firm base immoveable was fix'd

In earth's adamantine centre. Were her sons

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But true unto themselves, not all the powers

Of all the leagued potentates on earth

Could aught avail against them; 't was not force, But art, intrigue and cunning that she fear'd;

These are the weapons that to guard against
Requires untainted virtue, and to these
To oppose the firmest bulwark was her care.
Among her numerous progeny was one,
So far pre-eminent above the rest,

In all those qualities of mind, which grace
Superiour station, that Columbia saw
In him that bulwark, which her fondest hopes
Had scarce expected. In his godlike front
Prudence, and valour had so deep ingrav'd
Each her respective attribute, that each
Did seem to strive for mastery; at his birth
Wisdom, and Virtue did preside, and nam'd
In happiest hour their offspring, Washington.
As when fond Ilium saw her favour'd chief,
Arm'd for the battle, down her spacious streets
March like a God, her bulwark and her joy;
So joy'd Columbia, when she saw her son
Pant to defend his country from her foe.
And now she hasten'd to convene her sons

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30

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To aid her great design; and took her stand

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On Bunker's summit; whence she call'd so loud,

That all the solid continent, from where

The northern zone wrapt in eternal ice

Laughs at the solar beam, to that fam'd clime

Where Mammon hath embosom'd all his stores, 45 And pours his golden curses on mankind—

Thro' all this vast expanse her solemn voice

Re-echo'd; "Sons and Warriours! Ye who long

Look'd up to Britain as another parent;

Who spar'd no efforts to defend her cause

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From foreign foes, and in that cause to shed
Your dearest blood; now learn what recompense
Proud Britain deigns return; your rights are spurn'd,
Your laws, and constitution, all contemn'd;
And now the ocean groans beneath the weight

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σι

Of her throng'd squadrons, come, no longer friends
But bitterest foes, to check fair freedom's voice,
And place the yoke of slavery on your necks.
My Sons! But ye will teach the haughty foe
To know himself, and learn how dire the task,
To trample down the laws of God, and man.
Haste then, convene to council, and elect
Some chief for prudence, and for valour fam'd,
Who in the senate, or the field, may best
Consult your interest, and your rights defend." 65
She spake; and they to council instant went.
As when the ocean's hollow waves uprear

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Their foamy tops, swoln by the boisterous north;
The winding shores with all their rocks and caves,
Lash'd by the billowy horrour, back rebound
The long hoarse bellowings; but when Heaven's
spirit

61. To trample down &c.-" The Americans," said Mr. Fox, Oct. 1776," had done no more than the English had done against James the Second. When James went out of the kingdom, the English declared the throne to be abdicated, and chose another king. When the late severe laws were passed against the Americans, they were thrown into anarchy; they declared we had abdicated the government, and therefore they were at liberty to choose a government for themselves." Almon, vi. 44.

Breathes its ambrosial odours o'er the deep,
The silent waves scarce ruffled, hardly give
The solar beam to play its dazzly sport;
So when Columbia urg'd fair freedom's sons
In council to convene, the earth around
Groan'd underneath their feet, and all the air
Madden'd in tumult. But when Franklin rose,
At whose right hand sat Wisdom cloth'd in light,
And round whose head a blaze of vivid flame
Play'd harmless, mute attention, still as night,
Held all the listening throng, and thus he spake;
"Columbia's offspring! Ye who wont to boast
Of British blood, that uncontaminate

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Flow'd through your swelling veins, now boast no more;

Britain is sold to gold; the wealth of Ind,

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86. the wealth of Ind, &c.-"For some years past," said lord Chatham, Jan. 1770, "there has been an influx of wealth into this country, which has been attended with many fatal consequences, because it has not been the regular, natural produce of labour and industry. The riches of Asia have been poured in upon us, and have brought with them not only Asiatic luxury, but, I fear, Asiatic principles of government. Without connections, without any natural interest in the soil, the importers of foreign gold, have forced their way into parliament, by such a torrent of private corruption, as no private hereditary fortune could resist." Debrett, v. 153-4; see also p. 356, where his lordship speaks of the detestation in which he holds "the lofty Asiatic plunderers of Leadenhall-street." Even lord North complains of the "officers of the Company, who, for want of proper laws, disobeyed their masters, and thereby, as suddenly as exorbitantly, increased their own finances; a conduct which might hazard the loss of those do minions to this kingdom; might ruin the country, and make the English hated by the people over whom they tyrannized." Jan. 1772. Debrett, vi. 158.