The Virginia Gazette

POETS CORNER.

A PROPHECY of the FUTURE GLORY of AMERICA.

To years far distant, and to scenes more bright,
Along the vale of time extend thy sight,
Where hours and days and years, from yon bright pole,
Wave following wave, in long succession roll;
There see in pomp, for ages without end,
The glories of the WESTERN WORLD ascend
See, this blest Land in her bright morn appears,
Wak'd from dead slumbers of six thousand years:
While clouds of darkness veil'd each cheering ray;
To savage beasts and savage men a prey.
Fair FREEDOM now her ensigns bright displays,
And peace and plenty bless the golden days.
In mighty pomp AMERICA shall rise,
Her glories spreading to the boundless skies:
Of ev'ry fair she boasts th' assembled charms,
The Queen of empires, and the nurse of arms.
See where her Heroes! mark their glorious way,
Arm'd for the fight, and blazing on the day:
Blood taints their steps; and o'er the conqu'ring plain,
'Mid fighting thousands, and 'mid thousands slain;
Their eager swords promiscuous carnage blend,
And ghastly deaths their raging course attend,
Her mighty pow'r the subject world shall see,
For laurel'd conquest waits her high degree.
See, her bold vessels rushing to the main,
Catch the swift gales, and sweep the watery plain;
Or led by commerce, at the merchant's door,
Unlade the treasures of each distant shore;
Or arm'd with thunder, on the guilty foe
Rush big with death and aim th'impending blow;
Bid ev'ry realm, that hears the trump of fame,
Quake at the distant terror of her name.