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Poem
October 29, 1804
Jenks' Portland Gazette
Portland, Cumberland County, Maine
What is this article about?
A poem by American Marine Ray, lamenting the captivity of Americans in Tripoli under tyrannical rule, decrying submission to despots, invoking justice, liberty, and figures like Washington to inspire vengeance against oppressors.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
THE AMERICAN CAPTIVE, IN TRIPOLI.
Written by a young American named Ray, now a private Marine in the United States Navy.
Ye lurid domes! whose tottering columns stand,
Marks of the despot's desolating band:
Whose weed-grown roofs, and mould'ring arches flow
The curse of tyranny, a nation's woe;
In every ruin, every aisle I find
Your dreadful cells expressive silence break,
Echo to groans, and eloquently speak:-
The Christian's blood cements the stones he rears.
This clay was moistened with the Christian's tears
Pale as these walls; a prisoner oft has lain,
Felt the keen scourge, and worn the ruthless chain;
While cruel foes increasing tortures pour
Till the poor victim feels, alas! no more,
E'en here thy sons, America, are found,
Lock'd in foul prisons, and in fetters bound;
Heavens! what a sight! must free Columbia bow,
Before yon turban'd tyrant's murky brow!
Cringe to a power, which death and rapine crown.
Smile at a smile, and tremble at a frown!
Kneel at a throne, its clemency implore,
Enrich'd by spoils and stain'd with human gore?
To pirate fiends obsequious homage pay;
Their presence honor, and their will obey?
Endure the lash, the ponderous load sustain!
Suppress their anger, and their threats restrain?
Leave a rich clime! explore the treacherous waves.
The port of miscreants, and the slave of slaves?
Heavens! at the sight, each patriot captive glows,
With virtuous hatred on his country's foes,
At every blow, indignant passions rise,
And vengeance flashes from resentful eyes.
But heaven is just, though man's bewilder'd mind,
To the dark ways of Providence is blind,
Else, why are some ordain'd above the rest,
Or villains treated better than the best!
Why martyr'd virtue! hang thy injured head?
Why liv'd an Arnold, while a Warren bled?
Earth's murderers triumph, proud oppressors reign,
While patriots bleed and captives sigh in vain,
Yet slumb'ring justice soon shall wake, and show,
Her sword unsheath'd; and bend the hostile bow;
Columbia's genius hover round each son,
And thy blest shade, immortal Washington;
Unite to guard us from nefarious foes,
And heaven defend, and angels interpose
Devoted tyrants cause our wrath to feel,
And Beys and Bashaws in obeisance kneel,
Man's equal right, sweet liberty, restore,
And despots fall, to rise no more.
Written by a young American named Ray, now a private Marine in the United States Navy.
Ye lurid domes! whose tottering columns stand,
Marks of the despot's desolating band:
Whose weed-grown roofs, and mould'ring arches flow
The curse of tyranny, a nation's woe;
In every ruin, every aisle I find
Your dreadful cells expressive silence break,
Echo to groans, and eloquently speak:-
The Christian's blood cements the stones he rears.
This clay was moistened with the Christian's tears
Pale as these walls; a prisoner oft has lain,
Felt the keen scourge, and worn the ruthless chain;
While cruel foes increasing tortures pour
Till the poor victim feels, alas! no more,
E'en here thy sons, America, are found,
Lock'd in foul prisons, and in fetters bound;
Heavens! what a sight! must free Columbia bow,
Before yon turban'd tyrant's murky brow!
Cringe to a power, which death and rapine crown.
Smile at a smile, and tremble at a frown!
Kneel at a throne, its clemency implore,
Enrich'd by spoils and stain'd with human gore?
To pirate fiends obsequious homage pay;
Their presence honor, and their will obey?
Endure the lash, the ponderous load sustain!
Suppress their anger, and their threats restrain?
Leave a rich clime! explore the treacherous waves.
The port of miscreants, and the slave of slaves?
Heavens! at the sight, each patriot captive glows,
With virtuous hatred on his country's foes,
At every blow, indignant passions rise,
And vengeance flashes from resentful eyes.
But heaven is just, though man's bewilder'd mind,
To the dark ways of Providence is blind,
Else, why are some ordain'd above the rest,
Or villains treated better than the best!
Why martyr'd virtue! hang thy injured head?
Why liv'd an Arnold, while a Warren bled?
Earth's murderers triumph, proud oppressors reign,
While patriots bleed and captives sigh in vain,
Yet slumb'ring justice soon shall wake, and show,
Her sword unsheath'd; and bend the hostile bow;
Columbia's genius hover round each son,
And thy blest shade, immortal Washington;
Unite to guard us from nefarious foes,
And heaven defend, and angels interpose
Devoted tyrants cause our wrath to feel,
And Beys and Bashaws in obeisance kneel,
Man's equal right, sweet liberty, restore,
And despots fall, to rise no more.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Liberty Independence
Political
War Military
What keywords are associated?
American Captive
Tripoli
Tyranny
Liberty
Washington
Arnold
Warren
Barbary Pirates
What entities or persons were involved?
Written By A Young American Named Ray, Now A Private Marine In The United States Navy.
Poem Details
Title
The American Captive, In Tripoli.
Author
Written By A Young American Named Ray, Now A Private Marine In The United States Navy.
Subject
American Captives In Tripoli
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Ye Lurid Domes! Whose Tottering Columns Stand, Marks Of The Despot's Desolating Band:
E'en Here Thy Sons, America, Are Found, Lock'd In Foul Prisons, And In Fetters Bound;
Why Liv'd An Arnold, While A Warren Bled?
Yet Slumb'ring Justice Soon Shall Wake, And Show, Her Sword Unsheath'd; And Bend The Hostile Bow;
Man's Equal Right, Sweet Liberty, Restore, And Despots Fall, To Rise No More.