The Enquirer

TUNE - To Anacreon in Heaven."

Well met, fellow freemen! let's cheerfully greet,
The return of this day with a copious libation;
For freedom this day, in her favorite retreat,
Hail'd the patriot Jefferson chief of our nation!
A chief whose mind,
Republicans find,
Fair probity, honor, and wisdom combin'd:
Let our wine sparkle high while we joyfully give
The health of our Sachem and long may he live.

Political discord raged wild o'er the earth,
Ambition and rapine with blood tinged the ocean;
While, Jefferson ripening age stems for birth,
Found the peaceful, legitimate path to promotion.
With reason his guide,
At Washington's side
His virtue and talents full often were tried:
Now he's chief in command let the universe see
How happy a nation of freemen can be!

While Europe's proud chiefs wield the word or the pen,
By force, or by fraud to acquire new possession,
Our rulers speak "peace, and good will unto men,"
And their practice accords with their cordial professions.
But should foreign foes,
Their rancor disclose,
And by discord or arms dare disturb our repose,
Let our chief give the word, and he safely may trust
That those jealous disturbers shall soon "bite the dust."

Such ardor would prove to an insolent foe
That freedom's brave sons, by a word and a blow,
Can repel civil discord or foreign invasion.
But though danger cease,
Let our vigor increase,
And our arms form a hedge round the olive of peace;
Those arms, always bright, shall convince foe and friend
That the rights we enjoy, we know how to defend.

May Jefferson's genius sublimely control,
The carpings of envy, the frenzy of faction,
At his bidding let union attune each free soul,
And Godlike philanthropy spring into action.
Thus blessing and blest,
By his country caressed,
Sweet peace shall forever illumine his breast,
Admiring his virtues again let us give
"The health of our Sachem and long may he live!"