Poems relating to the American Revolution / Philip Freneau ; with an introductory memoir and notes by Evert A. Duyckinck [electronic text]

THE TRIUMPHAL ARCH.

Occasioned by rejoicings in Philadelphia on the acknowledgment of the National Independence.

TOWARD the skies What columns rise In Roman style, profusely great! What lamps ascend, What arches bend, And swell with more than Roman state! High o'er the central arch display'd, Old Janus shuts his temple door, And shackles war in darkest shade — Saturnian times in view once more.

Pride of the human race, behold In Gallia's prince the virtues glow, Whose conduct prov'd, whose goodness told That kings can feel for human woe. Thrice happy France, in Louis blest, Thy genius droops her head no more; In the calm virtues of the mind Equal to him no Titus shin'd — No Trajan —whom mankind adore.

Another scene too soon displays! Griefs have their share, and claim their part, They monuments to ruin raise, And shed keen anguish o'er the heart: Those heroes that in battle fell Demand a sympathetic tear, Who fought, our tyrants to repell — Memory preserves their laurels here. In vernal skies Thus tempests rise, And clouds obscure the brightest sun — Few wreathes are gain'd With blood unstain'd — No honours without ruin won.

The arms of France three lillies mark — In honour's dome with these enroll'd The plough, the sheaf, the gliding barque The riches of our State unfold.

Ally'd in heaven, a sun and stars Friendship and peace with France declare — The branch succeeds the spear of Mars, Commerce repairs the wastes of war; In ties of concord ancient foes engage, Proving the day-spring of a brighter age. These STATES defended by the brave, Their military trophies, see! The virtue that of old did save Shall still maintain them, great and free;

Arts shall pervade the western wild, And savage hearts become more mild.

Of science proud, the source of sway, Lo! emblematic figures shine; The arts their kindred forms display, Manners to soften and refine: A stately Tree to heav'n its summit sends, And cluster'd fruit from thirteen boughs depends.

With laurel crown'd A chief renown'd (His country sav'd) his faulchion sheathes; Neglects his spoils For rural toils, And crowns his plough with laurel wreaths: — While we this Roman chief survey, What apt resemblance strikes the eye! Those features to the soul convey A WASHINGTON, in fame as high, Whose prudent, persevering mind Patience with manly courage join'd, And when disgrace and death were near, Look'd through the dark distressing shade, Struck hostile Britons with unwonted fear, And blasted their best hopes, and pride in ruin laid!

Victorious Virtue! aid me to pursue The tributary verse, to triumphs due —

Behold the peasant leave his lowly shed, Where tufted forests round him grow; — Though clouds the dark sky overspread, War's dreadful art his arm essays, He meets the hostile cannon's blaze, And pours redoubled vengeance on the foe.

Born to protect and guard our native land, Victorious Virtue! still preserve us free; PLENTY —gay child of peace, thy horn expand, And, CONCORD, teach us to agree! May every virtue that adorns the soul Be here advanc'd to heights unknown before; Pacific ages in succession roll 'Till Nature blots the scene, Chaos resumes her reign And heaven with pleasure views its works no more.

[Philadelphia, May 10. 1784.]