Yea, these who seem the worshippers of thee,
Exalt the foe-degrade their liberty—

Her titles they extol-revile their laws-
Loan Albion wealth to aid her in the cause!
They deem the act as infamous to aid
The nation's energies to wield the blade!
Yes, the Convention is upheld by those;
They every effort of the land oppose.

By Stygian rites they swear*-a recreant band,
Who for vile gold would barter off the land;
Hypocrites, dissemblers, slavish, base-

The cause of all the war-a factious race.
When victory elevates Columbia's power,
They droop their traitor heads-look sad and sour;
But when the Eagle from the Lion flies,

A smile of pleasure brightens in their eyes!
"To thee how vain-how useless to declare,
That simple virtue needs no tinsel glare;
But false hypocrisy will strive to hide,
His bosom dark with ornaments of pride.

"Now elevate thine eye-observe Castine,
And all the eastern shores of northern Maine,
Bent in subjection by the kingly band
To awe the bleeding patriots of the land,
Till this Convention shall the hour decide
How, when and where the Union to divide!"

Deep silence reign'd through heaven to mark the deed: Yet still their greatest griefs far, far exceed

* The secret Washington Benevolent Society.

The purest bliss that mortal life can feel,
Or the rapt mind in holy thought reveal.

Justice at length the solemn pausing broke---
Astonish'd heaven stood listening while he spoke:
"Days twice fifteen, I yield this treacherous host
To bind the Union---once their proudest boast;
But should they yet, when grace expires, defend
The cause of Britain and her arms befriend,
They to her tyranny shall bend the knee-
Bound in the chains of iron slavery.

"During this period thou wilt here remain, Fredonia---and retaste th' ambrosial plain;

For while these suns shall roll, before their eye,
Will pass such scenes as wring with agony.

"But Fame, 'tis thine to leave the courts of heaven,
To bear the tidings as their souls are given---
Or treacherous to oppose the righteous fight,
Or be restor❜d to liberty and light."

Fame like a sunbeam passes down to earth,
While the celestials to their bowers glide forth;
Silent their voices-but their plumes of gold
Echo sweet music as they rise and fold.
Soft on the breath of Deity they roll,
Fill'd with the joys that satisfy the soul!

CANTO XXXVI.

HAMPTON.-COCKBURN'S SPOLIATIONS IN THE CHESAPEAKE

BAY.

ARGUMENT.

Invocation. Cockburn's spoliations in the Chesapeake Bay.

The scene is laid in sight of Norfolk,-at Lewis, George and Frederick towns-at Havre De Grace and Hampton. The time is eight days.

FREDONIAD.

CANTO XXXVI.

THOU seraph Genius of the epic song, Flaming with hallowed fire the poet's tongue--Who giv'st his fainting heart new strength to feel The soul's deep passion, nature to reveal, Vouchsafe thy droppings on my breast to pour, As dew that cherishes the withering flower. Large let me drink of thy abundant springSweet to my lips the vital waters bring; My thirsty soul stands longing to receive The crystal fount to make her thoughts to live. A weeping mother longs to clasp her boy, Torn from her arms in Albion's slave employ; A hunter lost amid Missouri's waste, Longs for the star to brighten in the east; A traveller fainting in the desert sand, Longs for the lux'ry of a stream at hand--But all their longings not with mine compare--They weigh as gossamer in empty air.

My flesh is wasting---and my hollow eye Proclaims my blood in secret channels dry;

VOL. IV.-16