The Poems of Philip Freneau Volume III Part 21

In dreadful pomp he takes his way O'er ruin'd crowns, demolish'd thrones-- Pale tyrants shrink before his blaze-- Round him terrific lightnings play-- With eyes of fire, he looks them through, Crushes the vile despotic crew, And Pride in ruin lays.

[95] Published in the _Jersey Chronicle_, May 23, 1795, from which the text is taken. It forms the basis of the poem "On the Royal Coalition Against Republican Liberty," in the 1815 edition, but the later form is so greatly inferior that I have not hesitated to reproduce the earlier version.

THE RIVAL SUITORS FOR AMERICA[96]

Like some fair girl in beauty's bloom, To court her, see what suitors come!

An heiress, she, to large estate, What rivals for her favours wait!

All haste to clasp her in their arms, Each sees in her a thousand charms-- The Gems that on her bosom glow Attract where love was cold--'till now.

Freed from a cruel parent's care, This maid so wealthy and so fair Of each that for possession sues Can hardly tell which beau to choose.

Proud of his vast extended reign, (His fancied empire o'er the main) The Briton came, with haughty stride, Preferr'd his suit--but was denied.

She thought his style, by much, too rude, By ruffians she would not be woo'd; From Man she wish'd to choose a mate, But not in such a savage state.

A Dane, a Dutchman, and a Swede All hop'd to enjoy the charming maid: The Russian, bred in frost and snow, Made love to her that said--no, no.

The Spaniard grave, with cloak and sword, Some favour from the nymph implor'd-- Vain were his tears and coaxing art-- She could not bear a jealous heart.

The Turk himself, to engage her love, From Asia's coasts began to move; While faded lay his Tartar crown He sigh'd to make this girl his own.

In vain they paid the fond address-- No Pope, no Sultan would she bless-- No monarch, tho' allur'd with art, Could gain her wealth, or touch her heart.

The Frenchman comes--salutes the fair-- She likes his gallant, marshal air!-- With eager eye, around her waist He clasp'd his arms, and her embrac'd:

Smit with his lofty, generous mien, She admires the Gaul, as soon as seen, Grants him her Commerce--yields her charms, And takes a hero to her arms!

[96] Published in the _Jersey Chronicle_, May 30, 1795, with the above text. The poem was greatly expanded and changed for the 1815 edition, where it bore the t.i.tle, "The Political Rival Suitors."

MR. JAY'S TREATY[97]

Disclosed by Stephens Thomson Mason

When the Senate a.s.sembled had shut up their door, And had left us no clew their designs to explore, The people were anxious, and whispered their care, But their voice was too weak for the dignified ear.

Ye are down, down, down, keep ye down.

At length the Sanhedrim were ready to rise, And the crowd were distending their ears and their eyes; But the rabble had nothing to hear or to view, Says the twenty, the secret's too sacred for you, Ye are down, down, down, keep ye down.

But Stephens T. Mason, a man we revere, With his name bid the infamous treaty appear, 'Twas the act of a freeman, who join'd with the Ten, To save us from tyranny, rank us with men, Altho' down, down, and like to be down.

He gave his a.s.sistance, enlighten'd our eyes, And a cloud from all quarters begins to arise, _Vox Dei, Vox Populi_, truly but one, Shall tell dark designers--our will shall be done Till you're down, down, twenty times down.

[97] Published in the _Jersey Chronicle_, September 12, 1795, from which the text is taken. As far as I can find the poet never republished it.

Jay's treaty with England was laid before the Senate in June, 1795, and after two weeks of fierce discussion was ratified by a very small majority. The Senate, fearing popular criticism, forbade the publication of the treaty, a course which caused such widespread indignation that Mason on his own responsibility gave a perfect copy of the text to the Philadelphia _Aurora_ for publication. The act was as much praised by one party as it was condemned by the other.

PARODY[98]

On the attempt to force the British Treaty on the People of the United States

Americans! behold the fruits, The end of all your vain pursuits, Whole years in blood and warfare spent To save this injur'd continent.-- How must it mortify your pride To take once more the British side; How will your eyes contain their tears When all the sad effect appears!

This Treaty in one page confines The sad result of base designs; The wretched purchase here behold Of traitors--who their country sold.

Here, in their proper shape and mien Fraud, perjury, and guilt are seen.

And few, a chosen few, must know The Mysteries that lurk below.

Go home, ye merchants, poor and lean, And kiss the--_hand_--of Britain's queen.

I see you of your cargoes stript Your vessels stolen, your seamen whipt, I see them from their decks compell'd To wander o'er the wat'ry field;-- In British s.h.i.+ps, by force detain'd I see the gallant sailor band Engage the power that lent us aid When Britain here her entry made-- I see them mix'd with George's sons, I see them torn by gallic guns, Disfigur'd, in the ocean cast To find a resting place at last.

Philosophy! thou friend of man, Teach me these strange events to scan; Aid me to learn the secret cause That alien seems from Nature's laws, Why on this stage of human things Man bows his neck to tyrant kings?

Say did the G.o.d, when life he gave, Design his Image for a slave?-- Necessity, the tyrant's law, All human race doth this way draw, All prompted by the same desire The vigorous youth, and aged sire-- Observe, the coward and the bold Agree to have their freedom sold; Physician, lawyer, and divine All make oblation at this shrine.

Yet from this dismal state of things In time a new creation springs; From vile materials, fresh, shall rise And fill the earth, and air, and skies; In various forms appear again, Popes, Presidents, and gentlemen: So Jove p.r.o.nounc'd among the G.o.ds, Olympus trembling as he nods!

[98] The poet never reprinted this poem from the _Jersey Chronicle_, where it first appeared, April 23, 1796. Great dissatisfaction with Jay's treaty with England is evident in almost every number of the _Chronicle_. Freneau himself was the author of the series of papers ent.i.tled "Features of Mr. Jay's Treaty."

ON THE INVASION OF ROME[99]

In 1796

Lo! to the gates of long forgotten Rome Active as flame, the gallic legions come, While pale with fear to their despotic wastes On shorten'd wing the Austrian army hastes.

Where, consecrated to the pagan G.o.d The silent vestal graced his dark abode, Where Caesars, once, in awful grandeur reign'd, Or, Vandals ruin'd what of Rome remain'd, Or where, excresence of a later age, The mitred pontiff trod religion's stage, There march the heroic bands that bring defeat, Or bring reform on superst.i.tion's seat.

And may their march to honor's purpose tend, May each new conquest all the past transcend, Still may those hosts their first great plan pursue, And honor, freedom, virtue keep in view.

Thus taught; and still propitious heaven their trust, All past mis-rule shall crumble to the dust, Nor will saint Peter, more, their cause regard, Lost are his keys and every gate unbarr'd,