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Poem
February 25, 1792
Gazette Of The United States
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A celebratory poem in stanzas praising George Washington on his birthday, extolling his virtues in promoting liberty and contrasting him with historical conquerors like Alexander and Caesar, emphasizing freedom over tyranny.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A copy of the following beautiful composition was offered for insertion in the last number of this Gazette, but previous engagements prevented its publication—Such productions can never be out of season.
STANZAS
ON THE BIRTH-DAY OF THE
PRESIDENT.
SAID TO BE WRITTEN BY MR. C—
No peerage we covet, no sceptres desire,
Nor gew-gaws that garnish a throne;
Yet Liberty loves, on her own native lyre,
To celebrate sons of her own.
And always with rapture, his virtues she sings,
And exults on the morn of his birth—
Who shakes every throne of despoticial kings,
And gives a new lesson to earth.
O widely diffuse it, ye winds, as ye blow,
Waft it, ye waves, that ye fan,
For the choicest of gifts that the gods can bestow,
Is the blessing of Freedom to Man.
O WASHINGTON, hail! whom the breath of pure fame
With praises more sweet shall perfume,
Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name
In Macedon, Athens, or Rome!
For Freedom, say what did that foe of the Greeks
ALEXANDER, that Hero admir'd?
Let the foes, or the friend, whom he massacred, speak,
Or the beautiful City he fir'd.
Ye unfetter'd freemen, examine each deed
That made him renown'd and ador'd,
Then mention what race by his valor was freed,
Or bless'd by his sceptre or sword?
Did conquering CAESAR Rome's Senate obey?
Did the Legions disperse at a word?
Did he halt or retire from a summit of sway
That saving his Country conferr'd?
Then WASHINGTON hail! whom the breath of pure fame
With praises more sweet shall perfume,
Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name
In Macedon, Athens, or Rome!
Did Athens, did Sparta, one Hero produce,
T' extinguish their feuds by his mind,
Or prove to the free the pre-eminent use
Of Union to them—and Mankind?
Ah no! if wise Greece but one Patriot had enjoy'd,
One Leader like ours had enjoy'd,
No lover of Science or Freedom had wept
For Science and Freedom destroy'd.
Then WASHINGTON hail! whom the breath of pure fame
With praises more sweet shall perfume,
Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name
In Macedon, Athens, or Rome!
STANZAS
ON THE BIRTH-DAY OF THE
PRESIDENT.
SAID TO BE WRITTEN BY MR. C—
No peerage we covet, no sceptres desire,
Nor gew-gaws that garnish a throne;
Yet Liberty loves, on her own native lyre,
To celebrate sons of her own.
And always with rapture, his virtues she sings,
And exults on the morn of his birth—
Who shakes every throne of despoticial kings,
And gives a new lesson to earth.
O widely diffuse it, ye winds, as ye blow,
Waft it, ye waves, that ye fan,
For the choicest of gifts that the gods can bestow,
Is the blessing of Freedom to Man.
O WASHINGTON, hail! whom the breath of pure fame
With praises more sweet shall perfume,
Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name
In Macedon, Athens, or Rome!
For Freedom, say what did that foe of the Greeks
ALEXANDER, that Hero admir'd?
Let the foes, or the friend, whom he massacred, speak,
Or the beautiful City he fir'd.
Ye unfetter'd freemen, examine each deed
That made him renown'd and ador'd,
Then mention what race by his valor was freed,
Or bless'd by his sceptre or sword?
Did conquering CAESAR Rome's Senate obey?
Did the Legions disperse at a word?
Did he halt or retire from a summit of sway
That saving his Country conferr'd?
Then WASHINGTON hail! whom the breath of pure fame
With praises more sweet shall perfume,
Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name
In Macedon, Athens, or Rome!
Did Athens, did Sparta, one Hero produce,
T' extinguish their feuds by his mind,
Or prove to the free the pre-eminent use
Of Union to them—and Mankind?
Ah no! if wise Greece but one Patriot had enjoy'd,
One Leader like ours had enjoy'd,
No lover of Science or Freedom had wept
For Science and Freedom destroy'd.
Then WASHINGTON hail! whom the breath of pure fame
With praises more sweet shall perfume,
Than ever embalm'd or exalted a name
In Macedon, Athens, or Rome!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ode
What themes does it cover?
Patriotism
Liberty Independence
What keywords are associated?
Washington Birthday
Liberty
Freedom
Patriotism
Alexander Caesar
Despotism
What entities or persons were involved?
Said To Be Written By Mr. C—
Poem Details
Title
Stanzas On The Birth Day Of The President.
Author
Said To Be Written By Mr. C—
Subject
On The Birth Day Of The President
Key Lines
O Washington, Hail! Whom The Breath Of Pure Fame
With Praises More Sweet Shall Perfume,
Than Ever Embalm'd Or Exalted A Name
In Macedon, Athens, Or Rome!
Then Washington Hail! Whom The Breath Of Pure Fame
With Praises More Sweet Shall Perfume,
Than Ever Embalm'd Or Exalted A Name
In Macedon, Athens, Or Rome!
Then Washington Hail! Whom The Breath Of Pure Fame
With Praises More Sweet Shall Perfume,
Than Ever Embalm'd Or Exalted A Name
In Macedon, Athens, Or Rome!