Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WESTMINSTER ODE; FOR THE 4TH OF JULY, 1799, by ROYALL TYLER


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WESTMINSTER ODE; FOR THE 4TH OF JULY, 1799, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Join to hail this festive morn
Last Line: Peace and independence.
Alternate Author Name(s): Old Simon; S.
Subject(s): Fourth Of July; Westminster, Vermont; Independence Day


JOIN to hail this festive morn,
With joy and exultation;
Type of that on which was born
The Freedom of our nation.
Ever shall it be renown'd
In Columbian story;
Happy, since 'tis doubly crown'd
With Liberty and Glory.

Hail again this sacred day,
On which the Gods have sent us
Hearts to celebrate with glee
Peace and Independence.

Guardian Powers! who rule above,
Now descend to cheer us,
And let friendship, joy and love
Shed their influence near us.
Heart and voice in concert join
On this grand occasion,
And approve, ye Powers divine,
The rights of celebration.

Hail again, &c.

Rulers still our laws shall seek
To put in execution:
But unpunished never break
Our sacred Constitution.
This our dearest pledge shall be,
And on this we pride us;
We are one and will be free,
No faction shall divide us.

Hail again, &c.

France her bloody flag unfurl'd
Against the Crown and Crosier;
Should she rule the Eastern World,
The Western will oppose her.
Britain too can plainly see
She'll subdue us never;
Thus our toast shall always be,
"Columbia forever."

Hail again, &c.

Should either seek her laws to whelm,
We'll meet the bold pretender;
ADAMS still is at the helm,
And WASHINGTON defends her.
Freedom yet, should England set
All her fleets in motion,
Will a thousand TRUXTONS get
And spread them on the ocean.

Hail again, &c.

Hear, ye Powers! our warmest prayer,
May we meet your favour;
Make our Country still your care,
From Corruption save her.
When our freedom to our sons
Has by right descended,
Grant their spirit be as one
Ever to defend it.

Hail again, &c.

Grant our infant happy State
Still to fame be rising;
And her sons be good and great,
Brave and enterprising.
Base deceit still may we find
To their hearts a stranger;
May they, casting fear behind,
Brave the worst of danger.

Hail again, &c.

Ever may the teeming ground
Reward the labourer's tillage;
Peace and Plenty always crown
This our happy village.
Industry shall be our pride,
Always be respected;
Idle Sloth be laid aside
And Luxury neglected.

Hail again, &c.

Grant our fair with beauty arm'd,
Virtue keep before them;
Then our youth, when doubly charm'd,
Ever must adore them.
They will bend before the throne,
Where Innocence is seated;
And will find by her alone
All their joys completed.

Hail again, &c.

Freedom! this thy natal day
Dearly shall be rated;
And among us ever may
It thus be celebrated.
Goodness! spread each silken wing,
Gently hover o'er us;
While thy sons and daughters sing
This the general chorus:

Hail again this sacred day,
Which the Gods have sent us;
Now we'll celebrate with glee
Peace and Independence.





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