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Poem
October 8, 1796
The Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
A poem decrying the tyranny and havoc caused by despots, celebrating the victories of French revolutionaries since 1789 against invaders like Brunswick's forces, and affirming the enduring Rights of Man.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
What dreadful havoc doth the tyrant's
pow'r
Produce! 'Twould make a savage blush to
hear
The frightful tale. The soil of Europe's red
With crimson gore, of men, by nature free,
But doom'd to feel the weight of tyrant's power.
At their command they're dragg'd to fight, and there
to meet the virtuous sons of Freedom, with
Uplifted swords no enervate arms ensure
Them victory. A proof of which, in num'rous
Battles fought, and vict'ry's won, since '89,
By Gallia's sons—when Brunswick's duke with
Ninety thousand slaves, was sent to conquer
France. His order thus: "Go veterans,
Crush the rebels; spare nor age nor sex, but
Let all France be one vast heap of ruins."
Then wak'd the conqu'ring arm of Freedom's
sons;
This wild career of tyrants they arrested,
Drove those base wretches far beyond the Rhine,
And loud proclaimed to all—The Rights of Man
Since then, the tyrants' pow'r has oft defac'd
The edifice of Freedom, and for a while,
The baneful influence had taken effect:
But like the bright effulgence of the globe,
Altho' beclouded, still retains its beauties.
An AMERICAN.
pow'r
Produce! 'Twould make a savage blush to
hear
The frightful tale. The soil of Europe's red
With crimson gore, of men, by nature free,
But doom'd to feel the weight of tyrant's power.
At their command they're dragg'd to fight, and there
to meet the virtuous sons of Freedom, with
Uplifted swords no enervate arms ensure
Them victory. A proof of which, in num'rous
Battles fought, and vict'ry's won, since '89,
By Gallia's sons—when Brunswick's duke with
Ninety thousand slaves, was sent to conquer
France. His order thus: "Go veterans,
Crush the rebels; spare nor age nor sex, but
Let all France be one vast heap of ruins."
Then wak'd the conqu'ring arm of Freedom's
sons;
This wild career of tyrants they arrested,
Drove those base wretches far beyond the Rhine,
And loud proclaimed to all—The Rights of Man
Since then, the tyrants' pow'r has oft defac'd
The edifice of Freedom, and for a while,
The baneful influence had taken effect:
But like the bright effulgence of the globe,
Altho' beclouded, still retains its beauties.
An AMERICAN.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Political
Liberty Independence
War Military
What keywords are associated?
Tyrants Power
French Revolution
Brunswick Duke
Rights Of Man
Freedom Sons
European Wars
What entities or persons were involved?
An American.
Poem Details
Author
An American.
Subject
Tyranny And The French Revolution Since 1789
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
His Order Thus: "Go Veterans, Crush The Rebels; Spare Nor Age Nor Sex, But Let All France Be One Vast Heap Of Ruins."
And Loud Proclaimed To All—The Rights Of Man