Contents -Volume INDEX -AUTHOR INDEX -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

War and Washington

By Jonathan Mitchel Sewall (1748–1808)

VAIN Britons, boast no longer with proud indignity,

By land your conquering legions, your matchless strength at sea,

Since we, your braver sons incensed, our swords have girded on,

Huzza, huzza, huzza, huzza, for war and Washington.

Urged on by North and vengeance those valiant champions came,

Loud bellowing Tea and Treason, and George was all on flame,

Yet sacrilegious as it seems, we rebels still live on,

And laugh at all their empty puffs, huzza for Washington!

Still deaf to mild entreaties, still blind to England’s good,

You have for thirty pieces betray’d your country’s blood.

Like Esop’s greedy cur you’ll gain a shadow for your bone,

Yet find us fearful shades indeed, inspired by Washington.

Mysterious! unexampled! incomprehensible!

The blundering schemes of Britain their folly, pride, and zeal,

Like lions how ye growl and threat! mere asses have you shown,

And ye shall share an ass’s fate, and drudge for Washington!

Your dark, unfathomed counsels our weakest heads defeat,

Our children rout your armies, our boats destroy your fleet,

And to complete the dire disgrace, cooped up within a town,

You live the scorn of all our host, the slaves of Washington!

Great heaven! is this the nation whose thundering arms were hurled,

Through Europe, Afric, India? whose navy ruled a world?

The lustre of your former deeds, whole ages of renown,

Lost in a moment, or transferred to us and Washington!

Yet think not thirst of glory unsheaths our vengeful swords

To rend your bands asunder, and cast away your cords.

’Tis heaven-born freedom fires us all, and strengthens each brave son,

From him who humbly guides the plough, to god-like Washington.

For this, oh could our wishes your ancient rage inspire,

Your armies should be doubled, in numbers, force, and fire.

Then might the glorious conflict prove which best deserved the boon,

America or Albion, a George or Washington!

Fired with the great idea, our Fathers’ shades would rise,

To view the stern contention, the gods desert their skies;

And Wolfe, ’mid hosts of heroes, superior bending down,

Cry out with eager transport, God save great Washington!

Should George, too choice of Britons, to foreign realms apply,

And madly arm half Europe, yet still we would defy

Turk, Hessian, Jew, and Infidel, or all those powers in one,

While Adams guides our senate, our camp great Washington!

Should warlike weapons fail us, disdaining slavish fears,

To swords we’ll beat our ploughshares, our pruning-hooks to spears,

And rush, all desperate! on our foe, nor breathe till battle won,

Then shout, and shout America! and conquering Washington!

Proud France should view with terror, and haughty Spain revere,

While every warlike nation would court alliance here;

And George, his minions trembling round, dismounting from his throne

Pay homage to America, and glorious Washington!