The Enquirer

FOR THE ENQUIRER.

Dedicated to the Richmond Washington VOLUNTEERS.

A dirge for the death of those,
Who for their country die.

Strew on her bosom to repose,
And triumph where they lie?

--But the wild waves shall sweep
Columbia's foes away.
And the blue mountains of the deeps
Be turfeited with prey!--

No!--they have swept the waves,
Seek the sea monster's den:
They come, but O! shall British Slaves;
Give Columbia's freemen laws?

By Washington's spirit. No!
--Ring the loud alarms?

Ye drums awake, ye clarions blow
Ye Heralds shout to arms!

To arms our Heroes fly,
And Leading on their lines
Columbia's banner in the sky,
The star of conquest shines.

The lowering squadrons form
In terrible array:
Like clashing clouds in mountain-storms,
That thunder on their way.

The rushing armies meet,
And while they pour their breath:
The strong earth shudders at their feet,
The day grows dim with death.

-Ghosts of the mighty dead!
Ye who kill'd reannape,
As while they in your ashes tread,
Reckound all their fell!

Now laugh upon the foe,
The lightning of your rage
Strike, strike the assailing giants low,
The tyrant of the age.

They yield--they break--they fly;
The victory is won:
Pursue--they faint--their colors--they die;
O stay! the work is done.

Spirit of vengeance, rage--
Sweet mercy cries, "forbear"
She clasps the vanquish'd to her breast,
Thou wilt not pierce them there?

DAUGHTERS of Columbia: weep,
On this triumphant plain.
Your fathers, brothers, brethren sleep,
For you and FREEDOM slain.

With wreaths of sweetest flowers,
Their wounds in sweetness perfume;
and wash their wounds with tears--love shew.
And dress them for the tomb.

Of gen'rous throes, the brave.
That loved to look on you

Of hearts that beat with earliest sigh,
Whose latest breath was true--

For beautiful in death,
The warrior's corse appears,
Embalm'd by fond affection's breath,
And--buried in woman's tears.

-Give me the death of those,
Who for their country die.
And O! be mine like their repose,
When cold and lone they lie.