The Poems of Philip Freneau Volume III Part 12

_Virtue_, _Order_, and _Religion_,*

Haste and seek some other region," etc.

The poem was revised for the edition of 1795, so as to refer to the edition of 1788, issued seven years before the edition of 1795. It was not published in 1809.

"*'The National Gazette is--the vehicle of party spleen and opposition to the great principles of order, virtue, and religion.' Gaz. U. States."

STANZAS[59]

To the memory of two young persons (twin brothers), ROBERT SEVIER and WILLIAM SEVIER, who were killed by the Savages on c.u.mberland River, in North-Carolina, in attempting to a.s.sist a new settler, who was then pa.s.sing the river with a numerous family

In the same hour two lovely youths were born, Nature, with care, had moulded either clay: In the same hour, from this world's limits torn, The murderous Indian seiz'd their lives away.

Distress to aid, impell'd each generous breast; With nervous arm they brav'd the adverse tide, In friends.h.i.+p's cause encounter'd death's embrace, Blameless they liv'd, in honour's path they died.

But ah! what art shall dry a father's tears!

Who shall relieve, or what beguile his pain!

Clouds shade his sun, and griefs advance with years-- Nature gave joys, to take those joys again.

Thou, that shall come to these sequester'd streams, When times to come their story shall relate; Let the fond heart, that native worth esteems, Revere their virtues, and bemoan their fate.

[59] Published in the _National Gazette_, July 28, 1792, with a note explaining that the brothers were killed "on the 15th day of January last."

TO A PERSECUTED PHILOSOPHER[60]

As Aristippus once, with weary feet, Pursued his way through polish'd Athens' street, Minding no business but his own; Out rush'd a set of whelps With sun-burnt scalps, (Black, red, and brown,) That nipt his heels, and nibbled at his gown.

While, with his staff, he kept them all at bay Some yelp'd aloud, some howl'd in dismal strain, Some wish'd the sage to bark again:-- Even little Shylock seem'd to say, "Answer us, sir, in your best way:-- "We are, 'tis true, a snarling crew, "But with our jaws have gain'd applause, "And--sir--can worry such as you."

The sage beheld their spite with steady eye, And only stopp'd to make this short reply: "Hark ye, my dogs, I have not learn'd to yelp, "Nor waste my breath on every lousy whelp; "Much less, to write, or stain my wholesome page "In answering puppies--bursting with their rage: "Hence to your straw!--such contest I disdain: "Learn this, ('tis not amiss) "For Men I keep a pen, "For dogs, a cane!"

[60] First printed in the _National Gazette_, August 29, 1792, under the t.i.tle, "An Old Heathen Story. Adapted to Modern Times." Republished only in the 1795 edition.

TO AN ANGRY ZEALOT[61]

[In Answer to Sundry Virulent Charges]

If of Religion I have made a sport, Then why not cite me to the Bishop's Court?

Fair to the world let every page be set, And prove your charge from all I've said and writ:-- What if this heart no narrow notions bind, Its pure good-will extends to all mankind: Suppose I ask no portion from your feast, Nor heaven-ward ride behind your parish priest, Because I wear not Shylock's Sunday face Must I, for that, be loaded with disgrace?

The time has been,--the time, I fear, is now, When holy phrenzy would erect her brow, Round some poor wight with painted devils meet, And worse than Smithfield blaze through every street; But wholesome laws prevent such horrid scenes, No more afraid of deacons and of deans, In this new world our joyful Psalm we sing That Even a Bishop is a Harmless Thing!

[61] Text from the edition of 1795. First published in the _National Gazette_, Sept. 26, 1792, with the following introduction: "It is a.s.serted in Mr. Russel's (Boston) _Columbian Centinel_ of Sept. 12 (and copied into Mr. Fenno's _Gazette of the United States_ of last Sat.u.r.day) that 'the Clergy of this country are constantly vilified, and _religion_ ridiculed through the medium of the _National Gazette_.' The author of the a.s.sertion is requested to produce one or more pa.s.sages from the National Gazette to support his charge, otherwise, we shall conclude it only _a dirty attempt to prevent the circulation of the National Gazette in the Eastern States_:--But further," here follows the poem. Not printed in edition of 1809.

THE PYRAMID OF THE FIFTEEN AMERICAN STATES[62]

Barbara Pyramidum sileat miracula Memphis;[a]

Heu, male servili marmora structa manu!

Libera jam, ruptis, Atlantias ora, catenis, Jactat opus Phario marmore n.o.bilius: Namque Columbiadae, facti monumenta parantes, Vulgarem spernunt sumere materiam; Magnanimi coelum scandunt, perituraque saxa Quod vincat, celsa de Jovis arce petunt Audax inde cohors stellis _E Pluribus Unum_ Ardua Pyramidos tollit ad astra caput.

Ergo, Tempus edax, quamvis durissima saevo Saxa domas morsu, nil ibi juris habes: Dumque polo solitis cognata nitoribus ardent Sidera fulgebit Pyramis illa suis!

[a] The Latin verses were written by Mr. John Carey, formerly of Philadelphia.--_Freneau's note._

[IN IMITATION OF THE PRECEDING LINES]

No more let barbarous Memphis boast Huge structures reared by servile hands-- A nation on the Atlantic coast Fettered no more in foreign bands, A n.o.bler Pyramid displays Than Egypt's tyranny could raise.

Columbia's sons, to extend the fame Of their exploits to future years, No marble from the quarry claim, But, soaring to the starry spheres, Materials seek in Jove's blue sky To endure when bra.s.s and marble die!

Arrived among the s.h.i.+ning host, Fearless, the proud invaders spoil From countless gems, in aether lost, These Stars, to crown their mighty toil: To heaven a Pyramid they rear And point the summit with a star.

Old wasteful Time! though still you gain Dominion o'er the brazen tower, On This your teeth will gnaw in vain, Finding its strength beyond their power: While kindred stars in aether glow, This Pyramid will s.h.i.+ne below!

[1792]

[62] Published in the _National Gazette_, Dec. 15, 1792. The Latin verses had been contributed several weeks before with the request that some reader of the paper furnish a translation. Text from the 1809 edition.

ON THE DEMOLITION OF THE FRENCH MONARCHY[63]

From Bourbon's brow the crown remov'd, Low in the dust is laid; And, parted now from all she lov'd, Maria's[A] beauties fade: