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Poem
January 2, 1799
The Providence Journal, And Town And Country Advertiser
Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
Patriotic poem where Adams refuses to yield liberties to France, and Washington rallies Columbia's sons with an oath to defend rights and liberty against foes, blessed by Jove.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Selected Poetry.
FEDERAL OATH
"COME other hand must sign th' impious deed,
That would our liberties to Gallia yield:"
Thus Adams spoke!—And Washington, to lead,
Seiz'd his bright sword, and wav'd it o'er the field.
"To arms! to arms!"—our patriot hero cries;
Columbia's sons reverberate the sound,
To Washington they cast their wishful eyes,
Towhere arises Vernon's sacred mound.
They saw their Chief preparing for the war,
The war of Virtue—Liberty and Truth!
'Gainst factious foes, and foes who dwell afar,
Where reigns fell Discord—ev'ry thing but Worth.
High up the sacred hill supreme he stood.
—His arm uprais'd—as if suspending ill;
His eyes directed to the throne of God—
He thus declar'd his firm and steady will:
"Tho' time has silver'd o'er my aged head:
Tho'many patriots sleep among the dead;
As free I've liv'd— so free I swear to die!"
As kindred souls should there together lie:—
Throughout Columbia quick the vallies ring,
From earth to heav'n the solemn oath is heard:
Columbia's sons from ev'ry region bring
Their free-will off'rings to the altar rear'd.
These, thee we give, our charter'd rights to save,
Ourselves, our wives, our children, all shall fall;
Sooner the world shall be a mighty grave,
Than we our Rights or Liberties enthral.
Great Jove, approving, view'd the solemn scene,
And orders gave to record this decree;—
"My chosen people, that have virtuous been,
Shall still be happy—and shall still be free."
FEDERAL OATH
"COME other hand must sign th' impious deed,
That would our liberties to Gallia yield:"
Thus Adams spoke!—And Washington, to lead,
Seiz'd his bright sword, and wav'd it o'er the field.
"To arms! to arms!"—our patriot hero cries;
Columbia's sons reverberate the sound,
To Washington they cast their wishful eyes,
Towhere arises Vernon's sacred mound.
They saw their Chief preparing for the war,
The war of Virtue—Liberty and Truth!
'Gainst factious foes, and foes who dwell afar,
Where reigns fell Discord—ev'ry thing but Worth.
High up the sacred hill supreme he stood.
—His arm uprais'd—as if suspending ill;
His eyes directed to the throne of God—
He thus declar'd his firm and steady will:
"Tho' time has silver'd o'er my aged head:
Tho'many patriots sleep among the dead;
As free I've liv'd— so free I swear to die!"
As kindred souls should there together lie:—
Throughout Columbia quick the vallies ring,
From earth to heav'n the solemn oath is heard:
Columbia's sons from ev'ry region bring
Their free-will off'rings to the altar rear'd.
These, thee we give, our charter'd rights to save,
Ourselves, our wives, our children, all shall fall;
Sooner the world shall be a mighty grave,
Than we our Rights or Liberties enthral.
Great Jove, approving, view'd the solemn scene,
And orders gave to record this decree;—
"My chosen people, that have virtuous been,
Shall still be happy—and shall still be free."
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Liberty Independence
Patriotism
Political
What keywords are associated?
Federal Oath
Washington
Adams
Liberty
Columbia
Patriotism
Gallia
Poem Details
Title
Federal Oath
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
"Come Other Hand Must Sign Th' Impious Deed,
That Would Our Liberties To Gallia Yield:"
Thus Adams Spoke!—And Washington, To Lead,
Seiz'd His Bright Sword, And Wav'd It O'er The Field.
"Tho' Time Has Silver'd O'er My Aged Head:
Tho'many Patriots Sleep Among The Dead;
As Free I've Liv'd— So Free I Swear To Die!"
As Kindred Souls Should There Together Lie:—
Great Jove, Approving, View'd The Solemn Scene,
And Orders Gave To Record This Decree;—
"My Chosen People, That Have Virtuous Been,
Shall Still Be Happy—And Shall Still Be Free."