UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 AT LOS ANGELES
 
 r
 
 THE 
 
 FREDONIAD: 
 
 INDEPENDENCE PRESERVED. 
 
 EPICK POEM 
 
 THE L.ATE WAR OP 1812. 
 
 BT 
 
 RICHARD EMMONS, M. D. 
 
 IN FOUR VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. ii. 
 
 BOSTON : * 
 
 PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR, BY WILLIAM EMMONS. 
 
 1827.
 
 CANTO XI.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Invocation. ...In consequence of the calamities at Raisin, offensive 
 operations are deferred until the return of Spring The sail 
 ing of the Essex. ...Capture of the Alert. ...Porter returns.... refits 
 ....sails for the Pacifick... .enters the Port of Valparaiso. ...Porter 
 is there discovered by the Phoebe and Cherub. ...Neutral Rights 
 ....The Phoebe in the power of the Essex.. ..The Challenge vio 
 lated by the Enemy. ...The Blockade. ...Porter, with a favouring 
 wind, endeavours to gain the ocean. ...Defeated by a gale car 
 rying away his main-top-mast. ...The British pursue him into 
 the Harbour, and commence Action. 
 
 The scene is laid at the above-mentioned place. 
 
 The time is about ten months : from the commencement of the 
 War, June 18th, 1812, until the Spring of 1813. 
 
 From the time the Essex enters Valparaiso, till the day of Battle, 
 is forty-six hours.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XI. 
 
 VOUCHSAFE, ethereal Muse ! from heaven, O deign 
 To bend thine ear, and hearken to my strain : 
 Thou, who inspir'st the poet to receive 
 That hallow'd impulse, which not earth can give ! 
 Come, and bestow thy musick to my song ; 
 Sublime my thoughts to noble musings strong. 
 O let me feel thee through each vein of life, 
 That I may madden in the maddening strife. 
 
 O for a spark that Homer did inspire, 
 That I may burn, and feel myself on fire ! 10 
 
 Virgilian sweetness to my verse impart, 
 To charm with beauty, and dissolve the heart : 
 Let Shakspeare's fancy, with his frenzied eye, 
 Rush on my soul, and waken raptures high ! 
 With Milton's majesty exalt my song ; 
 Teach me to speak with his immortal tongue ! 
 Like Ossian, solemn ; like his eagles, bold ; 
 And let the flood-gates of the mind unfold 1 
 
 Wherefore, O Muse ! so partial to the East, 
 That thou hast there, so lavish, spread thy feast ; 20
 
 PKEDONIAI>. CANTO XI. 
 
 While stinted favours, granted to the West, 
 Seem to be drawn reluctant from thy breast 1 
 
 What ! is the rising of the sun to thee 
 More sweet, than when with golden drapery 
 The heavens are hung, he, with soft light, retires, 
 And fills the soul with worshipping desires ? 
 Or art thou human, to admire the spot 
 Where thou, with dewy wings, wert first begot ? 
 
 Impartial Muse ! let not these feelings bland 
 Enchain thee longer to the orient strand. 30 
 
 Come, view our sun ; he sets in love-scenes bright ; 
 His evening beauty will thy heart delight. 
 Our lakes, our rivers, and our mountain clime 
 Will give thy soul its fancy-work sublime. 
 
 But, if these nothing will thy bosom move 
 To grant the West the smiling of thy love, 
 With other motives must I urge my suit ; 
 For I, no, never, never can be mute ; 
 O come, and spread thy pinions o'er the sea, 
 And thou shalt find thy sister, Liberty ! 40 
 
 Through various trials, changes, have 1 pass'd 
 
 still uphold me till I sing the last ! 
 
 From hell to earth from earth I venturous trod 
 To gain the outskirts of creation's God ; 
 The shock, the turbulence of battle, sung, 
 Where Death his harvest glean'd, whilst pealing thun 
 ders rung. 
 
 Three parts remain to sing ! Without thine aid, 
 My soul must languish, future scenery fade. 
 
 1 shrink with trembling, when I look before, 
 
 Ere the last numbers of my song be o'er. 50
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. ( 
 
 O mount my thoughts on inspiration's wing ! 
 Vouchsafe thy wisdom, or I faultering sing. 
 
 On the same morn of the disastrous day, 
 Which wrapp'd the martyrs in their robes of clay, 
 Shelby commanded Croghan from his rest, 
 And him, like father to a son, address'd : 
 
 " Thy youthful warriors marshal, and proceed 
 To strengthen Lewis at his pressing need. 
 His heart, all anxious, palpitates with pain 
 To meet the foe, progressing on the plain. 60 
 
 Adair will reach us at declining sun ; 
 Maiden submits ere three brief days are done." 
 
 Croghan departed instant from the fort ; 
 But soon from Rumour he receiv'd report 
 Of Lewis' hasty movement from the Isle ;* 
 Then of the battle ; how, with courteous smile, 
 Vict'ry had crown'd his efforts. An hour hence, 
 He learnt the slaughter of the dire defence ; 
 Of Allen, steep'd in gore ; of Simpson's grave ; 
 And slaughter'd multitudes of heroes brave. 70 
 
 Lo, now, a hurrying villager he spies, 
 Bearing a wild expression in his eyes, 
 Who brief describes the massacre of death, 
 Deliver'd quick in violence of breath. 
 
 " I'll hunt the savage in his den ! My God ! 
 What, have the monsters rioted in blood ? 
 Graves, Dunn, MacCracken, Woolfork, Hickman, 
 
 Hart ! 
 Lead me the way ! With life shall none depart ; 
 
 * Presque Isle.
 
 8 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 I'll wall their path with dead. My heart's last drop 
 Shall be expended ! Wherefore do we stop 1" 80 
 
 " Young chief, most gladly would I show you forth ; 
 But see the snow ! how deep upon the earth ! 
 You ne'er can hope these pil'd-up drifts to pass ; 
 Return you must, from whence your coming was. 
 Admit that, even now, you'd reach'd the plain, 
 What good relief could you afford the slain V 9 
 
 " Alas ! what tightness binds my breast ! Thy voice 
 Is cold too cold ! And nothing left for choice ? 
 Nothing. My reason tells me I should fail ; 
 Yea I to Shelby must declare the tale ; 90 
 
 A tale, to strike the centre of his heart, 
 Sharp as the piercing of a heated dart." 
 
 Silent he wheel'd his grieving warriors round, 
 Their features, solemn, cast upon the ground ; 
 Sad they their path retravers'd through the snow ; 
 And Croghan, tearful, spoke the words of wo. 
 
 While Shelby heard his voice, he stood, a block 
 Of statued marble, pillar'd by the shock. 
 And when th' expression of his tongue was heard, 
 A sigh came mingled with each frozen word : 100 
 
 " I pray you, peace ! nor tear my soul in twain ; 
 Declar'd you not, that every life was slain 1 
 And where was Elliot ? said you not, that he 
 Was leagu'd to aid the horrid butchery ? 
 O what unnatural sacrilege is this .' 
 What, burnt with torture in the wilderness ! 
 Dizzy my brain my heart, my heart Ls pent, 
 Breaking oppress'd. What language, utterance, vents
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. 
 
 My breast, o'ercharg'd with grief. O, Britain ! what 
 
 " Forbear my tongue 110 
 
 To utter forth her name. Oppression wrong 
 Harder than flint-rock sharp cruel as fire 
 Purchaser of blood all the vices dire, 
 That ever brooding hell hatch'd into birth, 
 She nurtures in her breast the damn'dest of the earth ! 
 She stabs, and smiling stabs ! 
 
 " While Raisin's flood 
 
 Shall mingle with the lake, this martyr'd blood 
 AVill mark her forehead with a crimson stain, 
 Which not the waters of the dark-blue main 
 Can ever wash away ! This scene of death 
 Will rise in judgment from the world beneath ! 120 
 With blood branded with blood ! 
 
 " The theme no more 
 My heart is bleeding breaking at the core !" 
 
 The hoary chief stands fix'd in silence, dumb 
 By the full passion of his soul o'er-come. 
 Slow, partial by degrees, subside his pains ; 
 His mind, at length, its former power regains : 
 
 So when the northern sea, in tumult thrown 
 By the rude tempest of the frigid zone ; 
 Scaling the cloudy battlements of heaven, 
 Thence to the basis of the ocean driven ; 1 30 
 
 The North outspent, the howling whirlwinds die, 
 And the loose clouds are scatter'd o'er the sky ; 
 But not the billows sudden lose their force, 
 Ascending, sinking, rolling in their course. 
 At length, by parts, subsiding to a plain, 
 A deep, dead silence settles on the main :
 
 10 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 Thus the commotion in the veteran's breast, 
 By slow degrees, was quieted to rest. 
 
 He thinks no longer to pursue the strife, 
 Till a new spring shall blossom into life. 140 
 
 Now iron Winter rules the northern sphere, 
 Creation frowns with aged look severe, 
 The trees stand bleak and naked on the plain, 
 Their green robes scattered by the storms amain, 
 Save the hard oaks these rustle in the sky, 
 And the cold searching of the winds defy. 
 With howling fury drives along the blast, 
 While from his wings, ice, snow, and sleet, are cast ; 
 Drifts pil'd on drifts, deep smother up the earth, 
 And hold in chains the hostile armies, north. 150 
 
 The lakes, the streams, are smooth, with ice bridg'd 
 
 o'er, 
 
 Save where steep cat'racts down the rough rocks roar. 
 The spires of ice, which glitter from on high, 
 Reflect the clouds, which scud athwart the sky ; 
 Nature stands manacled. The frost so deep, 
 It heaves the mountains whirling fragments leap 
 With sound through heaven, reverberating, loud, 
 Like thunders bursting from a fire-ting'd cloud. 
 
 Now Porter from the poet claims the song 
 And while he sings, O Muse .' inflame his tongue. 
 The mariner demands superior lay ; l6l 
 
 To live till things of eldest time decay. 
 
 When War's rough clarion round Columbia rung, 
 On board his gallant ship the hero sprung,
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. 11 
 
 The Essex, new with life ; with power supplied ; 
 
 And all in naval trim to plough the tide 
 
 To search the impressing foe. A fearless crew 
 
 His voice obey'd, their glory to pursue. 
 
 And these to Porter next in honour stood, 
 
 To live recorded with the brave and good : 170 
 
 Gamble, and Farragut, Downes, Boswick, Terry, 
 
 And Isaacs, Barnwell, Lyman, Duzenbury, 
 
 Linscott, Macknight, and Finch whom none excel, 
 
 And Odenheimer, Johnson, Willner, and Cowell 
 
 Names worthy Porter to command the crew, 
 
 Or guide the battle-ship the ocean through. 
 
 At Porter's voice, her wings reflect the day ; 
 She walks the waters with her streamers gay. 
 Nereids sail round in shells of coral red, 
 And bosom'd mermaids show their blushing head. 180 
 All the fair deities, that cleave the deep, 
 Dance to the motion of the tilting ship. 
 
 Soon nine rich flags surrender to her powers ; 
 Before her path, abash'd, the Lion cowers ; 
 Light as a sea-bird o'er the water swims, 
 So the proud vessel through the ocean skims. 
 
 Mean time, Laugharne, commanding the Alert^ 
 Travers'd the main, with royal feelings hurt, 
 Seeking the ship, that had the Peacock tore, 
 The blue wave crimson'd with her bosom's gore. 190 
 
 Through mist, he now not distantly descried 
 The Essex durk'd, which dimm'd her on the tide ; 
 Hence for the Hornet he her form mistook, 
 And thus began, intent her power to brook : 
 
 " The saucy vessel, on the west espied, 
 Must be the stately Hornet in her pride ;
 
 12 PREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 Long have we sought to meet her in the strife, 
 
 And sink her as she sunk the Peacock's life. 
 
 Brief we'll repay, what she to us hath given, 
 
 For down to death her standard shall be driven. 200 
 
 Extend the canvass ; bear upon her proud, 
 
 And wake the thunder guns with vengeance loud." 
 
 Before th' impelling wind the vessel flew ; 
 For now the North with quickening impulse blew. 
 The shrouds the Britons in their ardour mann'd, 
 And shouted triumphs with a waving hand ; 
 Then on the deck descended with a run, 
 And lit the matches, and the war begun. 
 
 When Porter mark'd her bent upon the fight, 
 He felt his bosom tremble with delight, 210 
 
 And thus with smiling cheek : " Lo, with what rage 
 She leaps the sea, the Essex to engage ! 
 Mates ! give not back, though terrible her ire ; 
 Behold, she comes to bury us in fire ! 
 With ready sparkle, touch the guns a side, 
 And let our voice be heard upon the tide. 
 "Twill never do the horrible to shun, 
 As cowards do and quail without a gun." 
 
 The sea-boys instant to the cannon ply 
 The madding spark ; the balls instinctive fly, 220 
 Searching the enemy. From stem to stern 
 The Albion groans, Death ! so direful burns, 
 Inflam'd, the Freedom ship. To shun the grave, 
 Which yawning gapes below, flat on the wave 
 The Cross in anguish sinks ! The battle's done ; 
 A blazing moment, and the fight was won.
 
 CHUJSE OF CAPTAIN PORTER. 13 
 
 The lofty Triton, at the edge of night, 
 Beheld, but shunn'd the Essex in a flight ; 
 And Porter's signs, to bribe him to the fray, 
 But urge him faster in his fear away. 230 
 
 Having, at length, th' Atlantick circled round, 
 And many a regal flag in ocean drown'd, 
 For York he bent his sails, with smooth winds bless'd, 
 His ship to furnish for the ocean west ; 
 But lo, he found two three-tier'd royals there ; 
 He run them by, and made the Delaware. 
 
 During the voyage, no patriot found his death, 
 But ail return'd inspir'd with Freedom's breath. 
 Ten days ashore, the boreal winds arise, 
 And forth invite him to the southern skies ; 240 
 
 He weighs the deep-cast anchor ; spreads his sail, 
 And gains the ocean bounds before the gale. 
 
 Now in the south, beneath the solar ray, 
 Columbia's ensign brightens with the day. 
 The rapid Essex, on the twentieth morn, 
 Doubles the continent at bleak Cape Horn ; 
 The stately bark rejoices in her way, 
 Ploughing with crooked beak the western sea. 
 
 The sign of Freedom she displays above, 
 The oak-perch'd Eagle, thunder-bird of Jove. 250 
 Proud from the centre floats her pennon high, 
 Brushing the clouds, that sleep upon the sky. 
 Bi-oad waving from the fore, to glad their eyes, 
 The " Rights of Sailors," like a gold cloud, flies. 
 
 North, Porter traverses the Chilian coast, 
 The softest climates, that the world can boast ;
 
 14 FJREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 Along the shores of Lima smooth he sails, 
 
 Impell'd, delicious, by the spicy gales ; 
 
 Cruises from thence round Gallipagos Isles, 
 
 Where nature frolicks in primeval wiles. -260 
 
 On all his paths, he opens through the tide, 
 
 None can his rapidness, or strength, abide : 
 
 The Nocton, Greenwich, first their standards bow. 
 
 Then Montezuma, king of Mexico ; 
 
 The Georgiana, Hammond, Policy ; 
 
 Th' Atlantick, deep with treasures of the sea ; 
 
 Seringapatam, Charlton, Catharine 
 
 And Rose, and Hector, Zealander, resign. 
 
 Of these he forms a fleet with Freedom's Star, 
 
 And gilds the ocean with its light afar. 270 
 
 To isles, unvisited, he bears his fame, 
 
 And plants the Eagle in his country's name. 
 
 At length, the Albions scatter'd from the west, 
 No standard seen to bear the Lion's crest, 
 
 For Valparaiso he directs his prow, 
 
 And flies the ocean on his wings of snow. 
 
 In three bright suns, he furls his sails in port, 
 
 And drops his anchor opposite the fort. 
 
 Not otherwise a whale, from northern flood, 
 
 Bent on revenge for pouring forth of blood, 280 
 
 Shed by the sharks, foams with excited wrath, 
 
 Tinging the waters crimson in his path. 
 
 The sharks endeavour to avoid his ire 
 
 In vain full many by his blows expire ; 
 
 At length, outspent with labour on the wave, 
 
 He seeks composure in his secret cave : 
 
 The Essex left the sea ; her view the same, 
 
 To give soft quiet to her tired frame.
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. 1 
 
 The mean time Rumour to Britannia bore, 
 Th' unwelcome tidings of the Essex' power, 290 
 
 Which set the nation in commotion wild ; 
 The madded pulses of the monarch boil'd, 
 The tooth of anguish eat upon his soul, 
 That Porter, born of freedom, should control 
 The ocean of the west : it made him rave 
 To think the Essex should command the wave, 
 And bid defiance to his thousand ships, 
 Which late had borne the trident of the deeps. 
 
 He sent for Hillyar, at the court of James, 
 And Tucker, from their vessels on the Thames : 300 
 The first, devoid of honour's guiding chart 
 The latter, touch'd with virtue's silver dart. 
 They came, unpausing, at their monarch's word, 
 From whom these orders they in silence heard : 
 
 " The tidings know ye not ? Forth, anchors weigh, 
 And dash your vessels foaming through the sea, 
 And hunt this Porter and the Essex down ; 
 Reduce the Eagle to the Lion crown ; 
 Pluck every quill from out her haughty wing ; 
 Tear, search her vitals ; her destruction bring. 310 
 By her, alone, more commerce have we lost, 
 Than all the battles, wag'd with France, have cost. 
 Who ever thought, their President would dare 
 To send a vessel on the ocean there ? 
 No doubt was Ours, but, ere this period, all 
 His infant navy in Our hands would fall; 
 Of them, the whole had in the deep sea grav'd, 
 And not an ensign of the Eagle wav'd. 
 They must have watch'd us with unwinking eye, 
 And, in night season, run Our vessels by. 320
 
 16 FKEDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 In darkness thick involv'd, their Hornet flew 
 From port Salvador, pass'd the Montague ; 
 But soon, how soon did Brook their Lawrence slay. 
 When proud he fought him in the midst of day ! 
 When We, in cruising, met the ships of Gaul, 
 In night, or day, We caus'd their flags to fall. 
 
 " Soon We the Tagus and Carnation fair, 
 With Lloyd, shall send upon the station there, 
 Perhaps Plantagenet to him shall give, 
 That in your presence not a foe may live. 330 
 
 " Bring but the Essex here, or late, or soon, 
 And We'll reward you with a monarch's boon." 
 
 Hillyar receiv'd th' intelligence with awe, 
 As though a deity had giv'n him law. 
 Tucker, by look, consented never knelt, 
 For in his breast a dignity he felt. 
 
 They to their vessels presently repair, 
 With flaunting standards sporting in the air. 
 Hillyar the Phoebe governs, deck'd with pride, 
 With thirty guns to blaze upon a side. 340 
 
 Engrav'd on each is seen the Cross and Crown, 
 And Lion stamping with a kingly frown. 
 Ready a crew of eight times fifty stand, 
 Prompt to obey each signal of command. 
 Bradburn stood next, the Phoebe to defend 
 A man, that never felt his soul to bend. 
 
 Tucker the Cherub guides, inferior force, 
 The Phoebe's consort through the briny course. 
 Brass twice fifteen, with four times fifty men, 
 To wield their powers when battle shall begin, 350 
 Compose her strength ; each bosom in a glow 
 To strike the banner of the Essex low.
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. 17 
 
 Hillyar commands for sailing : " Anchors rise ! 
 Unfurl the willing canvass to the skies ! 
 See every officer in station plac'd ; 
 We cleave the deep for the Pacifick waste. 
 There rides a haughty ship the Essex proud 
 'Tis ours to fold her in a sulphur shroud, 
 Which to our character will add more weight, 
 Than to have swept from France her navy desolate." 
 
 Forthwith the hardy mariners proceed 36-1 
 
 To weigh the anchors from their sandy bed ; 
 They urge the poising levers with a song, 
 Which gives communion to their efforts strong, 
 The ships inch slow, as they the windlass turn, 
 Which makes the blood within their bosoms burn. 
 At length, the flukes move heavy from the sand. 
 While the loos'd canvass flutters in the hand 
 Of those aloft. Dull-floating on the tide 
 The prows swing sluggish with the stream aside. 370 
 Fresh from the hills descend the infant gales, 
 And fill with rustling sound the shivering sails. 
 Like wearied labour travelling, move they slow ; 
 But soon the winds with stronger breathings blow ; 
 At once they feel their power, and cease to creep ; 
 They dart, they fly, they bound along the deep. 
 
 Urg'd by the rapid wind, the Cape* they make, 
 The Cherub foaming in the Phoebe's wake. 
 From every mast a jealous eye they keep 
 To mark the conquering Essex on the deep. 380 
 
 From south to north, the ocean round they cleave ; 
 But nothing, friend or enemy, perceive. 
 
 * Cape Horn.
 
 18 PREDONIAD. CANTO Xi. 
 
 Now south by east, in varying line, they steer. 
 Till fanes of Valparaiso dim appear. 
 Approaching, soon with envy's eye they view 
 The Essex waving high the constant blue, 
 Mix'd with red war, and innocence of white, 
 Which Freedom gave Columbia with delight ; 
 Round which the Stars effulgent blaze sublime, 
 That mark'd to Liberty the western clime. 398 
 
 The royal vessels anchor'd, Tucker went 
 To learn of Hillyar, how his views were bent, 
 Who scornful thus began : " Behold the ship, 
 That dar'd the ocean of the west to keep ! 
 [t makes my very blood indignant rave 
 To think such weakness should command the wave ! 
 Look, how her saucy standards flaunt the sky ! 
 See how supreme the Rights of Sailors fly ! 
 But presently we'll dash these streamers gay 
 Back from the presence of the eye of day. 400 
 
 These glittering emblems from their height shall fall, 
 And Porter, kneeling, for protection call. 
 
 " The Cherub forth for combat you'll prepare : 
 But first shall I upon the Essex bear, 
 Prim'd for the battle settle on her stern 
 These lofty banners in the deep o'erturn. 
 
 " But should there danger to the Phoebe seem, 
 By Essex veering, as to gain her beam, 
 
 You'll place the Cherub opposite her bow, 
 
 And there your art and naval valour show." 410 
 
 He open'd his design. And Tucker, grave, 
 
 After deep pause, this prudent counsel gave : 
 
 " With reverence due, for your supreme command, 
 
 Brief I'd remark, we sound a neutral strand,
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. 19 
 
 Where hostile flags in friendship can resort ; 
 
 Hence, a peace offering would I bear in port, 
 
 The law of nations sanctifies the place ; 
 
 Let not our violence the right disgrace ; 
 
 'Twill dim our honour to commit the deed, 
 
 Yea, make the bosom of Britannia bleed. 420 
 
 Scorn'd should we be yes, scouted by the world 
 
 On every sea, where rides our flag unfurl'd. 
 
 If we the laws annul, which nations bind, 
 
 Where shall we hope an allied pow'r to find ? 
 
 No not a friend, except a savage horde 
 
 To stain our banners with their deeds abhorr'd : 
 
 Thus will our country ever spill its blood, 
 
 So long as we shall violate the flood. 
 
 For twice ten years, we've sltimber'd not in peace ; 
 
 Continued wars have swept away our race ; 430 
 
 The cause is obvious open to the sight 
 
 The intermeddling with the nations' right. 
 
 Let but another Pitt direct the helm, 
 
 And wide destruction will the Isle o'erwhelm. 
 
 " But I discern no shadow of a cause, 
 That we should now annihilate those laws : 
 Our strength outnumbers twice the Essex there, 
 Hence, why should we like dastards on her bear ? 
 The ship can we imprison at our ease, 
 Or let her pass, until she gains the seas, 440 
 
 And then, by settling on her stern and prow, 
 Cause her proud streamers on the deck to bow. 
 
 " But mark you not, she's anchor'd at the fort ? 
 Hence, should we hostile enter in the port, 
 They might their fortress on our vessels play, 
 And drive us back our ships in disarray,
 
 20 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 Which sadly should we feel for now we need 
 The sweetening fruits, our tainted blood to feed. 
 
 " I, for these reasons, would maintain the peace, 
 And, for the time, hostilities should cease. 450 
 
 " With voice unmuffled have I spoke my mind, 
 Nothing conceal'd in secret thought behind. 
 With you it still remains to lead the way, 
 Gentle in peace, or to provoke the fray. 
 To you inferior, thy command is law 
 You'll find me valiant, if intent on war." 
 
 Thus he. And Hillyar thus : " Full well I know, 
 That drops of honour in your bosom flow ; 
 But think you've awkwardly constru'd the right, 
 On which, I doubt not, I can throw some light : 460 
 
 " I know, that nations, formerly in wars, 
 Were ever govern'd by established laws, 
 Call'd laws of nations ; but these laws of yore, 
 And ancient politicks, are now no more. 
 In former days, blockade to constitute, 
 Requir'd a force, the passage to dispute ; 
 But all that 's note requir'd t' eflect the thing, 
 Are orders, sign'd and publish'd by the king 
 And fast imprison'd is the ocean world 
 At least, where Gallick standards are urjfurl'd. 470 
 
 " The ancient law admitted neutral powers 
 To commerce with bellig'rents, save in stores 
 Hostile to life but now, 'tis not the law ; 
 If contraband, or article of war, 
 Let them but enter France, our vessels seize 
 Such ships of wealth, and count them lawful prize ! 
 
 " But let us closer to our purpose come, 
 And trace the subject to our bosoms home :
 
 CRUISE OF CAPTAIN PORTER. 21 
 
 " You apprehend, if we the Essex fight, 
 That we should be the first to mar the right 480 
 There's nothing in it true. Did not our king 
 Bestow on Nelson royal honouring, 
 For entering Denmark's capital, from thence 
 Seizing her navy in a time of peace 1 
 Poets the action sing ; the tuneful Scott 
 Exalts the theme with a melodious note ! 
 Did not our vessels plunder on the main, 
 In the third year,* the treasury ships of Spain ? 
 
 " Now these things justified, by modern rules 
 (All doctrines are despis'd of ancient schools,) 490 
 Sure, right is ours, t' assail our enemy, 
 Or moor'd in harbour, or on open sea. 
 
 " You apprehend, should we to war resort, 
 The west Iberians would emblaze their fort, 
 And drive us back to ocean in our need, 
 And every purpose of the war impede : 
 Groundless your thoughts they dare not think the 
 
 thing, 
 
 So deep they dread the terror of our king ; 
 Our fleet would Copenhagenize each town, 
 And with the torch burn every hamlet down. 500 
 Put off these infant fears. No doubt is mine, 
 But that the monarch lauds our bold design. 
 What gifts of costly price he gave to Brook, 
 When he the Chesapeake from Lawrence took. 
 Never so splendid was a falchion made ; 
 His garments stiff with beaten gold o'erlaid. 
 No English captain, since king Alfred's name, 
 Has e'er been honour'd with an equal fame. 
 
 * 1803.
 
 FHEDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 " My reasons now you fully comprehend, 
 Hence you my every signal will attend. 510 
 
 But conquer now the Essex and, behold, 
 At our return, we shall be laid with gold. 
 I charge you, mark me well and should the foe 
 Kindle her ire, be swift upon her bow !" 
 
 Tucker, unanswering, to his ship repairs ; 
 And, while that Hillyar for the Essex bears, 
 He makes his purpose known : " For action, clear, 
 And every Briton to his post be near. 
 Port-lights conceal, till I the word proclaim, 
 Then, like enchantment, open with the flame, 520 
 By which, unguarded, we shall strike them through, 
 And deep engulf them, where their death is due !" 
 
 His coward purpose, glad his crew obey, 
 As winds the Phosbe in her treacherous way. 
 
 Now when the royals bore themselves in sight, 
 Porter prepar'd his vessel for the fight 
 For, by appearances so oft deceiv'd, 
 No show of peace the mariner believ'd ; 
 And, as the Phoebe glided down the stream, 
 He plac'd her, artful, on the Essex' beam. 530 
 
 This was the hero's voice : " The Albion now 
 Glides into port, with peace upon her brow 
 But light the matches, should her aspect lower, 
 To show the hidden virtue of our power ; 
 But should she hold as sanctified this ground, 
 I'll be the last to speak the hostile sound." 
 
 Scarce had he ended, when a sudden blast, 
 Down drove the Phoebe on the Essex fast !
 
 CRUISE OF CAPTAIN PORTER. 
 
 Hillyar's knee-joints, unhing'd from their control, 
 Shook with a palsy, which subdu'd his soul. 540 
 
 To move, unable ready to expire, 
 Through dread, tint Freedom would explode her fire. 
 
 While Hillyar thus was apprehending death, 
 Downes came to Porter with a hurried breath, 
 That he would signal give, to blaze her through 
 Urg'd to request from th' impatient crew : 
 " Lo, your commands the mariners await, 
 To touch the match, her life to desolate : 
 Say, that the sparkle shall the cannon burst, 
 And, at the word, the enemy is dust !" 550 
 
 Porter made answer: "Honour is the chart, 
 Which, till eternity, should guide the heart ; 
 Let not our ardour to begin the fray, 
 Bear the best feelings of the soul away. 
 Our nation's fame commands me not to fire, 
 Hence, bid the crew to quench this false desire : 
 They this neutrality must first debase, 
 But we our country never will disgrace. 
 
 " In honour'd warfare, let us die or live, 
 Then, future glory will our names receive ; 560 
 
 But darkness gives that character a stain, 
 Who fights his foe, distress'd upon the main." 
 
 What time this converse Downes and Porter held, 
 Hillyar thought nothing, but his ship to yield ; 
 His crew stood shuddering with expectance dire. 
 That from the Essex havock would expire ; 
 Th' ungenerous Briton, speechless with surprise, 
 Could not give credence to what pass'd his eyes, 
 Why that his enemy forebore the strife, 
 To strike his vessel through her ribs of life. 570
 
 24 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 So once a traveller, in a weary mood, 
 CalPd at an inn for rest and generous food 
 A felon soft pursu'd him to his hold, 
 To spill his blood, and rob him of his gold. 
 The murderer, arch, assum'd a smiling leer, 
 To blind his purpose from the eye of fear 
 But in the hellish act to lift his knife 
 To reach the centre of the traveller's life, 
 The hand of justice fasten'd him in chains, 
 For former crimes, committed on the plains ! 580 
 
 His crimson guilt half took away his breath 
 He pal'd, he trembled at the thoughts of death: 
 
 Thus Hillyar stood, expecting to expire 
 Beneath the exploding of the Essex' fire : 
 There nothing being in his mind but blood, 
 He thought the same of others on the flood. 
 
 At length, the tumult settling to a pause, 
 It struck his thought, 'twas neutralizing laws 
 And, like a hypocrite, with dastard mind, 
 Artful conceal'd the purpose he'd design'd. 
 Porter, saluting with a flexile knee, 
 He thus made smooth his hidden treachery : 
 
 " It seems the warring elements would feign 
 Compel us here this sanctity to stain ; 
 The nations' law gives reverence to this fort, 
 Where, social, we like brothers can consort. 
 Pleasing it is refreshing to my mind, 
 You this regard, an honour to mankind ; 
 I enter'd with design to seek supplies 
 The tropick fruits and other rarities. 600 
 
 " Though that I've plough'd vast circles of the sea, 
 By order of my king in search of thee,
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. 25 
 
 Yet by the honour of the British name, 
 
 That never yet was tarnish'd of its fame, 
 
 I pledge my faith and write the same with blood, 
 
 And call to test it an oath-sealing God 
 
 That I, this fair neutrality will keep, 
 
 Nor offer battle, till on ocean's deep." 
 
 He ended with the oath. Porter rejoin'd, 
 A flame of honour burning in his mind : 610 
 
 " For righteous Liberty whose flag is mine, 
 I'd not be guilty of a base design. 
 'Tis for the hallow'd cause of neutral rights, 
 And Independence, that Columbia fights ; 
 Hence, I your views reciprocate in full ; 
 None can presume your promise you'll annul. 
 
 " Now when that you your vessel shall repair, 
 Then, off the harbour, will I meet you there ; 
 There, we can battle in the light of fame, 
 I, for Columbia, you, for Albion's name. 620 
 
 " Forty and six, the Essex bears of brass, 
 With five times fifty, hearts magnanimous. 
 The Phcebe far outmeasures her in power ; 
 Our guns outnumbering, thirteen two and four. 
 Though thus unequal, never I'll refuse 
 To meet you, single, at what time you choose. 
 Hence, ere we mingle in the fight, you'll please 
 Command your consort distant o'er the seas." 
 
 Hillyar rejoins : " My joy is with the brave, 
 Hence, ship to ship we'll meet upon the wave. 630 
 Tucker, of Cherub, with the wind shall fly ; 
 My word is pledg'd, and on that pledge rely. 
 
 " See, she approaches with a press of sail ; 
 But, when refitted, she shall take the gale. 
 3 VOL. n.
 
 26 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 And when departed on the ocean's swell, 
 A gun from me the circumstance will tell, 
 Then, I prepared shall be, to meet you there, 
 And prove the virtue of the flags we bear." 
 
 The Briton spoke like honour. Porter last, 
 While still the Phcebe to the shrouds was fast : 640 
 
 " I strict shall mark the signal of attack ; 
 Now spread your square-sails, take the wind aback, 
 While from our cordage, we your vessel clear, 
 That you may anchor in the channel near. 
 
 " And while in port, we'll friendly acts display ; 
 With Tucker, come and visit us to day. 
 We've all the varities in season now, 
 Such as within the southern tropicks grow. 
 And wine of mellow age, our hearts to cheer 
 At sea proud enemies but friendship here." 650 
 
 Hillyar turn'd pale, then redden'd, pale, to find 
 Such worth and boldness in his foe combin'd ; 
 For though devoid of virtue was his soul, 
 He felt its power to bend him to control. 
 He stammer'd to reply but all in vain 
 His failing tongue seem'd fasten'd with a chain. 
 
 A miser thus hard bolts his iron door, 
 Against a pressing stranger raiment poor, 
 Lest he by chance, his homely fare should give, 
 Nor for the same, equivalent receive ; 660 
 
 By long entreatance and the pelting storm, 
 At length he deigns to suffer him to warm ; 
 But pines in moodish silence at his stay, 
 Fearing he'd nothing for the night repay. 
 But when at dawn, the stranger quits his shed, 
 He more than satisfies for board and bed ;
 
 CRUISE OP CAfTAIN PORTER. 27 
 
 The miser stands abash'd to mark the ore, 
 And chokes, and stammers at the creaking door. 
 
 Thus Hillyar stood and stammer'd to reply, 
 His features mark'd with idiot vacancy. 670 
 
 Meantime the mariners, on shrouds and mast, 
 Loosen the Phcebe, to the Essex fast. 
 Some cords they sever, others they belay ; 
 Freed, she winds off and anchors in the bay. 
 The Cherub moors upon her larboard side, 
 Her flag reflected in the rippling tide. 
 
 Tucker, impatient to the Phcebe goes 
 To learn the cause, why neither came to blows : 
 
 " 1 watch'd your movements with an anxious eye, 
 Till I beheld you with the enemy ; 680 
 
 And then I judg'd, as no deep engine roar'd, 
 You'd chang'd your plan and laid the ship on board, 
 Hence, wore I down, had you my strength requir'd, 
 To give you succour, as you late desir'd ; 
 But think what wonder in my bosom rose, 
 To see you friends, where I expected foes." 
 
 While Tucker put the question, Hillyar stood, 
 As though the life were taken from his blood. 
 Defeated pride o'erwhelm'd him in his shame, 
 And caus'd a sweat to settle on his frame. 690 
 
 " Just in the act to touch the fire a gale 
 Rush'd down the mountains, quartering on the sail, 
 And drove us on the foe ! who, at a blast, 
 Might ship and crew beneath the waters cast ; 
 But, by disguising what was my design, 
 The ship I rescu'd from the strangling brine.
 
 28 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 " We'll put away the theme descend below, 
 And moist the blood and give it natural flow, 
 For now, I'm exorcis'd with fever-dry ; 
 
 These southern suns make English fibres fry." 700 
 
 * # * * * * * * * 
 
 Three days refitting, they in harbour ride, 
 But on the fourth, their vessels trimm'd, supplied, 
 The grappling anchors from their beds they weigh, 
 Just as the orient purples with the day. 
 
 When Porter heard the token, he express'd 
 The glowing thoughts that harbour'd in his breast : 
 
 " Hark hear the whistle to the Albion crew, 
 To spread their sheets, and bid to peace adieu ! 
 Soon will our ears receive the signal gun ; 
 And see the red flash o'er the waters run. 710 
 
 " Now, now, my heroes, let no dampness chill 
 The heart's warm beating to subdue the will. 
 We'll prove superior, though our means are small, 
 And wrap their bodies in a bleeding pall. 
 This is the hour to waken into flame 
 Your bosoms, to ascend the steep of fame ; 
 Yes, I behold a spirit in your eye 
 To strike yon Cross, or find eternity !" 
 
 His voice inspir'd the mariners with life, 
 To hear the signal to begin the strife. 720 
 
 As when in theatre a numerous crowd, 
 Collected to behold some action proud ; 
 A Warwick towering with a Shakspeare's soul, 
 Bending the will of monarchs to control ; 
 Or great Gustavus, character 'd by Brook, 
 Loosing his people from a tyrant's yoke,
 
 CRUISE OF CAPTAIN PORTER. 
 
 Set in impatience to observe the scene 
 
 Rise and unfold the mightiest deeds of men ; 
 
 As limping Time approaches to the hour, 
 
 Attention stronger fastens every power. 730 
 
 At length, the musick, with prelusive strain, 
 
 Causes a thrill to dart through every vein ; 
 
 By the sweet notice of the varying tune, 
 
 That the green canvass would be lifted soon. 
 
 So like the musick was the hero's tongue, 
 The crew impatient, felt their nerves new strung. 
 
 Now while the Phcebe and the Cherub sail'd, 
 With boist'rous lungs, thus Hillyar, Tucker hail'd : 
 
 " Be true to what I've said. Bear from the strand - 
 But mark you well, my signals of command. 740 
 Should I by token, ask for your return, 
 You'll place the Cherub opposite her stern." 
 
 Tucker brief answer'd : " When your signals fly, 
 With prompt obedience will my ship comply." 
 
 This said, he rounds the helm and shifts the sail, 
 And beats the ocean with a sidling gale ; 
 Like some huge whale, he foams along the deep, 
 Bending his eye upon the challeng'd ship. 
 
 What time the Cherub parts the curling seas, 
 Hillyar, this motto boastingly displays : 750 
 
 God and our Country Traitors, both offend 
 For Rights of royal Britons, we contend ! 
 
 " Instant the signal, let the gun declare ! 
 And let the Essex meet us if she dare .' 
 Now be ye ready with a tide of blood, 
 Should she approach, to gulf her in the flood." 
 3* VOL. ii.
 
 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 The moment Hillyar the commandment spoke, 
 The cannon pour'd its voice in cloud of smoke ! 
 
 As when a traveller, wilder'd in defiles, 
 Where no delighting form of human smiles, 760 
 
 Through mazy windings, labours hard his way, 
 O'er fens, o'er bogs, where poisonous serpents lay, 
 Dejected, heart-sick Oft he stops to hear 
 Some welcome echo, to his bosom dear. 
 The frog's hoarse croaking, and the adder's hiss, 
 Congeal his blood his heart stands motionless. 
 While thus despairing, lo ! a well-known voice 
 Breaks on his ear and bids his soul rejoice. 
 With throbs of ecstacy his bosom starts, 
 While from his eye, an holy rapture darts : 770 
 
 Such joy was Porter's when the cannon told 
 The promis'd time, his valour to unfold : 
 
 " Hearken ! what musick"? Brief the anchor weigh ! 
 Behold the signal blazing on the sea ! 
 The sound is musick from the heavenly pole 
 The quickening flash is glory to the soul ! 
 Beyond this grovelling earth, my mind takes wing ; 
 A strange sensation touches every string ! 
 See, on the breath of heaven your Rights unfurl'd ! 
 Fame catch your deeds and wing them round the 
 world !" 780 
 
 His words were sparkles of electrick fire, 
 Which flam'd their thoughts beyond this earth's desire. 
 A tear of transport floated in their eye, 
 Whilst, God and Liberty I they shouted high. 
 
 Slow moves the Essex, veil'd in solemn awe, 
 Gloomy as night to hurl the bolts of war.
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN , PORTER. 31 
 
 Her look strikes terrour through the Briton's soul ; 
 
 Hillyar can scarce his tottering joints control. 
 
 His cheek turns pale, though clasping death's cold urn ; 
 
 He sets a flag, the Cherub to return. 790 
 
 Lo, as her brass, the Essex bears aside, 
 
 He slips his anchor bounds along the tide. 
 
 Porter crowds sail, the chase to overtake ; 
 Full brief the Essex foams upon her wake ; 
 Her levell'd engines bellow from her prow, 
 And, at the enemy, the chain balls throw. 
 At each explosion, sail and cordage part ; 
 And oft they search the centre of her heart. 
 
 At length, the Cherub to her aid returns, 
 
 And each, whole broadsides at the Essex burns ! 800 
 ********* 
 
 As when the sun rejoicing in his height, 
 Sprinkles creation with empyreal light ; 
 With living brilliance burnishes the whole 
 To nature's round, the essence and the soul ; 
 A treacherous cloud comes sweeping o'er the ball, 
 And shrouds his radiance in death's smothering pall ; 
 But soon, he musters to a point his rays, 
 And breaks its darkness with effulgent blaze : 
 
 So Porter's, kindling, every bosom fir'd 
 For lo, above the earth his mind aspir'd ; 810 
 
 But when the treachery of the foe was seen, 
 A cloud of darkness deepen'd on his mien ; 
 But rising soon, he swept the cloud away 
 His features brighten'd like the god of day ! 
 
 " Avast the ship ! A tier of engines roar ! 
 A treacherous, dastard foe ! The strife give o'er.
 
 32 PREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 Back to the neutral anchor-ground return, 
 
 And, as we sail, cast thunder from the stern. 
 
 What coward infamy ! No never more, 
 
 I'll trust a Briton should his heart drop gore," 820 
 
 Slow wears the Essex at the order round, 
 While thrice the cannon with dire peal rebound. 
 Her snowy canvass flickers in the wind ; 
 Rustling it fills. She leaves her foes behind. 
 
 And now in harbour once again she rides, 
 Whilst every tongue the British faith derides. 
 
 Porter commands: " Charge, charge the engines 
 
 deep, 
 
 And firm for action, each defender keep ; 
 The dastard Hilly ar, having stain'd his soul, 
 Not him, will oaths or neutral waves control. 830 
 When man is once to cowardice inclin'd, 
 He holds no virtue in his grovelling mind. 
 When eagle honour quits her empire here, 
 The soul runs waste a barren desert drear. 
 
 " Though that his oath in solemn pledge have I, 
 That he'd regard this fair neutrality ; 
 But what can promises or oaths effect, 
 
 When meanness 'habits in the intellect ? 
 
 ********* 
 
 " But look ! they cast their anchors oft' the strait ! 
 It seems they purpose for the time to wait. 840 
 
 " Now their design, I apprehend to be, 
 Is to imprison, bar us from the sea ; 
 If their intention this, then our design 
 Will be to pass, and gain the ocean's brine. 
 With ease we'll fly them when the offer's given, 
 By breezes springing from the gate of heaven."
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. 33 
 
 While Porter jealous of his enemies, 
 Tucker, (his vessel moor'd,) to Hillyar hies, 
 To learn the motive why his vessel run : 
 
 " Scarce you with fire, gave motion to a gun ; 850 
 
 Why from the Essex" 
 
 " Essex ! what of her ? 
 Are you empower'd to act as arbiter 1 
 Full well I comprehend my sovereign's will, 
 And shall perform it every part fulfil. 
 Hence, to your vessel and my signs attend, 
 
 For I shall nothing of my plans rescind. 
 
 ********* 
 
 " But stay I purpose to confine him here ; 
 Never again he swims the ocean clear. 
 Close we'll imprison bind him to the shore, 
 Till he submiss the royal flag adore," 860 
 
 Tucker in friendship readily rejoins : 
 " This mode of warfare answers my designs. 
 But heard you not the monarch's last^ remark, 
 That we should strict observe them ii^ the dark, 
 O r they might shun us by their gifted sight 
 To wind their way, when heaven is spread with night : 
 This naught avails him should by day he dare, 
 Soon would he find his vessel in the air. 
 
 " As we in number twice exceed his force, 
 For us, how easy to obstruct his course ; 870 
 
 But as, divided, we command this power, 
 'Tis equal triple, if not one to four." 
 
 Thus Tucker. Hillyar thus : " I grant with you, 
 Our obvious strength is triple to the foe ; 
 But well I mark'd the Essex in her ire, 
 To once of ours, exploded thrice her fire ;
 
 34 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 Hence, when that we our real strength compare, 
 
 Not so unequal our divisions are, 
 
 Therefore shall I all methods exercise, 
 
 Through least of danger to effect the prize. 880 
 
 " Tagus, Plantagenet, Carnation, these, 
 I apprehend are in the neighbouring seas ; 
 When they arrive with all their armament, 
 Without resistance, will her flag be rent." 
 
 Thus they on board the Hillyar-ship converse, 
 And plans of conquest with themselves rehearse. 
 
 Now night succeeds to day, and day to night, 
 While the fam'd Essex, by superior might, 
 Is barr'd in close imprisonment to port, 
 Without a gale to make the bold effort 890 
 
 To pass the enemy. But Porter, true, 
 Keeps brac'd in heart the valour of his crew ; 
 Though thus to be confin'd upon the flood, 
 Would bring a dampness on the best of blood, 
 But yet the mariner with cheerful air, 
 Breaks short the leaden sceptre of despair. 
 
 At length, the forty -second dawn appears 
 With winds tempestuous, from the southern spheres ; 
 Fierce from the Cape, where infant storms abide, 
 And issue forth to chafe the western tide. 900 
 
 Porter with gladness congregates his crew, 
 While the winds rushing to the ocean blew. 
 The quickening impulse to the seamen given, 
 Was like a visit from the sons of heaven : 
 
 " Proud swell the heart ! Our fame is not yet done ! 
 Mark, mark the chafing billows how they run !
 
 CRUISE OP CAPTAIN PORTER. 35 
 
 Hsste heave the biting anchors from the clay ! 
 Mates ! spring aloft the ready sheets display ! 
 Hearken ! the starboard cable is in twain ! 
 The vessel drags the larboard to the main ! 910 
 
 Popitious omen ! touching to the soul ! 
 The sheets give to the wind ! let every heart be 
 whole !" 
 
 Th' impatient seaboys take the word like fire ; 
 Quick catching at the rattlings they aspire ; 
 Loosen the sails and spread them to the breeze, 
 To drive the vessel darting through the seas : 
 
 The main-sails first, with hollow sound unfold, 
 And then, the angling jibs, the fierce winds hold ; 
 The top-sails then, top-gallant-sails appear, 
 Like silver clouds unfolding in the sphere. 920 
 
 The ship like lightning through the water flies : 
 " Take in the gallant-top-sails !'' Porter cries, 
 "Reef, reef the jib-sheets. To the windward steer, 
 Double the point, and gain the ocean clear !"' 
 
 His brief instructions rapidly were done, 
 While foaming high the bounding vessel run. 
 She seems a cloud dark-flying on a storm, 
 While lightning fires augment its awful form. 
 Like this, the Essex through the mad wave flies, 
 To gain the sea beyond her enemies. 930 
 
 The Britons gaze and shrink before their fears ; 
 They ply their anchors, as the ship appears ; 
 She looks a whale of ocean in her path, 
 Tossing the billows to the clouds in wrath. 
 
 While thus terrifick round the point she flew, 
 A mad tornado from the mountains blew ;
 
 36 FREDOXIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 A monster howling in its fury driven, 
 With all the strength collected under heaven 
 Loud rushing, roaring, thundering, drove the blast 
 Down crackling, crashing, fell her shiver'd mast ! 940 
 
 * * * * * * . # * * 
 
 As when that Fancy, in a midnight dream, 
 Translates the soul and opens it, a gleam 
 Of blissful Paradise which wraps its gaze, 
 Delighted in a trance of ecstacies ; 
 Lo, as she* bears it to the gate of heaven, 
 About to open an admittance given, 
 She plunges down to hell and brings from thence, 
 A form to drive the vision'd glory hence, 
 Grim as a goblin, by the moon half seen, 
 Setting on graves, where murderers had been ! 950 
 Which seizing at the soul with sunken eye, 
 Transforms its raptures into agony : 
 
 Such feelings thrill'd the veins of Porter brave, 
 As proud his vessel bounded on the wave ; 
 Such, and so sudden was his joy subdu'd, 
 When down the sky-mast thunder'd in the flood. 
 
 At length his voice was heard : " Ruin'd undone ! 
 The helm's alee ! back to the harbour run ! 
 From ruins free the ship ! Let none despair ! 
 Luff, luff to wind, nor let the vessel wear ! 960 
 
 Away, lads ! bear away vast ! right she's right ! 
 Flame the guns aft and give her running fight !" 
 
 Fleet as sounds travel through the hollow air, 
 The ship was trimm'd her stern guns lumber 'd war. 
 And while they cast their bolts along the main, 
 The crippled Essex sought the port again. 
 
 * Fancy.
 
 CBUISE OF CAPTAIN PORTER. 37 
 
 The crew, in three ships' distance from the shore, 
 
 In neutral anchorage their vessel moor, 
 
 And fall to labour, like excited fire, 
 
 To cause another mast to heaven aspire. 970 
 
 Now when the Albion saw the ruin fall, 
 Cautious they wore, and drove a distant ball. 
 
 Hillyar commands : " Down on the vessel bear, 
 And show what we in naval action are ! 
 Let each be ready at the signal call, 
 At far-off distance to elance the ball. 
 Though that the ship is crippled of a mast, 
 Yet may her guns be terrible in blast. 
 
 " I not these neutral waters will regard ; 
 But seize the happy moment of reward ; 980 
 
 Yes ; power gives right this truth our sovereign 
 
 knows, 
 And justifies all methods with his foes. 
 
 " What though my oath I counterfeit did pledge, 
 That not in harbour I'd the battle wage ; 
 And what are oaths ? as gossamer, or down, 
 When great advantage on our side is known, 
 And know ye not, 'tis sanctified by laws, 
 That oaths bind not from terrifying cause ; 
 Hence, I'menfranchis'd from that pledge of late, 
 For then, a hair but held us from our fate. 990 
 
 Our ship was like an infant in their power ; 
 The oath preserv'd us in that desperate hour. 
 
 " No more. The sheets take in. With caution 
 
 turn, 
 And at fair distance settle on her stern ; 
 
 4 VOL. II.
 
 38 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI. 
 
 Level the balls to strike her life-ribs through, 
 And let her sides be crimson'd with her crew." 
 
 He gave his thoughts. His mariners rejoice 
 To find a distant action was his choice, 
 For though unmasted by the whirlwind dire, 
 Inward they dread the waking of her ire. 
 
 The trumpet HilJyar plies with swelling cheeks, 
 And thus to Tucker of the Cherub speaks : 
 
 " Cherub ! attend ! see every part be clear f 
 Prepare for battle with your strength severe ! 
 Charge deep and prime your cannon for the blow ; 
 Cast your spring anchors opposite her bow ; 
 Kindle your matches, let them smouldering burn ; 
 I at fair distance blaze upon her stern." 
 
 Tucker replied : " To me your word is law ; 
 My every brass is ready for the war." 1010 
 
 The shores around and neighbouring heights are 
 
 seen, 
 
 And house-tops, balconies, with crowds of men, 
 In breathless silence, gazing on the stream, 
 To mark the lightnings of the conflict gleam. 
 Their souls, their hearts, their every fibre feel 
 A cold ice terror for the Essex weal ; 
 The slightest motion of the vessel proves 
 A mark'd attention ; if a haulyard moves, 
 Or a sail flutters, every bended eye, 
 With prying look, enquires the reason why. 1020 
 
 Porter, at once, their dastard purpose scann'd, 
 And thus a moment he address'd his band :
 
 CRUISE OF CAPTAIN PORTER. 39 
 
 " Behold the foe comes bearing for the storm ! 
 Now prove what hearts of valour can perform ! 
 Though they our ship outmeasure, three to one, 
 We'll draw their blood before the fight is done. 
 Behold what thousands crowd the summits high ! 
 Now show the manner that the brave can die !" 
 
 As brief he clos'd, the ships began to burn ; 
 One on the bow, the other on the stern. 1030
 
 CANTO XII. 
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE 
 
 ESSEX.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Transactions of the Infernal powers. ...The Defence of the 
 
 Essex. 
 The scene is laid on the White Mountains and at Valparaiso.... 
 
 The book commences at midnight preceding the attack, and 
 
 closes with the action, which continues two hours and twenty-six 
 
 minutes.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XII. 
 
 THE Muse must leave the battle in its flame 
 To show the movements of th' infernal name ; 
 For they, unceasing, exercis'd their art 
 To break the chain of Unity apart ; 
 A chain, when sundered, nothing can unite, 
 The Star of Freedom will be quench'd in night. 
 
 Now, in night-season, previous to the day 
 That Porter strove to gain the open sea, 
 The Fiend, involv'd in double darkness deep, 
 Convok'd his agents on the rude cliffs' steep. ( 10 
 They rose, like clouds of smoke at signal given ; 
 A flash of hell from either eye-ball driven. 
 
 At times, the Fiend betray'd an outward air, 
 Which show'd a bosom canker'd with its care : 
 Since Freedom's Goddess on the ocean came, 
 His heart had felt a secret smouldering flame, 
 Yet with deep art, he kept the pain conceal'd, 
 Lest it should bend the sceptre which he held : 
 
 Not otherwise the monarchs of the earth, 
 To keep obscur'd the weakness of their birth, 20
 
 44 PREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 Assume a robe of artificial guise, 
 As though their race descended from the skies ; 
 But Wisdom comes, strips off their spider-dress, 
 And brings to view their native nakedness. 
 
 So the Infernal, with a proud effort, 
 Kept his mind fix'd upon a regal port ; 
 But oft unguarded, would he raise his eye, 
 As though he fear'd some terror from the sky. 
 His heart misgiving, told him to repair 
 Beneath the mountain, from the upper air. 30 
 
 Thus a deserter from the ranks of fame, 
 Enroll'd with Albion his detested name ; 
 From Queenstown battlements, he marks sublime 
 The Freedom Star, that gilds his native clime. 
 The sight in secret preys upon his heart, 
 His eye depress'd, reveals the inward smart ; 
 He pines with fever to be led afar, 
 Beyond the radiance of th' upbraiding Star. 
 
 So the Deserter from the ranks of heaven, 
 The time Fredonia to his sight was given, 40 
 
 Perceiv'd a gnawing at his heart severe, 
 As though transfix'd with her celestial spear. 
 Yet, he began with consequential pride 
 To bolster up the royals by his side : 
 
 " Proud agency of hell ! great was the art, 
 That Lawrence bow'd to death his vessel wreck'd. 
 Beside this naval conquest on the flood, 
 Other achievements animate Our blood : 
 Undying honours crown Our royal son, 
 Proctor the great ! who, when his race is run 50 
 On this terrene, in hell shall overseer 
 The damn'd of the infernal hemisphere;
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 45 
 
 But We design to practise him on earth 
 A time some longer, ere We call him forth. 
 
 " 'Twas known in hell, full thirty years or more, 
 That Cruelty, who lash'd with scorpions sore 
 The souls confin'd in chains, was sent a spy 
 To scourge Columbia, till her name should die. 
 
 " Soon We perceiv'd that those of Albion blood 
 Excell'd his art to torture on the flood ; 60 
 
 Hence, as that hell was empty of the place, 
 Sudden he thought to mingle with the race, 
 That one might be created to supply 
 The station, occupied by Cruelty. 
 
 " With this intent from hell's wide gate We flew, 
 Keeping the coast of Labrador in view. 
 Like flame, up-leaping, soon We reach'd the cape ; 
 There took We lineaments of human shape. 
 We wander'd south along a broken waste, 
 To find an object suited to Our taste. 70 
 
 Not small the numbers hearken'd to Our love, 
 For where is woman, but soft note will move ? 
 
 " At length We found her in a narrow dell, 
 Though not in beauty did her form excel ; 
 Searching she was the favourite of the flock, 
 Which far had wander'd from the sheltering rock. 
 She look'd, in waning eye, beyond her years ; 
 A bloody ichor floated down for tears ; 
 Her forehead swell'd in ridges like the sea ; 
 Her nose a promontory, form'd a bay, 80 
 
 In which her red eyes swam. On either side, 
 Her cheeks shrunk back and left her mouth full wide 
 Invading on her ears. Her mouldering teeth 
 Were half consum'd, by reason of her breath ;
 
 46 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 Which to the smell a stronger poison gave, 
 Than the green nostril of the rotten grave. 
 
 " Soft We approach'd, and call'd her wond'rous fair ; 
 At which she smil'd past hell her hideous air ! 
 Our aid the lamb We proffer'd her to find, 
 Which she accepted with a willing mind. 90 
 
 With oily periods and light amorous play, 
 We loiter'd careless o'er the woody way ; 
 We sigh'd, then whisper'd, then impress'd her hand, 
 Which seem'd in fever, like a hell-lit brand. 
 
 " At length, We happen'd at a cedar grove ; 
 And Proctor prov'd the subject of Our love. 
 
 "In the brief compass of nine moons and one, 
 Our promis'd offspring gaz'd upon the sun ; 
 His mother nurs'd him for as many more, 
 From breasts distilling blood combin'd with gore. 100 
 And then she fed him on the things of earth, 
 Abhorr'd by all, save those had hell at birth. 
 
 " He grew apace and while but yet a youth, 
 Ways he contriv'd to torture life, uncouth. 
 'Twould pierce a fury's callous heart with pain, 
 Should We his moods of cruelty explain. 
 
 " But where of late he testified his blood, 
 Was at the Massacre at Raisin's flood ; 
 This reckless slaughter will exalt his name 
 To royal honours in the world of flame. 110 
 
 " Now when his murder in this war is done, 
 We shall in hell demand Our favourite son. 
 Each day, he grows more pleasing in Our eye ; 
 Worthy his sire, and mother Infamy. 
 
 " These proud events Our feelings render glad, 
 But she, that circles heaven, affects Us sad.
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE ESSEX. 47 
 
 Lawrence she met with rainbow cloud, and bore 
 His soul enfranchis'd to th' empyreal shore. 
 Curse on her form ! she may in lightning come 
 With power divine, and all Our hopes deplume. J20 
 
 " But why these doubts 1 why shrink 1 Single, 
 
 not We 
 
 Would shrink to meet in arms her enmity. 
 From this, Our hand, a bolt of thunder hurl'd, 
 W'ould shrive her spear and drive her from the world. 
 
 " Does not New-Albion aid Us in the work ? 
 And soon with gold will We dissever York. 
 These States at Hartford, in Convention still, 
 Will meet the Union secretly to kill ; 
 And Maryland appears a wavering tide, 
 Doubting, to learn what manner to decide. 130 
 
 When vacillating thus a People stand, 
 Th' event is sure they do as We command. 
 Our labours thicken fast. The State of Maine 
 Must be divided from the Union chain ; 
 She stands alone Our friends on every side 
 To hem her in, her strength to subdivide. 
 
 " But future, by some casualty unknown, 
 Should W"e, of States be rifled, now Our own ; 
 Those, that renounce their Freedom for a Throne, 
 For not the powers of earth, or air, or sea, 140 
 
 Can tell the chance of war's uncertainty, 
 Hence, to be furnish'd, ready for defeat, 
 We'll forth provide a cavern to retreat. 
 And should the powers of heaven prevail with art, 
 (The thought of which is distant from Our heart) 
 We'll plan an earthquake, ruinous to raise, 
 To whelm the States and snatch them from the skies.
 
 48 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 " We purpose now to journey round the earth, 
 To mark through all its realms what passes forth.' 
 Rise, harness for the labour drive the work ; 150 
 At change of noon, I shall return by York." 
 
 Stately he rose, when he the order spoke ; 
 The mountain felt it, and with terror shook. 
 His form assum'd the lightness of a cloud, 
 Which wrapp'd the gloomy heights in grave-cloth 
 
 shroud ; 
 
 His arm was like a pillar on the sea, 
 Form'd by the gathering of humidity ; 
 His hand was like th' appearance of a ghost, 
 That haunts the ruins of a ship-wreck coast. 159 
 
 His eyes were two mock moons, broad, sickly, dim, 
 When deep through murky clouds, they wandering 
 
 The monarch having pass'd, the Stygian bands 
 Commenc'd the cavern with their giant hands ; 
 Earth groan'd with dying pangs ; so vast their toil. 
 It made the fluid of their hearts to boil. 
 
 So when the Fulton is intent to keep, 
 'Gainst wind and tide, her course upon the deep. 
 She feeds her furnace to a glassy heat, 
 Causing her boilers in their rage to beat ; 
 To rush her engine with increase of power, 1 70 
 
 And bear her forth against the ocean's roar. 
 Soon the pent waters feel th' augmented fire, 
 And with a madded violence aspire, 
 Threatening to break their prison with a burst, 
 And hurl the stately vessel into dust.
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE ESSEX. 49 
 
 Thus, by their toil, th' infernal bosoms chafe 
 With such commotion, as not life is safe 
 Within the compass of their breath to stay, 
 For fear the boilers in their breasts give way. 
 
 But Idleness, despisable in hell, 18 
 
 Lingers behind, and strives their heat to quell, 
 Contriving different means the toil to shun, 
 For whom 'tis grief to move a pebble stone : 
 While each hard sweats with labour at a strain, 
 He quits his hold excuse, his breath to gain. 
 The half-pois'd rock descends with crashing sound 
 Full many a fiend disjointing in the ground. 
 But lo, they quicken from the pressing death, 
 And rise from out the prisoning rock beneath ; 
 Such the mysterious habit of their frame, 190 
 
 They wake to life, like Phoenix from the flame. 
 
 Still, by excuses, he avoids the toil, 
 Yet oft he puts the others in a broil. 
 At length, they sought a momentary rest ; 
 He seiz'd the time, and thus his thoughts express'd : 
 
 " Sweet friends ! your benefit, and not my own, 
 Has often made me suffer from the Throne ; 
 But yet, most fervent in my breast I feel, 
 Base it would be to fly the publick weal. 
 
 " With this desire I nothing can conceive, 200 
 
 Why, for convenience, we should not relieve 
 Our wearied natures 1 Why, with toil thus burn ? 
 Not till the moon the monarch will return. 
 Alternate spies can watch his coming forth ; 
 A thousand cubits have we dug in earth, 
 Hence we, secure, our efforts can delay, 
 Till the last glimmer of th' appointed day ; 
 5 VOL. ii.
 
 50 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 Then, ere his Majesty in wrath shall come, 
 We, in full strength, our slavery can resume." 
 
 At first they doubted dreading to comply ; 210 
 But soon they rid them of timidity : 
 A part retire and stretch them at their ease ; 
 Others, avidious, the occasion seize 
 To join in tournament to wrestle, dance 
 Or with a shield to exercise the lance. 
 
 Ere the return of day's bright harbinger, 
 The Fiend came sweeping, exercis'd with care ! 
 The earth was shaken in his passing forth, 
 As though the storms were loosen'd from the north. 
 Anxious at heart to make the labour burn, 220 
 
 Was the main reason of his swift return ; 
 Trusting to Proctor to conduct the strife, 
 Whose only joy was in the wreck of life. 
 
 He finds his subjects, part upon the ground, 
 Lost in their sleep a part, with cedar crown'd, 
 Dancing to musick, form'd by shaking bones- 
 White human skulls, in which were pebble stones ! 
 
 As when the lake of the infernal world 
 Is by the tempest-cloud tumultuous hurl'd, 
 Billows on billows toss'd with surging fire, 230 
 
 The damn'd in pain, endeavouring to expire : 
 
 So like the billows of the lake, the crew 
 Rose in their terror at the interview ; 
 Wedg'd in confusion, toss'd from side to side, 
 Their every eyeball stretch'd convulsive wide ; 
 As when a maniack in his fit finds death, 
 Such was their look ! forgetting they had breath. 
 
 The monarch seiz'd upon a scourge of wire, 
 Such as had made our mariners expire,
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE ESSEX. 51 
 
 Whilst corded, cruel, to the Albion mast, 240 
 
 Pleading their Freedom, till they groan'd their last : 
 Such a damn'd whip the madded Tyrant fell, 
 With grin severe, applied upon their hell. 
 At every stroke gush'd forth a tide of gore, 
 Burning and black, while stood on every pore 
 A drop of blood, excited by the pain, 
 Which kept their eyeballs bursting on a strain. 
 
 " What means this breaking of commands ?" He 
 
 spoke, 
 
 Distant it seem'd his tongue had thunder broke ! 
 His subjects shrunk in terror from his sight ; 250 
 His very breath turn'd horrible the night. 
 
 " If from Our mandate ever that ye dare, 
 By pillars, propping of deep hell, we swear, 
 From this shall each without a wing be hurl'd 
 To check his falling to the nether world ! 
 Or in the surging lake unceasing burn ; 
 Or chain'd in ice, thence never to return !" 
 
 He ended frowning. To their giant size, 
 From whence they'd shrunk, like dash'd-up flames, 
 
 they rise, 
 
 And to the sinking of the cavern hie, 260 
 
 Jarring the mountain like an earthquake nigh. 
 In solid mass they loose the earth's deep base, 
 As though its whole foundations they'd displace ; 
 They break it into parts and hurl it high, 
 The wonders past of ages to outvie. 
 
 As when Archemides of Syracuse 
 Engines invented for his country's use, 
 Which drove unwieldy rocks upon the foe, 
 And crowded vessels shiver'd at a blow ;
 
 52 PREDON1AD. CANTO XII. 
 
 Or by the lever, or the winding screw, 270 
 
 Seiz'd from the deep a fighting ship and crew, 
 Whirling it round, a spinning-top in air. 
 The dizzy seamen fainting in despair. 
 
 With the same ease, th' infernal agents throw 
 The mountain-rocks from out the pit below. 
 One breaks the mass another, on the wing, 
 Grasps, and, at straining with a desperate fling, 
 Hurls it aloft another, plac'd on high, 
 Keeps it in motion with rapidity ; 
 Another, ready with his strength immense, 280 
 
 Drives it beyond with burning violence. 
 Lo, by this art, so rapid they aspire, 
 They heat, and smoke, and kindle into fire ; 
 So thick are they, as in a whirlwind sent, 
 It seems like ^Etnain the firmament. 
 
 At length the fiends produce unusual sound, 
 As with their sledges on the rocks they pound ; 
 They hear and stop their labour with surprise, 
 To learn the cause from whence the echoes rise. 
 
 " And what," (the monarch thus) " what damps 
 
 your brow ? 290 
 
 Dastards ! give backward ! Earthquakes are below." 
 
 This said. He seiz'd upon a sledge of weight 
 Poiz'd it on high with horrid joy elate, 
 And round and round, he swung it with a whir, 
 Huge as the summit of a mountain spur. 
 Its helve was fashion'd of the stoutest oak, 
 That ever fell beneath the woodman's stroke. 
 With straining backward, resting on his right> 
 His left toe touching on the surface light,
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE ESSEX. 53 
 
 The heel bent outward from his body, round 300 
 
 He struck ! the rocks crack'd crashing with a thun 
 der sound. 
 
 Earth, reeling, groan'd through all her caves beneath, 
 
 Sweating cold dampness cold as ooze of death ! 
 
 Down horrid sunk the Fiend ! down, down, deep 
 down, 
 
 From day's first beam, till high on _heaven's arch'd 
 crown 
 
 The gold sun stood ! two thousand leagues or more ; 
 
 His iron skull a rock in fragments tore ! 
 
 Like Pilot's Tower,* o'erthrown by earthquake storm, 
 
 His whole vast length lies stretch'd out huge in form. 
 
 His eyes swim glaring in a vacant gaze ; 310 
 
 His mind is lost in labyrinthian maze. 
 
 At length, recovering as from broken sleep, 
 
 His voice resounded through the hollow deep : 
 
 " Give way to swing the sledge ! What damps 
 your brow"? 
 
 Retire ! behold an earthquake is below ! 
 
 We'll break its hollow sides ! What, do you feign, 
 
 As though your ears so delicate, felt pain 
 
 To hear the earth groan out ? 'Tis musick rare, 
 
 If We its note to uproar'd hell compare. 319 
 
 Stand hear it ! it explodes ! 
 
 " What ! sunk to hell ! 
 
 When left the earth ? It seems a wizard spell ! 
 
 Which] way from whence ? Why whirls this dark 
 ness round ? 
 
 Can this be other than deep hell profound ? 
 
 * Mountain in North-Carolina. 
 
 5* VOL, II.
 
 54 FREDONIAD. CANTO Xll. 
 
 Our nostrils, sure, familiar brimstone smell 
 Black as Death's chamber ! 'tis it must be hell ! 
 But where, and when did We 1 Our head whirls o'er ; 
 Mysterious maze ! beyond my reasoning power. 
 And what's that light, which glimmers from the north ? 
 The light of hell from southern zone breaks forth ! 
 Attended ever with a deafening sound, 530 
 
 But still as Death's vault is this deep profound. 
 A labyrinth ! We know not what to think 
 Our mind is like a chain with broken link. 
 
 " The last that We remember was the rock, 
 Which, when it broke, gave earth a reeling shock. 
 And was it then that We from thence was hurl'd, 
 By wrath of heaven, to this infernal world 1 
 
 " We'll pause to gain Our mind, which seems to 
 
 stray, 
 The more We reason, from the truth away. 
 
 ###***#*# 
 
 " Not otherwise indeed ! We broke the shell, 340 
 And through the centre of the earth We fell ! 
 
 " Sublime disclosure ! how my thoughts elate ! 
 Here We, as though in hell, can smile at fate, 
 Remote from heaven and heaven's unwelcome light, 
 Which by its blaze gives anguish to the sight. 
 
 " We'll search this dungeon never known before 
 Hark ! whence proceeds this far-off lumbering roar ?" 
 
 His pinions open'd with a heavy swell, 
 (Which time allow'd not, when through earth he fell); 
 Onward he travers'd with dilated eye 350 
 
 Wide as the circle in a midnight sky, 
 When in eclipse the moon half veils her form, 
 By which the manner forebodes a storm.
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 55 
 
 He meets a vacuum, and with fluttering falls, 
 And, lizard-like, with effort hard he crawls. 
 
 While thus he grovell'd on half day, half night, 
 A distant something riveted his sight : 
 And now it stopp'd, and now again it mov'd, 
 Which action vital in the substance prov'd. 
 Cautious, he gain'd upon the object slow, 360 
 
 That more distinct its lineaments might show. 
 Soft in concealment he approach'd it nigh, 
 Then sudden rose in wild deformity ! 
 So sulphur 'd nitre slumbers in the dark, 
 Till sharp it feels the animating spark, 
 When lo, it quickens with combustion dire, 
 Flashing to view the horrible of fire : 
 
 Thus rose the Fiend ! The stranger caught his 
 eye, 
 
 And stood, a time unable to reply. 
 
 ********* 
 
 " God of this darkness ! thou my life but save, 370 
 And I will kneel and be to thee a slave ! 
 
 " I made inquiry at the north for thee, 
 To be directed to thy Royalty, 
 To kiss thy hand thy Majesty adore, 
 And crave of thee, these regions to explore ; 
 But thou wert absent. Now, alas, I find, 
 My life is forfeit by impatient mind ! 
 Accept of me, a slave ! Years five and ten 
 I've wander'd here remote from heaven and men. 
 Perhaps, this calculation may be large, 380 
 
 For when a train of miseries surcharge 
 The human breast, a moment is a day 
 A year seems bordering to the earth's decay.
 
 56 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 My compass travers'd not, and hence, I've wound, 
 
 Lost in a wilderness of error round, 
 
 My life sustaining on the nascent forms, 
 
 Of creeping things the rudiments of worms. 
 
 " Once in a cavern I beheld a light, 
 Which seem'd to lead me from this world of night ; 
 I enter'd through a fissure in the rock ; 390 
 
 But O, what language can describe the shock ! 
 It prov'd a charnel-house, where death was seen 
 In every stage, from infants up to men ! 
 Their pallid robes were scarcely moulder'd yet ; 
 Yea, some retain'd the drops of dying sweat ! 
 Horrid, they star'd me with an open lid, 
 By which I knew 'twas Egypt's pyramid, 
 Whose deep foundations on earth's shell were laid, 
 To which I'd distant in my wanderings stray'd. 
 The light produc'd was from the millions dead, 400 
 Shining with death-fire on their nitrous bed. 
 
 " O'erwhelm'd with horror at the dire abode, 
 I felt as live things creeping through my blood, 
 Despairing ever to behold again 
 The smile of beauty, or the face of men. 
 
 "1 thus was roaming in my sickening round, 
 When from the south 1 heard this unknown sound, 
 Loosening the hanging rocks. I stopp'd amaz'd, 
 When lo, thy Majesty before me rais'd !" 
 
 Thus he. To whom the Fiend : " We thought it 
 thou, 410 
 
 With mischief work, who caus'd the lumbering now. 
 
 " But who inform'd thee of Our empty sphere ? 
 Say, what enticement brought thy coming here ?
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 57 
 
 And is it not enough for thee to dwell 
 
 Fronting the sun on earth's external shell, 
 
 That thou must come a traitor to Our realm ? 
 
 Proclaim thy purposes, or death shall whelm 
 
 Thy feebleness in dust ! What, could not We 
 
 Here reign secure from man's avidity ? 
 
 It seems, if it were possible to trace 420 
 
 The path of hell, he'd search the dreadful place. 
 
 And should I e'er behold its Magistrate, 
 
 I'd give him caution, that he bar his gate, 
 
 Or discontented man might inroads make, 
 
 And from his hand his rightful sceptre take. 
 
 " But say, what mammon you expected here, 
 Or what inducement brought you to Our sphere ?" 
 
 " Simple my answer : Science is my name 
 By searching, lo, I found, and spoke the same, 
 The earth's concavity. The serpent tongue 430 
 
 Of scoffing ignorance with hissing rung. 
 Yet still I gloried, though the spurn of all ; 
 And even Freedom hiss'd me from her hall. 
 But not by scoffs, was I to be dismay'd, 
 Till I in person, had the truth survey'd. 
 Vain were their efforts to unman my soul ; 
 I pass'd the ice and enter'd at the pole. 
 My course was guided by the martin's flight, 
 When north she flew to spend her wintry night. 
 You know my hist'ry since. I'll now describe, 
 What secret motive acted as a bribe. 
 
 " Great I desir'd with Newton to be nam'd ; 440 
 Beyond the character of Franklin, fam'd ;
 
 58 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 I thought to notice how the springs were form'd, 
 
 And, through the poles, how earth was inward vvorm'd. 
 
 Pure veins of virgin silver, mines of gold, 
 
 I doubted not, delighted to behold ; 
 
 Pearls, gems and petrefactions, diamonds bright, 
 
 I apprehended would enchant my sight ; 
 
 And all the treasures in the deep sea hurl'd, 
 
 My mind conceiv'd had found this darksome world ; 
 
 For, by the test of geometrick line, 450 
 
 I learnt the greatest depths of ocean's brine ; 
 
 Hence my philosophy had plac'd them here, 
 
 Dropp'd through the centre of earth's concave sphere. 
 
 " These were my views thy regions to explore, 
 And not for mammon or his mines of ore, 
 Hence, O my life in mercy deign to save, 
 And I will kneel and be thy menial slave !" 
 
 " We keep no slaves !" The Fiend with frown 
 
 rejoins, 
 
 " Slaves groan above, but not in Our confines. 
 Though man enjoys the influence of heaven, 460 
 
 No greater monster to the world is given, 
 Since he, of all created by a God, 
 Stands mark'd with hell in slaving of his blood ! 
 
 " Go, measure back Our trace, 'twill lead thee 
 
 north, 
 
 And through the pole direct thee to the earth. 
 Thou hast sufficient punishment endur'd, 
 The madness of thy brain must now be cur'd. 
 Go, and proclaim what wonders thou hast found, 
 We thought it thee, who caus'd this jarring sound." 
 
 With feat of wings, false Science flew with haste ; 
 The backward progress of the Fiend he trac'd.
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 59 
 
 Ere long he mark'd earth's window at the pole, 
 Which shot new happiness along his soul ; 
 From thence to Greenland he pursu'd his way ; 
 A vessel there was ready for the sea : 
 With swelling sails he made his native shore, 
 And told of wonders never told before. 
 
 Meanwhile hell's monarchy strode hurrying forth, 
 To learn what cause convuls'd the central earth. 
 At every step he reach'd eight furlongs o'er, 480 
 
 In compass guided by th' unceasing roar, 
 Which, as more near upon the south he drew, 
 Loud and more loud its deep concussion grew. 
 
 At length he paus'd upon a beetling height, 
 Round which in vain the ocean spent its might ; 
 By earth's quick motion spinning round her pole, 
 Causing the waves impetuous back to roll ; 
 He stood aghast at the tumultuous scene, 
 A dark convulsion gathering on his mien. 
 
 But soon he broke the spell : " What, pause with 
 fear ? 490 
 
 We'who can smooth through hell's mad ocean steer ! 
 What though these chafing billows foam around, 
 We'll learn the cause from whence the thunders 
 
 sound ! 
 
 Thunders which seem this sea to undulate ; 
 Why doubt we thus 1 We are impell'd by fate !" 
 
 This said, his arms he fasten'd to his side ; 
 His feet together in a knot were tied ; 
 To earth he settled, as he chang'd his form, 
 Like Norway monster, hatch'd midst ocean's storm.
 
 60 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 His length twelve furlongs, and his compass round 500 
 Would thrice outmeasure, roll'd along the ground, 
 The largest wheel, that wind or water power 
 Ere drove to crush the golden wheat to^flour. 
 
 In this dread shape he edges to the height, 
 Which overhung the ocean, flashing light ; 
 For by the dashing of the billows dire, 
 The foaming surf shot particles of fire. 
 
 Now on the hanging rocks in volumes round, 
 He coils and coils to make the dreadful bound. 
 His head slow rises from the centre full, 510 
 
 With one eye glaring from his ridgy skull, 
 Like the moon struggling in the earth's deep shade, 
 As though Death's hand upon her cheek were laid : 
 Like this, appears the terror of his eye, 
 From the vast summit of the cliff on high. 
 
 And now his head hangs dreadful o'er the steep, 
 Measuring the distance to the surging deep. 
 This done, the horrid shape with rapid whirl, 
 Darts back his head within the serpent coil ; 
 At once quick-rising with impulsive bound, 520 
 
 Making a groan surpassing thunder's sound, 
 Leaps in the foam ! Alarm'd the ocean roars, 
 And flies with horror from the startling shores 
 Beyond the compass of his utmost reach, 
 Leaving the monster dry upon the beach ! 
 
 But hovering Fate, (invisible till now) 
 Thus to the Ocean lightnings round her brow ! 
 
 " And art thou ign'rant whom that thou hast fled ? 
 The king of hell, most terrible to dread ! 
 Ocean ! return thy billows to the shore, 530 
 
 And bear him forth to where these deafenings roar.
 
 i 
 '* 
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 61 
 
 Yea, should'st thou pause a moment to return, 
 His fiery breath will cause thy waves to burn ! 
 Or change thy liquid kingdom into stone ! 
 A moment pausing and thy name is done !" 
 
 The ocean heard her voice : And with a sound 
 Like battling armies breaking the profound, 
 Roll'd back his frighted billows to the shore, 
 To swim the daemon with their buoyant power. 
 
 Instant the Fiend was balanc'd on the deep, 540 
 He summ'd his strength its turbulence to sweep ; 
 So swift his length along the waves he throws, 
 The waters for a time forget to close ; 
 A spacious vacuum in the ocean stands, 
 Till Fate advancing, shuts it with her hands. 
 
 Nearer the monster gains upon the sound ; 
 It seems that hell upon their anvils pound. 
 A brighter green reflected through the sea, 
 Inspires his hope of rising into day. 
 
 Sudden, behold a water-spout in form, 550 
 
 He lifts his head confounded in a storm 
 Equal to hell, when forging of its fire, 
 'Neath winch th' infernals for the time expire ! 
 
 He stands astonish'd with a dizzy eye ; 
 And back most gladly from the scene would fly 
 But motive powers fail ! At length the chain, 
 Which cramp'd his heart, gave way, and he amain 
 Received the giant vigour of his might, 
 And his quick keenness of discerning sight, 
 By which he scann'd the nature of the blast, 560 
 
 A naval battle, roll'd in thunders vast ! 
 
 He yawn'd his mouth to gulp the Essex whole ; 
 At second thought, he thus express'd his soul : 
 6 VOL. ii.
 
 62 PREDONIAD. CANTO XIT. 
 
 "Jaws ! be ye shut, and, Appetite, be still ! 
 Yon island in the bay thy maw shall fill. 
 
 " And shall We now these royal ships befriend, 
 That they more able may in fight contend ? 
 We'll never do it no. The Essex there, 
 Scarce on her foes a single brass can bear ; 
 With this advantage, if they not excel, 570 
 
 They may be conquer'd, and be sunk to hell." 
 
 When to himself these sentiments were said, 
 Beneath the troubled wave he dipp'd his head. 
 
 What time these scenes transpir'd, the conflict blaz'd 
 So vast, the monsters from their caverns rais'd 
 To learn the cause, which burnt upon the flood, 
 And made them tremble in their deep abode. 
 They look'd, and fled affrighted from their death, 
 Far in the depths immeasurable beneath. 
 
 The brazen engines, with terrifick sound, 580 
 
 Disturb'd the slumbers of the sleeping ground. 
 The earth through all her entrails dire was shock'd, 
 The neighbouring mountains with the deafening, rock'd. 
 The fulminating peals, so vast the fray, 
 Resembled thunders of the Judgment Day. 
 
 So fierce the Essex' blaze, the Cherub now 
 Not longer can endure she leaves the bow, 
 Cautious she winds from whence the lightnings burn, 
 And, with the Phoebe, settles on her stern. 
 
 Till this the springs upon the Essex stood, 590 
 
 By which the heroes warp'd her on the flood, 
 And dread explosions burst from either side, 
 Pouring a flaming deluge o'er the tide 5
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE ESSEX. oa 
 
 But now the chain balls of the enemy 
 
 Asunder rend them, as they leap the sea ; 
 
 But Linscott, Barnewell, reckless of the blast, 
 
 Soon make new cables to the anchors fast, 
 
 Then round the sailors with the capstans play, 
 
 To bring the vessel opposite the fray ; 
 
 But as they place the ready guns to bear, 600 
 
 Again the hawsers separate in air ! 
 
 Barnewell again, and Linscott, forth renew 
 
 The sever'd parts, supported by the crew. 
 
 But as the gunners whirl the linstocks round, 
 
 The match to brighten ere they touch to sound, 
 
 Behold the springs are broken by the fight ; 
 
 Again the heroes, with a leaping light, 
 
 The separations with swift hands belay, 
 
 But soon the wild fire shatters them away ! 
 
 Like spiders' threads before the storm they part, 610 
 
 While fierce the battle drives against her heart. 
 
 Guns nine time ten impetuous ruins pour ; 
 
 Purpling her waist descends the trickling gore ; 
 
 The gazing shores, as they behold the fight, 
 
 Wring their sad hands and sicken at the sight : 
 
 So when the arm of tyrannizing power 
 Brought to the scaffold the exalted More, 
 He stood, unalter'd in his virtue great, 
 And smil'd indignant at the stroke of fate. 
 The gather'd multitude with wonder gaz'd 620 
 
 To mark his soul above death's darkness rais'd : 
 But when he bow'd to taste the bloody axe, 
 Their passions soften'd down like melting wax ;
 
 64 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 They pray'd, they groan'd, they wept, they tore- their 
 
 hair, 
 And beat their bosoms bleeding with despair. 
 
 In anguish thus the Chilian patriots stood 
 To mark the Essex pour her martyr'd blood. 
 
 As stands mount /Etna roll'd in fire and smoke, 
 So Porter stood, and, fill'd with valour, spoke : 
 
 " Never, O never, let us dream despair, 630 
 
 We yet three engines on the foe can bear ; 
 Through the stern port-lights heavy let them burst : 
 A God of justice will support the just !" 
 
 The sons of ocean heard ; and, with a bound, 
 Applied the cannon in tremendous round ; 
 Like three hell-dragons madden'd into wrath, 
 A host infernal smiting in their path, 
 So imitated lightnings- glanc'd their jaws, 
 Which, for a time, gave triumph to the cause. 
 The rising conflict terrible is driven, 640 
 
 Like the last peals disturbing earth and heaven. 
 The Albions, bleeding, shatter'd, in dismay, 
 Withdraw instinctive from the strife away ! 
 
 Lo, as they backward from the blood-work bore, 
 The gazing multitudes the welkin tore, 
 Their shouts redoubling, thunder'd up the sky, 
 Like rising whirlwinds, when the storms are nigh. 
 
 Hillyar, with wringing of his hands, despair'd 
 Fearful his eyes with open wildness star'd ; 
 His jaw-bones chatter'd in an aguish mood ; 650 
 
 Back from his features shrunk his freezing blood ;
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 65 
 
 Lo, by the strangling passion of dismay, 
 His up-turn'd hair grew aged in a day ! 
 
 At length, his tongue was loosen'd from its chain, 
 And thus to Tucker he reveal'd his pain, 
 Their vessels board to board ; " Spread sail and fly ! 
 Nothing can live that breathes mortality ! 
 See how the harness of the ships is cut ! 
 Behold the life-ribs broken by the shot ! 
 The balls have smote us wind and water low 660 
 Hark ! how they rush ! We've met with overthrow ! 
 Our vessels drink the sea ! We drown we drown 
 Gone lost forever in the ocean down ! 
 Labour the suctions ! urgent, every hand ; 
 Let none distinction feel ! We strand, we strand ! 
 Perhaps with effort we may yet survive, 
 Till abler strength from Albion shall arrive. 
 I'll fight no more, till Tagus foams along, 
 And others aid us in the battle strong." 
 
 Thus he. But Tucker with excited pride 670 
 
 Dissenting, thus right gallantly replied: 
 
 " You've pain'd my heart ! By England's honour'd 
 
 name, 
 
 By the proud glory of our naval fame, 
 Renounce, throw back, this purpose of disgrace, 
 And prove the nobler daring of our race. 
 As now have we the gloomy fight begun, 
 What would our nation, should we dastard run 1 
 Yea, school-boy striplings would around us press, 
 And wag their heads and scout our littleness. 
 Hark ! how the Chilians shout upon the shore ! 680 
 They now detest us ; should we fight no more, 
 6* YOL. ii.
 
 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 They'll point the hissing finger of their scorn, 
 And scoffing cry : ' Behold the ocean-born .'' 
 
 " Cast from your mind this womanish affair, 
 And prove, but death our courage can impair. 
 What though a portion of our strength is dead, 
 Observe the foe ! her waist with blood is red ! 
 
 " On starboard quarter we'll the war renew, 
 Where not a gun can reach to strike us through ; 
 There, we secure, upon her life can aim, 600 
 
 And, void of danger, set her in a flame. 
 Her cannonades will nothing her avail, 
 While we, at distance, shall her life assail. 
 
 " Most true, in many a battle have I been, 
 Where ocean redden'd with the blood of men 
 At Cape Trafalgar, and at Egypt's Nile, 
 Where death did feast and on the banquet smile, 
 But never such defence was ever known, 
 As Porter and his mariners have shown ; 
 But if no cannon bear upon our life, 700 
 
 We must become the victors in the strife." 
 
 While Tucker thus dissuaded to retire, 
 Hillyar, with grapes distill'd, arous'd his fire : 
 
 " The every fibre of your heart is true ; 
 You've wak'd a spirit in my bosom new. 
 Proof have you given, that English is your blood. 
 A heart of oak to sink her in the flood!! 
 
 " Distant we'll cause her banner to submit 
 Behold how swift our mariners refit ! . 
 Replace the broken spars the braces mend 710 
 We creen her, lads ! we creen her, beam an end ! 
 Moisten your courage let the goblets flow ; 
 We'll waste with fire, or strangle her below.
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE ESSEX. 67 
 
 u But I'll not be a miser in my fame, 
 Each shall have room to send aloft his name ; 
 Hence, for the present, I my place will yield, 
 That, Bradburn, you the ship's command may wield ; 
 But I'll be with you, should the fight grow warm, 
 And place my bosom opposite the storm." 
 
 With this excuse, he left th' impending scene 720 
 To Bradburn's care, renown'd with valiant men. 
 
 While each with each convers'd, the crews repair'd 
 Their ships for action, by exertions hard. 
 Beyond the striking distance of the brave, 
 They drop their anchors in the neutral wave. 
 Remote from danger, cowardly renew 
 The dastard fight, striking the Essex through, 
 While not a gun is possible to bear 
 Against the foe, so angled from a square. 
 
 Thus Putnam, chivalrous, in days of yore, 730 
 Was bound a captive on the northern shore ; 
 Two hideous savages, with passions fell, 
 Approach'd the hero, burning in their hell, 
 And hurl'd their darts unerring through the air, 
 But shunn'd his life, the compass of a hair ; 
 While piteous from his cheeks and arms and side, 
 Gash'd with deep wounds, sad stream'd his crimson 
 tide : 
 
 Thus was the Essex by explosions rent, 
 While bound, disaster'd, like imprisonment ; 
 So, like the savages, the Britons stood, 740 
 
 And drew in gushing streams her best of blood. 
 On every side, the prime of mortal clay 
 Reel'd, gasp'd, and fell, and splash'd into the bay.
 
 68 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 Clouds ting'd with death around the vessel spread, 
 And stifling seem'd to fold her with the dead. 
 
 Yet Porter brightens as the darkness crowds, 
 A light, reflecting on the coffin clouds ; 
 Pure like the splendour of a star at night, 
 When others all are curtain'd from the sight 
 By heavy-hanging clouds : in flame he stands ; 750 
 O'er death he triumphs, and the brave commands : 
 
 " Immortal deeds ! Sunder the cable twain, 
 And run upon the enemy amain. 
 Never no never shall the standard sink 
 Not while the mind has liberty to think !" 
 
 The cable parted, as the word he gave ; 
 The vessel moves like madness on the wave ; 
 But, by the shifting of the wayward gales, 
 To board, the hero in his purpose fails, 
 Yet by superior knowledge of his art, 760 
 
 He runs between and strikes them to their heart. 
 So fierce, so terrible the Essex' ire, 
 She seems a dragon with broad wings of fire, 
 When through the regions of deep hell he flies, 
 At Death's command, to search his enemies. 
 The Phrebe, Cherub, summon all their strength, 
 And blaze their distance scarce a vessel's length ; 
 Betwixt the three, thunder on thunder rolls 
 The jarring earth seems loosen'd from the poles. 
 By frenzied fire the bolts of wrath are driven 770 
 The ocean burns with solid flame to heaven. 
 
 Were Hecla and Vesuvius side by side 
 Of ./Etna plac'd, by earthquakes yawning wide 
 And all, and each in height of fury rais'd, 
 Each to outdo the other as it blaz'd :
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 69 
 
 Scarce less terrifick would the conflict seem, 
 Than the dread battle burning on the stream. 
 
 Now by the turbulence the ships are hid ; 
 And now they show a blazing pyramid. 
 But soon the smoke commixing with the fire, 780 
 
 Smothers each vestige of their forms entire. 
 A moment, and a halliard breaks between 
 Perhaps the motion of a flag is seen 
 Instant the whole is muffled from the eye, 
 Wrapp'd in the folds of deep obscurity : 
 
 So when for many moons a drought prevails, 
 By which the gushing of the fountains fails, 
 The tender flowers sink drooping to decay, 
 Beneath the fervour of the parching ray ; 
 At length at midnight in the south appears 790 
 
 A chain of clouds which soon involves the spheres ; 
 Contending thunders in their anger peal, 
 Which cause the pillars of the earth to reel, 
 Whilst lightnings, kindling with incessant fire, 
 Affright the world with apprehensions dire ; 
 A moment, now behind the clouds they hie, 
 Which leaves obscurely seen the curtain'd sky, 
 Deep, dungeon'd, dark, in awful tumult roll'd, 
 Thick-crowding, broken, heaving fold on fold ; 
 But scarce a thought is to the mind allow'd, 800 
 
 When the keen lightnings burn upon the cloud, 
 Filling the circle of the heavens with blaze, 
 Blinding the eye that ventures at a gaze. 
 
 Like this, the streams of fire and thunders swell, 
 The ocean spirits answer audible. 
 Columbians, Britons, weltering in their gore, 
 Close their dark eyes to waken never more.
 
 70 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 A vengeful bullet leaping at Cowell, 
 Fractur'd his ancle ; brief from life he fell ; 
 The stream of life came pouring from the wound, 810 
 And left his breast on Death's cold bosom bound. 
 
 As Wilmer with strong arm his brass applied, 
 A splinter smote and hurl'd him in the tide, 
 Astounded with the blow which jarr'd his breast, 
 He sunk without a struggle to his rest. 
 
 Though Death has cast your bodies from the world, 
 Your names shall live while ocean shall be curl'd 
 By virgin zephyrs from the mountains west, 
 Where large you drank the streams of Freedom blest. 
 A wild, sweet musick from the sea shall rise 820 
 
 To glad your Spirits sailing through the skies ! 
 
 No Patriot sinks alone the royals die ; 
 Knap, Bufort, Elder, fall promiscuously 
 And other names are stricken from the earth, 
 While in their heat to urge the battle forth. 
 
 ##*###### 
 
 At length the Cherub second time retires, 
 Unable longer to withstand the fires 
 Bursting from Porter's engines impotent 
 Her hulk in ruins and her cordage rent. 
 The Phosbe flinches back but Bradburn bold 830 
 Inspires her crew the contest yet to hold : 
 
 " Britons ! stand firm, and in that firmness die, 
 Rather than cowering from the scene to fly ! 
 Yea, thrice endure the exercise of death ; 
 Say, that we'll live, or find proud graves beneath !" 
 
 This language stay'd the Phoebe on the flood, 
 Though her dark waist was overlaid with blood.
 
 PORTES'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 71 
 
 Porter observ'd their failing, and begun : 
 " Behold the thunders of the Cherub done ! 
 Stand and the foe must render up the fight 840 
 The Phoebe, see ! exhausted of her might 
 She flutters in the wind ! She groans in pain 
 Yea, prove the soul, and we their flags shall gain ! 
 The canvass, spread it forth, jib, top-sail sheet ! 
 Board, board the foe ! The Lion's at our feet !" 
 
 Instant the sails upon the ship they bend, 
 But ah, too broken to retain the wind ! 
 Their buoyant hearts misgave them at the sight ; 
 Their hope of triumph darken'd into night. 
 
 So the ship Hesper on the rocks was lost, 850 
 
 Steering for Boston with her freight of cost ; 
 Her boat was all that liv'd so dire the scene 
 And this was crowded with her hopeless men. 
 In night, without a compass for their way, 
 They bound, uncertain, on the uproar'd sea ; 
 While thus bewilder'd on the billows driven, 
 Behold the northern star appears in heaven ! 
 A rushing joy in every bosom crowds, 
 To mark their compass shine between the clouds ; 
 But lo, while steering by the heavenly ray 860 
 
 To seek the shelter of a friendly bay, 
 A scowling cloud obscures the lovely light, 
 Which wraps their promise in the pall of night. 
 
 Thus sunk their hopes to mark the sail wings torn, 
 Like shipwreck'd mariners in grief forlorn ; 
 Each soul o'erpower'd, reveal 'd a reckless stare, 
 Though breaking down beneath a dead despair. 
 
 Now at this bleeding moment of distress, 
 McKnight to Porter, ofier'd this address :
 
 72 FREDONIAD. CANTO XII. 
 
 " Our gallant vessel in the strife is done ; 870 
 
 Her last last particle of sand is run ! 
 Our guns are like the minute guns of death, 
 While the foe strikes and settles us beneath ; 
 Our masts are wounded tottering from their height 
 The cordage rent, the hulk in shatter'd plight ; 
 The deck is cover'd with the parts of men ; 
 The room of surgeons is a direful scene ; 
 And still, incessant, our companions fall, 
 But yet they smiling meet their funeral ! 
 Behold ! what flames come bursting from below ! 880 
 No hope remains, but yielding to the foe !" 
 
 " Yield to the foe ! never while breath survives 
 How soon the race of man by nature dies ! 
 How few the days that we forestall of Time ! 
 To die in battle is to die sublime ! 
 
 " See Odenhiemer, with unflagging zeal, 
 Quenches the flames, that bursted from the keel ! 
 The hearts, that show such daring, never melt 
 To mortal man such spirits never knelt. 889 
 
 " But mark you not, a gale like heaven has sprung ! 
 It wafts us to the shore ! with feelings young, 
 Urge on the lagging vessel to the strand, 
 And spread the fire, and every hero land !" 
 
 'Tis doubtful, which most cheer'd the sinking crew, 
 Or Porter's voice, or gales which favouring blew 
 And bore the suffering Essex to the shores, 
 While drops of blood run sweating from her pores, 
 For still the Phoebe kept a distant roll, 
 Touching at times the centre of her soul !
 
 PORTER'S DEFENCE OF THE ESSEX. 73 
 
 But the gale freshening, bearing her to land, 900 
 
 Imparted vigour to her deathless band. 
 Hope's rainbow'd visions in their beauty came 
 To gain the shore, and light her in a flame. 
 
 But ah, the wanton breezes shift their wing, 
 And opposite the foe her length they bring, 
 Helpless, expos'd to all the Phoebe's fire, 
 Piercing her life increasing in her ire ! 
 
 By this, the Cherub had her wounds made tight, 
 And join'd the Phoebe in the unequal fight ; 
 Both ships united, feel their strength sublime, 910 
 
 T' erase the Essex from the book of time. 
 
 Through every vein of life the Chilians ache j 
 Heart-bursting sighs from every bosom break ; 
 Tears, rank with bitterness, proclaim their grief 
 They see no hope, but yielding, for relief. 
 
 Yet still with souls unconquer'd are the crew ! 
 Nor can the enemy their will subdue. 
 A something more than mortal seems to live 
 In Porter's eye, from which the brave receive 
 An inspiration of immortal fire 920 
 
 To die with him sublim'd is their desire ! 
 
 Lo, at this instant, like a ray from heaven, 
 A daring thought was to the hero given : 
 
 " To anchor of the stern a hawser bend ! 
 Till the last struggle of our life, contend ! 
 From bows, the cable loose ! Round poize her head,. 
 And cast a flame to strike the living dead !" 
 
 Scarce had the order echo'd from his tongue, 
 When at the foe, the deep-charg'd cannon rung. 
 
 7 VOL. II.
 
 74 FREDONIAD. CANTO Xlf. 
 
 The Cherub, Phoebe, trembled every gun 930 
 
 In vain they strive the iron storm to shun ; 
 Blood, like new fountains, gushes every side ; 
 They fail, they sink, their decks are in the tide ! 
 Each moment threatens their expiring last, 
 The Essex' thunders striking every blast ! 
 
 The gazing patriots, lifted from the earth, 
 Shout to the glory of Columbian birth : 
 
 " The Essex conquers gains the victory ! 
 Britannia sinks with all her infamy !'' 
 
 The shout was heard beneath the ocean's swell, 940 
 Like bursting clouds, by monster Shape of hell ; 
 In serpent form he rose above the sea, 
 Beheld his vessels in extremity. 
 
 " Is hell upon the earth ?" (in dire surprize, 
 Flashing red horror from his scorpion eyes ;) 
 " What, is the Essex strangling both of Ours ? 
 Is this the effort of the Albion powers ? 
 
 No never can it be ! What, two 
 
 " Swift We must go 
 Or gone forever in the floods below !" 
 
 This said ; he backward darted in the deep, 950 
 And plac'd his length beneath each sinking ship, 
 And buoy'd them up his might so wonderful ! 
 Just as the waves were burying up their hull, 
 And hurrying them to death ! His vessels sav'd, 
 (Though Ocean thought them in his empire grav'd,) 
 Brief he contriv'd the Essex to subdue 
 With flame, and bring despair upon her crew.
 
 .PORTER'S DEFENCE OP THE ESSEX. 75 
 
 The hawser first he sever'd with his teeth ; 
 And then, the vessel kindled with his breath ! 
 
 The brave stood cramp'd with dampness on their 
 heart, 960 
 
 When they beheld the last, last cable part ; 
 But when they saw the flashing from beneath, 
 They felt the anguish that is felt in death ! 
 
 Porter exclaim'd : " The standard, let it fly ! 
 We've glorious fought, and gloriously we die !" 
 
 Scarce had he spoken, when a rushing light 
 Stream'd down the heavens, and wrapp'd the flag from 
 
 sight ! 
 
 The Phoenix Eagle quicken'd from the pyre 
 The Stars shot blazing from the hallow'd fire ! 
 
 Fredonia caught and plac'd them on her brow, 970 
 And wide through heaven convey'd the splendid show ' 
 Her trump so sweet she sounded with her breath, 
 It call'd bright angels to the spheres beneath : 
 
 " Earth ! list to the decree ! Perter shall live, 
 Whilst Fame immortal, has a breath to give !" 975
 
 CANTO XIII. 
 
 SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 At the opening of the second campaign, Proctor invests Fort Meigs 
 ....Croghan proceeds to Sandusky....A Night Scene. 
 
 The events of this book are laid at Maiden, and in and about 
 Fort Meigs.. ..The time is twenty-four hours.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XIII. 
 
 THE sun returning in his bright career, 
 Gives gladdening promise of the quickening year ; 
 The flowery-footed Spring with all her train 
 Of joys, and lovesj comes sporting o'er the plain. 
 
 The snows dissolve insensibly away ; 
 The ice turns liquid by the sun's warm ray. 
 Unbound from winter's chain, the rivers move 
 With silver bosoms through the budding grove ; 
 Through vallies teeming with the floral birth 
 Of cowslips, vi'lets, smiling in their mirth. 10 
 
 A robe of woven grass adorns the mead ; 
 An infant beauty o'er the earth is spread ; 
 The lambkins frolick in their youthful heat, 
 The ewes loud call them, and they answering bleat. 
 The heifer snuffs the essence of the gale, 
 And strays to taste the sweetness of the vale. 
 At sunny noon the bees are on the wing 
 To sip the luscious honey of the spring. 
 The fishes feel the renovating heat, 
 And, light of heart, from winter caves retreat ; 20 
 
 The salmon flounces from his sea-weed bed, 
 And darts the river to its fountain head.
 
 80 PREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 The trout, the swallow of the streamlet, flies, 
 As blush of morning reddens in the skies ; 
 At noon he sleeps beneath the alder's shade ; 
 At evening frolicks in the rippling glade. 
 The embryo blossoms of the orchard groves 
 Show their red lips, like beauty when she loves, 
 While songs, sweet-noted, warble from each spray, 
 And hold the listener in softecstacy. 30 
 
 Light marble clouds bedeck the orient heaven ; 
 Young life in rapture to the earth is given. 
 
 Though Spring returns with gladdening smile of peace, 
 And from stern Winter gives the world release. 
 And with the musick of her mellow voice, 
 Bids nature live, and in her life rejoice, 
 Yet loud and martial round Columbia far, 
 Sound the hoarse trumpet and the drum of war. 
 
 And now, that Winter with his hoary train 
 Of frosts and snows, had vanish'd from the plain, 40 
 Proctor at Maiden, at the purple dawn, 
 Rose, and his squadrons rank'd upon the lawn, 
 Ready to pass the lake and seize the fort, 
 And give his name a more sublime support 
 Sublime in murder, not in v.iliant theme, 
 But such sublimity as Raisin's stream. 
 
 His numbers mate the buds upon the trees, 
 Or hoarse collecting swarms of hiving bees ; 
 The scarlet Britons, dazzling on the sight, 
 The painted Indians, clamorous for the fight. 50 
 
 Thus s svage bears, what time that winter raves, 
 Lie chill'd aud torpid in their darksome caves,
 
 SIEGE OP PORT ME1GS. 81 
 
 But when the spring thaws out their frozen blood, 
 They wake and raven for supply of food. 
 
 So through the winter had the Indians slept, 
 And scarce from out their dens their length had crept, 
 Lock'd in unsocialness no converse spoke, 
 Veil'd in an acrid cloud of stifling smoke ; 
 But, as the animating spring returns, 
 Their fiery blood with inward vengeance burns. 60 
 
 Lo, now a banner rising in the wind, 
 They hush their broil till Proctor speaks his mind : 
 
 " Warriors ! whose bayonets vindicate the Throne 
 And Brothers ! long for deeds of daring known 
 Great is my joy to see your passions burn, 
 To leave the winter and to blood return. 
 Behold, in person, I command the field ; 
 Never I sheathe my sword till foes shall yield ! 
 Yea, we shall pour a blindness on their sight, 
 And prove our flag Death's banner in the fight. 70 
 
 " Yes, should they dare resistance at the fort, 
 'Twill then sublimely with our views comport ; 
 For we unsparing will their lives consume ; 
 The whole Republick bury in the tomb. 
 
 " With warriors, you, Tecumseh, cleave the lake, 
 And the west bank of the Miami take ; 
 In ambush there, your banded host secrete, 
 To rise, and at a blow their lives complete :; 
 If past the river they from us should fly, 
 You'll sharp your daggers for a butchery. 80 
 
 " Cawataw, you, and you,Tekelah good, 
 Will land with me at sunrise from the flood ; 
 The fort surrenders ere the close of day ; 
 The Eagle flutters in her death away,
 
 82 FREDONIAD. CANTO XI11. 
 
 " Cherish in mind they tore away your soil ; 
 Now for the deed, let every blood-vein boil. 
 Never the olive we present our foes, 
 Till yield they north of th' Ohio flows. 
 Drive but the vile intruders from the plain, 
 And that vast country shall be yours again." 90 
 
 Thus spoke the hell-begotten, born of Sin ; 
 The savage heard, and smil'd a hideous grin, 
 Expressing that which words can never tell, 
 Like that depictm-'d in the pains of hell. 
 
 They load the barges, sweep the waters o'er, 
 And land, like swarming, on the freedom shore. 
 
 Twelve hundred Patriots in the fort are all 
 To play the brass and aim the rifles small ; 
 And had not Harrison, learning the fate 
 Of bleeding Raisin from Ohio State 100 
 
 Procur'd and hurried the supplies and men, 
 In infant weakness would the fort have been. 
 
 The time that Proctor, with imperious pride, 
 Drew forth his strength to navigate the tide, 
 The venerable Shelby, silver hair'd, 
 The fort defenders in it centre squar'd ; 
 His purposes proclaim'd : " The winter gone, 
 Soon shtill we hear the martial beating tune 
 Inviting us to arms. But Raisin's plain 
 Compels us here defensive to remain, 1 10 
 
 Till youthful Perry shall his ships complete, 
 To beat- us o'er, the allied host to meet. 
 
 What though adversity wmstrains us now, 
 Here to resist the inroads of the foe, 
 Brown is preparing at Ontario's wave 
 To cross with Chauncy and dig deep their grave.
 
 SIEGE OP FORT MEIGS. 83 
 
 And doubt there cannot be, but now the height 
 
 Of Queenstown shines with Liberty's pure light ; 
 
 Express to me has made it evident, 
 
 That Rensselaer was moving the descent. 120 
 
 " The human soul is limited to time 
 When proud on reason's wing it towers sublime, 
 Planning with wisdom for the future hour, 
 To grasp its hope in fullness of its power, 
 The shifting of a breeze, a song, a straw 
 Will break its flight and prove how weak we are. 
 
 " We thought our plans with judgment deep were laid, 
 That we, ere this, the Eagle had display'd 
 But by the giddy changes of an hour, 
 We stand in weakness wither'd all our power 
 
 " How ? wither'd ! never ! Though in numbers 
 
 small, 
 
 Our strength is ample to defend the wall. 
 None more I wish, the enemy to check, 
 Till Dudley shall arrive, their ranks to break ; 
 I've heard his passing of Ohio's flood 
 With twice six hundred of Kentuckian blood." 
 
 The veteran chief was broken in discourse 
 By Hamilton, returning with his force, 
 Sent as a spy, should enemies appear, 
 To bring the tidings to the General's ear : 140 
 
 " Warrior of many fields ! two leagues below, 
 In martial pomp, advance th' invading foe, 
 Deep as thick mist, slow travelling o'er the vale, 
 Borne on the pinions of the summer gale. 
 Cawataw, I, Tekelah, Proctor, saw 
 I search'd to find Tecumseh, arm of war.
 
 84 FRKDONIAU. CANTO XIII. 
 
 But him, I not beheld. Elliot was dress'd 
 In royal robes, more haughty than the rest. 
 Reynolds and Muii, like stars mid clouds of night, 
 Reflected on the host a partial light." 150 
 
 The herald ended. Harrison began 
 To spare the waste of blood renown'd the man : 
 
 " With modest deference to your judgment now, 
 Would I propose retiring from the foe ; 
 With awe profound for thy superior age, 
 These darkening thousands we can ne'er engage 
 With shadow of success. Deep they'll surround 
 This infant fortress, raze it to the ground. 
 
 " I'd be the last to recommend retreat, 
 If but a hope remain'd to shun defeat ; 160 
 
 Should we this small but patriot army lose, 
 Then would the States be thus compell'd to choose, 
 Or rush upon their steel and there be slain, 
 Or yield our freedom to the foe again. 
 
 " But should we backward to the river* hie, 
 In safety we could shun the enemy ; 
 Protect the troops advancing on the rear, 
 And by our prudence save our character." 
 
 Thus he. And Shelby then : " Most true, I feel 
 Your heart is wedded to the publick weal 170 
 
 In conduct, prudence is a polar star ; 
 But in this virtue we may go too far. 
 'Tis not to be disguis'd, that we severe 
 Have lost by reckless passionate career. 
 
 " 'Twixt rashness, courage, wide is the extreme 
 That brings defeat, but this substantial fame : 
 
 * O&iTying River.
 
 SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 
 
 Ever by courage, steadfast warriors tower r 
 
 And stand superior to unmarshall'd power. 
 
 'Tis not to numbers that the victory's given, 
 
 But to wise conduct, and the smiles of heaven. 180 
 
 " Warriors ! yea, more than ample is our force 
 To curb this Proctor in his savage course. 
 The hopes of Freedom on our arms depend ; 
 We stand a rock, our country to defend ; 
 If few our names, more worth shall we evince, 
 And place our deeds on fame's proud eminence. 
 Prove your hearts chorded with your fathers' nerve 
 Never to shrink from danger, never swerve. 
 Where danger comes not, courage ne'er is seen ; 
 The day of battle proves the souls of men. 190 
 
 " Though even now, the enemy comes forth 
 In multitudes to bury us in earth, 
 Croghan to fort Sandusky must repair 
 To guard the passage of the river there. 
 
 " Proceed, fair warrior, strike for volunteers, 
 Twelve, ten times number'd, equal to thy years." 
 
 Straight at the order Creghan pass'd the lines, 
 While Harrison to Shelby thus rejoins : 
 
 " A leaden weight upon my heart I feel, 
 Longer my thoughts of danger to conceal, 200 
 
 Hence, on the principle of publick good, 
 I must divulge what darkness I forebode ; 
 Wisdom is gifted with a patient ear, 
 The calm opinion of her friends to hear. 
 
 " And do you purpose that the youth should stand, 
 If savage hordes should swarm upon the land ? 
 A single brass the bulwark would destroy, 
 And cast in air the inexperienc'd boy.
 
 80 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 Yea, and I fear that we ourselves must die ; 
 
 My soul forebodes a horrid butchery ! 210 
 
 We need our every warrior for defence ; 
 
 h seems too daring to detach him hence.'' 
 
 " This fear you not : In days of ancient Rome, 
 When to her portals Hannibal had come, 
 She with her Scipio despatch'd away 
 A numerous army into Africa, 
 By which bold act she elevated high 
 Her eagle and appall'd her enemy. 
 
 " The boy will mount his name Promethean spark 
 A beam of fire, inherited from Clark,* 220 
 
 His warrior uncle. Fearless he'll engage 
 The prowling savage and subdue their rage." 
 
 They thus : while Croghan visited the line, 
 The youths inviting to the bold design. 
 His eye look'd brilliant like a star new made ; 
 A graceful sweetness in his features play'd ; 
 The blush was martial, deep but yet so rare, 
 That Beauty strove to win a conquest there. 
 
 " For warriors suited to my years I come 
 Fall in behind the musick of the drum. 230 
 
 Come and with me, a character support, 
 By proud defending the Sandusky fort, 
 Come every youth whose bosom beats to live 
 'Tis offer'd now, bright glory to achieve. 
 The angel bosoms of our loves will roll 
 They'll sweet embrace us with delighted soul !" 
 
 Scarce had his tongue proclaim'd the welcome news. 
 When, rear of musick, fil'd the Pittsburg Blues ; 
 
 * Called the Hannibal of the West.
 
 SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS. 87 
 
 The next, exalted youths, estrang'd from fears, 
 
 Of Petersburg, Virginia's volunteers. 240 
 
 While Croghaa leads the way, the drummers beat, 
 And soon the complement is made complete ; 
 His youthful chieftains burning for their fame, 
 In future ages to transmit their name ; 
 Meeks, Hunter, Johnson,* in their pride appear, 
 And Bayley, Anthony, with sword and spear ; 
 Dunkin and Ship, the banners proudly wave, 
 Whose starry emblems animate the brave. 
 
 Now his fair band like beauty he clisplay'd, 24g 
 
 Bedeck'd with nodding plumes, white, tipt with red. 
 The venerable chief with placid look, 
 Wav'd his scarr'd arm, and to their bosoms spoke : 
 
 " To you have I submitted the command, 
 That ye may prove the promise of the land, 
 And high upon the laurell'd mountain stand ! 
 Make it fame's birth-day far in time to live, 
 And a new honour to your country give. 
 
 " I feel your hearts : when I in years was young, 
 To strike for Liberty my bosom sprung ; 
 Nor was it long, before the period rose, 260 
 
 Which offer'd battle to the enslaving foes ; 
 The summons caus'd my heart's best drops to thrill 
 It flam'd my blood with fire unquenchable. 
 
 " But suffer not these thoughts to press too far ; 
 'Tis yours, defensive to maintain the war ; 
 Strengthen the fort, and, with attentive eye, 
 Mark well the movements of the enemy. 
 In mind, conceive them ever in your sight, 
 Then they'll surprise you nor in day nor night. 269 
 
 * Capt. Benjamin Johnson, of Boon County, Kentucky.
 
 88 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 And when they crowd the shore, your worth maintain, 
 Should they like waves come pouring on the plain ; 
 Smother your brass till they shall strive access, 
 Then let its voice your hearts' resolve express. 
 
 " My blessing now receive. My words obey 
 May fame attend you on the trial day." 
 
 As when a father gives his sons advice 
 To shun the path of infamy's abyss 
 Points to the laure! on the mountain height, 
 Where Virtue sits enthron'd in amber light, 
 Ready to place the wreath upon the brow 280 
 
 Of those, who clamber from the vale below : 
 
 With such solicitude the hoary sage 
 Gave his instructions to the green in age, 
 Who, while he spoke, stood silent in their gaze ; 
 But when he ceas'd, they echo'd forth his praise : 
 
 " Thy words engrav'd upon our hearts we bear 
 And O, may heaven protect thee in its care !" 
 
 The offering from their soul touch'd Shelby's form 
 With glow exquisite, as when boreal storm 
 Has rag'd a winter's day, but lo at even, 290 
 
 Breaks and displays the angel robes of heaven. 
 
 Croghan commands in centre of the line : 
 " Each eye-beam steady to the right incline ! 
 By tens break off ! The musick beat resound ! 
 Forward !" They move with spirit from the ground, 
 Waving their banners as they wheel in file, 
 Their features soften'd with departing smile. 
 
 Soon as was lost the musick on the air, 
 (While still unbroken was the martial square,)
 
 nw FORT MPrr<! 80 
 
 Or FUK I JVU&lljd. ( 
 
 Brief was the veteran's order : u Each to post I 300 
 Away I Behold the standards of the host 
 Flicker in sight I And let them darkening pour, 
 We stand a rock to break their flooding power." 
 
 The Patriots heard, resolv'd upon the war 
 To stand, till death life's charter should withdraw. 
 
 While this was passing, with a haughty port, 
 Proctor advanc'd to overcome the fort ; 
 But far beyond its reach he stay'd his force, 
 And call'd his chiefs address'd them this discourse : 
 
 " Transport your warriors, Elliot, o'er the wave ; 310 
 Be ready there, their stubborn hearts to grave ; 
 Against the fortress cast a breast- work mound, 
 Early at dawn to strike it to the ground. 
 Your fighting-men, Cawataw, on his rear 
 Will move, to wield the battle-axe and spear ; 
 And should you there superior numbers need, 
 Fly to Tecumseh with a tiger speed ; 
 Ambush'd he lies in yon deep vale of wood, 
 Whetting his axe to search their hidden blood. 
 
 " Reynolds and Muir conduct your legions round, 320 
 Rear of their flag, and let your brass resound, 
 Unless the Eagle's wing shall flap the dust, 
 Their swords reverted in their scabbards thj ust. 
 
 " With Chambers, I, upon their front shall stand 
 With good Tekelah. Like an iron band 
 We'll lock them here, none from the fort shall hie 
 Whoe'er attempts it on our steels shall die !" 
 
 Each in due form complies : Elliot glides o'er 
 Miami's stream and lands upon the shore :
 
 90 PREDON1AD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 Cawataw follows, silent on the flood, 330 
 
 His features working with the thoughts of blood. 
 Reynolds and Muir proceed upon the rear ; 
 Proctor and Chambers on the front appear. 
 
 Thus while beleaguer'd is the forted power, 
 The royals feel their hearts' ambition tower : 
 Their looks express impatience to behold 
 The Stars sublime, in dark submission roll'd. 
 With mouths halfstretch'd, the savage, leaning bend, 
 To see the Eagle from her perch descend ; 
 Uneasy gestures prove their fretting mind, 340 
 
 That the proud bird still rides upon the wind. 
 
 So mountain panthers, watching their repast, 
 Of lambs, or spotted kids in covert fast, 
 Move with soft breath and easy footsteps round, 
 Contorting, crouching smooth along the ground ; 
 Their eyes reveal the raving of their maws 
 To suck their blood and tear them with their claws. 
 
 Not otherwise the druling savage seem 
 To act the theatre of Raisin's stream. 
 
 Elliot at length upon the adverse bank, 350 
 
 Cawataw's fighting-men on either flank, 
 In regal pomp his battle-line drew forth, 
 And strove to smite the Eagle to the earth. 
 
 The forted Patriots, as he circled round, 
 Observ'd his motions rivetted profound, 
 That should he venture where their globes would reach. 
 A wholesome caution to his pride to teach, 
 Hence, when he open'd with his line of fire, 
 Ready they stood all anxious their desire
 
 SIEGE OP PORT ME1GS. 91 
 
 To ply the match the chamber'd dust to burn, 360 
 
 And back their life to elements return. 
 
 They bend their ears to catch the veteran's word 
 
 Who in the centre standing, bar'd his sword, 
 
 And spoke them patience : " Be not hasty, men 
 
 To me this warfare is a sporting scene ; 
 
 Against their efforts we securely stand ; 
 
 But soon their blood we'll sprinkle on the land. 
 
 ##*#****# 
 
 " Behold, unwary, in a cube they crowd ! 
 Advance the fire, and give them thunder loud." 
 
 The act was done before his word was cold 370 
 The guns disgorging, ranks of Elliot roll'd 
 Headlong to ruin, piecemeal every part, 
 While some yet quiver, bleeding from the heart 
 The savage scatter with bewilder'd eye, 
 And bear their slaughter'd with a howling cry. 
 
 When Elliot hurl'd his vollies o'er the stream, 
 The soul of Proctor mounted every flame ; 
 At times he thought he stood upon the fort, 
 And, that the Indians had begun their sport ; 
 But when the heroes bade their engines speak, 380 
 A ghastly paleness settled on his cheek ; 
 His soul sunk grovelling in the dust of earth ; 
 He felt the rotten fabrick of his birth. 
 
 A bacchanalian thus, in heat of wine, 
 With swaggering boasts the lineage of his line ; 
 And as the fumes pervade his reeling brains, 
 Beyond the reach of thought hissumless gains; 
 While thus he on the wing of fancy soars, 
 Till he concludes his name the world adores,
 
 92 FKEDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 By falling from a precipice on high, 390 
 
 He gains his reason with sobriety ; 
 
 His fancied grandeur passes like a dream ; 
 
 He views his nakedness and rags with shame : 
 
 So Proctor when he saw the cannon's flash. 
 Felt an ice feeling, cold as water's dash. 
 
 At length, when rous'd his blood, to Chambers, Short, 
 He gave instructions with a regal port : 
 
 " It seems yon mound retains a serpent's nest, 
 Hence, we this night no thought must give to rest. 
 
 " Short, this commission bear to Reynolds, Muir, 400 
 That they intrench and make themselves secure 
 Against the fortified. At day's first gleam, 
 Their battering-guns explode with levell'd flame. 
 Chambers, 'tis yours to draw the lines at hand, 
 To bow their haughty standard in the sand. 
 At equal distances three bastions raise, 
 That at the moment Reynolds, Muir shall blaze, 
 To let the mortars cast the shells to heaven, 
 That down to death the enemy be driven." 
 
 Short pass'd the word to Reynolds and to Muir, 4JO 
 While Chambers stood to make the front secure, 
 Soon as approaching Night her veil should draw 
 To hide his purpose of besieging war. 
 
 Lo, now the lamp that burns with oil divine 
 Drowns in the ocean all its golden shine 
 Fades meltingly away : but soon appear, 
 A troop of stars in heaven's broad theatre, 
 Partial conceal'd by floating clouds, as light 
 As angel mantles, edg'd with spotless white.
 
 SIEGE OP FORT MEIGS. 93 
 
 The royals soon their different works commence, 420 
 None scarce breathe whispers, labouring for defence. 
 With pointed instruments some break the soil ; 
 To raise and form the mound another's toil. 
 They force their energies till chaf 'd with heat 
 Their panting bosoms bath'd in reeking sweat. 
 Through embrasures, half form'd, the cannon grin, 
 Ready at dawn explosion to begin. 
 
 The meantime Shelby to each officer, 
 These thoughts express'd to probe his character : 429 
 
 ' While night's deep curtain veils the prospect round, 
 What daring chief will venture from the ground, 
 And reconnoitre Albion's camp afar, 
 To learn what method he intends to war ; 
 Or with his ladders to o'erleap the walls, 
 Or them to batter with his bombs and balls." 
 
 Scarce his design the veteran warrior broach'd, 
 When numbers anxious for their fame approach'd 
 To search the enemy in darkness forth, 
 And spread their names of valour through the earth. 
 Payne, Bradford, Longham, Miller, Johnson,* bold, 440 
 And Campbell, Butler, Metcalf, Guin, enroll'd 
 With those of honour Nearing, Stoddard tall. 
 And Alexander, reckless of the ball ; 
 Each lays his claim of honour to engage, 
 And courts the danger as a privilege. 
 
 " By lot must I this noble strife decide," 
 Shelby half tearful in his joy replied. 
 
 Hasty within a canister he threw 
 Ten blanks and one the twelfth he gave their view, 449 
 
 * Judge John T. Johnson, of Georgetown; Kentucky.
 
 94 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 Then dropp'd ifspeaking : "Who this prize shall gain 
 Shall rule the scout of night upon the plain." 
 
 In turn each hero for the number draws, 
 As though his life depended on the cause ; 
 For, without fame, this life is small avail. 
 Like a dull song, or thrice repeated tale. 
 They draw with trembling bosoms. Lo, the prize 
 Campbell receives, which ends anxieties ; 
 It touch'd him with a thrill through every part, 
 Like a rich jewel to a miser's heart. 
 
 In olden time his sire in battle stood 460 
 
 With Shelby, Williams, and Seveare the good ; 
 And he, of late, had drawn his scimitar 
 On the red fields of Mississinewa ; 
 But short and brilliant is his race on earth ; 
 The season rolls but once when heaven will call him forth. 
 
 Six he makes choice, each gifted with a mind, 
 Which nought but paralyzing death could bind ; 
 Clark, Jones, and Williams, Norton, Ellis, White, 
 To give him succour through the walks of night. 
 They gird their armour, battle-axe and sword ; 470 
 And now they listen to the veteran's word : 
 
 " Use every caution every act beware ; 
 Note every object as you onward fare ; 
 You'll estimate their numbers if you can, 
 And who commands the left, and who the van ; 
 Where lie the savages, and who their chief, 
 And what reserve is ready for rslief. 
 Be bold yet cautious, and your fame will rise, 
 And be remember'd for the enterprise. 
 The waning moon at midnight will appear, 480 
 
 And then you'll hasten to rejoin me here."
 
 SIEGE OP FORT ME1GS. 95 
 
 " We prudent thy instructions shall fulfil," 
 Campbell replies, "should heaven but grant our will." 
 
 This said, he bow'd his sword and onward pass'd. 
 Faint o'er the plains the stars a glimmering cast. 
 
 While this transpir'd, Bratlet to Proctor came, 
 (Th' intentions cherish'd in his breast the same) 
 To whom he gave his views : " And would you know 
 The numbers, strength, and purpose of the foe ? 
 Or whether he resigns, or desperate bent, 490 
 
 Will guard defensive his imprisonment ?" 
 
 Proctor quick answer'd : " Who, what man will dare 
 To venture forth and gain the fortress there ?" 
 
 " That venturer, I am he ; yes, I dare go, 
 And the whole secret of the fort I'll know ; 
 Their habits I can imitate so well, 
 With ease can I my character conceal. 
 This royal scarlet I'll exchange for blue, 
 And then their dialect will bear me through. 
 Without a stammer artful will I say, 500 
 
 That I was captur'd on that slaughter day, 
 When Allen bow'd to death, but now had fled 
 While you were slumbering as though life were dead. 
 This would our labours cover till the light 
 Brought them to view completed for the fight. 
 
 " This plan my heart informs me will succeed 
 Approve my purpose I'll perform the deed." 
 Proctor rejoin'd : " Bratlet, of daring men, 
 More brave are you that ever I have seen. 
 At your return large honours will be thine, 510 
 
 You with proud gifts magnificent will shine."
 
 96 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 The thoughts of regal bounties swell'd his pride ; 
 He doff'd his royal robes to be supplied 
 With such as freemen wear. And false to show, 
 He fix'd an eagle helmet on his brow ; 
 Breast-plate a star. A hunter's garb was thrown, 
 Loose o'er his shoulders, that he might be known 
 As native of Kentucky's fattening earth, 
 Or that Ohio was his place of birth. 
 
 Transfashion'd thus to the Kentuckian guise, 520 
 With lofty stepping through the night he hies. 
 
 The meantime Campbell, cautious, mark'd the ground. 
 His ear attentive to each rustling sound ; 
 With bended eye he pass'd from left to right, 
 Conceal'd beneath the growing shades of night. 
 
 " Listen ! methinks I hear a stepping sound ! 
 Keep close crouch low lie prone upon the ground. 
 Hark ! more distinct it strikes upon our ears ! 
 The moving shadow of a man appears ! 
 He seems though musing in a happy vein 530 
 
 Silent no whisper let him pass the plain. 
 But at the moment he beyond us hies, 
 Smother his voice, and seize him by surprise.'' 
 
 This soft he breath'd as Bratlet strode in view, 
 While fancy's pictur'd visions round him flew ; 
 Musing delighted on his promis'd fame ; 
 The titles royal to salute his name. 
 
 " In honours shall I class with Wellington ; 
 Then, no inferiors will 1 look upon ; 
 The king will deign a smile and London stare, 540 
 And, pointing as I pass : ' That's Bratlet there,
 
 SIEGE OP FORT MEIGS. 97 
 
 The knight of Meigs ! with ornamental star ! 
 A prize his valour purchas'd in the war.' 
 
 " Delicious sounds ! it ravishes my heart ! 
 
 What bosom can desire " 
 
 The Patriots dart, 
 
 And seize him in his pride ! 
 
 In golden wheat, 
 
 Like him a peacock stepp'd with haughty feet, 
 Arching his plumes ; his wings hard swept the ground, 
 His feathers trembling, buzz'd with humming sound. 
 It happen'd that a fox was passing by, 550 
 
 Who, couchant, niark'd him in his vanity, 
 Ready to leap and seize him in his teeth, 
 And bend him humble in the dust beneath ; 
 Lo, at the time he whirring wheel'd around, 
 Reynard sprang forward from his hiding ground. 
 And fix-'d upon his throat ! his plumes sunk low, 
 A trembling captive to his artful foe. 
 
 Not otherwise the hopes of Bratlet fled ; 
 His heart ceas'd beating for the moment dead. 
 Campbell the motion of his tongue confin'd, 560 
 
 His voice to smother from the telltale wind : 
 
 " Attend me while I speak ! But whisper loud. 
 Your soul shall shriek on yonder midnight cloud ! 
 But thou shalt kindness from our hands receive, 
 If equal favour you to us shall give ; 
 To be a captive is the fate of arms ; 
 But hold thy peace and cast away alarms." 
 
 This said ; the muffle from his lips he took ; 
 Bratlet made answer while his knee-joints shook : 
 9 VOL. ii.
 
 98 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 " Your friend I'll ever be ! My life but spare, 570 
 And I will nothing of the truth forbear ! 
 Yea, should I not minute each purpose tell, 
 You forth may slay me like an infidel. 
 
 " Proctor abides in front two thousand strong 
 The same in number opposite belong 
 To Elliot and Cawataw brewing spite, 
 Tekelah rules a thousand for the fight. 
 Reynolds defends the left, sustained by Muir, 
 Outnumbering Elliot names to long endure. 
 Tecumseh stern, unconquerable im mind, 580 
 
 Lies in deep darkness with reserve behind ; 
 Should Elliot succour need, he stands conceal'd 
 To stretch your people cold upon the field. 
 
 " Hard now they labour breasted works to raise, 
 Early at day upon the fort to blaze." 
 
 Campbell with promptness to his speech rejoins : 
 " I did not urge you to divulge your lines ; 
 Your voluntary act. I pass'd my word, 
 That I to you protection would afford ; 
 That wretch my soul abhors of human kind, 590 
 
 Who treats a captive with a savage mind ; 
 
 But Raisin O thy stream ! 
 
 " The thought expire ! 
 
 Nor rouse my bosom to avenging ire 
 
 ********* 
 
 " I understand you, that the royals now 
 Are at intrenchments thither let us go !" 
 
 He question'd for the truth. Bratlet replies : 
 ' I'll lead you to the tent where Proctor lies !" 
 
 Campbell with frown return'd : " It may not be 
 A traitor heart to be a guide to me !
 
 SIEGE OF PORT MEIGS. 99 
 
 u At first I thought you overcome by fear ; 600 
 
 To guard your life, became a volunteer ; 
 Describ'd minute where your divisions lay, 
 And what their secret purposes at day ; 
 But then a soldier, jealous of his fame, 
 Would rather ask to plunge in melting flame, 
 Than he the plans of warfare would disclose 
 Spreading them open to his country's foes. 
 
 " 'Tis true, a man who trembles for his all, 
 Might for the moment from his duty fall ; 
 And the sharp cruelties at Raisin's shore, 610 
 
 Might start the life-streams back from every pore, 
 Causing the blood to curdle at your fate, 
 That we avenging would retaliate ; 
 But when sincere I plighted you my word, 
 That I to you protection would afford, 
 Without a motive you divulg'd the plan, 
 ^hich prompts your army from its rear to van. 
 
 " Ah, but your soul fair Virtue doth defile ; 
 Hence, you forebode that others are as vile. 
 
 " At first, I purpos'd nothing to believe, 620 
 
 For much I thought you labour'd to deceive, 
 Till at this moment you'd direct the way 
 To search for Proctor, and his friends betray. 
 
 " Though that to me the information given 
 Is precious, bord'ring on the light of heaven, 
 Yet still my bosom feels the traitor vile, 
 Causing my blood indignantly to boil ; 
 Worse than a serpent, secret in his wrath ; 
 Insidious winding, poisoning in his path. 
 
 " Williams and Newton, bear him to the fort 630 
 And to the chief the circumstance report !
 
 100 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 But, Ellis, you and Jones, and Clark, and White, 
 Will farther aid me to explore the night.'' 
 
 Newton and Williams to the veteran led 
 The humbled Bratlet, while with smother'd tread, 
 Campbell proceeded to the Albion line, 
 Where they intent were urging their design. 
 They hear the mattocks as they rip the ground, 
 And the rais'd earth that rumbles on the mound. 
 
 .Slow as they move, a serpent eye they keep, 640 
 Watching the shadows of the midnight deep. 
 A row of shining points they near descry, 
 Which gives them note a sentry passes nigh, 
 Obscure, like poplar broken by a storm, 
 Man's height from earth thus doubtful was his form. 
 The buruish'd barrel of his weapon shows, 
 As though a branch from out its side arose, 
 And that o'erlaid with ice, from which the shine 
 Of s{ar was back reflected in a line. 64'J 
 
 Clark whispers Campbell : " Mark that object there ! 
 A royal watch, that bids us to beware ; 
 J feel a stirring in my soul inclin'd 
 To move without erupting of his mind, 
 And seize and muffle, that no sound may rise 
 T' alarm the foe, and break the enterprise. 
 Secur'd he must be, ere that we can hope 
 To pass beyond him to observe their scope." 
 
 Him, Campbell answer'd : " By this elm we'll rest, 
 W T hile you proceed to compass your request ; 
 Notice, the top has a peculiar bent 6CO 
 
 To be your guide accomplish'd the event." 
 
 Clark moves with heedful caution o'er the heath, 
 By parts expiring and receiving breath ;
 
 SIEGE OP FORT MEIGS. 101 
 
 Now scarce he feels his heart but now enlarg'd 
 With gladdening hope, and rushing blood surcharged, 
 It strikes so strong and full upon his breast, 
 He thinks the sound is thunder from the west. 
 
 A tree, vexatious, intercepts his way, 
 O'erthrown by lightnings in an ancient day ; 
 He feels his path, and inches by degrees ; 670 
 
 For he the guard so evidently sees, 
 He apprehends his eyes would him remark. 
 And aim his life and leave him in the dark. 
 
 At length the tangling of the boughs was pass'd, 
 Save one, but that, unhappy, held him fast ! 
 His heart that moment with rich blood was full, 
 But now he thought the bullet touch'd his skull ! 
 
 His foot to disengage he turn'd him round, 
 The brittle branch broke short ! which in its sound 
 Seem'd to his ear more loud than thunder storms, 680 
 When mid-day tempest heaven's bright face deforms. 
 
 The Briton startled though a ghost had come 
 To seize and drag him downward to the tomb ! 
 Wilder'd he erring at the object fir'd, 
 And with hair straighten'd, from his post retir'd. 
 
 Swift through the lines the sentries caught th' alarm, 
 And by quick vollies notified to arm. 
 The drums loud rattled, sharp fifes whistled shrill 
 Discordant voices echoed horrible. 
 
 " Snatch, seize weapons !" the officers command ; 690 
 " Where rush th' enemy V sounds through all the land. 
 The instruments of toil are hurl'd away ; 
 But some in panick bear them for the fray.
 
 102 FREDONFAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 A horrid multitude, confus'd they fly, 
 Grasping their arms to face their enemy. 
 Proctor awakening midst the uproar'd sound, 
 Abrupt exclaims ; " Is hell upon the ground !" 
 Elliot, the Indians on the flank and rear, 
 Leap from their bloody dreams with bowlings drear ; 
 The 'larum engines start the ear of night ; 700 
 
 Reynolds and Muir stand planted for the fight. 
 
 So, late in Boston, when the night was still, 
 A watchman standing on her State-House-Hill, 
 Beheld a sparkle at a distance rise, 
 Which soon enlarging flashes up the skies ; 
 Fire ! fills his voice, which to a shriek he strains 
 T' alarm the watches through the devious lanes ; 
 The nearest watchman hears the direful note, 
 And forth the same is echo'd from his throat ; 
 Another, and another, and another screams, 710 
 
 Till the dread tumult gains the far extremes. 
 A various din comes pealing from the bells ; 
 The city wakening from its sleepy spells, 
 Startles with wildness from its bed of down 
 The raging element with floods to drown. 
 The whirling engines o'er the pavement tear, 
 A deafening sound convulsing on the air ; 
 The panick seizes on the old and young, 
 The turmoil thickening with confusion's tongue, 
 All ignorant, asking whence the flames proceed, 720 
 As on they hurry with a panting speed. 
 
 With such commotion swells the dire alarm 
 Through every circle of the camp to arm.
 
 SIEGE OF FORT ME1GS. 103 
 
 Meantime in safety Clark to Campbell came ; 
 And each, diverted, saw the passing game. 
 
 " Listen !" Campbell exclaim'd, " methinks 1 hear 
 The sound of carriage passing from the rear ! 
 Yes, through the night the cannon I perceive ; 
 An army now we'll make them to believe. 
 Reynolds in hurry has despatch'd it forth, 730 
 
 Proctor to save from falling to the earth. 
 
 " Brief from the coward scabbard bare the sword, 
 Ready to rush when I pronounce the word." 
 
 They draw their falchions at command, and lie 
 In ambush, till the brass comes jolting by. 
 
 " Battalions ! strike the heart !" The heroes dash. 
 Wielding their brands, with which death wounds they 
 
 gash, 
 
 Like four dark spirits leaping from a cloud, 
 With spears of moon-beams lighting up the shroud. 
 The Britons bleed four slumber with the dead, 740 
 The rest surpris'd, stand overcome with dread. 
 
 " Yield render up the brass, or each shall die ! 
 For Raisin's blood your lives we'll crucify !" 
 
 A trembling voice replied with bosom pent : 
 " We yield and crave thy anger to relent, 
 Behold, our arms are broken in the dust ! 
 In thy protection merciful we trust !" 
 
 " And never was that mercy crav'd in vain," 
 Him Campbell answer'd in the mildest strain. 
 " Newton, in front of the escort proceed, 750 
 
 And to the fort conduct them on with speed !" 
 (With art the warrior made a lofty show 
 In words, as if superior to the foe.)
 
 104 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 " White, Ellis, with your guards pursue their rear, 
 While charge shall I, this savage Proctor here !" 
 
 " General !" (thus Newton echo'd the deceit,) 
 " To me no second time your words repeat. 
 
 " Britons ! observe my progress o'er the field, 
 And know, my arm shall be your guardian shield, 
 But should you vary from the onward path, 760 
 
 Brief be your prayer, for sudden is our wrath." 
 
 No more is utter'd for they need no more 
 Newton they follow to the forted power ; 
 While Clark and Campbell in their place remain, 
 Profound in silence on the uproar'd plain. 
 
 Meanwhile the allies such confusion made, 
 No echo reach'd them of what Campbell said. 
 But soon they silenc'd, caution'd by their fears, 
 Their eyebrows bent and listening with their ears 
 Not daring movement dubious of the way, 770 
 
 That Campbell's army should their strength assay. 
 
 Now Proctor, mounted, passing round the lines, 
 This on his host repeatedly enjoins : 
 
 " Britons ! stand watchful ! evil is the hour, 
 But let none doubt but we'll subdue their power ; 
 At stirring noise, or at the sign of flame, 
 Let every Albion vindicate his name. 
 Diverge the right wing, Chambers, to the bank 
 Of the Miami to protect its flank. 
 
 " Who would have thought they'd burst their prison 
 doors 780 
 
 In depth of night to strike us from the shores 1" 
 
 While Proctor thus to his battalions spoke, 
 Campbell to Clark these observations broke :
 
 SIEGE OP PORT MEIGS. 105 
 
 " And mark you not how solidly they form 
 To brave the shock, should we with bayonets storm ? 
 But scarce can I presume that you, or I, 
 Have strength alone to make an army die ; 
 Though much 1 doubt, that we in this shall bear, 
 Yet still I feel to act upon their fear, 
 By which we might their growing works delay 790 
 Till Dudley shall arrive, Adair, and Clay." 
 
 He paus'd. And Clark with modesty began : 
 u Our feats already have delay 'd their plan ; 
 But obvious it is not, how we can more 
 By artful enterprise disturb their power. 
 What can our weakness 'gainst a host perform 1 
 An elephant as soon would crush beneath a worm. 
 But could we secret wind upon their rear, 
 We might, perchance, continue them in fear ; 
 But no vain circumstance will now suffice, 800 
 
 As each stands listening for an enterprise ; 
 But what your pondering wisdom shall devise, 
 To break the labour of our enemies, 
 With best endeavours will I push the plan, 
 In centre, or the wings, in rear, or van." 
 
 The time that Clark with Campbell thus conferr'd, 
 Scarce by the chief a syllable was heard, 
 So absent, musing in the depth of mind, 
 Some better plan within himself to find. 
 
 Like him, was Newton on his theory bent, 810 
 
 Searching what cause upheld the firmament ; 
 Tracing the compass of the sun in heaven, 
 The earth, the moon, the planets round him driven ; 
 Measuring the comets infinite in flight 
 Through the deep darkness of chaotick night,
 
 106 
 
 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 From thence, he kenn'd them in his mental eye 
 
 Through the waste regions of immensity ; 
 
 Vast as they wheel'd their mighty circuit round 
 
 Back to the glory of high heaven profound, 
 
 He mark'd the boundless ocean of their blaze, 820 
 
 Which fill'd the race of mortals with amaze ! 
 
 While musing thus, with wisdom's light illum'd, 
 
 He heard not thunder, with himself entomb'd. 
 
 *####**## 
 
 At length a thought, most obvious when it came, 
 Shot through his mind like flashing of a flame ; 
 His thoughts far-stretch'd were roving o'er the land, 
 While all the means were ready at his hand. 
 
 So hunters, harness'd for excursion long, 
 Enter the wilds with resolution strong ; 
 Pass down the vallies rise the hills descend 830 
 Ford the broad rivers round the ledges bend, 
 Which hold the mountains uo. then scour the Dlain 
 But not the object of their toils they gain ; 
 At length exhausted by their vain pursuit, 
 Back they return, their efforts to recruit ; 
 But lo, as they their starting place draw near, 
 Close at the path they spy the herded deer, 
 Which they had pass'd unnotic'd in their heat, 
 In slumber crouch'd directly at their feet. 839 
 
 Thus Campbell's mind, while labouring to conceive 
 Some swift alarm with hurry to achieve, 
 Had wander'd, like the hunters in the chase, 
 While all the means were ready at his place. 
 
 " How truant are my thoughts ! The cannon deep, 
 Charge, and plant angling through their lines to sweep,
 
 SIEGE OP FORT MEIGS. 107 
 
 Then let a slow-match to the prime bear fire, 
 And while it sparkles, to the fort retire !" 
 
 Scarce this design was echo'd from his tongue, 
 When both excited with a feeling young, 849 
 
 Prepar'd the brass Deep in its womb they cramm'd 
 The flaming dust, then hard the glut they ramm'd, 
 On which, with labour that made short their breath, 
 They drove with hollow sound the means of death ; 
 They prim'd the vent, and o'er it plac'd the fuse 
 This done, they wheel'd it to effect their views. 
 
 And now, while all is in expectance dark, 
 Campbell from smitten steel emits a spark, 
 Lighting the match-fuse with a hissing fire, 
 And while it sparkles they to fort retire. 859 
 
 The Albions on the watch quick caught the flame : 
 " Behold the fire ! With vollies smother them ! 
 Pour th' artillery forth ! Life turn to dust !" 
 
 As Proctor spoke, the pregnant cannon burst, 
 Death in its sound ! Five twenties felt no pain, 
 
 And twice that number groan'd upon the plain ! 
 
 ####*#### 
 
 But soon the foe, recovering from the shock, 
 With harmless war the shores of Erie rock. 
 
 Thus when deep night pours down an opiate rest, 
 A sable cloud, thick-rolling from the west, 
 Breaks and lets blaze its thunder on the earth, 870 
 
 To root the mountains from their place of birth ; 
 Bolt after bolt, with lightnings in their train, 
 Drives through the heavens like fiery hurricane,
 
 108 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIII. 
 
 Yet jar the mountains not, firm bas'd beneath 
 Though oft they scath the stubble of the heath, 
 And seem to speak the agency of death. 
 
 Scarce with less turbulence less deafening sound, 
 The Albions fight the air and unresisting ground ! 
 
 While thus the enemy their strength employ'd, 
 The forted warriors the proud scene enjoy'd : 880 
 
 " This deed of Campbell will old Time defy" 
 Thus each the other strives in praise to vie, 
 " This night is his, his name to glorify !" 
 
 At length the moon on Alleghany's height, 
 Show'd her bent horns, and half dissolv'd the night ; 
 The royal pride was cast upon the earth, 
 To see how empty was their strength put forth. 
 
 So banded robbers break upon a store 
 Of wealthy merchant for his shining ore ; 
 They seize a package bear it off with toil 890 
 
 To their concealment to divide the spoil ; 
 In high expectance, lo, they burst the band. 
 And find their treasure but a chest of sand ! 
 Their golden feelings are reduc'd to lead ; 
 They stand shame-smitten with their prospects dead. 
 
 Thus, while the enemy the concave tore, 
 They thought the patriots gasping in their gore, 
 But when the moon expos'd the naked heath. 
 Their haughty feelings lapt the dust beneath ; 
 They hung their heads dishearten'd with their shame, 
 While each accus'd the other with the blame. 901
 
 CANTO XIV. 
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI,
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 Reinforcements arrive from Kentucky. ...The Fort is summoned to 
 surrender... .Bombardment. ...Elliot driven from his position on the 
 west. ...The ambuscade. ...The death of Dudley. ...A remnant save 
 themselves by breaking through the enemy. 
 
 The scene is laid at Fort Meigs and on the banks of the Miami.... 
 The time is eight hours.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XIV. 
 
 WHEN, by the moon appearing in the east, 
 The foe, o'erspread with shame, his blazing ceas'd, 
 Shelby, Harrison, by themselves withdrew, 
 Their country's welfare ever in their view ; 
 To plan a method, Proctor to defeat, 
 Or drive him back, or bring him to their feet. 
 
 By balancing the weight of either side, 
 In this position, they at length abide, 
 Patient their active measures to delay, 
 Till Dudley should arrive, Adair, or Clay, . 10 
 
 Of which eight captains out of twelve should land 
 Where Elliot stood, and smite him with the brand, 
 While from the fort a sortie should proceed 
 And quail the foe, or in the effort bleed. 
 
 While these events were passing, led by Clay, 
 The bold Kentuckians had pursu'd their way ; 
 Dudley, then Morrison was next in grade ; 
 Meade, Murray : Trimble was the general's aid, 
 Since worthy found, and honour'd with a seat 
 In Freedom's Hall, where sages, patriots, meet. 20
 
 112 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 Down the Miami in light keels they run 
 To reach the foe, that had the murders done : 
 And while that Shelby in his wisdom plann'd, 
 And Harrison, to drive them from the land, 
 Twelve furlongs, reaching from where Reynolds stood 
 They leap'd to shore, rejoicing from the flood ; 
 And Trimble to the fort was sent to learn, 
 Where they against the enemy should turn. 
 
 As back from earth the shades of night were driven, 
 The morn appearing at the gate of heaven, 30 
 
 Trimble with jealousy the guards had pass'd, 
 When backward they on their position fac'd ; 
 So soft, eluding, were his cautious feet, 
 To watch his time that nothing should defeat 
 The purpose of his heart to reach the fort, 
 And bear the welcome message of support. 
 
 Forth at his entrance he to Shelby strode, 
 (His chiefs around) and thus his coming show'd : 
 
 '' I've pass'd, thank heaven, the dangers of the night. 
 My tongue to you a promise to recite ; -40 
 
 A promise that my soul forebodes will be 
 FulfilPd with honour to thy memory : 
 
 "< Dudley and Clay, with twice ten hundred men, 
 Stand in drum beating on Miami's wave ; 
 I've come to learn what purpose you design, 
 That they may form in ready decipline." 
 
 Thus he. And Shelby thus : " Bold messenger. 
 The tidings you've express'd delights my ear ; 
 Our minds have been impatient to receive 
 Thy gladdening words to cause our hopes to live. 50
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. US 
 
 " This order you'll return : 'Tis my command, 
 That Clay detach eight hundred of his band 
 Miami to descend, and this, remark, 
 That they, with arms unflinted, disembark, 
 And search with steel yon new-made batteries there, 
 Then choke the cannon, and to this repair ; 
 For lo. Tecumseh is in ambush laid 
 To watch each pass, and give the bulwarks aid. 
 
 " He with the others on his arms will rest, 
 Till he shall hear their volley from the west, 60 
 
 For, when detachment on the left shall land, 
 Forth I design a sortie to command : 
 At the same charge we Proctor shall attack, 
 And with the bayonet drive his legion back ; 
 Clay then will pour his strength upon their rear ; 
 Kentucky yet was never known to fear. 
 
 " Brief you'll return by yonder spreading beech, 
 While through their works shall I attempt a breach ; 
 And artful thus divert them from the line, 
 Where runs the path to favour your design." 70 
 
 Young Trimble press'd his hand and bow'd assent ; 
 Departed, for the beech his footsteps bent. 
 The forted engines with combustion sound, 
 And bring life's period to a narrow bound ; 
 The half-unfinish'd breast-mounds piecemeal tear, 
 And hurl the earth with violence in air. 
 The royals kindle all their fires at once ; 
 Death drove at death, destructions dire announce. 
 
 Proctor discover'd to his sorrow soon, 
 That all resulted to Columbia's boon, 80 
 
 Hence, he the drums instructed forth to play 
 To hush the broil a summons to assay, 
 10* VOL. ir. 

 
 114 FREDON1AD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 The fife a moment strikes the promis'd key, 
 Ere the drum echoes to its harmony 
 A musick sharp and piercing to the ear, 
 When heard high noted in a circle near 
 Cuts through the organ of the brain a scream, 
 Whistling but soft, reflected o'er a stream. 
 The drummers presently the beaters ply, 
 Rattling the tune vibrating through the sky ; 90 
 
 To curb the wandering notes the time they beat 
 By equal motion rising of their feet. 
 
 Soon as the parley of the drums was done, 
 To Chambers, Proctor haughtily begun : 
 
 " Haste and a banner to the fort display. 
 And bid its chief surrender up the day ; 
 It nothing signifies the balls to blaze, 
 Hence, we must plan to gain them othervvays. 
 Should he our summons disregard, why then, 
 Threatening declare, we'll massacre his men ; 100 
 
 Yea, as at Raisin, not a soul shall live, 
 For them, the whole, Cawataw shall receive ."' 
 Chambers in silence with the flag advanc'd, 
 On which full soon the eye of Shelby glanc'd, 
 While on the parapet with pondering mind, 
 He stood to learn what purpose was design'd 
 His wonder grew when Chambers reach'd the fort, 
 And told his coming with a conqueror's port : 
 Shelby had thought, that Proctor wish'd to gain 
 A truce from battle, till he'd tomb'd his slain. 110 
 
 " Chief of the starry banner ! lo, I come 
 From royal Proctor to proclaim thy doom ; 
 He, fixM in purpose, bade me to declare, 
 That, longer if yon Eagle rode the air,
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 115 
 
 He, with his thousands, will the fort destroy, 
 And give the scalping savages employ ! 
 But O, resign ! his tender mercy then, 
 Shalt thou receive, and all thy helpless men." 
 
 A hectick flush'd upon the veteran's cheek 
 Mix'd with the lily pale, unpower'd to speak. 120 
 The thought of Proctor's mercy touch'd his heart, 
 Something of ire, which made his frame to start ; 
 The tide of blood produc'd the crimson air, 
 But soon it fell and left the lily there. 
 
 " His mercy ! O, why breathe it to my soul ! 
 It makes my blood through hurried veins to roll. 
 Soon would the liquid of my heart be flame, 
 Did grief for slaughtered friends not cool the stream. 
 
 " What ! Proctor's tender mercy ! Gracious God ! 
 He whose delight is massacre and blood ! 130 
 
 Talk you of Proctor's mercy ? O the shame ! 
 Mercy ! his mercy would deep hell defame ! 
 Compar'd to him, the savage name is white 
 Yea, as the rainbow to eclipse of night. 
 
 " Hath he not heard our matrons shriek in death ? 
 Seen hungry flames suck out the virgin's breath ! 
 Hath he not listen'd to the infant's pain, 
 Their warm, live bowels twisting on the plain .' 
 Hath he not smil'd to see the best of life 
 Melt into dust by the infernal knife ! 140 
 
 {t Much sooner shall the scorpion lose his sting, 
 And be as gentle as the lamb of spring ; 
 The condor cease upon the dove to prey, 
 While with sweet note she coos her amorous lay ; 
 The leopard lose his stains by nature given, 
 And be as spotless as the face of heaven ;
 
 116 FRKDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 Or the fierce tyger, madded as with fire, 
 
 Be as the kid, that bounds with young desire ; 
 
 Than Proctor's heart will ever change its steel, 
 
 And the soft touch of weeping mercy feel. 150 
 
 " Avoid my presence vanish and retire 
 My soul I feel ungovern'd of its ire ! 
 Come let his thousands come, dark, black as clouds 
 
 in heaven, 
 Back from this earth my soul shall ne'er be driven ! 
 
 " Before I'd yield this monster-man my power. 
 Whose tender mercies unwean'd babes devour, 
 This hand shall light the magazine beneath, 
 And roll both armies in the flames of death !" 
 
 As when a cloud, on wings of darkness driven, 
 Smothers the sun and all the face of heaven, 160 
 
 The wary hunter marks th' approaching blast, 
 And flies to shelter with his soul aghast : 
 Thus deep his frown, while he in anger spoke ; 
 His voice like thunder through the darkness broke. 
 His eyes search'd Chambers' heart, like lightning. 
 
 through, 
 
 Which, at the time, was damp'd with bloody dew ; 
 His joints were threadless as relax'd by death ; 
 He left the parapet half robb'd of breath. 
 
 At once the Albions rouse themselves to war ; 
 Dread in reply Columbian thunders jar; 170 
 
 Forth leap the globes, excited by the flame, 
 And many a warrior ends his life with fame. 
 Bombs, like star-pestilence, at each are driven 
 With hissing fires, that wander over heaven.
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 117 
 
 For five long hours, thunder on thunder breaks, 
 But none yet wearied with the combat shakes. 
 
 Meantime Tekelah from his warriors cull'd 
 Those who for nimble efforts had been school'd, 
 And led them near the fort with crouching sly, 
 Where pines and lusty oaks invade the sky, 180 
 
 And overlook its walls ; on these they climb 
 With feather'd shafts, and gain their tops sublime. 
 Their course they crept so secret through the grass, 
 That none within the fort beheld them pass. 
 As high they clomb with caution, by degrees 
 Their forms were hid by intervening trees. 
 No eye observ'd them till their bows were bent 
 With steel-crown'd arrows thirsting to be sent 
 Through life's warm fountain. Dark the savage stood, 
 Obscur'd behind the body of the wood, 1QO 
 
 All, save their forehead and a half-seen eye, 
 To drive the arrow to its destiny. 
 
 Jarvis, a youth, was first to mark their rise ; 
 He sought the chief, impatience in his eyes, 
 And thus with hurried voice : " Behold them there, 
 With arrows looking downward from the air ! 
 
 See how they ben" 
 
 No syllable not one, 
 He added more for lo, his life was done ! 
 
 Deep through his crown, where shone the pearly skin, 
 The feather'd shaft with fatal strength went in ; 200 
 
 Glanc'd through his brain the jaw inferior broke, 
 As he, pronouncing, had the word half spoke. 
 
 Thus a young willow, on the lake's fair side, 
 In spring puts forth its tender leaves with pride ;
 
 118 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 Lifting its head rejoicing in the sun, 
 
 A whirlwind snaps it and its life is done ! 
 
 To mark the young plant fade, the aged drew 
 A sigh of sorrow deep but arrows flew 
 Like trains of lightning, shooting through the sky, 
 Wrapp'd in the foldings of obscurity. 210 
 
 The peril check'd his grief ; and forth his tongue, 
 To warriors, keen of eye, commanding rung : 
 
 " To this, the rifles in their haste repair, 
 And stop the shafts from flying in the air ! 
 But stand in place till they expose their eye, 
 Their arrows to elance with certainty, 
 Then, with quick sight, draw fire upon the lead, 
 And drive the bullet through the half-seen head." 
 
 Forthwith the patriots, habited in green, 
 Wheel and advance their eyes, like lynxes, keen ; 220 
 Their leu-hand fingers on the guard they place, 
 The same arm crowds the rifle to their face ; 
 The left, extended firm, sustains its weight, 
 Or moves, its far extreme to regulate ; 
 With head declin'd left eye from vision hid ; 
 The right keen bent upon the silver bead : 
 Instant it glimmers opposite the foe, 
 The ready finger lets the death-spring go 
 The flint darts forward, driven by the lock, 
 Fleeter than thoughts, that the conceptions mock 5 230 
 Batters the cover that conceals the prime, 
 And throws it back in momentary time ; 
 The flint, conflicting with th' opposing steel, 
 Flashes the sparks the sleeping death-grains feel 
 The glowing particles, and burn to life 
 With speed of lightning in a thunder strife.
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 119 
 
 The bullet quickens at the touch of fire ; 
 
 Stung with the smart, it leaps with mad desire 
 
 To cool its anger in the savage blood, 
 
 As down they sight their arrows from the wood. 240 
 
 With mortal efforts hard the oaks they grasp, 
 And sweat and struggle with a dying gasp ; 
 By fingers, spasm-cramp'd, they hang in air, 
 And, by the touch of death, they shiver there ; 
 But when their fountain streams forbear to flow, 
 They fall as dead things on the plains below. 
 Moss, bark, and leaves, thick follow their descent, 
 Which they in falling shatter'd as they went, 
 And partial hide them, ghastful as they lie, 
 Their skulls deep enter'd o'er their dexter eye. 250 
 
 Thus did the rifles toil, whilst deep and dark 
 The cannon bursted, kindled with a spark, 
 Touch'd to the vent, loud roaring up to heaven, 
 Deafening like thunder o'er the welkin driven. 
 
 At length both armies, wearied with the toil, 
 With one consent, remit the furious broil. 
 
 The patriots forth, unbroken in their soul, 
 Soon make the ploughings of the cannon whole. 
 This done of strengthening viands they partake. 
 Ready with brand on royalty to break. 260 
 
 When the battalions from the ranks of Clay 
 Should land and Elliot with the steel assay. 
 
 While these events with either host transpir'd, 
 Trimble pursued the happy path desir'd, 
 And pass'd the warring enemy unseen, 
 And join'd his ranks display'd upon the green.
 
 120 FRBDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 His chief he found pavilion'd on the bank, 
 With whom was Dudley, of inferior rank, 
 But not of soul, him liberty inspir'd 
 Deeds to perform, which honour'd name acquired : 270 
 
 " Lo, these instructions I from Shelby bring, 
 To waste the banded legions of the kiqg : 
 
 " He bids you sort eight hundred warriors strong 
 Those that have blood within their bosoms young, 
 And, on the west, the enemy attack ; 
 Rout spike the cannon then the path retrack. 
 For lo, Tecumseh, with a numerous host 
 Valiant in arms, who never battle lost, 
 Lies in reserve, and bids you to beware 
 Elliot, Cawataw, hold the bulwarks there. 280 
 
 " Now when this troop upon the west shall land, 
 The fort in sortie strikes th' imprisoning band ; 
 Presently when you the strife shall hear, 
 Rush with your arms pour slaughter on their rear. 
 Reynolds we dread compel him to retire 
 Before the burning of a chain of fire. 
 
 " Both armies now in fierce contention raise, 
 Reaching to heaven a solid wall of blaze." 
 
 Trimble, when seated Dudley modest, then : 
 " I plead for conduct of these chosen men ; 290 
 
 True to the order, I'll effect the storm 
 Silence the hold and then retreat in form." 
 
 " I grant your daring purpose," Clay replies ; 
 " You know the circumstance where danger lies ; 
 Strive to suppress the ardour of your force, 
 Who deep remember Raisin's bloody course. 
 The vents confine with steel, then brief retire, 
 Or by Tecumseh will your strength expire.
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 121 
 
 Go lead your warriors in the path of fame, 
 
 While I, the rear shall charge, of Albion's name." 300 
 
 They rise and forth their willing ranks divide, 
 Their every bosom fill'd with valour's tide> 
 Twelve hundred on the right remain with Clay 
 Two thirds that number Dudley's voice obey. 
 Thus he salutes them : " Candidates of fame ! 
 In glory's field we this day lift our name, 
 We storm the bulwarks on the western shore, 
 Where Elliot and Cawataw hold their power ; 
 Silence the guns the conquest not pursue, 
 For lo, Tecuinseh ambush'd is in view. 310 
 
 Not in your hearts let too much fire prevail, 
 Attend my voice, or we in dust shall fail. 
 Let every warrior, at the sign, retreat, 
 Or all our fame will darken in defeat. 
 Let your advance be chain'd in links of fire ; 
 When spik'd the guns, like gather'd mist, retire. 
 Mark the instructions ! To the stream away 
 With charging steel we glorify the day !" 
 
 The Patriots heard, and shouted to the sky : 
 " Lead us to battle where the murderers lie !" 320 
 
 Forthwith they press the barges, and descend 
 With hearts high bounding, on the land they bend. 
 Coombs, Trimble. Murray in the bloom of years ; 
 And Meade, and Morrison, Cox, Boswell, Spears. 
 
 " Kentucky ! form the column on the right !" 
 Dudley proclaim'd. 'Twas rapid done as light. 
 " The name of Simpson is the rising word ! 
 Trust not the flint ! Let death be in the sword !" 
 
 11 VOL, II.
 
 122 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 " Simpson is death !" They shouted high, and rose 
 Horrid with steel, to mingle with their foes. 330 
 
 Meantime, without a thought of danger nigh, 
 Behind their earth-walls was the enemy ; 
 Cawataw first discover'd it in sight, 
 And thus to Elliot he : " They come in fight ! 
 See, from the river, how in steel they rise ! 
 Let big gun burst, out-thunder, split the skies !" 
 
 Him, Elliot answer'd smooth : " Dream not of 
 
 fear ; 
 
 None of Kentucky dare assail us here ; 
 Unwary let them come, these heights to scale, 
 We'll cast them tempest-fire with leaden hail. 340 
 
 One blast will overcome 
 
 " Behold, they form, 
 
 Like clouds collecting mountain heights, to storm ! 
 Let blaze the cannon barrell'd weapons all 
 Bury consume, sweep down with grape and ball ! 
 Behold, they rise in solidness with awe ! 
 With thunder cover them, roll down the war !" 
 
 The cannon felt the sparkle -fire and spoke 
 With bellowing tongue and roll'd the heights in smoke ; 
 In concert dire the lead-drove muskets peal 
 But Freedom presses on, a moving ridge of steel! 350 
 
 Thus when from ocean rolls a storm of clouds, 
 Thick'ning and deep'ning, each the other crowds, 
 Till one black mass involves creation whole, 
 Awful in fashion heaving roll on roll ; 
 But lo, the sun emerging from a fold, 
 Thron'd high in heaven, emits a shower of gold,
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 123 
 
 Which bathes the cloud above with streams of light, 
 
 Whilst all below is one black scene of night : 
 
 Such the pure brilliance of its brow on high, 
 
 That angels gaze with wonder in their eye 360 
 
 While such the darkness of the cloud beneath, 
 
 It seems as curtain'd with the pall of death. 
 
 So deep below, and black the column move, 
 Whilst gleaming steel illumes its path above. 
 
 The allies battle at the brave in vain 
 Behold, the summit of the height they gain, 
 And plunge with whetted bayonets on their foes, 
 Who fly the battlements, like whirling snows, 
 When boreal blasts descend upon the earth 
 With all the muster'd fury of the north. 370 
 
 " Unpower the cannon !" Dudley spoke. 'Tis 
 
 done 
 The vent is chok'd with steel, of every gun. 
 
 " Now lock the ranks, and to the fort retreat ! 
 What deafs your ears ? Progression is defeat ! 
 Attend my voice ! Dread heaven ! if you press on, 
 Death swallows all ! forever lost undone ! 
 Why stay you not ? destruction hovers nigh ! 
 I will be heard ! the man that moves shall die !" 
 
 As when a vessel in her sailing pride, 
 Assays to stem the Mississippi tide, 380 
 
 But ah, the gales too weak apply their force 
 To urge it up against the current's course ; 
 The powers a moment equal strength maintain, 
 The ship stands balanc'd on an even strain ; 
 The waves descending, on her progress bear 
 While the faint breezes just retain her there.
 
 124 FREDONlAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 At length the dashing waters turn her prow, 
 And down she settles with the stream below. 
 
 So Dudley strives his reckless band to stay ; 
 They bear him onward like the stream away. 390 
 The ocean when it foams in all its wrath, 
 Is smooth and gentle to their raging path. 
 
 " Raisin ! its massacre !" they shouting cry ; 
 " The blood of Elliot or eternity !" 
 
 Meantime Tecumseh, in concealment, stood 
 Deep in a valley of embowering wood, 
 Silent, but thoughtful centred on his mind, 
 To catch the smallest whisper of the wind. 
 
 Soon as he heard the battle-breaking sound, 
 He form'd his savage men in circle round ; 400 
 
 Frightful their visages red, blue, and black, 
 With fury whetted for the dire attack. 
 
 " Hark ! hear the efcho of the war at hand ! 
 Now every warrior do as I command. 
 See knife see tomahawk, for blood prepar'd ; 
 Me lift my voice, let every chief regard ; 
 Break to the battle like big rolling cloud ; 
 Like deep-mouth'd thunder sound the war-whoop loud ; 
 Crimson earth's bosom ! Strike, strike deep for 
 
 blood 
 Large let it stream, like rivers in a flood. 410 
 
 " But when they ask for peace then spare from 
 
 death 
 
 He dies, who scalps the wounded on the heath ! 
 Though Proctor bids, to naked leave the whole ; 
 Tecumseh spares who bends to his control.
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 125 
 
 The blood of feeble never stain'd his hands, 
 Nor shall it stain a warrior he commands. 
 
 " Listen ! the war comes bursting on us nigh ! 
 Retire ! Me speak, let death-note split the sky 1" 
 
 The circle instant vanish'd from his sight, 
 As shades are scatter'd at th' approach of light. 420 
 
 Meanwhile Kentucky, urging their pursuit, 
 Laid many a savage with convulsions mute ; 
 Headlong they rush'd, with vengeance for their guide, 
 Till they for murder should be satisfied. 
 The speed of Elliot passes by the wind ; 
 The sound of Raisin chills upon his mind ; 
 Like him a culprit, moving to his death 
 On the lone common, or the wizard heath, 
 Deep in his ear-drum thinks he hears a bell, 
 Tolling his funeral to the vaults of hell. 430 
 
 Close on his path the wild men roar aloud, 
 Deafening the woods a thunder-broken cloud. 
 
 Soon near they gain upon the ambuscade, 
 Where the dread chief in silent watch is laid : 
 His warriors round, in couchant posture lay, 
 Like hungry panthers, druling for their prey. 
 One eye is bent upon their chief to mark 
 The sign to rise, the other, like a spark, 
 That burns upon the end of lightning chain, 
 Observes the bands of Dudley on the plain, 440 
 For now obscure, through blinding woods they spy 
 The reckless train come rushing on to die ; 
 But think they nothing of the savage tomb, 
 Ready to open and decide their doom. 
 
 11* VOL. II.
 
 12O PREDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 Behold, the signal of their death is given ! 
 Tecuraseh's voice peals audible to heaven. 
 The other voices, though they hideous jar, 
 Urging the tumult violence of war, 
 Are like the drums that sound the muster roll, 
 To solid thunder bursting from the pole. 450 
 
 So dire the yell so grim the savage air, 
 Kentuckians stand and gaze upon despair ! 
 
 As when, (day glimmering on the skirts of night, 
 And many a star looks pleasant with its light,) 
 Hounds of sagacious scent awake the deer, 
 Starting the chase with well-known accent clear ; 
 The listening hunter hears th' inspiring strain, 
 And to his charger loosens all the rein ; 
 The noble steed disdains the goading spur ; 
 The hounds in musick, make his spirits stir ; 460 
 
 Snorting he leaps and snuffs the fresh'ning gale, 
 Which lags behind him as he sweeps the vale. 
 As loud, more loud, the opening pack he hears, 
 He pricks more keen the sharpness of his ears ; 
 They scour the country round o'er hill, or dell, 
 With different echoes, as they sink or swell. 
 At length from craggy precipice on high, 
 Down leap the deer, the hounds pursuing, die .' 
 The courser thunders on with uncheck'd force, 
 Nothing to stay the fury of his course ; 470 
 
 Gaining the steep, he stops upon its verge, 
 Sudden ! Dismounts his rider with a surge : 
 Foaming, with head thrown back and mane in air ; 
 Straining his eyes with a distorted glare ; 
 Shivering convuls'd upon the brink of death, 
 Stands struck with awe holding his mighty breath.
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 127 
 
 Or as a vessel in the northern seas 
 Bounds with full sail before the hurrying breeze ; 
 The skilful pilot warns the crew in vain 
 Of Norway's whirlpool on the treacherous main ; 480 
 But they, unmindful of the caution given, 
 Pursue their course till in the whirl they're driven ! 
 Ah, then they mark a dreadful something strange, 
 Twinge through their blood to feel the whirling range. 
 They hear the monster in the deep rocks yell, 
 Like some dark spirit rising out of hell ! 
 Near and more near, the forceful suction draws 
 The struggling vessel to its gaping jaws ! 
 Though wide the circles from the centre sweep, 
 Yet, at each compass of the hopeless ship, 490 
 
 More short and rapid are the whirling rings, 
 Hurrying the vessel to the"narro wings. 
 Alas, before the vision of the crew, 
 The gulf appears, appalling to their view ! 
 The trembling bark but lives another sweep, 
 Before she sinks, eternal, in the deep ! 
 With eyeballs glaring, and tight-straining breath, 
 They stand and shiver on the verge of death ! 
 
 So when Tecumseh with a shout arose, 
 Which seem'd to wake the dead from their repose, 500 
 The band of Dudley in a panick stood ; 
 Their palsied hearts forgot to stir the blood ; 
 Death, grim'd with gore, stalks round with hideous 
 
 air 
 
 But lo, they quicken from their dead despair 
 And rise in all their majesty of soul, 
 And back the vollies on the savage roll !
 
 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 The face of light a gathering darkness shades ; 
 On heaven the thickening turbulence invades. 
 
 As when the vapours of the ocean rise 
 Round Alleghany's tops, that touch the skies ; 510 
 Deep gathering into clouds, slow moving round, 
 Which wrap the mountains in a gloom profound : 
 At length surcharg'd they burst in ceaseless shower, 
 And soon a thousand streams begin to roar ; 
 Outs well their barriers sweep whole herds and flocks, 
 And dash them headlong o'er the pointed rocks ; 
 Chafing with whirlpools, maddening on their way, 
 They rage and thunder to their parent sea. 
 
 Such the wild tumult such the deafening noise ; 
 The strife augmenting with the savage voice. 520 
 
 At length, such numbers of the allied power 
 Hem in the brave, and kindle such a shower 
 Of raining fire, the patriot ranks give way ; 
 Despair returns, their hearts made cold like clay. 
 But Dudley wields his dripping brand on high, 
 And lifts them up beyond mortality : 
 
 " Charge through the circle ! Break the ring of 
 
 death !" 
 
 The fainting catch the spirit of his breath, 
 And plunge upon the foe with pointed steel, 
 Which makes the circle, binding them, to reel. 530 
 A host of Albions gasping find their rest ; 
 Blood spouts hot leaping from the savage breast. 
 
 But yet Tecumseh and Cawataw stand, 
 And join the fracture, where the charging band 
 Break down the links of the tremendous chain, 
 Which binds the struggling heroes on the plain,
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 129 
 
 Or wall of fire, in solid blazing vast, 
 
 While death in smiles is seen upon the blast. 
 
 " Break through, nor think of life !" Dudley ex 
 claims : 539 
 " With hostile blood extinguish, quench the flames!" 
 
 The time he spoke, from earth he seem'd to tower, 
 As though his form were some superior power ; 
 The foe stood cramp'd, yea, motionless with dread ; 
 He smites the living, leaps bounding o'er the dead ! 
 
 Now, where Tecumseh, where Cawataw stood, 
 He urg'd the pass, all dabbled o'er with blood, 
 For many a partial wound unnotic'd drains 
 The little streamlets of his heated veins. 
 Lock'd was the passage that Tecumseh held ; 
 And on Cawataw back he desperate wheel'd. 550 
 But the stern savage, as the hero came, 
 Quick bent his rifle touch'd it to a flame, 
 And sent the bullet glancing through his side ; 
 Its burning anguish chaf 'd his heart's brief tide. 
 
 So when a cougar feels the hunter's dart, 
 Avenging blood runs burning through his heart ; 
 He tears the earth, the oak before him falls 
 His eyes flash wrath like heaven's red meteorous balls. 
 
 Thus Dudley maddens where his blade sweeps 
 
 round, 
 Black piles of dead lie smoking on the ground. 560 
 
 Lo, now he meets Cawataw eye to eye, 
 Which show like stars when skirted lightnings fly ; 
 They front upon the heath in darkening form, 
 Like two tall rocks midst ocean wreck'd with storm. 
 
 A moment, and his axe the savage drew, 
 And pois'd it high as Dudley's falchion flew ;
 
 130 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 Sheer through his skull the glittering ruin sped ; 
 His brains gush out he plunges on the dead ! 
 The sword firm-wedg'd, within his skull remains, 
 For Dudley's strength forsook him on the plains, 570 
 By which the blade was loosen'd from his hand 
 He reels, he faints, no longer can he stand ; 
 His heart is drain'd extinguish'd are his fires 
 Stretch'd on Cawataw his proud soul expires ! 
 
 A woodman thus to fall a mountain oak, 
 With heavy swing redoubles stroke on stroke ; 
 A hunter calls him off he leaves it there, 
 Half through its honours waving in the air : 
 But soon exhausted all its juices spent, 
 It groaning falls and shakes the element : 580 
 
 Thus Dudley fell majestick in his fame 
 And unborn ages will revere his name. 
 
 Where Dudley fell, a narrow pass was made, 
 Through which the patriots, toiling with the blade, 
 Hew'd out their way beyond the savage chain, 
 And breath'd a moment on the open plain ; 
 To make the river, now is all their aim, 
 To seek a rescue from the favouring stream. 
 
 Cox, Murray, Trimble, were the happy three, 
 Leaders of fame, that broke the enemy ; 590 
 
 And Meade beyond the savage line had pass'd, 
 When lo, a lead was from a rifle cast, 
 Which, in a line, burnt searching through his eyes, 
 And left him blind in gory agonies ! 
 Yet still his soul in every action great, 
 Without a groan endur'd th' afflicting weight.
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 131 
 
 Murray and Trimble caught him by the arm 
 To bear him onward, with affection warm ; 
 But Meade requests they leave him in the wood : 
 
 " Put off this tenderness was death withstood ? 600 
 Look back and see what millions, that inspir'd 
 The breath of being, have from earth retir'd ! 
 Your graves, perhaps, are distant mine hath come ; 
 Think not of me I would not stay my doom ; 
 I'm but a clog, and fetter your retreat ; 
 I scarce would live, could 1 command my fate. 
 
 " When thou, my wife shalt meet, O tell her this 
 'Tis all I ask with grief 'twill mingle bliss : 
 Tell her that though in dying I was blind, 
 Her lovely image dwelt upon my mind ; 610 
 
 Methinks I feel her hand upon my breast, 
 Soft as an angePs soothing me to rest ! 
 
 " We meet in heaven. Hark ! how the yells re 
 sound ! 
 The savage come to compass you around !" 
 
 The time denied to answer him a word, 
 For lo, Tecumseh, brandishing his sword, 
 Came sweeping on with all his train behind, 
 Whilst tyger howlings tore along the wind ! 
 
 Tecumseh knew not at the moment first, 
 That, where Cawataw stood upon his trust, 620 
 
 Was broken by the brave, himself subdu'd, 
 And, for the grave-worm, a delicious food ; 
 But when the turbulence was pass'd away, 
 And smoke and dust, that blotted out the day,
 
 132 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 The cause was open to his judgment seen, 
 
 And to the river, through a deep ravine, 
 
 He led his warriors. Having gain'd the van 
 
 Of Trimble's, flying ranks, he wheel'd his clan, 
 
 And met them, hideous, with the scowl of death, 629 
 
 Like some fell ghost, that strides the midnight heath ! 
 
 Hope vanish'd from the brave, like gold dreams 
 
 rare, 
 
 And left behind the darkness of despair. 
 Death shook his barbed dart on every side 
 The thought of life within their bosoms died ! 
 
 But Trimble, rising, animates the brave : 
 " With one proud effort sink into the grave ! 
 Unfold make manifest the Spartan worth, 
 Whose names will find eternity on earth ! 
 Prove to the world, Columbians dare the same, 
 Crown'd with Leonidas in deathless fame ; 640 
 
 On Freedom's altar let our bodies die, 
 A bleeding sacrifice for Liberty !" 
 
 They kindled at his voice with heaven's pure fire, 
 And as they rose, cried : " Lead us to expire !" 
 
 As mountain billows roll upon the shore, 
 Driven by tempests, mix'd with thunder's roar ; 
 As rocky shores resist the waves in storm, 
 Lightnings and thunders, and the whirlwind's form : 
 Thus Freedom charges thus Tecumseh stands, 
 A burning pillar midst his warrior bands ! 650 
 
 But what can deeds of desperation stay 1 
 With three times fifty, Trimble smites his way ! 
 The rest lie mix'd with savage monsters slain ; 
 Some fled to heaven some weltering on the plain.
 
 DEFEAT ON THE MIAMI. 133 
 
 Meade yet had life ! Tecumseh saw him blind, 
 And pity came and melted down his mind : 
 
 " Tecumseh, I am he ! His soul remark, 
 He shines a light to travellers in the dark ! 
 Me guide you safe to yon big oak in heaven 
 To cool your blood, there water shall be given." 660 
 
 Meade heard his voice and now his hand he felt, 
 Which caus'd the life-cords of his heart to melt ; 
 Silent he follow'd his majestick guide 
 At length he gain'd his utterance and replied : 
 
 " Great chief of noble mind ! I now would live, 
 That I might show you what my heart would give ; 
 The world would feel its shame, could I declare, 
 A man of nature, with fraternal care, 
 Proffer'd his hand, a blessing to supply ; 
 A guiding angel to blind misery !" 670 
 
 Such was their converse, while Tecumseh led 
 The sightless warrior from the field of dead ; 
 Full in the breeze beneath a shading oak 
 He sat him down, remote from noise and smoke ; 
 But ere Tecumseh could the draught provide, 
 His blood grew chill he sunk away and died. 
 
 Meantime, Cawataw's clan, t' avenge his death, 
 While flames appear'd to issue with their breath, 
 Rush'd like a whirlwind on the hapless brave, 
 To scalp and massacre with lingering grave. 680 
 
 Grim Mai Pock heads the band, whose lurid eye 
 Shoots the dire glance of savage cruelty ; 
 A panther's hide hangs o'er his shoulders fell 
 His painted features show the work of hell ; 
 Fast in his belt the murder'd scalps are tied, 
 From which blood, oozing, trickles down his side ; 
 12 VOL. n.
 
 134 PREDONIAD. CANTO XIV. 
 
 The thunders of his voice the concave rend ; 
 He comes all dreadful, like a roaring fiend. 
 
 The hideous monster makes a sport of life, 
 For, as he wrathful plunges in his knife, 690 
 
 He stamps his heel beside the gaping wound, 
 To see the blood spirt upward with a bound ! 
 
 Murray lies bleeding by the side of Cox 
 Fierce with hell rage, he fixes on his locks, 
 And drags him, foaming, o'er the piles of slain, 
 While his fair body writhes along the plain ; 
 The youth expiring gasp'd, deform'd with gore, 
 Then roll'd his eyes to heaven, and view'd the light 
 no more. 
 
 So, for his pastime, a rude stripling tears 
 A lilac, blooming in its tender years ; 700 
 
 It weeps a sorrowing dew upon the earth, 
 To be thus broken in its days of mirth ; 
 A fragrance rich as heaven, breathes every flower, 
 Whose purple tints outvie the new-born hour. 
 Its charms the little truant's breast excite 
 He views it o'er and o'er with new delight ; 
 But soon, the flower his wayward fancy cloys 
 Lost its late beauty and bewitching joys. 
 Neglectful of its sweets, he whirls it round, 
 And trails its loveliness o'er miry ground ; 710 
 
 It fades, it languishes, it wilts, it dies, 
 The urchin smiling at the sacrifice. 
 
 Thus Murray faded in his youthful bloom, 
 And sunk, unlovely, in the gory tomb. 
 
 Tecumseh heard the massacreing strife ; 
 The grating sound of battle-axe and knife ;
 
 DEFKAT ON THE MIAMI. 
 
 Backward he flew, indignant at the scene, 
 
 To save from murder's thrust the weltering men. 
 
 He met with Mai Pock on the carnage heath, 
 Scalping the dying, as they choke for breath ! 720 
 
 The lightning passion of Tecumseh flash'd, 
 And at the fiend with tyger strength he dash'd ; 
 His brand descending cleft his skull in twain 
 Grim Mai Pock falls and bites the gory plain, 
 His hands convulsive grasp the gouted blood 
 His eyes roll strangled, 'neath the sanious flood, 
 Which foams like matter from a daemon's skull, 
 Crowding his eyeballs with his warm brains full. 
 
 Tecumseh thunders forth : " No Indian dare 
 To lift a knife, the scalp from skull to tear ! 730 
 
 Mai Pock behold ! and fear to meet the dead, 
 Not dare lay finger on a warrior's head ? 
 Tecumseh's hand sustains a bleeding foe 
 Quick death is his, who smites another blow ! 
 Me hate the coward timid, like the deer 
 But joy is mine, in battle day severe, 
 To meet Kentucky strong, a mountain oak 
 It never bends it breaks by lightning stroke !" 
 
 His voice struck terror through the savage life 
 They stood in muteness and withdrew their knife. 74O 
 
 The dying Patriots view him with an eye, 
 That shows a tear of angel purity ; 
 Faint as their pulses ebb to dusky death, 
 They lisp his virtue with their failing breath : 
 
 " Oh had we power to utter what we feel ! 
 But ah, life ceases ! yet, with blood we'll seal 
 That speechless glow of heart, which tongue hath given 
 
 A name, but not the thing" 
 
 They die, they visit heaven !
 
 CANTO XV. 
 
 SORTIE FROM FORT ME1GS
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Simultaneous with the Assault on the western bank of the Miami, ; 
 Sortie is made from Fort Meigs, which is the subject of the pre 
 sent Canto. 
 
 The scene is laid in and about Fort Meigs....The time is about six 
 hcurs from Dudley's landing on the west, till night.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XV. 
 
 WHEN of their cheer the forted had partook, 
 Shelby to Miller of Ohio spoke 
 Miller of Hampshire at Quebec was chain'd, 
 The work of Hull, by which the land was stain'd 
 With mark so deep, that thousand years of dew 
 Will never bleach the canker spot from view : 
 
 " Miller, the charge is thine. Haste and display 
 The warriors ready for the bold assay ; 
 Soon, opposite our banner, strike the shore, 
 Then, rush we forth, and Proctor overpower : 10 
 By which, diversion from the west we'll make, 
 And force th' invaders back upon the lake ; 
 Let nothing of the drum or fife be heard, 
 That no mistrust be in their bosoms stirr'd." 
 
 Miller, obedient at the summons, rose, 
 To each the daring purpose to disclose ; 
 To Stoddard, Ritzer, Johnson,* Sedwick, Todd ; 
 Ball, Metcalf, Alexander, Bradford, Wood ; 
 And thus to them in turn : " Your cohorts form, 
 Ready with steel besieging powers to storm ; 20 
 
 * John T. Johnson.
 
 140 FREDONIAD. CANTO XV. 
 
 Time hurries brief, when we expect to mark 
 The barge descend to mount yon bulwarks dark." 
 
 Immediate at the word each chief obey'd, 
 Soon stand the squadrons in deep rank array'd ; 
 Their burnish'd arms like gleaming ice appear, 
 Flashing broad day upon the sight severe. 
 
 And now the veteran, crown'd with hoary hair, 
 Forward advances with majestick air 
 To give an inspiration to the band, 
 Strengthening the heart to do the bold command : 30 
 
 " Columbians of the North ! born free, as brave ! 
 Are ye not weary to be bound a slave ? 
 And will ye, felon-like, in prison lay, 
 With scarce admission to the light of day ? 
 No never rise and break the prison doors, 
 And dash the foe impetuous from the shores. 
 When land our brothers to assail them west, 
 Then rush with steel and plunge it in their breast ; 
 Now to your sons a noble fame bequeath, 
 And round your brows unfading laurels wreath. 40 
 
 " In two divisions let the war commence ; 
 Miller strike home on Reynold's, Muir's defence ; 
 And, Alexander, you your cohorts lead, 
 Where Proctor stands, and do the signal deed. 
 
 " 'Tis now ! Behold, fast landing from the stream, 
 The heroes form ! How dire their bayonets gleam ! 
 Silent advance, and firm in purpose keep, 
 And smite in sortie with the falchion deep." 
 
 In two divisions without sound they move, 
 Like clouds dark rolling in high heaven above. 50 
 Todd, Sedwick, Stoddard, Johnson, Ritzer, Ball, 
 Miller make strong, on Reynolds, Muir, to fall ;
 
 SORTIE FROM FORT ME1GS. 141 
 
 Wood, Metcalf, Bradford, Alexander join 
 To charge on Proctor and subdue his line. 
 
 While this was passing, Chambers, on the bank 
 Of the Miami, mark'd the steely rank 
 Of Dudley, forming on the adverse shore 
 To search the venom'd drops of Elliot's gore. 
 
 He flew to Proctor with a hurried breath, 
 His eyes with terror glaring: " Lo, with death, 6O 
 The foe descended ! landed on the west, 
 A darkening horror plum'd upon their breast !" 
 
 " Thy brain is turn'd ! Not possible the foe 
 Yes, I behold the ridgy bayonets now !" 
 Proctor rejoin'd convulsions on his brow. 
 "They rise they rush Behold ! Chambers, pour on 
 Dash rapid o'er the stream and crush them down ! 
 They heed not Elliot's thunder ! give support 
 
 With bayonet 
 
 " Lo, the breaking from the fort ! 
 On all sides death ! A bold resistance show ! 70 
 Drench them with fire ! Their standards overthrow." 
 
 He spoke like courage, but his heart shrunk back ; 
 His nerve too trembling for the bold attack, 
 Led on by Alexander dark and still ; 
 But Chambers stood, the patriot band to kill. 
 
 " Britons ! shrink not but look them in the face ! 
 Shame to the soul, that faulters with disgrace ! 
 Let flames in volumes, 'gainst their ranks be hurl'd 
 And prove your arms victorious to the world." 
 
 His words were not concluded, when the roll 80 
 Of deafening battle, sounded through the whole ;
 
 142 FREDONIAD. CANTO XV. 
 
 The leaden ruins sung along the skies ; 
 No curtain wink'd of the Columbian eyes ; 
 Though many a random bullet glanc'd a vein, 
 Yet none, save one, fell bleeding on the plain, 
 And that was Bradford. Through his thighs, a ball 
 Tore its rough way, and brought him to a fall ; 
 His burning anguish was o'erpower'd by mind : 
 
 " Push to the mark, and never look behind ! 
 Here fix'd will I remain to view the man, 90 
 
 Him, who dare wave the colours in the van, 
 And plant them high on yonder parapet ; 
 And then, my soul this torture will forget." 
 
 Metcalf was pressing hard upon his rear, 
 And heard his voice, which brought him to a tear ; 
 He snatch'd a standard waving by his side ; 
 Leap'd to the foe, as leaping to his bride. 
 The eagle higher in the air was seen ; 
 Proud as she rose, she fann'd the fire within. 
 She rests upon the parapet ! A cheer 100 
 
 Informs the Bird of heaven her strength is near ! 
 
 " Now let the sharpening of the steel declare 
 What deaths must come, when Freedom wills to 
 dare !" 
 
 The time allow'd not Alexander more, 
 Or he would told them how to strike the core ; 
 Thick in the thickest of the blaze they dash ; 
 Blood, hot with life, is seen at every gash. 
 As arrowy light contends with morning mist, 
 So pierce the steel points through Britannia's breast ; 
 The royal strength, with savages combin'd, 110 
 
 Scatter like chaff, that whirls upon the wind.
 
 SORTIE FROM PORT MEIGS. 143 
 
 Forth Alexander spreads a ruin round ; 
 Dismounts the cannon from the breasted mound ; 
 Breaks their supporting arms : in triumph, then 
 Despatches to the fort his captur'd men ; 
 But stands himself reserv'd, a stretch'd-out chain, 
 To keep the foe from passing round the plain, 
 Aid t' impart to Reynolds on the rear, 
 With whom, the gallant Miller strives severe. 119 
 
 While Proctor thus was conquer'd, Reynolds, Muir, 
 Stood for the conflict in their might secure ; 
 Reynolds the squadrons holding on the right ; 
 Muir those the left, determin'd in the fight. 
 
 Ere for the charge, had Miller reach'd the gate, 
 Stoddard approach'd, his name to elevate : 
 
 " Earnest I plead the opening of the strife 
 T' assail the foe in centre of his life ; 
 My soul desires to meet him, steel in hand, 
 Whilst thou, reserv'd, shaltmark my wielding brand." 
 
 " Brother in arms ! to thy request I yield ; 130 
 Cheerful to thee, I render up the field : 
 I know thy bosom palpitates for fame ; 
 Lead to the battle seek a deathless name." 
 
 The instant Miller yielded his consent, 
 Stoddard proclaim'd it to his regiment : 
 
 " Warriors ! 'tis our to strike preparative, 
 And to the foe a palsied stroke to give ; 
 Let every bosom for the field enlarge ; 
 Portend the spear-points heavy thunder, charge !" 
 
 As down the mountain cliffs the whirlwind roars, 140 
 Giving dread notice of tempestuous showers ;
 
 144 PREDONIAD. CANTO XV. 
 
 Such the wild echo of the warriors' tread, 
 Jarring the earth in solid phalanx dread ; 
 Against the Albion's left the tempest rolls ; 
 A brewing hail- cloud sweeping from the poles. 
 
 When Muir, with lion watch, the squadrons saw, 
 His strength he strengthen'd to resist the war : 
 
 " Behold the darkness of the column nigh ! 
 Britons ! prepare to break it, or to die ! 
 Remember Wolfe and if ye fall like him, 150 
 
 Fame from oblivion will your names redeem." 
 
 His voice was lost in tumult by the sound 
 Of clashing armies meeting on the ground ; 
 Men mix with men in desperate strife they join, 
 While bayonets, streak'd with blood, gleam horrid 
 through the line. 
 
 The Albion centre from the field retire, 
 Where Stoddard's brand shot particles of fire ; 
 Muir, mad, beheld the slaughter of his steel, 
 And touch'd his charger with his goading heel, 
 And, at a leap, forth rush'd upon the brave ; 160 
 
 A moment, each stood frowning like the grave ! 
 
 So when the moon ascends in midnight deep, 
 Climbing through clouds from Allegheny's steep, 
 Half viewless on the blast is seen a ghost, 
 Striking with lightning spear a gloomy host 
 Of angry spectres, prostrate in his wrath, 
 Which fall like dying meteors on his path : 
 But lo, in moon-robes clad, fierce from the north, 
 A hideous form with thunder-brand comes forth, 
 And fronts him in his rage ! yet ere they raise 1 70 
 To strike and set the elements in blaze,
 
 SORTIE PROM FORT MEIGS. 145 
 
 While standing on the edge of adverse cloud, 
 They frown so deep it muffles heaven in shroud ! 
 
 Thus Muir and Stoddard met upon the field, 
 And in suspense the warring armies hejd. 
 
 The pausing done in circles broad they sweep 
 Their fiery blades and clash, and clash, and leap, 
 And rise, and bend, and push, and fence, and thrust, 
 To smite each other backward to the dust ; 
 And while the sparkles round their "falchions gleam, 180 
 Their eyes, fast riveted, unwinking beam, 
 And pierce the hidden soul, marking the blow, 
 Ere the quick arm the circumstance can show ; 
 Oft in the distance of a hair, they play 
 Just as the other parries it away. 
 
 At length, their passion to a frenzy rais'd, 
 Dreadful they thrust ! The sword of Stoddard graz'd 
 The life of Muir his plume, and horsehair white, 
 Are cleft away but, on his helmet bright, 
 The steel is shatter'd with a ringing sound ; 190 
 
 The glittering point flies sparkling to the ground. 
 Muir's lifted brand descends upon his brow ; 
 The high-arch'd brain-wall fractures at the blow ; 
 His hands forego the reins he reels, he dies ; 
 He yields his spirit to th' indulgent skies. 
 
 As stands some monument of lofty brow, 
 Above the elemental clouds of snow 
 That float along the sphere, to speak to fame 
 Rescue from tyrants, or some patriot's name ; 
 Fix'd on its base, immoveable in form, 200 
 
 It laughs defiance at the uproar'd storm ; 
 But lo, it totters, by an earthquake riven : 
 Reels falls to dust its place is lost in heaven ! 
 
 13 VOL. II.
 
 146 FREDONIAD. CANTO XV. 
 
 So Stoddard fell in ruins on the plain, 
 Mix'd with his enemies, promiscuous slain. 
 
 While Stoddard's blood flows forth, Miller displays 
 A thick, black cloud, edg'd round with lightning 
 
 blaze ; 
 
 Hot, fierce, and dark, the maddening battle comes ; 
 Guns thundering, bayonets gleaming, rattling drums ; 
 Columbia charges with the edge of steel ; 210 
 
 Again, the royals from the combat reel. 
 
 But Reynolds now his solid files pours on, 
 And stays the flying squadrons of the throne. 
 The powers conjoin'd, make earth beneath them jar ; 
 Fierce slaughter swells the gory tide of war ; 
 In equal balance the contention burns ; 
 Each rank progressing none with faultering turns ; 
 Miller, obscur'd with dust, exerts his might, 
 And loud proclaims to hold the desperate fight : 
 " Deep plunge the reeking blade with soul in 
 
 wrath ! 220 
 
 Let carnage smile with grimness on our path ! 
 Or vict'ry's light shall dwell upon our brow, 
 Or death shall fold us in our blood below !" 
 
 His squadrons catching flame at every word, 
 Mix steel with steel, and clashing sword with sword. 
 
 As when a vessel, by the strength of steam, 
 Surmounts the current of Ohio's stream ; 
 The glowing furnace gives her engines play, 
 Which, through the water, forces her away. 
 She gains the falls and now, to mount them o'er, 230 
 Requires a stronger exercise of power ;
 
 SORTIE PROM FORT MEIGS. 147 
 
 The hardy watermen with reeking toil 
 Quicken the furnace with inflaming oil, 
 Which forth with violence excites the blast, 
 As fire infernal to the flames were cast. 
 
 So Miller's voice augments the strife of arms ; 
 With groaning tumult swell the dire alarms ; 
 But Reynolds, Muir, stand equal in their fame, 
 And lighten heaven with one unbroken flame. 
 
 Thus when the Oragon tremendous pours 240 
 
 Down the rough mountains, swell'd with torrent 
 
 showers ; 
 
 From thence rolls onward with impetuous force 
 To drive back Ocean to his mother source ; 
 Old Ocean, rising hoary from the main, 
 Piles watery battlements to guard his reign ; 
 The waves resistless meet in warring shock ; 
 The shores reverberate, and reeling rock ; 
 The spongy foam in tortur'd wreaths is driven ; 
 The mad-toss'd billows break the clouds of heaven. 
 
 Columbia charges thus, thus Albion stand, 250 
 Whilst War's rough voice roars bellowing round the 
 land. 
 
 Many and various were the wounds that show'd, 
 From which the purple streams abundant flow'd. 
 
 The plume of Ritzer from his crown was shot, 
 And the fleet ball the temporal artery cut, 
 From which the warm blood trickled o'er his face, 
 And made him look like Albion's allied race ; 
 But soon a bandage skilfully applied, 
 Suppress'd the jetting of the crimson tide ;
 
 148 FREDONIAD. CANTO XV. 
 
 Nothing the foe was favour'd by the wound ; 260 
 
 His very look spread fearful ness around. 
 
 Sedwick, while wrenching from a grenadier, 
 With tugging effort hard, his deep-drove spear, 
 Between the sacred* and vertebral bone, 
 Heard, icy, on his left a dying groan, 
 Which call'd his eye away ; whom should it be ? 
 Todd in the throes of sweating agony ! 
 An espontoon was driven through his foot, 
 While near at hand, a British captain mute 
 Held to the far extreme with nerves cramp'd tight, 270 
 Whom Todd, the moment, had depriv'd of light : 
 Sedwick forth sprung forsook the grenadier 
 To give him succour in his grief severe. 
 In sitting posture, pressing with each heel 
 Beside the wound, he drew the torturing steel ; 
 Todd, by the sudden losing of his pain, 
 Fainted two soldiers bore him from the plain ; 
 And Sedwick seiz'd the weapon of the dead, 
 And done such deeds as made his path look red. 
 
 Johnson, (a name remember'd with delight,) 280 
 While with his brand was urging on the fight, 
 He found him hurl'd bewilder'd on the ground ; 
 In vain he sought discovery of the wound ; 
 His brain was jarr'd, and hence amaz'd he stood, 
 Lost to himself but soon, supporting blood, 
 With hurrying motion, hasten'd to relieve 
 The reason-working power his thoughts revive ; 
 Instant the cause is obvious to his view ; 
 A cannon globe had pierc'd his charger through, 
 
 * Bone next the loins.
 
 SORTIE FROM FORT MEIGS. 149 
 
 Whose entrails large were spread upon the plain, 290 
 No more to feel the cramping of the rein. 
 Johnson the momentary pause redeem'd ; 
 Lock'd with the foe, a fire his falchion seem'd. 
 
 Vain would it be to number all that bled, 
 Or those who sunk on valour's gory bed ; 
 The Muse would faint, and never could there be 
 An end of singing to their memory. 
 
 Now Muir, half seen, by Miller is descried, 
 Urging the battle in his native pride ; 
 The warrior spurs upon him with his steed 300 
 He finds him sweating where the bravest bleed. 
 
 Each looks defiance at the other's eye ; 
 At once in troubled air their falchions fly ; 
 The dauntless Briton gather'd in his might, 
 Strikes to plunge Miller to the shades of night ; 
 But, by quick bending, he avoids the blow - 
 Rising, he wields his brand upon the foe, 
 Which as it circles in a downward sheer 
 Cleaves the depending portion of his ear 
 Tears the cheek muscles shatters out his teeth, 310 
 And splinters wide the bended jaw beneath. 
 Swift from the pulsing artery, that supplies 
 The head with life, the blood with jetting flies ; 
 His swimming eyes in heavy darkness roll ; 
 From wound unsightly wings his airy soul. 
 
 In gory dust depends the warrior's head 
 Sad accident ! the stirrup holds the dead ! 
 The steed uncurb'd affrighted to behold 
 His strong-arm 'd rider in his life blood roll'd, 
 13* VOL. ii.
 
 150 FREDONIAD. CANTO XV. 
 
 Snorts, and flies bounding with the corse behind ; 320 
 Wild as he leaps, it mounts into the wind, 
 Then, in descending, dashes on a rock ; 
 The walls of reason shatter by the shock ; 
 Wide fly the brains commingled with the blood ; 
 The courser dashes frenzied through the wood. 
 Ere long, oblique, the body strikes a tree, 
 Which breaks the thigh and dislocates the knee ; 
 The tight-wedg'd foot from out the stirrup flies, 
 O'erwhelm'd on earth the mangled warrior lies, 329 
 With empty casements where once look'd his eyes. 
 
 Meanwhile the Patriots, on the rear with Clay, 
 Heard the assault, impatient for the fray ; 
 Soon they the order heard : " In column form ! 
 Hark ! hear you not the breaking of the storm ! 
 How the earth trembles ! 'tis the bold sortie 
 Dash'd from the fort to bend the tyrant knee : 
 But wherefore this delay to souls like thine ? 
 Rich is your valour as Potosi's mine ; 
 Hard gripe your arms with sinews lock'd as death, 
 That when you strike, life wilters on the heath." 340 
 
 They press'd with flinty bosoms join'd the blast, 
 When Muir by Miller on the earth was cast ; 
 At the same instant Alexander came, 
 And flank'd the enemy with wasting flame. 
 
 Assail'd upon the rear on front and flank, 
 Their souls shrink inward, and their lines disrank ; 
 But Reynolds stands unconquer'd in his might 
 His eyes like burning of the sparks of night :
 
 SORTIE PROM FORT MEIGS. 151 
 
 " Shrink not ! Let each sublime his name to 
 
 heaven ! 
 
 Against th' encircling powers let steel be driven ! 350 
 Stand rise superior to the storm of death, 
 And as ye fall, with smiling yield the breath !" 
 
 The fight was madden'd by his voice ; but all 
 His efforts are in vain his people fall ; 
 Blood makes them faint they waver break, retire 
 Miller pursues them with assailing fire. 
 As column'd smoke is scatter'd by the wind, 
 So fly the enemy, with terror blind ; 
 Hard at the borders of the lake they crowd, 
 Wild rout and havock waste away their blood ; 360 
 They loose their barges with a dashing oar, 
 Whilst bolted thunders strike them from the shore. 
 
 The Patriots shout the victory on high, 
 Back comes the joyful echo from the sky ; 
 Then to the fort, flags waving, they repair, 
 While the shrill musick dances on the air. 
 
 With heart o'erflowing Harrison proceeds : 
 " Brothers ! co-patriots of immortal deeds ! 
 On eagle pinions will our memories rise 
 For this day's valour in its victories ! 370 
 
 Your every footstep on the soil this day, 
 Will make it holy till old Time's decay ! 
 
 Yea and a monument, where now we stand, 
 Will speak the daring prowess of the band, 
 
 Who, for the love of Liberty's sweet breath, 
 
 Conquer'd their enemies in face of death, 
 
 And pluck'd the laurel green"
 
 152 FRKDONIAD. CANTO XV. 
 
 He paus'd ! what damp'd his tongue, 
 Which with sweet musick to the warriors rung ? 
 
 Alas, 'twas Trimble that appall'd his sight, 
 And struck him palsied from his mental height ; 380 
 With blood yet oozing from his wounds he came 
 His tottering step declared his feeble frame ; 
 His band, unable to sustain their weight, 
 Fainted through weakness ere they reach'd the gate. 
 
 The scene of wo subdu'd the patriot breast 
 From the proud bearing of their vict'ry bless'd, 
 
 Thus when Columbians on th' immortal Fourth, 
 Sublime to celebrate their nation's birth, 
 Make the wide welkin echo to the sound 
 Of welcome thunders, breaking from the ground ; 390 
 And after which, with pomp the musick comes 
 Of pipes and hautboys, clarionets and drums ; 
 The goblets dance with overfloAving wine, 
 Touching the heart with something that's divine ; 
 Proud to the zephyr's breath the Stars are given ; 
 Balloons, exulting, climb the orb of heaven ; 
 A round of pleasures captivates the soul 
 With toasts, and musick, and the flowing bowl. 
 
 Lo, in the midst of joy the tidings come, 399 
 
 That Jefferson has fail'd, and Adams found the tomb ! 
 
 No longer welcome thunders sound to heaven, 
 But mournful lumberings to their tones are given ; 
 The fifes, the hautboys, clarionets and drums, 
 Change their shrill notes to something that benumbs. 
 The goblet's brim, that touch'd the spring of mind, 
 Sickens the soul leaves bitterness behind ; 
 Balloons, supported on the mounting air, 
 Drop to the earth, as weighted with despair.
 
 SORTIE FROM FORT MEIGS. 153 
 
 The Stars grow dark sink mourning from the mast 
 Half its descent, and sigh at every blast ; 410 
 
 In cheeks late dress'd in smiles, deep grief appears ; 
 Their joys are dampen'd with a shower of tears. 
 
 Such was the saddening change when Trimble stood, 
 Gash'd with deep wounds and purpled with his blood. 
 
 At length, when seated and of wine partook, 
 He thus with feebleness the silence broke : 
 
 " My soul gives back to speak the fatal day 
 Our brothers slumber in their robes of clay ; 
 They sleep the solemn sleep the sleep of death, 
 Wrapt in the shrouds of blood upon the heath. 420 
 
 " Dudley" 
 
 By grief his utterance was suppress'd, 
 Till the pent sigh was vented from his breast : 
 
 " Yea Dudley rich with life hath found his doom ; 
 He asks the charity of a covering tomb. 
 His strength in battle was a whirlwind's breath ; 
 Ranks fell before him in the gasp of death ; 
 His falchion was a gleam of heaven's fierce light. 
 When fiery clouds are on the brow of night ; 
 An angry meteor, burning in its path, 
 Flaming the edges of the clouds in wrath, 430 
 
 Was Dudley's brilliant course, then, like a spark 
 
 Lighting the storm, he dropp'd into the dark !" 
 
 * # * * # * * # * 
 
 A solemn stillness something like despair, 
 Follow'd his voice no whisper stirr'd the air ; 
 Yet Dudley's valour dull'd the edge of grief, 
 That seem'd too sharp for possible relief ; 
 Thus was the passion working on the soul^ 
 Compos'd of wonder and despairing dole.
 
 154 FREDONIAD. CANTO XV. 
 
 At length, the hoary chief the deep pause broke- 
 He wip'd his tears and these reflections spoke : 440 
 
 " Men are like flowers, that quicken, bud, and bloom, 
 Then languish, fade, and wither in the tomb ; 
 Mark, when a rose, begemm'd with virgin dew, 
 Is sever'd from the stem where sweet it grew, 
 A softening pity steals upon the mind 
 To see its beauty scatter'd in the wind : 
 But when the season of its prime is done 
 Never no more to blush upon the sun, 
 We heed it not for nature bids it die ; 
 We acquiesce nor mourn its memory : 450 
 
 " And thus it fares with man when green in charms. 
 His life pale withers in Death's icy arms, 
 We mourn his exit sorrow pours the tear 
 To mark his beauty shrouded on the bier ; 
 But when, with age subdu'd gray, palsied, blind, 
 He weds the dust and yields to heaven his mind, 
 The heart scarce feels it Man but lives to die 
 When press'd with years, how slight the passing sigh ! 
 
 " Happy the man, who withers in his bloom ; 
 The tear of sorrow sanctifies his tomb. 560 
 
 So Dudley's grave will be forever blest ; 
 A nation's grief will glorify his rest. 
 
 " But nothing longer must our sorrows stay 
 The last sad office to his hallow'd clay ; 
 All that the living can bestow the dead 
 Is to enfold them in their dusty bed. 
 
 " Johnson, the barges ply with muffled oar, 
 And pass Miami to the fatal shore, 
 And. there the dead inhume but his remains 
 Bear o'er the flood to shrine them on the plains ! 470
 
 SORTIE FROM PORT MEIGS. 155 
 
 And, Metcalf, you with your battalion go, 
 And glean the battle-field of friend and foe ; 
 Bring Stoddard to the fort, and slaughter'd Muir, 
 Who, though a Briton, yet his soul was pure. 
 A generous foe deserves an honour'd grave, 
 To sleep death's slumber with th' immortal brave." 
 With hearts, freighted with sorrow, at command, 
 The chiefs proceeded with selected band. 
 They do the solemn rite with reverence pure ; 
 Metcalf conveys to fort both Stoddard, Muir. 480 
 
 And Johnson bears the lifeless Dudley o'er, 
 While the sad guns by measured minutes roar. 
 
 The shrouded bodies in their graves they lay, 
 As mellow'd heaven withdraws its evening ray ; 
 The clods descending on the coffins, sound 
 With hollow rumbling deep the mourners round 
 Hear the chill note, and shudder on the ground. 
 
 Three solemn vollies o'er their tombs they roll, 
 That speak a language awful to the soul ; 
 And then, with crowded bosoms, evermore 490 
 
 Leave them to moulder on Miami's shore. 
 
 The anxious traveller, as he journies by, 
 May know the spot where they in darkness lie : 
 Where rests the head of Muir, an oak has rose, 
 Spreading its shadows as it loftier grows ; 
 O'er Dudley's tomb, and Stoddard's mouldering grave. 
 Two infant cedars in the light breeze wave : 
 Eternal roots support their heads serene, 
 Rob'd in the beauty of unchanging green. 499
 
 CANTO XVI. 
 
 SANDUSKY.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Disaffection of the Indians. ...The descent of Fredonia.... Invest 
 ment of Fort Sandusky....The Flag of Truce.... The Bombard 
 ment.... Proctor defeated. 
 
 The scene is laid at Maiden, in Heaven, on the White Mountains, 
 and at Sandusky..,.The time is three days.
 
 FREDONIAD 
 
 CANTO XVI. 
 
 MEANTIME the wild-men driven from the shore. 
 For Maiden hurried with impetuous oar ; 
 Landed they show'd a strangeness in their cast, 
 Like those condemn'd to perish in the blast 
 For gibbet crimes. In vain they strove to rest, 
 For dreams of dying lurk'd within their breast. 
 They shrunk with panick thoughts : yea, even yet 
 Their fancy sees upon the parapet 
 The gallant Metcalf wave the standard forth, 
 And hears the shout that bounded from the earth, 10 
 As band of Alexander rush'd along 
 With death's deep promise breaking from their tongue ; 
 They think at times, that Miller's sword is seen, 
 Like fire of heaven, that smites the souls of men. 
 
 At length, new day appearing in the skies, 
 The race of blood in dire confusion rise ; 
 A sourness gathers in Tekelah's eye, 
 That his young warriors found mortality. 
 Cawataw's cannibals reveal their ire, 
 By reason that Tecumseh sav'd from fire 20
 
 160 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Their victims, captur'd on the Dudley shore, 
 Where their grim chief was slaughter'd in his gore. 
 They beat their bosoms with bewilder'd air 
 And, mad with fury, fix upon their hair, 
 And rend it, bleeding dizzy in their brains, 
 With dismal howl they start th' affrighted plains. 
 
 So gaunted wolves with raven maws surround 
 A snowy flock to seize them at a bound ; 
 But, cautious, wait the fading of the day 
 In mind already fasten'd on their prey ; 30 
 
 Behold the village swains their path beset, 
 And make with gushing blood the pasture wet ; 
 Some breathe no more, but others wing their speed ; 
 A look subdues their life they stop, they bleed. 
 At length, with panting, they descend their cave, 
 Where soon with hunger they begin to rave ; 
 Each maddening each to desperation's height, 
 By each accusing other of the flight, 
 Pealing, in concert dire, a deafening yell, 
 Loud as the scream of agony in hell. 40 
 
 Like this, the allies of the Albion king, 
 With frightful bowlings make the welkin ring. 
 
 Tekelah, lowering with a settled gloom, 
 Points with his bloody battle-axe for home ; 
 Silent his clan take notice of the sign, 
 And press behind him in a deepening line. 
 
 Tecumseh saw the disaffected host, 
 And swift pursu'd it ere the whole were lost ; 
 A keen vexation eating on his heart, 
 To think the chiefs should darken and depart. 50
 
 SANDUSKY. 161 
 
 He seem'd to wing his way on air to swim, 
 Such inward spirit quicken'd every limb. 
 
 Thus when a carriage on descending plains, 
 The post resigning to the steeds the reins, 
 Flies with hot motion darting by the wind, 
 Leaving a cloud of up-whirl'd dust behind ; 
 Each wheel so rapid on its axle turns, 
 That earth beneath it with the friction burns ; 
 The whirling spokes, deceptious mock the eye, 
 Lost in the circle of rapidity. 60 
 
 Such was the progress of Tecumseh's speed, 
 As half enrag'd he bounded o'er the mead ; 
 And like the wheel-spokes were his flying feet 
 Mix'd in the sight, their motion was so fleet. 
 
 Soon he Tekelah in his path o'ertakes, 
 And brief the purpose of his coming breaks : 
 
 " Brother, why home, and rest the tomahawk 1 
 Bid stand your warriors hold we here a talk." 
 
 Tekelah at the summons wav'd his hand 
 Sullen in place, his train like murder stand. 70 
 
 He paus'd, and thus : " Tecumseh, we despise 
 Proctor he fly before his enemies ; 
 Large did he promise plunder in the fray ; 
 But noise of battle make his heart give way." 
 
 Tecumseh then : " Too near of truth you talk ; 
 Proctor pale blood he crooked in his walk ; 
 But hatchet bury not keep mad the wars ; 
 The Spirit Great will give to us the cause. 
 
 " Our fathers' ghosts behold us in their joy 
 Yes, soon shall we our enemies destroy ; 80 
 
 On airy cloud in heaven, in loose robes white, 
 I saw them smile for my success in fight ; 
 
 14* VOL. II.
 
 162 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Cawataw's shade in prime of youth was seen, 
 And other chiefs in years of beauty green ! 
 
 " Admit that we in strife of arms should die, 
 Would we not mount like eagles in the sky 
 To sport with nimble feet upon the lawn, 
 Or chase the elk, or tame the speckled fawn ? 
 There, game of every wing in flocks appear, 
 And buffaloes, and flying-footed deer ; 90 
 
 There, when we list, the silver streams we'll swim, 
 And drink till gladness lightens every limb ; 
 Should death the brave man startle with affright, 
 When such rare scenes are ready for delight ? 
 
 " Have you not often eagerly pursu'd 
 The flying chase through many a boundless wood, 
 Till your joints trembled with excess of toil, 
 About to sink and breathe upon the soil ; 
 But in the act of yielding up the cast, 
 A lucky arrow took the game at last : 100 
 
 " So now, perhaps, our greatest toils are done 
 To-morrow glories in a brighter sun. 
 
 " Think not of home rejoin the fight with power 
 We'll drive them yet beyond Ohio's shore ; 
 Me give you large wide hunting ground and good 
 From the Miami to the Wabash flood ; 
 Prophet, from thence to Mississippi west ; 
 
 To other chiefs me portion out the rest." 
 
 ##***###* 
 
 Tekelah thus, when broken was his pause : 
 " Wise be your tongue me join you in the cause." 1 10 
 
 No more of words between the chiefs was said 
 Tekelah drew his tomahawk a dread
 
 SANDUSKY. 163 
 
 Deep muster'd in his eye as forth it came, 
 
 Which storm'd his countenance and shook his frame : 
 
 He whirl'd it round and pointed to the path ; 
 
 Instant his clan express'd their former wrath, 
 
 Pealing the war-song with discordant yell, 
 
 Like furies loosen'd from the bonds of hell. 
 
 To Maiden back they hie with gestures dire, 
 
 At every step their madness kindling higher. 120 
 
 And now, his charger Proctor mounts in style ; 
 His army squar'd and solid every file. 
 His left the bit commands his dexter hand 
 Sustains with regal port his polish'd brand ; 
 Its burnish'd point above his shoulder gleams ; 
 And, in appearance, brave as Wolf he seems ; 
 His words come boasting with a pompous sound 
 To royal legions savages around : 
 
 '' What though the Fort hath not surrender'd ours, 
 Few suns shall pass before we gain its powers ; 130 
 Our courage yet is whole. I've form'd a plan 
 By which we'll subjugate their every man. 
 Ere this, should we have scatter'd them in rout, 
 Had it not been for that deceiving scout, 
 Which stay'd our bulwark labours in the night, 
 And made us vain the empty darkness fight ; 
 But understanding what is their deceit, 
 Never again can they their arts repeat. 
 
 " Though our endeavours at the fort were vain, 
 Has not Tecumseh strew'd with death the plain ? 
 An army triple of his own destroy'd, 
 Which, with the foe has made a dreadful void !
 
 164 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Let none look grave with a desponding eye, 
 We yet shall strike, and strike with victory ! 
 
 " We'll now retire. But when bright day shall 
 
 come, 
 
 And we awaken'd with the stirring drum, 
 In ready barges rapid we'll repair 
 To Fort Sandusky, to assail them there. 
 A spy, who hurried to the camp at light, 
 Informs, a boy but stands against our might, 150 
 
 With others green in years ! These, when they spy 
 The Cross for mercy, on their knees will cry ; 
 But spare not lift the hatchet slay the brood 
 Take ample vengeance for the red man's blood ! 
 
 " Now when Sandusky to our will is bent, 
 Then, by our strength and skilful management, 
 Soon we'll compel Miami to resign, 
 And on th' Ohio post our southern line ; 
 Yea, from the lakes to that dividing flood, 
 The foe surrenders, or he swims in blood !" 160 
 
 Each eye approving smil'd to hear the plan ; 
 The hope of conquest shone from rear to van ; 
 In which delusive light they lose the pain 
 Their late disaster on Miami's plain ; 
 Nor heed the darkness which at distance lowers, 
 Again to overshade with death their powers. 
 
 So when deep clouds a village overcast, 
 Borne in thick squadrons on the winged blast ; 
 Thunders explode with hail and forky fires, 
 While the red tempest in its rage aspires ; 170 
 
 The trembling villagers stand shock'd with dread. 
 To mark the horrors bursting o'er their head.
 
 SANDUSKY. 
 
 165 
 
 At length, disparting on the wings of heaven, 
 
 The clouds fly diverse through the concave driven ; 
 
 The swains rejoice to view the welcome sun ; 
 
 All their past terror with the tempest gone, 
 
 Not heeding of a spot that stains the north, 
 
 Soon to enlarge and hurl new terrors forth. 
 
 Not otherwise their minds forget the past ; 
 None dream the gathering of a second blast, 180 
 
 At distance brewing, heavy to descend 
 In showers of death their brittle life to rend. 
 
 To Proctor now Tecumseh broke his mind, 
 What he had secret to himself design'd : 
 
 " I well approve of the Sandusky fight ; 
 But we with art must compass them aright. 
 What talk you how the enemy deceive 
 How by his scouts he make you false believe 1 
 In Indian too, deceit at Tip'canoe, 189 
 
 Their chief thought not but Prophet meant him true ; 
 But we deceive, to strike upon him dead 
 Ere he should break the slumber of his bed. 
 
 " Now listen to Tecumseh : Meigs surround 
 With me, Tekelah circle on the ground ; 
 While you Sandusky fight, this nest we bar, 
 And thus divided carry on the war. 
 Me form sham battle, as their friends had come 
 Laden'd with things of luxury from home ; 
 They hear my rifles issue from the fort, 
 And then Tecumseh show them day-light sport." 200 
 
 Him, Proctor smiling, thus : " Brother, you've stood 
 The first in council, and the field subdu'd ;
 
 166 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 But this your plan of warfare is the best, 
 That e'er your judgment hath made manifest. 
 But should your battles be in vain, why then, 
 When Croghan yields, with royal-hearted men 
 I'll storm the fortress overleap the wall 
 The Eagle fluttering, in the dust shall fall. 
 
 " Dixon, to you Cawataw's tribe I give, 
 That in your presence not a youth may live. 210 
 
 But, Reynolds, you in readiness will stand, 
 Till I secure possession of the land, 
 Then, with reserve, the lake you'll compass o'er, 
 And plant a conquering standard on the shore. 
 
 " Now to pavilions, royalists ! repair, 
 And rest the mind, made weary with its care, 
 And feast the body on luxurious fare ; 
 But when at day, the reveille shall beat, 
 Rise, and make dark the waters with the fleet. 219 
 
 " But who comes straining from the east '?" 
 
 He scarce had said, 
 
 When who should reach the field, but Vincent's aid ; 
 Of triumph breath'd his voice : " Proctor, behold, 
 The pride of Freedom in the dust is roll'd ! 
 At Queenstown Heights, our fame hath reach'd its 
 
 heaven 
 
 Before our steel, invasion back is driven ! 
 And, as by York, I dash'd along the path, 
 Sheffie stood frowning in a cloud of wrath, 
 Ready the landing of the foe to strike, 
 Led in their daring by the sword of Pike !" 
 
 A shout, like thunder rolling, broke to heaven, 230 
 Thrice to the earth, the echo back was driven.
 
 SANDUSKY. 167 
 
 Proctor exclaim'd : " The States, the whole are 
 
 ours ! 
 
 They wilt before us like the noon-mow'd flowers ! 
 The English oak will shade them from the sun 
 Their summer's past, their winter has begun !" 
 
 They shouted thrice again and fil'd away 
 To be prepar'd against the coming day. 
 
 Meanwhile the empyreal glories of the skies 
 Beheld the war with their immortal eyes : 
 High on the diamond wall, sublime they stood, 240 
 Their clear orbs rolling in a lucid flood 
 Of amber light But now, with grace divine, 
 Imbower'd with fragrance, in the grove they shine ; 
 On golden seats, reclin'd in crescent rings, 
 Their bright forms shaded with their rainbow wings ; 
 Love pours its holy transport from each eye, 
 And every passion of sweet ecstacy. 
 
 Justice arose, unalter'd in his look, 
 And with a dignity of utterance spoke : 
 
 " 'Tis now decreed, Fredonia, heavenly Maid, 250 
 That thou descend and give thy offspring aid ; 
 Deep have they suffer'd for disunion, now 
 Hence hope gives promise never more they'll bow 
 To hell's grim agency but wisdom learn 
 By past affliction and to faith return ; 
 They now for trial probatory stand, 
 To be united, or a broken band ; 
 Hence, not as yet 'tis given thee to consume 
 The host infernal, till I speak their doom.' 7 
 
 He spoke the consult, and resum'd his seat, 560 
 And Independence rose with soul elate :
 
 168 FRKDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 " Joys of divinity my breast inspire, 
 Touching my heart with a celestial fire, 
 That young Columbians on the battle day, 
 Th' immortal daring of their sires display ; 
 He t nce, with the foe I'd nothing interfere, 
 But yield to them the fiery fields severe ; 
 Yet with strict guard observe the powers of night, 
 They aid not Albion to maintain the fight ; 
 But let the freeborn build their own renown 270 
 
 By native effort, striking back the crown : 
 As late, Fredonia on Niagara's tide 
 Touch'd with her spear the Fiend subdu'd his pride, 
 Then, let the war take course so, even now, 
 Her care should be to foil the gloomy foe ; 
 But if that Heaven with battles interfere, 
 Where would the valour of our sons appear ? 
 Lo, with one effort we could sweep away 
 The race of man, reducible to clay ; 
 Let mortal single against mortal stand, 280 
 
 That each may prove the virtue of his land." 
 
 Ere he had ended, every heart was won, 
 The war should be conducted as begun, 
 Save but to curb the future strides of him, 
 Who burst from hell, in Freedom's blood to swim ; 
 But nothing farther, till the States in one 
 Should weld their strength to break the chaining 
 
 Throne ; 
 
 Then they decree, Fredonia from the earth 
 Should strike him backward to his place of birth. 
 
 The Goddess now, and the celestials, rise 290 
 
 To leave, for earth, immortal paradise;
 
 SANDUSKY. 
 
 169 
 
 She gains the battlements of heaven divine, 
 Where all the synod in due order shine ; 
 Infantile Spirits hover round the Fair 
 With golden harps to strike the sacred air. 
 
 Loose round her temples, whiter than the snow 
 That sleeps unsullied on the mountain's brow, 
 A garland twines compos'd of myrtle rare 
 The rose, the lily, and the jessamine fair : 
 These bloom luxuriant, of exquisite dye, 300 
 
 That wakens beauty in an angel's eye. 
 
 Her hair as touch'd with Love's soft fingers curls, 
 And o'er her neck like melted amber furls, 
 Flowing exuberant, wonderous to behold, 
 Like burnish'd threads of pure effulgent gold. 
 
 Light o'er her polish'd limbs, a robe is cast, 
 Which, in its texture, nature's works surpass'd, 
 Wrought by the butterflies, that spin in heaven, 
 Where life abundant at its source is given : 
 Not like those worms, that labour on the earth, 310 
 Dying the moment they receive their birth 
 But when the winding of their silk is done, 
 They shine like rainbows glittering in the sun ; 
 And, like the things of heaven, their forms improve, 
 Sporting eternal in the beams of love. 
 
 The souls, that never touch the earth, receive 
 These beauteous webs, and, with light fingers, weave 
 The robes of seraphim, in which appear 
 The mimick stars, that decorate the sphere. 
 
 Such was the wond'rous robe Fredonia wore 320 
 To take her flight from the empyreal shore ; 
 Three radiant zones its waving folds unite 
 Round her fair waist, of matchless colours bright 
 15 VOL. ii.
 
 170 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 The red, the spotless white, unfading blue, 
 Shining forever with a brilliance new. 
 
 Her wings partake the fashion of a dove, 
 Half spread, to leave the battlements above ; 
 The plumes were dipp'd within a rainbow dye, 
 Then fluid gold was sprinkled carelessly, 
 
 Her alabaster arm sustains a shield, 330 
 
 Gold, pure with fining on which reveal'd, 
 Are Heights of Bunker blazing as with fire, 
 And Trenton kissing heaven with many a spire 
 Eutaw, and Monmouth, and the plains of York 
 And Saratoga, glitter in the work. 
 
 Beneath these emblems, on the gold is seen, 
 Inscrib'd by angel hand and diamond pen, 
 The Declaration, which proclaim'd afar 
 The light that kindled from the Freedom Star. 
 So bright the splendour of the wond'rous shield, 340 
 The dazzling suns look dim upon the field ! 
 
 This on her left : Her dexter holds a spear, 
 Temper'd with light in heaven's sublimest sphere ; 
 Its vital point turns dark the brightest star 
 Full in the blaze of heaven its brilliance shines afar. 
 
 Lo, now, Fredonia spreads her angel wings ! 
 Loud with hosannas the empyreal rings ! 
 The infant spirits touch the quivering wire, 
 And join symphonious to the ravish choir ; 
 Hymming proud Liberty in choral song 350 
 
 Her praises shouting with their flaming tongue 
 The rights of man, that sanctifies the cause 
 Of th' elective franchise Fredom's equal laws,
 
 SANDUSKY. 171 
 
 Swelling the theme sublime with musick high, 
 As sails the Goddess on her embassy. 
 
 Down the pure element she cleaves her way, 
 While round her burn the quenchless beams of day ; 
 Heaven stands in holy gazing at her flight, 
 Through shining circles of effulgent light. 
 From star to star mid blazing orbs divine, 360 
 
 Of which no mortal ever saw their shine, 
 So distant plac'd near Deity's abode, 
 That not to earth their radiance yet hath flow'd, 
 Though since creation's birth they've shot their 
 
 beams, 
 Swift as the madded lightning when it gleams ! 
 
 At each exertive motion of her wing 
 She darts her way, the distance of the ring 
 That circles Saturn next outstrips the first, 
 Trifold, immense to reach the globe of dust ; 
 The next succeeding, distances the last, 370 
 
 Measuring a system of creation vast ; 
 The swiftest sparkle of far-shooting light 
 Creeps in its course to her immortal flight ; 
 The vital mind upon the wing of fire, 
 Which at a thought attains its high desire, 
 Scarcely excels her wonderful descent, 
 Through the vast regions of the element. 
 
 At length she gains the system of the sun, 
 And thinks her journey to the earth is done ; 
 She meets the comets in their distant round, 380 
 
 Like blazing oceans through the void profound ; 
 At once she strikes her wing to Herschell's sphere ; 
 And then to Saturn then to Jupiter.
 
 172 PREDON1AD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 A gliding motion from these sun-lit stars 
 Finds her descended to the angry Mars ; 
 But quick she turns from his inflaming eye, 
 And gains the Sun, self-balanc'd in the sky. 
 
 Her presence adds new brightness to his rays, 
 And wide through heaven illuminates his blaze ; 
 The spots that marr'd the beauty of his face 390 
 
 Shine with the splendour of primeval grace. 
 With eye sublim'd she views the golden chains, 
 Which hold the planets in their circling plains. 
 And silver moons that round about them play, 
 Reflecting back the image of liis ray : 
 
 Lost for a moment, wrapt in wonderment, 
 Though heaven the purest was her element, 
 She marks their order as through space they roll, 
 Marshall'd in beauty by the sun's control. 
 
 Long had she gaz'd, but lo, the passing Earth 400 
 Caught her tranc'd eye, and call'd her purpose forth, 
 The Sun, to favour her divine descent, 
 Calls a rich cloud from Mercury's firmament, 
 And gives it all the beauty of his light, 
 In which the rainbows kissingly unite. 
 
 The Goddess takes the present with a smile, 
 Folding her wings upon her breast the while ; 
 And now, superior seated on her car, 
 Smooth she descends to visit earth afar. 
 
 Evening's soft light was melting on the breast 410 
 Of mist-bath'd mountains when she gain'd the west : 
 Around Columbia on the cloud she sails 
 Not by the buoyancy of breathing gales,
 
 SANDUSKY. 17S 
 
 But by the will that in herself abides ; 
 
 Like a new beauty through the heavens she glides, 
 
 Calling the gaze of wondering mortals forth, 
 
 Like when bright angels visited the earth. 
 
 Lo, at the glance of her immortal eyes, 
 
 The land, the ocean, like enchantment rise. 
 
 Broad round the ocean she extends her view 420 
 To mark the navy, Albion to subdue ; 
 To bring the sea-bred Lion to his knee, 
 And make him feel the power of Liberty. 
 Rodgers appears with all his sail-wings bent 
 Sublim'd with valour in the President ; 
 Hull, Jones, Decatur, Warrington, are seen ; 
 Burroughs, renown'd with honourable men ; 
 Percival, with laughing art upon his mein ; 
 Allen, and Biddle, Stewart, mild yet brave ; 
 And Barry, Bainbridge, fearless on the wave. 430 
 
 Next, o'er the landscape she extends her eyes, 
 And the progression of the war descries. 
 
 At Plattsburg. Macomb like a fortress stands 
 To foil invasion with his chosen bands ; 
 The young Macdonough, glowing in his pride, 
 Launching his battle-ships in silver tide ; 
 And Perry, at the Rock, his fleet in trim, 
 Ready at signal on the lake to swim. 
 In Chauncy's navy, warriors led by Pike, 
 York, their proud capital at day to strike ; 440 
 
 And Meigs, and Maiden. After which appears 
 Sandusky, guarded by the young in years. 
 Johnson is seen upon Kentucky's plain, 
 Gathering her sons to curb th' oppressor's reign ; 
 
 13* VOL. II.
 
 174 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Combin'd with Shelby to invade the shore, 
 And humble Proctor and the savage power. 
 
 These she beheld, as evening's mellow beam 
 Withdrew from earth like a celestial dream ; 
 She leaves her car in heaven, and lights serene, 
 With hallow'd feet, on Vernon's Mountain green ; 450 
 Her vital touch gives quickening to the tomb ; 
 Flowers, worthy heaven, spring forth in primal bloom, 
 The pale, green willows, that around it mourn, 
 Weep their soft tears of sorrow on the urn, 
 While thirteen rainbows circle o'er their head, 
 Form'd by the incense of the mighty dead, 
 Wrapp'd in the dark of death ; each radiant bow, 
 Bears a bright star of beauty on its brow, 
 Round which, delicious on the breath of even, 
 JEolian numbers sound by deities of heaven. 460 
 
 ******** '-: 
 
 At length, the solemn darkness melts away 
 Faint, one by one, the jewel stars decay ; 
 Yet Venus glows more bright, as they decline, 
 And rob'd in loveliness, delights to shine ; 
 Her beauteous eye like love in rapture beams, 
 And trembling sparkles in the dark blue streams. 
 
 The sweet enchantments delicately fade ; 
 The car of clouds descends, and bears the Maid 
 Smooth from the earth too gross the mortal eye 
 To view the scenes of immortality. 470 
 
 The flowers that quicken'd to celestial bloom, 
 Sunk in the bosom of the darksome tomb ; 
 The star-crown'd rainbows melted into air, 
 And left it lonely with the willows there.
 
 SANDUSKY. 175 
 
 Through Albion's camp, the drums proclaira'd the 
 
 day 
 
 They start awaken and to boats away ; 
 Tekelah joins Tecumseh with his power 
 They launch, for Meigs, their barges from the shore ; 
 Short, Chambers, Proctor Dixon with his horde, 
 .And Gordon, bearing a commanding sword ; 480 
 
 And Prophet, brother of Tecumseh glide 
 Swift o'er the lake, Sandusky to decide. 
 
 Its stream they enter'd, as the sun at noon 
 Stood at his rest the little fortress soon 
 Open'd before them with its Eagle high, 
 Searching the beam of heaven unwinkingly. 
 
 They land, they spread innumerous on the shore, 
 Like summer insects, when in swarms they pour. 
 
 The meantime Croghan ever in his thought 
 Had held the precepts that the veteran taught, 490 
 To keep his mind upon the royals bent, 
 And then the fort they'd never circumvent. 
 
 Soon as he mark'd the gathering of the foe, 
 It caus'd'a richness through his heart to flow ; 
 A martial kindling in his bosom came, 
 And touch'd each word as with a seraph's flame : 
 
 " Behold invasion darkening on the sight ! 
 Say, feel ye not no thrilling of delight ? 
 My young companions, harness'd new in arms, 
 Does not the prospect to your souls bring charms ? 500 
 Yes I behold a language in your eye, 
 That proves what inward is your ecstacy ! 
 
 " Let each with holy breath invoke his fair, 
 To nerve his arm for something that is rare ;
 
 176 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 By them inspir'd, our enemies must die, 
 And clothe our names with immortality ! 
 
 " What though like swarming they invade the ground. 
 And hem our walls with multitudes around, 
 Raise but the soul to admiration high, 
 Let thousands come, we stand for Liberty !" 510 
 
 Warm, like the kindling of a meteor spark, 
 Breaking the solidness of midnight dark, 
 The flame of Croghan enter'd to the soul, 
 And forth they answer'd : " Thunders, let them roll 
 Yea, let the foe spout cataracts of fire 
 And flood the fort with life we'll ne'er retire !*' 
 
 What time this pass'd, the legions of the Crown 
 Impatient gaz'd to see the Eagle down. 
 Dixon's grim host stood sharpening up their knives. 
 Ready to scalp and massacre their lives. 520 
 
 Saliva druling from their jaws was seen, 
 While hunger gnaw'd upon their stomachs keen, 
 To eat the heart of Croghan tear his flesh, 
 And drink his warm blood at the fountain fresh. 
 
 Proctor at length, with vehemence of look, 
 To Chambers, Elliot, his impatience spoke : 
 
 " What, dare they think resistance to our will ! 
 Forth shall the savage have command to kill ! 
 Chambers and Elliot, warn him of his fate ; 
 At setting sun to yield will be too late ! 550 
 
 Worse than at Raisin will I be his death ; 
 By small degrees, I'll fry away his breath !" 
 
 They in their silence, his instructions heard ; 
 Fix'd is the flag of peace on Chambers' sword ;
 
 SANDUSKY. 177 
 
 With martial steppings to the fort they hied, 
 With all the pomp that royalty supplied. 
 
 Proctor breath'd poison in the Prophet's ear ; 
 He bade him sly to hover on their rear, 
 And seize upon the warrior sent from fort, 
 And break the truce, and then begin the sport. 540 
 
 Croghan with strict observance soon beheld 
 The truce approach. To Ship the hero wheel'd, 
 Who scarce had summers seen twice five and seven, 
 But all his youth was to his country given : 
 
 " Brother in arms ! behold, their flag arrives ; 
 Go, meet it on the field : they seek our lives ; 
 Let thy bold answer enter to the soul ; 
 When all are slain the fort's at their control." 
 
 Ship, without answer, touch'd with beauty's glow, 
 Advanc'd to meet the parley of the foe. 550 
 
 The perfect symmetry of every limb, 
 Seem'd to impart a buoyancy to swim ; 
 Quick round his eye an infant lightning ran, 
 Which show'd the promise of the future man. 
 
 Chambers, important, met the blushing boy, 
 And labour'd thus his virtue to decoy : 
 
 " Knowing the rashness of unguarded youth, 
 Proctor, our general, noted for his truth, 
 Hath sent this flag to warn you of your fate, 
 Ere that his arms your lives annihilate ! 560 
 
 " Look round ! behold the royal standards dread ! 
 Observe the savages to strike you dead ! 
 Mark, how they brandish in the air their knives ! 
 Go and with prayers, surrender up your lives !"
 
 178 PREDONIAD. CANTO Xvt. 
 
 Ship paus'd his breast was full : " He knows our 
 
 youth 
 
 We also know this mighty man of truth, 
 And render him our thanks, to grant us word, 
 That we with prayer surrender up our sword : 
 But please you whisper in his gracious ear, 
 No prayers from us, repentant will he hear ; 570 
 
 We pray to none, save Him who dwells on high 
 The Centre Point of immortality ; 
 Yon Eagle from her height will ne'er retire, 
 Till her defenders in their blood expire !" 
 
 He spoke with searching eye, and wheel'd to march : 
 " Tarry, fair youth," thus serpent Elliot arch : 
 
 u Never my tongue a flattering speech declar'd 
 'Tis poison to my soul with hell compar'd ; 
 But, to behold thee in thy peerless bloom, 
 Devoted to endure a savage doom, 580 
 
 Gives to my heart a sympathy of grief, 
 Beyond my power to offer you relief ; 
 That rose upon thy cheek will pale like snow ; 
 The blood in thy young heart will cease to flow j 
 That eye, that swims in firmamental blue, 
 Irons, tipt with fire, will lingering pierce it through ; 
 These locks, that thy fair lineaments adorn, 
 Will from thy skull by gory hands be torn. 
 
 " Come to my bosom shelter you with me, 
 And I to you a guardianship will be ; 590 
 
 Come be ennobled with Britannia's power ! 
 
 And royal honours wealth " 
 
 " Poison no more ! 
 
 No more I'll hear the serpent of thy tongue 
 Suppress the note a croaking raven song !
 
 SANDUSKY. 179 
 
 " Come to thy bosom ! bosom, that retains 
 The crimes, the blackest of infernal stains ! 
 Come to thy bosom ! royal honours ! What 1 
 A bosom nursing vipers hell begot ! 
 
 " Never you flatter'd with an oily word ! 
 And is it poison, to your soul abhorr'd ? 600 
 
 Think then, I urge thee, where wilt thou be cast, 
 When Death shall call thee to expire thy last ? 
 Does not thy soul with frightful murder start, 
 When thou call'st back the memory of Hart ? 
 Does not his spirit trouble thee at night, 
 And walking dead men terrify thy sight ? 
 
 " And canst thou hear without a blush his name ? 
 It proves thy baseness link'd to damning fame ! 
 
 " Good heaven ! suppress the rising of my soul ; 
 My crowded heart is breaking from control ! 610 
 
 His martyr'd blood will nerve our arms with power ! 
 Advance to yonder mound, and death shall thee 
 devour !" 
 
 Like muster'd thunders, when they wrathful break. 
 Causing the battlements of heaven to shake, 
 Link'd round with chains of fire ; such was the peal 
 From Freedom's youth, which made the Britons feel; 
 Such was the flash that lighten'd from his eye, 
 Which burnt upon their hearts like agony. 
 
 Ship purpos'd to return but Prophet sly, 
 Crouch' d from his hiding, as his sword swung by 620 
 Caught at the scabbard ! Ship, without a word, 
 Turn'd short, and as he wheel'd he bar'd his sword. 
 The savage drew his axe ! burning they stood 
 With weapons in the act to taste of blood !
 
 180 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 But as they* felt the impulse of the hand 
 To smite the other bleeding on the sand, 
 Chambers beheld, and rush'd himself between, 
 And check'd the Indian with reproving mein. 
 
 Thus Gabriel, Satan, on the walls of Eden, 
 Stood fix'd in wrath their dreadful powers even ; 630 
 Satan dilated, horrid for the fight, 
 And Gabriel strengthen'd with eternal might ; 
 But lo, in heaven, the parting scales were seen : 
 Satan retir'd a cloud upon his mein. 
 
 Ship smother'd up his blade, and wheeling short, 
 With steps of honour, enter'd in the fort, 
 And stated the result show'd Elliot's art 
 At first to frighten, then subdue his heart. 
 
 Blank'd stood the heralds with confusion's eye 
 To be defeated in their embassy ; 640 
 
 Their conscience struggled to suppress the truth ; 
 Their deep designs outmaster'd by a youth. 
 
 Back to the camp of Proctor they recede, 
 And state in whispers what the boy had said. 
 
 " Dare they resistance 1 send me such report 1 
 Quick let the brass dash ruin on the fort ! 
 Deep charge the mortars set fire to the air 
 With hissing bombs, to desolate them there. 
 Soon mercy will they plead with prayerful cry 
 But prayers I answer with mortality ! 650 
 
 Yea will I make my threatening promise good ; 
 I'll make a warm bath of their smoking blood ! 
 
 * The weapons.
 
 SANDUSKT. 181 
 
 " Away, and burn the element with flame ; 
 An hour hence, not one shall have a name !' ? 
 
 The mortars burst with fire the shells rebound* 
 The heavy guns in unison resound. 
 But Croghan stands unchang'd outlooks the blast, 
 Which rolls above him the sublime and vast. 
 
 Thus, when a youth, on Avon, Shakspeare stood 
 To gaze at nature in her wildest mood, 660 
 
 For now the clouds were mustering in the north 
 To pour a deluge in tornado forth ; 
 Their broken savageness attract his sight, 
 Rolling in darkness, mixing day with night ; 
 Dread through the firmament, glance lightning fires 
 New thunders peal, ere half the flash expires 
 The poet's mind takes wing upon the storm, 
 And riots awful in the dark deform. 
 
 So Croghan stands and glories in the scene, 
 His young companions firm in discipline. 670 
 
 At length the veil of night the foe conceals, 
 And Proctor to his chiefs his pain reveals : 
 
 " And do they foil us ? never will they yield ? 
 What, without answer, do they dare the field ? 
 Verily they stand defy our best ! 
 They heed us not but seem with slumber press'd 
 Nothing of brass upon our lines they turn ; 
 No nor a sparkle has been seen to burn. 
 In different manner we'll our strength exert ; 
 We'll bulwarks raise to batter down the fort. 
 Chambers, the guns upon the river flame, 
 While Short and Gordon will the batteries frame ; 
 16 VOL. ir.
 
 182 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 That when the day shall open in the east, 
 
 We'll break their walls, and let the savage feast." 
 
 Chambers and Elliot to the boats repair, 
 And hurl the bombs like wild things through the air ; 
 Th' intrenchers follow the command of Short 
 And Gordon, to sweep desolate the fort. 
 The labour smokes by fresh unwearied men, 
 The spaders rear where mattockers had been ; 690 
 Through embrasures the cannon frowns severe, 
 Early at day to shake the hemisphere. 
 
 Meanwhile round Croghan stood his little group 
 Of officers, determin'd ne'er to stoop 
 A joint to kneeling, save to smiting death, 
 While they should draw the breathing of a breath. 
 Meaks, Hunter, Johnson, Butler, Anthony, 
 Met to consult their warriors outwardly 
 Stood in a circle to attend their word, 
 When they in plans defensive should accord. 700 
 
 Hunter to Croghan : " Shall we touch the fire, 
 And cause these fighting-barges to retire ? 
 See, they more daring in their progress grow ; 
 Small by degrees upon the fort they row. 
 Our globes would strike and shiver many a boat, 
 And cause its ruins with the stream to float." 
 
 The youth his judgment show'd : " Thy words are 
 
 just, 
 
 That we full many in the stream could thrust'; 
 But oft it happens, for temporary gain, 
 We lose the cause our efforts would attain. 710 
 
 Now, should we open on their barge with fire, 
 We soon indeed would force them to retire ;
 
 SANDUSKY. 163 
 
 But mark, their bombs in wandering circles fly ; 
 They break beyond us scattering through the sky ; 
 Now, should we them more distantly remove, 
 They might more dangerous to our safety prove. 
 
 " Besides, if we no opposition show, 
 In time 'twill make more venturesome the foe, 
 And foil him from his guard, the moment then, 
 We'll let him know how soon that boys are men, 720 
 
 " Johnson, your files will occupy the north ; 
 Hunter, the south, to meet their coming forth ; 
 Butler and Anthony, the east and west ; 
 Meaks, hold the brass. Through night, by parts 
 
 we'll rest ; 
 
 The cannon's voice will rouse us with alarms, 
 Should they in darkness make th' attempt by arms." 
 
 Martial, yet modest, he proclaim'd the word, 
 And each fulfill'd it lock'd in one accord ; 
 The sentries watch with jealousy of soul, 729 
 
 While o'er their heads the meteorous bombshells roll. 
 
 At length, the waning Moon with silver horn 
 Shines on her hill, precurser of the dawn ; 
 Venus, her daughter, slow behind her moves 
 With bashful footsteps o'er the mountain groves ; 
 As nature beautiful, as heaven divine, 
 Like holy things, with loveliness they shine ; 
 They catch the soul's devotion as they rise, 
 While just below, gray twilight streaks the skies. 
 
 As darkness vanisheth, the works are seen, 
 At which the Albions had at labour been. 740
 
 184 FREDONfAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Croghan breaks forth : " Behold, they've chang'd 
 
 their site ! 
 
 The river is at peace on land they fight ! 
 How violent they dash the fire severe ! 
 And let them dash it none regards it here ! 
 Void of effect they magnify the flame 
 Soon they'll exhaust, like madness when it's tame. 
 
 " See how the balls that strike us on the north, 
 Lie in their slumber, bedded in the earth ! 
 The strife, as yet, our efforts would debase ; 
 But 'twould the nation's character disgrace, 750 
 
 Without a gun to let them home return ; 
 If nothing more, salute from us shall burn. 
 
 " The Stars, with brilliance in their orbits, shine 
 Full in the breeze, like something that's divine ; 
 The Eagle points her arrows flaps her wing, 
 To hear the thunder-voice of Britain ring, 
 1 feel strange rapture stirring in my breast, 
 That never yet by language was express'd ; 
 Stand pillar'd to the earth ! The coming even, 759 
 My mind forebodes we'll send their souls to heaven ! 
 Be nothing daunted take substantial life 
 To give your valour energy in strife ; 
 Man cannot live upon the mind but food 
 Must give his body nourishment of blood." 
 
 He touch'd their youthful hearts, like touch of fire, 
 Which gave their souls a newness of desire ; 
 Unmov'd, they seated and their hunger stay'd, 
 And every purpose of his will obey'd, 
 While bent on death the Albions cannonade.
 
 SANDUSKY. 
 
 185 
 
 Proctor discover'd his exertions vain ; 
 And while a madness swell'd upon his brain, 
 His tongue broke forth : " Will thunder not remove- 
 Nothing reduce yon Eagle from above ? 
 
 " At angle of the north the cannon bend ; 
 There breach the fort, and cause it to descend. 
 No more the time with useless toil consume, 
 But plunge with steel and strike them to the tomb." 
 
 He said. And presently his will was done 
 True at the angle bent was every gun ; 
 As hail, descending from a spring-time cloud, 780 
 Beats on the earth to kill its tender bud, 
 So thick the globes from royal engines burst 
 To breach the fort and level it to dust, 
 And smite the youths that hold it in their trust, 
 
 Croghan soon scann'd the motive of the foe 
 To breach and enter to his overthrow : 
 
 " Warriors ! behold their purposes are plain ! 
 Strengthen the angle make their efforts vain ! 
 Johnson, Anthony, with rapid hand, 
 Defy a breach with canisters of sand. * 790 
 
 Shipp, Hunter, Dunkin, the full store bring forth, 
 And form a double fencement on the north ; 
 They now design with steel our hearts to pierce 
 Their former warfare total to reverse. 
 And let them come, like waves of tempest sea, 
 We'll meet them here, and meet them smilingly I 
 
 " In northern bastion, Meaks, the cannon place, 
 And keep it darken'd from the royal race ; 
 Six practis'd warriors to assist thee take, 
 And cautious level, through the trench to rake. 800 
 16* VOL. ii.
 
 186 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Crowd but half weight of death-dust in its womb, 
 To spread in its explosion, general doom ; 
 But to the full, load canister and ball, 
 That when it opens, ranks on ranks may fall." 
 
 Presently the whole commence the toil 
 And soon th' intentions of the foe they foil, 
 Meaks crowds the brass as Croghan gave in charge, 
 With grape and canister, both small and large, 
 Then scatters leaves, as thoughtless, yet with care, 
 That none might notice what of death was there. 810 
 
 Now they at signal to their places hie 
 To watch the movements of the enemy. 
 
 Thus, when a fowler, having set his snare 
 To trap a flock of wild doves in the air, 
 Retires in silence to his secret blind, 
 To ken their motions as they ride the wind ; 
 And restless counts the time to see them come 
 To spring the net that folds them in their doom : 
 
 With like impatience the young heroes wait 
 To mark the foe to rush upon his fate. 820 
 
 While thus the forted Proctor with his glass 
 Observ'd a breach effected by his brass, 
 For lo, a blemish on his pupil gray, 
 Threw a beam broken on the retina, 
 Which, in the brain, produc'd a motion there, 
 As though the angle had been swept in air ; 
 Glad at his heart stepping with lofty port, 
 Proud he began to Dixon and to Short : 
 
 " The fort is ours ! They soon shall be in tears 
 The whole in ruins to my sight appears ! 830
 
 SANDUSKY. 187 
 
 " Short, through the breach with thy battalions on ! 
 Regard you not the bursting of a gun ; 
 Had they exploding brass, the globes to throw, 
 Its jaws would stream the battle-fire ere now ; 
 Heed not the flashing of the rifles small 
 Strike ere the sparkle scorches to the ball. 
 
 " Round to the south, thy wild-men, Dixon, wheel, 
 And, Gordon, thy command. With bayonet steel, 
 Silent advance, till opposite the rear, 
 Then raise the death-yell to excite their fear ; 840 
 This will allure them from the breach away, 
 Till Short shall enter and decide the day." 
 
 His officers comply with hellish zeal, 
 And all the savageness of Proctor feel ; 
 Dixon, with scarce an attribute of man, 
 Proceeds, contriving blood, to head his clan. 
 The eye of Short burnt with the rage of sin, 
 Which show'd the workings of his heart within ; 
 He join'd his squadrons with a daemon's tread, 
 Unsparing murder brewing in his head. 850 
 
 Meantime the monajch of the realms of night, 
 From Valparaiso, and from Queenstown Height, 
 Return'd to Hampshire's mountain, press'd with care, 
 Caus'd by the troubles which beset him there. 
 
 Beneath a ledge of hanging rocks he sits, 
 Showing his feeling by his brow that knits. 
 His subjects rise to pay him homage due 
 While in this attitude, an Agent flew 
 And stood before the throne ! A moment past, 
 He walk'd with Proctor, as the engines cast 860
 
 138 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 The globes against the angle of the fort ; 
 He comes in haste- the tidings to report : 
 
 "Dread monarch ! Proctor, thy half mortal son, 
 At fort of Meigs was partially undone ; 
 In spite of all my art, a mad sortie 
 Drove him disaster'd o'er the inland sea ; 
 But lo, Tecumseh with his banded power, 
 Subdu'd an army on the adverse shore. 
 
 " Now at Sandusky are a chosen host ; 
 Royals and savages Britannia's boast, 870 
 
 Striving the angle of the fort to breach, 
 That they with steel may its defenders reach ; 
 A beardless boy commands, hence nothing doubt, 
 But Proctor soon will raise triumphant shout." 
 
 The Fiend was silent with unalter'd eye, 
 Pausing his words At length, he deign'd reply : 
 
 " Triumphant shout ! No never will it be, 
 So fix'd they stand in battle desperately ; 
 Hadst thou the action seen, which late they fought, 
 Not thou, nor hell, would call their valour naught ; 880 
 Though Britain seems to weigh their courage light, 
 Her ships had sunk, had We withheld Our might ; 
 The Essex, made half ship-wreck by a blast, 
 Had conquer'd two of a superior cast. 
 
 Yes and of late upon the Queenstown Height, 
 They'd won the field but Discord plann'd aright 
 
 Fredonia there 
 
 " But why with words delay 1 
 The time admits not of a moment's stay ; 
 'Twould like a palsy all Our hopes destroy, 
 Should Proctor now be routed by a boy. 890
 
 SANDUSKY. 189 
 
 " Revenge, away th' infernal caldron fire, 
 Fashion a cloud and in its folds retire, 
 And with it wrap the fort, and blind their sight, 
 That Proctor may advance and gain the fight ! 
 
 " But stay no agency will now suffice ; 
 Too, too momentous is the enterprise ; 
 Ourself will go but you, the cloud may form, 
 Equal in darkness to a midnight storm." 
 
 The agent heard and, waiting no reply, 
 To its fulfilment parted instantly. 900 
 
 Beneath a jutting ledge the caldron stands, 
 Fashion'd in rudeness by infernal hands, 
 Far in the west of hell from thence brought forth, 
 When with his train the Daemon rose to earth. 
 Compos'd its substance is, of fire-proof stone 
 Ten furies bore it up with many a groan, 
 Causing their iron joints to sweat and ache, 
 Fill'd to its brim with burnings of the lake. 
 
 Revenge approach'd surcharg'd with hellish ire, 
 And gnash'd his teeth from which the seeds of fire 910 
 Leap'd to the lava with attractive power, 
 Like the quick lightning to the midnight shower, 
 Or like the dust, that kindles mortal strife, 
 Draws from the flint to strike it into life. 
 
 The lava feels the particles of fire 
 A thousand flashes at the touch aspire, 
 Black as the flames that feed upon a ghost, 
 Suffering for hell-crimes, once his secret boast : 
 And such the virtue of the lighted mass, 
 It burns for ages, ever what it was ! 920
 
 190 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 A cloud of solid darkness passes forth. 
 And veils in horror the black mountain north ; 
 For murder'd blood, the druling panthers prowl 
 At passing shadows pale the wild wolves howl ; 
 As mad the lava boiling tosses high, 
 Nests of live lightnings from the cauldron fly, 
 Which, winding upward, leap along the cloud, 
 Whilst muttering thunders groan, and earthquakes 
 rumble loud. 
 
 Now as th' Infernal by the caldron stands, 
 A lightning flame he seizes in his hands ; 930 
 
 Slow he descends upon the coffin blast, 
 Griping the serpent fire with sinew fast ! 
 As round his form terrifical it plays, 
 His gore-stain'd locks are kindled to a blaze. 
 
 So when a meteor shooting in a line, 
 Touches a hill, o'erspread with unctuous pine, 
 Which soon inflames the wilderness sublime ; 
 Brands dashing upward, kindle as they climb ; 
 In whirling eddies round the flames are drove ; 
 Earth melts beneath heaven languishes above. 940 
 
 Like this, his burning locks, still unconsum'd, 
 Whilst Death all dreadful on his breast sits plum'd. 
 
 As savage Dixon led his scalpers round, 
 He gain'd a distant prospect of the ground ; 
 To keep the serpent-fire conceal'd from view, 
 He to himself its horrid fashion drew. 
 
 He op'd his mouth, like yawning of a cave, 
 Where murder'd travellers find their bloody grave : 
 Soon from his throat a lonely spark appear'd, 
 And forth another his hot breathing rear'd ; 950
 
 SANDUSKY. 191 
 
 Others in fiery troops succeeding came, 
 
 Till mouth and nostrils pour'd continued flame. 
 
 So when rough iron is in furnace cast 
 To be reduc'd to fluid by the blast ; 
 Scarce seen, at first, the bellows stir the fire, 
 But every breath augments its burning higher ; 
 A cloud of nimble smoke then, sparkles rise, 
 A flickering flame starts up as sudden dies ; 
 It lives again it falls again revives, 
 But soon unbroken o'er the furnace drives. 960 
 
 Thus from the throat of the infernal sire, 
 At first, at intervals, flash'd sparks of fire ; 
 But soon augmented to a burning vast, 
 Like that excited by the furnace blast. 
 
 Urg'd by attraction, lo. the lightning sta} r s 
 Its maddening flash and mild in circles plays ; 
 Around his neck, and round, it winds and winds, 
 As when a snake a sleeping reaper binds. 
 
 At length, wound up the Fiend devoid of pain, 
 Uncoils the fiery links of lightning chain ; 970 
 
 Then to a ball he rolls it in his hand, 
 And forth devours it, as a morsel bland. 
 
 This done upon the fort he drops the cloud, 
 Which blinds the whole as with a covering shroud, 
 So deep that Croghan marks not Dixon's race 
 Moving unheard, to cause his life to cease ; 
 Nor can his eye discern the files of Short, 
 Ready at Dixon's yell to rush the fort. 
 
 His purpose thus achiev'd he leaves the sky, 
 And mixes careless with the enemy. 980
 
 192 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 The time that Dixon led his fiends around 
 To invade the southern angle of the mound, 
 Short to his legions thus : " Soon shall we hear 
 The sign to rush to give them to the spear ; 
 This sudden darkness favours our design. 
 For not an eye can pierce our moving line ; 
 Press to the mark, and drive the work of death 
 Transfix vitality plunge souls beneath. 
 
 t{ But curb must we, till Dixon passes round 
 South of the fort, and gives the signal sound ; 
 Then it is ours the parapet to leap, 
 And strike their bosoms with the bayonet deep. 
 
 " The darkness fades ! The shouting has begun ! 
 Charge, warriors ! charge ! with pointed steel, charge 
 on !" 
 
 His column heard the order. Thirsting for blood, 
 They rush'd in arms, with sound like torrent flood. 
 
 The youths, in breathless silence, stood prepar'd 
 The every bastion of the fort to guard, 
 Defying all surprise, though compass'd round 
 With mist impervious yet they catch the sound 1000 
 Of every breathing breath with ready ear ; 
 But scarce a whisper travels through the sphere ; 
 The foe was cautious, that no sound should break. 
 The least suspicion in their minds to wake. 
 
 But what is hearing, feeling, smelling, taste, 
 To sight, which spreads creation like a feast ! 
 This sense shut out, the others are a dream ; 
 Scarce are they worth a momentary gleam, 
 Which to the soul quick passes through the eye, 
 Holding sweet converse with the Deity. 1010 .
 
 SANDUSKV. 193 
 
 Of sight depriv'd at length their spirits droop ; 
 The Stars look dim, the Eagle seems to stoop ; 
 Croghan, who never felt a chill before, 
 Now feels it icy to his inmost core ; 
 He breathes the anguish of his soul to heaven : 
 
 " O Thou ! from whom the quickening light is 
 
 given 
 
 Scatter this cloud, which blinds the holy sun ; 
 Give us but light, and let our life be done !" 
 
 Swift it descended on the wing of thought 
 Brief was this answer to the Goddess brought: 1020 
 
 " Accepted is his prayer !" From Deity 
 A seraph bore it, wing'd on ecstacy. 
 
 Fredonia drank the musick on her car, 
 And forth descended to the scene of war 
 Th' infernal cloud contracted as she came, 
 Before her breath it vanish'd like a flame ! 
 
 Lo, as the savage crouching were conceal'd, 
 Ready to spring their purpose was reveal'd ! 
 
 Hunter the moment with a prospect good, 
 With many a death-wound drove them to the wood. 
 
 As when Virginians travelling to the west 
 To till the bosom of Kentucky, blest 
 With fattening life at night beside a spring 1039 
 Pitch their abode, till morn's bright star should bring 
 The promise of a day. The moon is dark, 
 And veil'd in heaven is every jewel spark ; 
 Thus favour'd, lo, a band of ruffians sly, 
 Compass their lines with evil in their eye, 
 
 17 VOL. II.
 
 194 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 To seize the booty, and their flight make good 
 
 By flying to the darkness of the wood ; 1040 
 
 While in this hope, their bosoms beating proud, 
 
 Behold, the moon between a parted cloud 
 
 Shines broad in heaven, revealing their disguise 
 
 In open prospect to the travellers' eyes, 
 
 Who boldly seize upon their arms at hand, 
 
 And drive the felons bleeding from the land. 
 
 So Hunter, when unknown, celestial breath 
 Scattered the cloud, which dropp'd the dew of death, 
 Blaz'd at the crouching enemy a stream, 1049 
 
 Which rous'd them gory from their tranceful dream ; 
 With death scream many from their posture sprung, 
 And never more was heard their savage tongue. 
 
 The rushing columns in command of Short, 
 Dampen, and scatter by the same report ; 
 But to their fears he bends an eye that flames 
 And thus upbraiding, wrathfully exclaims : 
 
 " What has made dry the fountain of your blood t 
 Are ye not royal 1 Is your strength subdu'd ? 
 Death shall the coward seize ! Each fear begone ! 
 A solid movement, and the strife is done !" 1060 
 
 As clouds are gather'd by the voice of storm, 
 So at his threat'ning the battalions form, 
 Casting a stern defiance at the walls, 
 Regardless of the nest of sleeping balls : 
 
 " Let scowling darkness muffle up each brow ! 
 Prepare to strike a massacreing blow !
 
 SANDUSKY. lyo 
 
 Riot in blood ! Let saint, nor angel live ! 
 No term of mercy to the kneeling give !"* 
 
 At the hell mandate, all his form grew dark, 
 Straining his features with infernal mark, 1070 
 
 Like to a culprit strangled by the cord, 
 Bursting his eyeballs with a look abhorr'd. 
 
 Foaming, a tyger, to the trench he strode 
 Muttering, the youths to smother them in blood ; 
 His squadrons press revengeful on his rear, 
 Not dreaming death, that stares upon them near. 
 
 The meantime Croghan waited with desire ; 
 Watching their movements with an eye of fire. 
 Soon fills the trench with the progressing crowd, 
 Like the deep swarming of an insect cloud ; 1080 
 
 To Meaks he gives the token with his sword ; 
 At once, the warrior comprehends the word, 
 And whirls the linstock to excite the fire, 
 Which as it kindles seems a blazing spire ; 
 When in full glow, to where the priming lies, 
 He brings it down with nice discerning eyes, 
 His bosom throbbing with anxieties. 
 The sulphur'd dust the instant shows its strife ; 
 The starting cannon thunders into life ! 
 Recharg'd with rapidness, it flames again ; 1090 
 
 Again again it magnifies the slain, 
 While Johnson's band, with levell'd weapons, pour 
 A vollied stream, which bathes their breasts in gore. 
 The searching balls the enemy pursue, 
 And many a beating of a heart subdue ; 
 
 * " Damn the yankees ! give them no quarters !" Short.
 
 196 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Those that have life, limp awkward o'er the plain, 
 Sprinkling their staggering path with gory stain. 
 
 At length they shelter in their bulwarks strong, 
 And War in silence muffles up his tongue ; 
 The fort defenders charge the brass the same, 1100 
 The prime place ready to receive the flame. 
 Shipp, Hunter, Johnson, Butler, Anthony, 
 Form in a solid for the enemy, 
 Should they but dare to move upon them more, 
 To cause a tide of blood to wash the shore. 
 
 Soon, by the influence of the unseen Power, 
 The Britons rise, regardless of the shower 
 That pour'd a fiery besom at their life, 
 Which drain'd the hearts of hundreds in the strife. 
 Gordon, by Proctor's mandate rules the whole, 1110 
 For Short was now resigning up his soul. 
 
 Gordon, this speech declar'd : " With royal port, 
 Solid in wedge, we enter in the fort ! 
 What ! and shall boys our energies resist ? 
 No : proudly on, and make them give like mist. 
 Reveal the untam'd Lion in his rage ; 
 Let sword and steel lean forward to engage ; 
 The brow hard wrinkle, and tight cramp the breath 
 Slaughter, consume, annihilate in death," 1119 
 
 As deep with heavy tread they beat the ground, 
 Their labouring feet like distant thunders sound, 
 Clouds of black dust in whirling eddies rise, 
 Eclipse their bayonets, and obscure the skies 1 
 Like ocean heav'd in waves they roll their force, 
 Or mad streams bursting from their rocky source ;
 
 SANDUSKY. 197 
 
 They crowd the trenchment press the recent dead, 
 Mangling their bodies with a slippery tread. 
 
 Lo Croghan waves his falchion as before ! 
 The cannon answers with redoubling roar ! 
 The burning rifles follow swift behind ; 1130 
 
 A scream of death comes riding on the wind ! 
 The tubes of fire, quick-charg'd, repeat the flame ; 
 From quivering hearts blood gushes in a stream ! 
 A remnant fly bewilder'd with despair, 
 While numbers fall and breathe their lives out there. 
 
 And now, the Fiend beheld the moment his, 
 
 Or the boy triumphs o'er his enemies. 
 
 He calls the globe within him to aspire ; 
 
 Lo ! forth it comes, and quickens into fire ; 1139 
 
 With matchless strength, save that of heavenly might, 
 
 He hurls it from his hand, the fort to smite ; 
 
 He casts no eye behind him as it flew, 
 
 For, lo, Fredonia visible he knew ! 
 
 Forth, when the lightning ball forsook his hand, 
 
 It spread like thousand vipers o'er the sand, 
 
 Hissing with tongues of fire. This no eye saw, 
 
 Save her's, who rode sublime upon her car ; 
 
 But she, its flaming violence beheld, 
 
 And interpos'd the virtue of her shield ; 
 
 The serpent lightnings wound in torment there, 1150 
 
 And then, like smoke, dissolv'd away in air. 
 
 During the panick, Proctor on the rear 
 Stood in his trembling, exercis'd by fear. 
 17* VOL. n.
 
 198 FREDON1AD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Perchance, a rifle glancing by his head ; 
 He fell, and gasp'd, as number'd with the dead ; 
 His quivering flesh with damps of death grew pale ; 
 His pulse faint-fluttering, show'd his being frail. 
 
 Elliot and Dixon saw him in his fall, 
 And hurrying, rais'd and bore him to his yawl, 
 While the young patriots made the cannon roar, 1060 
 Sweeping, at times, whole ranks upon the shore. 
 With deathful look, glaring from mind to mind, 
 Glad with their life, they left their all behind, 
 Leap'd to their barges snatch'd the ready oar, 
 And skim'd the waters crimson'd with their gore. 
 
 Their fainted general, (slaughter'd, as was thought,) 
 Now gasp'd to taste the air ! convuls'd effort 
 Elliot affrighted, with astonish'd air, 
 Started a horror lifting every hair ; 
 His knees relax'd, against the other knock 'd, 1170 
 When Proctor thus his foaming jaws unlock'd : 
 
 " What visages are these that stand apart, 
 Showing their wounds ] I never slew thee, Hart ! 
 'Twas Elliot promis'd to convey thce o'er 
 Not me Cawataw from thy bosom tore 
 Thy rooted heart. What, ghost of Hickman, too ! 
 I sent a guard what more that I could do ? 
 MacCracken, Woolfork why do you appear ? 
 Never you I saw Elliot, he was near, 
 Aiding the massacre ! What scalps } r ou hold 1180 
 Dropping fresh blood ! Strange answer : British gold. 
 If gold hath murder done, why visit me ? 
 I never scalp'd the head of enemy.
 
 SANDUSKT. 199 
 
 " Whence issue forth these flames ! And must 
 
 I go 
 
 With these black ministers to endless wo 1 
 Is this the gulf of Tartarus ? This blast 
 From out of hell ? And here, must I be cast ! 
 Alas, my guilt ! O that my hands were pure ! 
 This rack, this rack ! my heart can ne'er endure !'' 
 
 Here broke his dreaming tongue in wildest roar, 
 So much like hell, each bargeman dropp'd his oar ; 
 The surgeon, thinking that his brain was harm'd, 1192 
 Open'd his temple vein, and soon his wildness calm'd. 
 
 When Croghan saw the enemy retire, 
 To aid the wounded fill'd his whole desire. 
 That soul, which kindled when the tempest grew, 
 Was soft as woman, when the storm withdrew. 
 The cry for water pierc'd him to the heart : 
 
 " Haste, my young friends, the blessing to impart ; 
 With cooling drops their burning pangs assuage ; 1200 
 Relieve with mercy, and forget their rage." 
 
 The youths with pity melting in their eye, 
 With streams of life their enemy supply ; 
 They bind their wounds, which keen with anguish 
 
 burn 
 For schemes of murder blessings they return ! 
 
 Croghan spied Short upon the verge of death, 
 Panting and struggling for a gasp of breath ; 
 His heart, the moment, yearn'd to give him aid ; 
 Soft he approach'd and, with his left hand laid 
 Beneath his head, supported, wash'd his brow, 1210 
 And then the draught presented to his foe !
 
 200 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVI. 
 
 Short drank the fountain then, slow turn'd his eye, 
 And saw the youth, his generous enemy ; 
 His soul quick melted with its passion dumb, 
 And the small nutter of his heart o'ercome ; 
 For lo, the draught had half his nerves restrung ; 
 And partial gave a motion to his tongue ; 
 But Croghan's kindness took his strength away ; 
 He spoke one tear but nothing more could say ; 
 For now, remote from Proctor and his clan, 1220 
 The dying Briton felt himself a man. 
 
 His passions having ebb'd, small power returns , 
 Dim with its light his lamp of being burns : 
 His tongue found utterance : " Let O let me go 
 To find my home the gulf that yawns below ! 
 
 what a list before my sight will rise 
 To fix my soul in penal miseries ! 
 
 " Canst thou, fair youth, forgive the crimes I have, 
 And soothe my soul whilst hovering o'er the grave ? 
 Thou canst ! I read it hi thy brimming eye ; 1230 
 But wo is me ! how miserable I die ! 
 My heart was bent to mar thy youthful bloom. 
 And shroud thine angel virtues in the tomb ! 
 But O, repentance from that heart receive ; 
 
 1 can no more 'tis all I have to give ; 
 Grant my request to press thee by the hand, 
 Ere my soul travels that unheard-of land." 
 
 Croghan, his hand reach' d forth, which thrice he 
 
 press'd 
 Soft to his lips, then laid it on his breast : 1240 
 
 " In peace I now retire Fare fare thee well ; 
 I visit regions that no tongue can tell !"
 
 SANDUSKY. 201 
 
 Croghan sustain'd him, pillow'd on his breast, 
 And sooth'd his spirit, as it sunk to rest ! 
 
 So bright in heaven the godlike deed appears, 
 Angels beheld it with their eyes in tears. 
 
 Fredonia comes, and from her rainbow'd car 
 Proclaims her son to every listening star : 
 
 " Brighten your beams, ye Sun, and Planets seven ! 
 And cast new brilliance through the crystal heaven ; 
 Or Croghan's name your virtues will excel ; 
 Yea : with its light your golden orbits veil ; 
 The peopled heaven with rapture leave the sky 
 To gaze with wonder on mortality !" 1253
 
 CANTO XVII 
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 Tecumseh retreats from Fort Meigs.... Elliot's Night Expedition.... 
 
 Perry sails from Black Rock.... Having discovered the enemy, 
 
 he retires to Put-in-bay.. ..The sailing of the British. ...The 
 
 Battle. 
 The scene is laid at Fort Meigs, Black Rock, and on different parts 
 
 of Lake Erie. ...The book ends three days after Croghan's defence 
 
 of Fort Sandusky.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XVII. 
 
 MEANWHILE Tecumseh, Proctor to support, 
 Tax'd his invention to deceive the fort ; 
 Battles contriving with superior skill 
 To draw the-patriot army from the hill ; 
 But well the heroes his intentions scann'd, 
 Andrender'd vain what he with judgment plann'd. 
 
 Now as the sun descends the western deep, 
 Soft on the mountain tops, like Love in sleep, 
 His last rays linger. Soon night's virgin queen, 
 Touch'd with a bashful modesty is seen, 10 
 
 Fair, brightening in mid heaven. Like a coy maid, 
 At times she veils her beauty in a shade ; 
 At times, from curling mist, her cheek she shows, 
 And on the gazing Sun a love-glance throws, 
 Which he, enraptur'd, catches from her eye, 
 And back returns it, burnishing the sky. 
 His notice fills her bosom with delight ; 
 To grace her form more pleasing to his sight, 
 She calls the Stars : forth, at her voice serene, 
 They come with dancing o'er the mighty scene ; 2O 
 
 18 VOL. II.
 
 206 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 Adorn her snowy bosom, and bedeck 
 With starry chain the beauty of her neck. 
 
 These gems ethereal elevate her charms, 
 And all her lover into transport warms ; 
 He sends a kiss, in which his soul is given 
 Sweeter than manna from the hand of heaven, 
 To touch her dewy lips, and silent tell, 
 How with her loveliness his affections thrill. 
 
 Smooth it glides forth upon a cloud of light, 
 Like that which wraps a messenger of night, 30 
 
 Sent to attend the sainted of the earth, 
 And bear to heaven their aspirations forth. 
 
 It weds her rose-bud lips ! A bashful glow 
 Runs through her heart, and blushes on her brow ; 
 She turns with languishment her cheek aside, 
 Like the delicious passion of a bride ; 
 But lo, the kissing cloud dissolv'd away, 
 Her smile of love makes heaven and earth look gay. 
 
 When Chambers saw the regal effort lost, 
 He, calm in mind, the rest a panick host, 40 
 
 Ponder'd the state in which Tecumseh stood ; 
 Void of support and barr'dby Erie's flood. 
 
 Scarce the thought reach'd him, when he leap'd 
 
 his horse, 
 
 And as the moon was smiling in her course, 
 He found Tecumseh in his depth of mind, 
 Searching for plans his enemy to blind : 
 
 " Tecumseh, break thy musing ! Lo, I come, 
 Pressed with defeat, to speak to thee of home ! 
 Our promis'd triumph is a field of blood ! 
 Yea, all our prospects are in widowhood ! 50
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 207 
 
 My soul reluctant manifests the truth 
 We've been disaster'd by a beardless youth ! 
 Mine eyes saw Proctor like a dead man fall 
 Dixon and Elliot bore him to his yawl. 
 
 " There's nothing royal to sustain you here 
 And all Kentucky is in progress near ! 
 Johnson, a chief with terror in his name, 
 Hath pass'd with mounted arms Ohio's stream ; 
 And Perry now is practising to sail ; 
 Alas, should Barclay in the action fail ! 60 
 
 But never can I think that grief will be. 
 No more but backward for thy safety flee." 
 
 Tecumseh darkening stood. His jutting brow 
 Gather'd a frown, while passion's fiery glow 
 Flash'd from his eye. He look'd an ancient tower, 
 When clouds and moonlight mix the solemn hour ; 
 Which prov'd the workings of his soul within 
 His bosom, smothering sighs. At length his words 
 
 begin : 
 
 " Defeated ! Proctor dead ! What, can a boy, 
 A sapling youth, the forest oak destroy ? 70 
 
 " Our hope, Tekelah, is a cloud of night ; 
 A bud scarce blossom'd puts us to the flight ! 
 Proctor, me dig his heart his blood you drain 
 Why talk of him already is he slain. 
 
 " We now, with Reynolds, will new death prepare 
 Tecumseh yet feels nothing of despair." 
 
 A savage silence through the wild-men reigns ; 
 They feel as ice were curdling in their veins ; 
 Still as a morning mist they leave the shore, 
 And dead with heavy motion labouring swing the oar. 80
 
 208 FBEDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 A thrill of gladness the Columbians felt, 
 When they beheld the savage darkness melt. 
 Their joy was like a hunter seeking game 
 On Deer-Grove Island in Ohio's stream ; 
 But while the stag he eagerly pursu'd, 
 Rains, pouring from the mountains, swell'd the flood, 
 And sunk his skiff! He came and found his bark 
 Lost in the stream and all his hopes were dark ; 
 Th' augmenting waves still magnify his dread, 
 That soon they'd rise and o'er the Island spread ! 90 
 At length, when three long tedious days were past, 
 While the clear moon her silver image cast 
 Deep in the flooding mirror, lo, his eye 
 Perceiv'd the waters were receding by, 
 Smooth creeping down the beach, sand after sand, 
 Which make the feelings of his heart expand ; 
 Soon by its hawser fast, his light skiff show'd, 
 And through his breast a rushing gladness flow'd. 
 
 Such was the patriots' joy, when, like a stream, 
 Their foes retir'd beneath the lunar beam. 10G 
 
 But Shelby, sage with years : " Wisdom sedate 
 Forbids th' affections sudden to elate ; 
 First, learn the cause, before our passions rise, 
 Or it might lure us to a sacrifice ; 
 Perhaps, they've only an excursion made, 
 T' entice, and lead us to an ambuscade ; 
 Tecumseh knows the circle of his art; 
 A thinking head an executing heart." 
 
 His prudent council calm'd their hasty joy 109 
 But who approaches 1 Shipp, the smooth-cheek boy ! 
 Him Croghan sent to manifest the news, 
 And learn what future were the general's views :
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 209 
 
 u We've met the savage and the royal powers, 
 And fought the fight, and victory is ours !" 
 
 As when a man, that never musick heard 
 Of human voice, or happy spring-time bird, 
 His hearing organs clos'd forever deaf, 
 Though far he'd travell'd to obtain relief ; 
 At length a physick in his art is found, 
 Who bores the ear-drum and lets in the sound ; 120 
 The deaf man dances with his soul made young, 
 To hear the speaking musick of the tongue. 
 
 So when the youth proclaim'd the triumph o'er, 
 Lo, each forgot he'd ever heard before ! 
 
 They stood in wonder then, their banners round 
 They wav'd, and fill'd the arch of heaven with sound ; 
 At signal given, the shouting joy was done, 
 And Shipp, proceeding with a blush, begun : 
 
 " No crimson drop from Freedom's veins was shed 
 We stood reserv'd as you instructing said ; 130 
 
 But when we open'd, hundreds felt the blow, 
 And sunk like harvest by the scythe brought low ; 
 They drove a second charge, result the same ; 
 There lives were gone, like feathers in a flame ; 
 Short pour'd his blood then Gordon press'd the field 
 And rumour circulates that Proctor's kill'd ; 
 Those that had breath, in panick fled the shore, 
 And, for their safety, bent upon the oar. 
 
 " As the foe scatter'd, like a hound-chac'd flock, 
 Claxton the fortress enter'd from the Rock ; 140 
 
 The ships of Perry are in battle trim, 
 At the first breeze upon the lake to swim ; 
 This he desires, that you will here maintain 
 Your flag, till he shall death or vict'ry gain. 
 
 18* VOL. II.
 
 210 FRKDONIAD. CANTO XVH. 
 
 " I took his message bade him to return, 
 To reach the fort, while heaven with stars should burn. 
 
 " Croghan awaits your orders to remain, 
 Or hitherward to lead his gallant train.'' 
 
 " Inform the youth to wave his standard here, 
 Whose name endures until the final year 150 
 
 Shall end the sum of things, and bring to view 
 The day that fashions the creation new ! 
 
 " Warriors ! I mark impatience in your glance 
 But wisdom bends, as bends the circumstance. 
 Johnson approaches with his mounted horse ; 
 Barry and Crittenden to give us force. 
 
 " Now, as the conflict on the lake shall bear, 
 So different motives will demand our care, 
 Offensive or defensive. Mark the word 
 Till Perry sinks or swims, we sheathe the sword." 160 
 
 Shipp brief returns. To post the forted hie, 
 To wait whose standard gains the victory. 
 
 When Hull's defeat, like pestilence, transpir'd, 
 Perry, t' accomplish what his soul desir'd, 
 A navy plann'd to navigate the lake, 
 Th' imperious boastings of the foe to break. 
 
 Long had the oaks, like ancient patriots, bent 
 Their leafy honours to the element, 
 To be constructed to elance the flame 
 Of battle-thunder to the British name. 170 
 
 Rude in their place the future ships commenced. 
 While Perry equal every part dispens'd 
 To different craftsmen, as their knowledge held 
 Some in the rough some, finishing excell'd.
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 211 
 
 He gave a quickening impulse to their toil 
 By winning words and approbating smile. 
 
 So when, in June, young bees commence their hive, 
 With emulative diligence alive, 
 They press their curious work : Part in the vale 
 Gather the wax to build the citadel ; 180 
 
 These freight their little thighs, and homeward hie 
 To ease their burdens for a fresh supply ; 
 Part temper down the unctuous mortar bland, 
 And form it ready to another's hand, 
 Who moulds the waxen cells with searchless art ; 
 Smoothing with honied tongue each rugged part ; 
 Ambitious each the other to excel, 
 The queen encouraging the doers well : 
 
 So, like the bees, they labour'd on the fleet, 
 Warm'd with the fire of emulative heat ; 190 
 
 Beneath their hands the ships like fiction rose, 
 As though impatient with the foe to close. 
 
 Now, as at evening they remit their toil, 
 They on the lake descry a royal sail, 
 Which, as the sun withdraws his farewell beam, 
 Cast with a splash their anchors in the stream ; 
 Beneath the guns of Erie's fort they ride, 
 Their flags light waving, imaged in the tide ; 
 Laden with battle-axes swords and pikes, 
 And furs collected from the upper lakes, 200 
 
 And other implements of war from York, 
 The place of arms transported for the work. 
 
 The larger vessel, anchor'd next the shore, 
 Was Adams nam'd once Freedom's flag she bore ;
 
 212 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 But since the period Hull to Brock resigned, 
 The Cross has floated o'er her sails of wind. 
 
 The second bears the Caledonian name, 
 That virtue had to wake the Scots to fame, 
 When Bruce and Wallace on her mountains stood, 
 And stain'd her rivers with the English blood ; 210 
 But now she crouches 'neath the Lion's main 
 Kissing the links of her enslaving chain ! 
 
 Instant the patriots, gazing from their shores, 
 Beheld the vessels anchor'd with their stores, 
 A daring impulse quicken'd in their blood 
 To sally forth and seize them on the flood. 
 
 The breast of Elliot felt the warmest glow 
 Second to Perry to defy the foe. 
 The State of Mary gave the seaman birth, 
 Whose yellow wheat is gold upon the earth ; 220 
 Here grew the mariner. Now for the cause 
 Of brothers slave-impress' l d his sword he draws. 
 
 While each beheld them with desiring eyes, 
 He thus to Perry touch'd the enterprise : 
 
 " I crave thy counsel, whether to proceed 
 I feel inclin'd to grapple for the deed ; 
 At the twelfth watch the moon descends the west, 
 Then will it be to strike them in their rest." 
 
 Perry was brief in answer : "Well I know 
 Thy heart is valour's empire Strike the blow !" 230 
 
 Sustain'd by Perry thus he forth aloud 
 Proclaim'd his purpose to th' expecting crowd : 
 
 " Ye gazing patriots ! who of you will dare 
 To venture forth and seize yon vessels there ?
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 213 
 
 Ere harbinger of day in heaven shall shine, 
 They to the Star of Freedom shall resign ; 
 Who can behold the Cross in triumph ride 
 On yonder Adams, and not feel a pride 
 Burn in his breast to snatch her from the foe, 
 And place the Eagle on the Lion's brow 1" 
 
 Both land and water-men at once arise 
 And claim the dangers to effect the prize ; 
 Towson, ere long to rank in honour high, 
 By casting death from his artillery ; 
 Brooks, young as Croghan, fair as spring-day morn 
 But soon his beauty must to heaven return ; 
 Turner, and Curamings, Watts, and Chambers, 
 
 Roach, 
 And Cuyler, Baker, for their fame approach. 
 
 Two passions vacillate in Elliot's eye 
 Joy for their valour but to pass it by 250 
 
 In hearts that beat with longing to receive, 
 E'en a brief fraction makes his heart to grieve 
 Yet, like the spots that on the sun appear, 
 It shows the brightness of his soul more clear : 
 
 " Your spirit is a fire ! Yet pain and joy 
 Mix in my heart : your pressing for employ 
 Is gladness to my soul. But all I ask, 
 Are but twice fifty to perform the task, 
 Hence, a denial numbers must receive, 
 And this the cause that makes my heart to grieve : 
 'Tis fame to will the deed : Two barges all 26l 
 
 To be requir'd to make the vessels fall. 
 
 '* By lots must I this nobleness decide ; 
 Equal between the land and fleet divide,"
 
 214 FREDONfAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 With ready pen he number'd cast the lots 
 The prize the richest was receiv'd by Watts 
 Towson the second number. Roach the next 
 Cummings the fourth and soon the whole were fix'd. 
 
 Few were the orders Elliot gave his band : 
 " Watts, you'll conduct the fifty of the land ; 270 
 And Towson, you, his daring will promote ; 
 Roach, Cummings, you'll with me. 'Tis time we 
 
 float ; 
 
 The star of evening has retir'd to rest, 
 And the bent moon is sinking in the west." 
 
 Scarce died the echo of the welcome sound, 
 When each divided band with nimble bound 
 Leap'd in the barges. Baldricks held secure 
 Pistol and dagger-blade death's furniture, 
 The former prim'd and ready with the ball 
 To cause the life of enemy to fall ; 280 
 
 And bristling pikes cast icy from each yawl 
 A gleam, that struck severe upon the eye, 
 To fill the mind with mortal tragedy ; 
 For yet a moon beam, wandering o'er the night, 
 Lit on the steel, thence glanc'd upon the sight. 
 
 No whisper heard, with muffled blades they sweep, 
 Like passing shades, the bosom of the deep. 
 
 Now half the raven wing of night has flown 
 The horned moon, that hitherto had shone, 
 Dips her bright edge of silver in the deep, 290 
 
 Whilst busy life is hush'd away in sleep ; 
 A midnight mist ascending dims each star, 
 As smooth they seek the drowsy ships afar.
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 215 
 
 By the shrill watch-guard speaking, " all things 
 
 well," 
 
 Their distance bordering on the foe they tell ; 
 And Elliot whispers Watts : " Slacken the oar ! 
 List by the echo we approach the shore ; 
 Behold them press'd with slumber on the deep ; 
 'Tis yours upon the Scottish name to leap, 
 While simultaneous on the Adams near 300 
 
 We strike, and force submission with the spear ; 
 When barr'd the crew, divide the cable short, 
 And urge the sails to bear you from the fort. 
 
 " Now let each arm put forth its sinewy might, 
 And dash the barges ! Valour crowns the night !'* 
 
 The rowers caught the mandate from his tongue, 
 And with bold impulse, heart and sinews strong, 
 Drove the yawls swift though silently along. 
 
 The sentries, reckless of the danger nigh, 
 Retain their post, as formal policy ; 310 
 
 But, lo, as safety echo'd from their tongue, 
 The patriots sudden on the vessels sprung, 
 
 And broke their fatal trance ! 
 
 Thus on the deep 
 
 Two sluggish whales were anchor'd in their sleep, 
 When sword-fish, passing at a distance by, 
 Beheld, and rous'd their ancient enmity ; 
 In two divisions equal they divide, 
 And smooth approach them cautious through the tide ; 
 To plan, they rest a moment on the fin, 
 Then, with a dart, they thrust their weapons in ; 320 
 The whales awaken with their sides in blood ; 
 Surpris'd, they groan their energies subdu'd.
 
 216 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 So the first notice to the ships asleep 
 Of hostile boarders gliding through the deep, 
 Was their life's crimson mixing in the wave, 
 Which to their nerves a trembling palsy gave. 
 
 But soon the Albions, rous'd from their alarms, 
 Rush in their strength, repelling arms with arms ; 
 Through Cummings' better foot a bayonet gleams, 
 And other patriots pour their blood in streams. 330 
 
 At length the foremost of the royals fail 
 The rest, full soon, in their submission quail ; 
 The brave part cables sheet the top-sails home 
 The waves divided, round the vessels foam. 
 
 Watts o'er the lake with Caledonia glides, 
 And all th' exertions of the foe derides, 
 For now, the forted enemy alarm'd, 
 Strove to regain their valu'd ships disarm'd : 
 But Adams, deeper keel'd, more water drank, 
 By which she grounded near the Albion bank ! 340 
 The victors felt their swelling hearts give back, 
 To think their prize must crumble to. a wreck. 
 
 Tims a keen hawk with water-piercing eye, 
 While sailing on the bosom of the sky, 
 In the Potomack, kens the finny brood, 
 Reckless of danger, sporting in the flood ; 
 Behold, a pike, possess'd of equal strength, 
 Attempts the bird to shoot his wing at length ; 
 He drops with open claws fastens his prey, 
 And partial bears it to the shore away ; 350 
 
 But at the bank, with alders stooping o'er, 
 In vain he flaps his sinew'd wings to soar : 
 
 So when the keel stood fasten'd in the sand, 
 Hope vanish'd from the bosom of the band
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 217 
 
 To keep the prize. And instant of the broach, 
 Elliot with hurried speech instructed Roach : 
 
 " Loosen the pinnace ! bear the captives o'er, 
 And see them landed on the nearest shore ; 
 Dash, on return, the waters into spray 
 To float the richest of the spoils away ; 360 
 
 The barges from the Rock must give us aid 
 The hour is dark but scorn to be dismay'd." 
 
 The boat was ready ere the closing word 
 Rapid was given. The Britons pass'd on board 
 The restless yawl, which forth with spirit flew, 
 And made the cove where Watts his ship hove to ; 
 Hurrying he lands the captives on the shore, 
 And swift returns with all that bear an oar. 
 
 While this was done, the Albions in retort, 
 Levell'd their massive engines from the fort ; 370 
 
 Whose nimble flashes scorch'd the veil of night, 
 But soon the valiant darted back the light : 
 
 "Return them blaze for blaze !" Elliot exclaim'd, 
 Let every hero show himself inflam'd ; 
 Let cannon burst let bombs in chorus rise 
 Till the last pulse-beat vindicate the prize !" 
 
 The ships' deep thunders to the fort reply, 
 Which mix and roll terrifick through the sky ; 
 Bombs with red circles from tho lake are driven, 
 Like mad stars shooting o'er the face of heaven ; 380 
 Th' explosion deafens as the globes rebound, 
 And many a life falls broken at a sound. 
 
 A bolt with hissing from the fortress came, 
 And took from Cuyler all his future fame ; 
 19 VOL. ii.
 
 218 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 For many a field he proudly would have sought, 
 And with the bravest of the valiant fought ; 
 Like a young cedar by the lake he grew, 
 And naught but wood-land innocence he knew. 
 
 His father told him of the battle day, 
 When royals fled their ranks in disarray ; 390 
 
 Then, with a sigh, he'd mention Mercer's name, 
 And Warren r s death, his country to redeem ; 
 But at the time, delicious would appear 
 A smile, that seenrd like sporting with his tear. 
 
 This warm'd the tender bosom of his son : 
 Made his check kindle, and his blood to run ; 
 And when the war-note from the ocean came, 
 For British tyrannies to Freedom's name, 
 He took the weapon which his father held, 
 And sought the foremost dangers of the field. 400 
 
 The cruel bolt unsparing broke his side, 
 Unstrung his heart, and hurl'd him in the tide. 
 
 Others lie bleeding with unsightly wounds, 
 While fort and ship repeat incessant rounds. 
 
 At length the dust that quickens into life, 
 Becomes exhausted in th' exhausting strife ; 
 But at this juncture, darting from the cove, 
 The boats arrive the valiant to remove ; 
 Watts, Towson, Baker, Brooks, had join'd with 
 
 Roach ; 
 Elliot gives order as their yawls approach : 410 
 
 " Let every hero presently retire 
 Spent is the magazine no gun can fire 
 At your departure I the ship shall burn, 
 Then, in the skiff, I'll hasten my return."
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 219 
 
 Thus he. Roach answer'd : " Never will I go, 
 And leave you single in this night of wo." 
 
 " No time for etiquette. Our means are spent ; 
 Two to assist us will be competent." 
 
 By this, with treasures were the barges stow'd, 
 And back to harbour by the crew were row'd. 420 
 
 Meantime with toil, the unsubmitting four 
 Apply the mortar reeking every pore. 
 As the last shell with double blast expires, 
 They touch the vessel with consuming fires, 
 And Elliot last on board the skiff retires. 
 
 The flame instinctive streaks the unctuous seams, 
 Swift as the boreal night-fire, when it streams ; 
 Around th' aspiring mast the flashes curl, 
 And shoot above them with a flickering whirl ; 
 The blazing cinders through the void are driven ; 430 
 The stars seem darken'd on their thrones in heaven ; 
 The scowling night shrinks backward to the pole, 
 And leaves a horror that astounds the soul. 
 
 As when a murky cloud in midnight drear, 
 Comes with grim aspect from the northern sphere, 
 Pregnant to bursting with the embryo storms, 
 Whilst round its skirts, on meteors, ride the forms 
 Of spirits burst their graves ! Its thunders break 
 In peals, that cause the mountain beds to shake, 
 While lightnings, brewing on its dungeon breast, 440 
 Fill with strange fire the regions of the west. 
 So on the eddying winds the flames arise, 
 And, wild with fury, kindle to the skies.
 
 220 PREDON1AD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 The ship consum'd, they yield themselves to sleep. 
 Ready at day to launch into the deep 
 Their maiden navy with its sails in trim, 
 On the clear bosom of the lake to swim. 
 
 At dawn's first glimmer streaking o'er the skies, 
 The naval heroes from their slumberings rise ; 
 'Twas the same morning of the signal day, 450 
 
 That Croghan swept his enemies away, 
 They launch their ships, completed at the Rock, 
 Whose beauteous forms all other vessels mock ; 
 Like young swans buoyant on the wave they swim, 
 With streamers dress'd like brides in marriage trim. 
 
 Beyond the harbour, they at evening move, 
 And patient rest within a sheltering cove, 
 Till Perry's voice like musick in the gale, 
 Shall speak to weigh and spread the willing sail. 459 
 
 Bright in the east, where yonder mountains loom, 
 Morning comes blushing in her virgin bloom, 
 Veil'd in a cloud of gold : her eyes divine 
 In every pearl-drop with love glances shine ; 
 The liquid diamonds, quivering with delight, 
 In mimick rainbows render back the light ; 
 The flowers full-bosom'd, bath'd in holy dew, 
 Breathe a pure incense, like creation new. 
 
 Perry proclaims the navy to unmoor : 
 44 Loosen the anchors, and forsake the shore ! 
 The morning. calls us with a bright'ning glow 470 
 
 To seek and offer battle to the foe ;
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 221 
 
 The time is now, by daring enterprise, 
 The lake of Erie to immortalize. 
 But words are vanity to act is brave ; 
 When lock'd in fight to smile upon the grave ! 
 
 " The zephyrs whisper from the gate of heaven ! 
 Let the full canvass to their breaths be given." 
 
 The mariners obey'd his flowing tongue ; 
 Part at the capstans their sea-musick sung, 
 The hawsers tightening with the labouring song, 480 
 Turning the anchors by their efforts strong, 
 Slow heaving from the beds of shining pearl, 
 While others high in heaven the sheets unfurl 
 To taste the kissing breeze. The ships sobn feel 
 The anchors loosen'd, and, with narrow keel, 
 Divide the unstirr'd waters of the cove ; 
 Like Beauty dancing on the lake they move. 
 
 The Lawrence first walks stately o'er the deep 
 Bearing the last that faulter'd from his* lip, 
 Dying in glory : " Don't give up the Skip /" 490 
 Perry, with honour stamp'd upon his brow, 
 Directs the bark in searching for the foe. 
 
 The loveliest stars of the ethereal train, 
 Shone in conjunction on the heavenly plain, 
 And shed their brightest influence on the earth, 
 At the blest hour that gave the hero birth. 
 
 In smiling Newport, his young life begun ; 
 The Island State delighted in her son ; 
 To sail the mimick ship, he oft would stray 
 Along the pebbled beach a summer's day ; 500 
 
 At times he'd gaze upon the flooding tide, 
 
 * Lawrence, 
 19* VOL. ii.
 
 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 And ask the Deep, what cause his waves supplied ; 
 
 In riper years he trac'd it to the moon, 
 
 In sweet conjunction with the attractive sun ; 
 
 And then, desire would kindle in his soul, 
 
 To learn the compass, pointing to the pole. 
 
 His father watch'd the genius of his mind, 
 And left it free to ramble unconfin'd ; 
 But when he found the ocean was its bent, 
 With glowing heart he granted his consent, 510 
 
 And open'd all the wonder of the art, 
 To guide the vessel by th' unerring chart ; 
 Or by the image of the changing moon ; 
 Or by the sun, when thron'd sublime at noon ; 
 Or by the stars firm center'd in the sky, 
 From time extending to eternity. 
 
 By intuition he receiv'd the truth, 
 Such was the ready genius of his youth; 
 He took at once the science of the sea ; 
 Strong throbb'd his heart to bound its billows free. 520 
 
 His patriot father so-nt him to uphold 
 His country's honour, where her sons were sold 
 By ocean robbers of Tripolian birth 
 A pest that preys upon the civil earth ; 
 From Preble there he learnt the naval fight ; 
 And soon he shone a youthful beam of light. 
 
 And now his country, in as righteous cause, 
 Demands his valour to defend her laws 
 Against Impressment never to be nam'd 
 With any monster ever yet was tam'd ; 530 
 
 The lion frequent at his keeper's tongue, 
 Has smooth'd his brow his violence unstrung.
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 223 
 
 The leopard yea, the tyger has been known, 
 
 To lie all placid by their feeder down ; 
 
 Serpents have put their venom'd teeth aside, 
 
 And lick'd the hand, which them with food supplied 
 
 But this fell monster of the British Isle 
 
 Is far more savage, in its nature vile ; 
 
 Never Impressment can be nam'd with these 
 
 It stains with blood the bosom of the seas ! 540 
 
 Never could West his lineaments impart 
 His every feature mocks the hand of art ; 
 His round, smooth cheek, luxuriant, blushing, fair, 
 In which the lily and the rose-bud rare' 
 Mingle with such divinity of grace, 
 That never pencil could their beauty trace ; 
 His forehead high his arching eyebrows dark, 
 His eyes of jot, pure lighted with a spark 
 Of fire Promethean, his ample breast, 
 Binding a heart, more rich than all the rest. 550 
 
 To Perry next was Yarnall, Hamilton, 
 With whom, but few will bear comparison ; 
 Laub, Swartwout, Taylor, Claxton, Brooks, so fair 
 That graceful he with Perry might compare ; 
 Clark, Cummings, Forest, Edwards, Watts, the brave, 
 Unite to guide the Lawrence through the wave. 
 
 Next sails Niagara of equal power, 
 By Elliot rul'd for the decisive hour ; 
 Turner the conquer'd Caledonia guides ; 
 And close upon her wake, the Scorpion rides ; 560 
 
 Then, Ariel, Sommers, Trippe and Porcupine 
 The angry Tygress ends the squadron line.
 
 224 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 As clouds, new born in heaven, sail Erie's lake, 
 When dewy sun-beams from the orient break 
 And paint their folds, exquisite as they move, 
 Delicious floating on the breath of love ; 
 Red, gold, and azure, in their beauty glow, 
 Like the bright tints that mingle in the bow. 
 
 Thus glide the ships before the sugar gales, 
 With infant sun-beams glittering on the sails. 570 
 
 The gladdening winds spring forth, the squadron flies 
 To meet with Barclay grapple for the prize ; 
 Round the green shores of Canada they sweep 
 Then, through the centre of the lake they keep ; 
 Shifting the helm from thence, the vessels veer, 
 And round Columbia on the watch they steer, 
 Burning with valour's flame to fix the fight ; 
 Yet Albion's banner flickers from their sight. 
 
 But at the fading of the second sun, 
 While foaming to the north, the squadron run, 580 
 
 The spires of Maiden reaching to the sky, 
 Appear at distance to their watching ej'e ; 
 Soon in fail view the harbour they behold, 
 And Barclay, anchor'd with his canvass roll'd ; 
 Perry sublim'd, felt every nerve distend, 
 That death or conquest would his labours end. 
 
 So once, a condor from an eagle's nest 
 Had seiz'd her young, while absent on the quest 
 Of food to hush their wants : With grief of soul, 
 She comes and finds her bosom's offspring sold, 590 
 Recover 'd from despair, with rage she flies, 
 Seeking her foe with never-winking eyes ;
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 225 
 
 Broad whirling round the heavens, she angry sails, 
 
 Shifting her pinions to the shifting gales ; 
 
 As forth she darts, she maddens in her rage 
 
 To meet the robber and with death engage ; 
 
 For two long days she labours through the sky, 
 
 But all in vain her searching scrutiny. 
 
 At length, while hope is sinking in her breast, 
 
 She spies the condor snugly in her nest ! 600 
 
 She claps her pinions lightens for the wars 
 
 Sharpens her beak, and grinds her pointed claws. 
 
 So like the eagle, Perry mark'd the foe, 
 Which made his bosom's blood with joy o'erflow ; 
 He furl'd his canvass plac'd his ships in range, 
 Ready the storm of battle to exchange. 
 
 Barclay, of late, had travers'd with his fleet 
 The waters round, to give his seamen feet ; 
 To learn the measure of his sailing speed, 
 And practise on the lake the dreadful deed. 610 
 
 His anchors scarce had grappled to their hold, 
 When Perry, like a miser searching gold, 
 Beheld the Lion and the Cross of red, 
 Touch'd with a sunbeam from the mountain's head. 
 
 Now with an optick, that enlarg'd the sight, 
 Perry minute observ'd the royal might ; 
 And soon discover'd they in strength excell'd 
 The ships he honour'd, for his country held ; 
 And by their movements, he was made to know, 
 'Twas not their purpose to exchange the blow, 620 
 Till a new sun should in the orient show. 
 
 The optick laid aside his voice was heard,
 
 226 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 Sweet in its accent as the evening bird, 
 Calling with fond anxiety of breast 
 Her callow young to shelter in the nest : 
 
 " Behold, the setting of the sun denies, 
 That we should meet and close our enmities ; 
 For, after battle, blessed is the peace, 
 To pour the balm of reconciling grace. 
 
 " What though their strength exceeds the strength 
 
 of ours, 630 
 
 Yet wish we not accession of our powers ; 
 Should we, inferior, the ascendance gain 
 From her, the self-styl'd Mistress of the main, 
 Brighter the brilliance of the deed would blaze, 
 And bear our memory to future days ! 
 But should disposing heaven the vict'ry take, 
 Ample are we to sanctify the lake ! 
 For who would live, a conquer'd vassal be ? 
 The thought be gone ! We'll stand, till death shall 
 
 free 
 
 Our spirits from this prison-house of clay, 640 
 
 And seek new being in eternal day ! 
 
 " Forth to the Sister Isles for harbour steer ! 
 The battle breaks, when day illumes the sphere." 
 
 Each word was to his mariners as fire, 
 Which warm'd their bosoms to sublime desire. 
 
 To Sister Isles they navigate their way 
 And reach the same, as evening's mellow ray 
 Melts in the lake. They anchor, sleep, by turns, 
 While stars pour down their light from golden urns. 
 
 Same time, the Britons on their couches sleep, 650 
 Dreaming of Perry conquer'd on the deep ;
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 227 
 
 Barclay, a gem, that deck'd the Albion name, 
 
 Had oft beheld the ocean in a flame ; 
 
 Nelson had school'd him in the naval fight 
 
 He, who the Cross exalted to its height ; 
 
 Barclay, like Nelson, hath an arm but one, 
 
 To wield the blade to urge the battle on 
 
 Detroit, deep freighted with exploders strong, 
 
 Bears his proud flag, the floating clouds among. 659 
 
 The Queen Charlotte, a name that's now no more, 
 Finnis commands, a seaman brave of } r ore ; 
 The Lady Prevost hearkens to Buchan, 
 And ocean smil'd to own the valiant man ; 
 He'd fought the fight, where ships to heaven were 
 
 thrown 
 
 The Nile, that cast a brilliance on the crown ; 
 The Hunter, and the Chippcwa, and Belt,* 
 Compose the fleet the last, her sister, felt 
 Republick strength, when Rodgcrs taught the proud 
 His Freedom's dignity with brass tongues loud. 
 
 The royal mariners, as day's first gleam 670 
 
 Shone in the east and flicker'd on the stream, 
 Stood at their place, the anchors to up-wcigh, 
 When their commander should the order say ; 
 Barclay with pride their valiancy beheld, 
 And thus the fervour of his soul reveal'd : 
 
 " Now let the spirit of Britannia rise ! 
 Behold, this day, immortal is the prize ! 
 This, this the time your royalty to show, 
 And place the crown of honour on your brow ! 
 
 * Little Belt.
 
 228 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVIt. 
 
 Let lightning streak your veins ! the fire reveal, 680 
 
 Long smother'd in your bosoms ! prove the steel, 
 
 That never batters edge ! I numbers mark, 
 
 Who fought with Nelson at Trafalgar dark 
 
 At Egypt's Nile where colleagu'd France and Spain 
 
 Found their mix'd thunders in the strife was vain ! 
 
 Your scars are like the seals at Judgment Day, 
 
 The bless'd to separate from death's array ! 
 
 Thus stamp'd with an eternity of fame, 
 
 Shall we not strike the infant Eagle tame 1 
 
 Yes I behold it, flashing from your eye ! 690 
 
 " Unlock the anchors ! Let the standards fly ! 
 Never to fail, till memory shall die !" 
 
 He swell'd their souls to shouting ! Anchors rise, 
 And presently they sail where Perry lies, 
 And Barclay thus again : " Mark mark the foe ! 
 Soon on the Crown another gem will show ! 
 
 " But when'yon Stars their brilliancy shall hide, 
 Then be your souls with conquest satisfied ; 
 The turmoil violence of battle cease ; 
 And raise the conquer'd with the hand of peace ; 700 
 Lawrence, when he our ro3^al Peacock slew, 
 Kind like a brother melted for her crew ; 
 And shall they us o'erreach in acts divine 1 
 Blush at the thought ! let mercy rule the line ; 
 Be fierce, like mad things, when the fire is cast 
 But do, as angels, when the storm has pass'd. 
 
 " No more For action let the ships be clear ! 
 The battle comes ! The foe approaches near !" 
 
 With hearts high strung, the Albion crews obey 
 And stand, like instinct, ready for the fray. 710
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 229 
 
 Fast grip'd in hand, the lighted matches smoke 
 To touch the quick fire, when the word is spoke. 
 
 The moment the Columbians saw the fleet. 
 Their bosoms kindled with electrick heat ; 
 Their eyes quick darted an impatient glow, 
 To meet, and mix the battle with the foe. 
 
 With valour's calmness., Perry gives the word : 
 " Loosen the anchors ! Let the sheets afford 
 A harbour for the wind to bear us forth 
 To give the proof, that Freedom is our birth ! 720 
 Yea, prove our rich inheritance of blood, 
 That none shall bend our standard on the flood. 
 
 " Why waste my voice on souls to glory given 
 No more Our hope is in the arm of heaven !" 
 
 They felt his language at the core of life, 
 And on their brows was calmness for the strife ; 
 An awful calmness, such as nature feels, 
 Ere ihe big thunder o'er the concave peals. 
 
 The gales of morning in the canvass play 
 It fills slow winds the squadron from the bay. 730 
 The Lawrence ship, more fair before the wind, 
 Outsails the others struggling on behind ; 
 But soon the breezes, languishing of life, 
 Resign the Lawrence lonely to the strife ! 
 The rest, becalm'd, far distant on the deep, 
 In which each patriot leans his head to weep. 
 
 By this, the enemy elanc'd the shot 
 The first explosion thunder'd from Charlotte ; 
 20 VOL. ii.
 
 230 FREDON1AD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 Next, the Detroit by full divisions roar'd 
 
 And soon, the whole an iron tempest pour'd. 740 
 
 With carronades, the Lawrence found it vain 
 The far-off distance of the foe to gain ! 
 But Perry stood sublime ! " This, this the hour 
 To prove th' unbending of your heart's rich power ! 
 Though volum'd fires severe against us burn, 
 And we unable to repel in turn, 
 Yet fix'd is our resolve to live, or die, 
 And smile, while struggling with adversity ! 
 Heaven sends us griefs our souls to purify, 
 And make them fit for immortality ! 750 
 
 As is our power to bear, it sends them down 
 Hence, outlook death, nor murmur with a frown ! 
 
 " But mark ! we gain upon the foe ahead ! 
 'Tis time we strike them with a blow that's dead !" 
 
 He gave the mandate with serenest look, 
 Which prov'd his valour never to be broke. 
 
 Scarce had he ended, when his shouting crew 
 Applied the match with pointed vengeance true ; 
 The globes, like pestilence, through ether fly, 759 
 While nitrous smoke makes dark the noon-bright sky ; 
 Circles of fire in nimble flashes gleam, 
 Which show a direful fracture in the stream, 
 As though that hell were burning hideous there, 
 With many a ghastly image in the glare. 
 
 The Lawrence thus alone withstands the whole, 
 The cannon deafening with unceasing roll. 
 
 As when two thunders, darting from a cloud, 
 Contend in air beneath a lightning shroud ; 
 Nor think they to retire but smiting burst 
 With peals, that shake the tenements of dust. 770
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 231 
 
 Thus dread they met and thus in equal poise 
 The battle hangs thus dreadful is the noise. 
 
 Yet Perry seems sufficient for the fleet ! 
 And dangers darkening -but inflame his heat ; 
 Life fails on every side ! A gush of blood 
 Pours from each vessel mixes with the flood ; 
 T he sable ships are dyed with gory red 
 The lake becomes a sepulchre of dead. 
 
 A shot intended to destroy a mast, 
 Sever'd the arm of Barclay as it pass'd ; 780 
 
 His sword fell grasp'd within his only hand 
 His right was buried in Trafalgar sand ! 
 Yet scorn'd his soul below to seek relief, 
 And, in his place, the surgeons staunch'd in brief 
 Life's jutting streamlet wrapp'd th' unsightly part, 
 And soon he rose, unalter'd at his heart ! 
 
 As Laub was aiding gently to sustain 
 A wounded youth, two fiery balls in chain, 
 From the Detroit, with whirling motion came, 
 And where the neck of female wakens flame 790 
 
 Sacred to love drove desolating through ! 
 The live blood leaping from the arteries flew. 
 The body fell, with a convulsion, dead 
 Along the vessel roll'd the gasping head. 
 
 During this period, so severe the blast, 
 Brooks's division had expir'd their last ; 
 He comes to Perry for a fresh supply 
 A beauteous valour rolling in his eye ; 
 No smile is on his lip, but his fair cheeks 
 Blush into roses as he kindling speaks : 800
 
 232 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 " Let not my voice, O Perry, damp thy breast ; 
 Ask not the cause, my cannon are at rest ; 
 Alas, th' unsparing havock of the strife, 
 Hath robb'd my every warrior of his life 1 
 I've come t' invite thee to replace their power, 
 That I may glory in this glorious hour ! 
 
 Give me their names " 
 
 O, wherefore is it thus 
 Amidst his soul's expression emulous, 
 Ceas'd he his voice 1 His friends, alas for them I 
 He fell, a lily broken from its stem ! 810 
 
 His mother's tears must fall in bitterness 
 The lov'd one of his bosom, motionless 
 Sink to the earth a coldness seize her heart, 
 As at the hour when mind and body part J 
 
 His brittle thigh was broken on the deck, 
 The pangs of which were tortures of the rack 
 The war-bolt dash'd him 'gainst the vessel's side, 
 And thus to Perry in despair he cried : 
 
 " Snatch s*jle O snatch the pistol from my belt ! 
 Never such anguish, mortal ever felt ! 820 
 
 O, I beseech you, sudden let me die 
 In mercy, free me from this agony !" 
 
 Perry felt that he never felt before 
 It seem'd that blood-drops stood in every pore ! 
 
 " Cummings, Hamilton, haste bear him from 
 
 sight, 
 
 Or it may cause a palsy in the fight ; 
 I'd fix'd my soul to look unmov'd at death 
 But O, his pleadings take away my breath !" 
 
 Like twin-born brothers, tender they comply ; 
 Gently they raise him with a pitying eye ; 830
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 
 
 But, lo, a cruel bolt from Albion sung, 
 
 And the firm nerves, that bind the ancle strong, 
 
 Loosen'd of Hamilton ! He falls with Brooks 
 
 Though sharp his pains, unalter'd are his looks ! 
 
 Or if his eye the least emotion shows, 
 
 'Tis for the youth that feels expiring throes. 
 
 Cummings and Swartwout carry them below 
 Where, faint through loss of blood, they pale like 
 snow. 
 
 But nature, struggling, soon creates a flush, 
 Hectick in Brooks's cheek fairer that blush, 840 
 Than ever play'd on beauty's love-dress flower 
 Or sweetly brighten'd in the orient hour. 
 But like all beauty of this mortal earth, 
 It died the instant that produc'd its birth ! 
 
 Brooks blush'd a moment with a feverish glow, 
 Then his heart flutter'd and forgot its wo ! 
 
 The Lawrence yet defying, holds the blast, 
 Though sails hung tatter'd from her every mast ; 
 And swords, and broken cannon, dying men, 
 Are scatter'd round a desolating scene ! 850 
 
 But lo, while heroes with their death-wounds fall, 
 The shield of heaven guards Perry from the ball ! 
 
 So great their love, the patriots, as they die, 
 Turn the last motion of their fading eye 
 To catch his sweet serenity of form, 
 Like some bright angel mid creation's storm. 
 
 At length, the Lawrence scarce maintain'd a gun, 
 And he, to Yarnall, presently began 
 20* VOL. ii.
 
 234 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 Whose cheek was swell'd and black his arm was 
 
 broke, 
 
 His thigh was bleeding still an untam'd look 860 
 ReveaPd to Perry, that his soul yet stood 
 Firm till his life should be by death subdu'd : 
 
 " Yarnall, in battle with the Lawrence stand ! 
 Thy blood will be an unction to the land ! 
 From this, to the Niagara, I sail 
 And urge her forth if heaven inspires the gale ! 
 " The valiant live not long ; when dead, they 
 
 bloom 
 
 Yea, wreaths ofglory flourish on their tomb ! 
 While ages roll, and millions sleep and rot, 
 And, as the dust that buries them, forgot, 870 
 
 A hero grows and brightens in his fame, 
 Like the fix'd star, that pours a quenchless flame !" 
 
 This said: he forth selected from the crew, 
 Those without wounds, and to the barge-boat flew ; 
 Each to his oar with gallant effort sprung, 
 While peals redoubling from the cannon rung. 
 
 Perry erect looks calm upon the scene 
 And all he feels is safety for his men ; 
 But they the thought of living would despise, 
 Should they behold the closing of his eyes. 880 
 
 The barge, a thing of wonder, darts along 
 Yea seems like gossamer in tempest flung, 
 For rang'd in line, the foe their thunders hurl'd 
 To strike the insect vessel from the world ; 
 On every side incessant war they keep, 
 Darkening the heavens and breaking up the deep. 
 
 Thus from the brooding entrails of a cloud, 
 A shower of hail descends with rattlings loud ;
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 235 
 
 The fire-tongu'd lightning furious drives it forth 
 Against the golden harvest of the earth ; 890 
 
 Or hurls it, beating, at the ocean's breast, 
 Which seems to wake in torment from its rest. 
 
 So fly the ruins o'er the inland sea 
 But vain the efforts of the enemy ; 
 Perry maintains the same unruffled brow, 
 Wielding his blade, defiance of the foe ; 
 He seems like something not of human form, 
 To breathe with life, while buried in the storm. 
 
 So at the consummating hour, when Time, 
 In heaven, shall wed Eternity sublime 900 
 
 Earth the dread change will through her centre feel ; 
 The strangled Sun to stagnant blood congeal ; 
 Comets, delirious, through the concave driven ; 
 The Moon, convuls'd, turn back her course in heaven ; 
 The mountains burn a blast absorb the seas ; 
 And all the planetary worlds in blaze ! 
 Lo, at this change, a seraph, sent to mark 
 If all be touch'd with the consuming spark, 
 Will glide uninjur'd by each burning star, 
 And smile amid the elemental war. 910 
 
 So Perry, as with strength from heaven supplied, 
 Moves through strange fire and thunder, every side. 
 
 The Britons stood admiring at the deed 
 And in astonishment this Barclay said : 
 
 " In history have I read of actions brave, 
 Achiev'd by ancient heroes of the wave ; 
 Yea seen Trafalgar and the dreadful Nile, 
 Where names were plac'd upon immortal file,
 
 236 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 But all that ever I have seen or read, 
 
 This act of Perry's, actions past exceed ! 920 
 
 u Mark, what a calmness on his brow is seen, 
 As though he glided o'er the lake serene, 
 Bent on his pleasure ! Wonderful it seems, 
 That he should live involv'd in fiery streams ! 
 My eye intent hath mark'd him from the first, 
 Thinking to see him shiver to the dust ; 
 Yet, still he lives ! yea passes by our fleet, 
 Pouring its flames in one impetuous sheet ! 
 
 " But will it aught avail 1 It never will 
 He must resign to our superior skill, 030 
 
 And ample force to bend his standards down, 
 And make him own the prowess of the Crown ; 
 Scarce can the Lawrence answer with a gun, 
 Which makes our strength as two oppos'd to one. 
 
 " Though numbers lay in gory vestments dead, 
 And I once more for Albion's honour bled, 
 Yet 'tis a joy for valiant men to die, 
 And gain, through death, a bright eternity !" 
 
 As Barclay pour'd the flowings of his mind, 
 Perry, uninjur'd, the Niagara gain'd 940 
 
 Her placid sails forsaken by the wind ! 
 
 An holy tear delighted Elliot's eye, 
 When Perry, leaping in the boat, drew nigh ; 
 Joy touch'd his soul to see him once again 
 Him, whom his mind had number'd with the slain ; 
 For all his hope surrender'd to despair, 
 That in the Lawrence, one had breathing there.
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 237 
 
 Thus a fond mother seeks her infant child, 
 Astray'd from home among the thickets wild ; 
 Pursuing, heedlessly, the gilded wing 950 
 
 Of sunny butterfly, or flowers of spring ; 
 Or gathering berries with its fingers small, 
 Till far it wander'd from its parent's call ; 
 Through the lone search, each step, she feels despair 
 Toss'd in the wind, dishevell'd flies her hair ; 
 By meddling thought, half frenzy whirls her head 
 Her hopes expire she dooms her infant dead ; 
 But lo,bewilder'd and surpris'd with joy, 
 Plucking the berries, she beholds her boy ! 959 
 
 Her eyes stream heaven ! her soul takes wing above, 
 Clasping his bosom with a parent's love ! 
 
 Such joy was Elliot's, Perry to behold, 
 Thinking the beatings of his heart were cold. 
 
 Like brothers meeting, tender they embrace ; 
 
 The drops of friendship trickling down their face. 
 
 ********* 
 
 " Heaven yet will aid us !" Elliot stammering spoke, 
 Soon as his passion ceas'd his voice to choke ; 
 " What anguish rent my soul! my heart dropp'd blood, 
 To see the Lawrence circled on the flood 
 By all the royal navy in a flame, 97Q 
 
 It caus'd the teardrops from the brave to stream ! 
 Why do I talk ? No language can declare 
 What the soul sufter'd every heart was bare ! 
 So wilder'd was the mind, that thrice we arm'd 
 To ply the match not thinking we were calm'd ! !> 
 
 Thus he. And Perry thus : " Elliot, I feel, 
 Thy heart felt more, than language can reveal,
 
 238 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 Though that thy voice hath rausick in its strain, 
 Binding my soul in fascinating chain. 
 
 " Yes, heaven will aid us to repel the foe, 980 
 
 If to adversity we scorn to bow ; 
 Our strength united, none divides the band ; 
 Not all the N power of Europe's titled land ; 
 Yea, than to yield, 'tis sweeter far to die ; 
 Sweet as the slumber-breath of infancy ! 
 
 " But mark you not yon rippling o'er the lake ? 
 It comes it spreads the winds are there awake ! 
 
 " O come, ye Winds ! and nestle in our sail 
 I hear your voice, more sweet than nightingale ! 
 O come, and elevate the Eagle's wing, 990 
 
 She droops made sick at heart with sorrowing ! 
 
 " Behold, they come and flicker in the sheets ! 
 Effulgent brilliancy the day completes ! 
 The Eagle throws the sickness from her heart 
 She mounts her eyes the beams of vict'ry dart ; 
 Lawrence hath open'd us the way and now, 
 We'll bring our strength unbroken on the foe. 
 
 " Forth, Elliot, to the lagging ships proceed 
 And bend their sails to aid the signal deed, 
 Whilst I Niagara to the battle crowd, 1000 
 
 And from the Lawrence sweep the bleeding cloud." 
 
 Elliot, with fibres of his heart new strung, 
 With chosen bargemen, in the pinnace sprung 
 To gain the vessels struggling on behind, 
 And bring them forward with the freshening wind. 
 
 As Elliot reach'd the squadron on the rear, 
 Disguis'd, Fredonia glided through the sphere ;
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 239 
 
 She seem'd an Eagle, grac'd with gorgeous wings, 
 Winding between the clouds in floating rings ; 
 Her plumage glittering, wonderous to behold, 1010 
 As down she circled in a flood of gold. 
 
 Now, on the bosom of the air she sails, 
 Fanning with gentle wing the amorous gales ; 
 Around the fleet, admiring to the sight, 
 She winds, like beauty circumfus'd in light ; 
 O'er Perry's head she paus'd a moment's time, 
 And then evanish'd mid the clouds sublime. 
 
 The mariners beheld with ravish'd look 
 At length, their transport into shouting broke : 
 
 u Lo, victory is ours ! Behold the sign ! 1020 
 
 It burns in heaven, like agency divine !" 
 
 When Barclay heard their voices on the air, 
 He rang'd his fleet in naval character, 
 Fix'd for defence. When lin'd in readiness, 
 He, like a victor, utter'd this address : 
 
 " Behold, they come flags dancing in the wind ! 
 Lo, presently they fall, to grief resign'd ; 
 But each must gird his royal armour on 
 Their banners wave to dignify the Crown ! 
 Yes each his proudest efforts must perform ; 1030 
 See, they approach, like darkness in a storm ! 
 Let life's deep engine, maddening pulses, beat ; 
 No equal power reduces Albion's fleet ! 
 Yet mark my words we fight not France, nor Spain 
 Some English blood runs dancing through their vein !
 
 240 FREDONFAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 " Inflame the brass with fire ! The bolts drive 
 
 well 
 Let war outnoise the direst peal of hell." 
 
 With brazen lungs the cannon bellowing roar'd, 
 And, on Niagara, their thunders pour'd. 
 
 Slow gliding on, the Freedom ships drew nigh, 1040 
 Facing the blast in deep solemnity. 
 But when in distance scarce the vessel's length, 
 Her brass exploded with Vesuvian strength. 
 
 Perry breaks forth : " With crowned canvass 
 
 move ! 
 
 This, this the hour, your energies to prove ! 
 Press bear the ship within a duel shot 
 Of proud Detroit, of Prevost, and Charlotte ; 
 On these, close levelled, let the starboard pour, 
 While larboard cannon in full concert roar, 
 And strike the fiery Chippewa and Belt, 1050 
 
 That not as yet a bleeding round have felt ; 
 Thus, as with lightnings, streaming on each side, 
 We'll pierce their line their battle strength divide ; 
 Their banners humble bow their lofty pride." 
 
 His bold design went thrilling to the heart, 
 And each with calmness answer'd to his part ; 
 The sails they crowded, and a signal set, 
 His plan to be supported by the fleet. 
 
 When Barclay scannM the purpose of his foe 
 To break his line, his strength to overthrow, 1060 
 He by a flag proclaim'd it to his fleet, 
 While his tongue show'd how strong his pulses beat :
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 241 
 
 " Mark, how Niagara bears upon us proud ! 
 Smother her progress with a fiery shroud ! 
 She sunders breaks the line ! Defend the Crown ! 
 
 Hurl forth " 
 
 A torn-off splinter smote him down, 
 Yet seem'd he not to notice that he fell : 
 
 " Level the cannon ! gun for gun repel !" 
 Full peals unbroken at Niagara roll 
 But Perry moves unalter'd in his soul, 1070 
 
 Not winking at the blast. In duel shot, 
 He rakes, and breaks the vitals of Charlotte ; 
 Prevost, Detroit, and Chippewa, and Belt, 
 On either side, beneath the lightnings melt ; 
 Niagara seems a dragon, wing'd with fire ; 
 Her flames augmenting to the clouds aspire. 
 
 Lo now, a rifle volley from marines, 
 The upper deck of either vessel gleans ; 
 Those, that have life, for shelter fly beneath 
 To shun the pestilence of leaden death. 1080 
 
 Buchan, an ornament to Albion's race, 
 Craz'd by a shot that broke upon his face, 
 With vacant eye stood gazing on the flood, 
 Alone, unarm'd, and reckless of his blood ; 
 Yet still the rifles flung the hissing lead ; 
 Perry beheld it, and with feeling said : 
 
 " The Briton stands bewilder'd in his gore ; 
 Suppress the flames elance no death-lead more ; 
 His sword hath fallen why expend the shot ? 
 Let mercy rule us, and forget it not !" 1090 
 
 21 VOL. ii.
 
 242 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 The warriors hearken'd, and obey'd him soon ; 
 Buchan, the moment, shiver'd in a swoon ; 
 The loosen'd fibres of his heart gave way ; 
 He heav'd one gasp, and stiffen'd into clay ! 
 
 The Caledonia, by the wayward wind, 
 Lags from Niagara on the wave behind ; 
 Turner, with soul impatient for the fight, 
 Commands, that through the sail, his gun should 
 
 light : 1100 
 
 " Cold is that heart, which longer can delay ! 
 What ! without aid, shall Perry win the day ? 
 Shall we no honour in the battle seek 1 
 No through the fore-sail, let the cannon speak !" 
 
 Hardly his tongue the proclamation made, 
 When the brass quicken'd from its slumber dead, 
 And rent the canvass that conceal'd the foe, 
 And caus'd the blood in a new stream to flow. 
 The Ariel, Scorpion, close upon her glide 
 Then, board to board, the Trippe and Tygress ride ; 
 And Somers next, and next the Porcupine, 
 Urg'd by one impulse in the fight combine. 
 
 Now ship to ship and gun to gun they meet, 
 Their anger kindling with ambitious heat ; 
 As flames of Etna to the clouds are driven ; 
 As thunders meet, and mix, and crash in heaven 
 Not with less rage the circling fires flash round ; 
 Not with less rage the brazen engines sound. 
 Fragments of men trunks heads, with gory hair, 
 Splash in the lake, like things unworthy care ! 1120
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 243 
 
 The crystal lake becomes a sea of gore, 
 And still the battle magnifies it more ! 
 
 The foremost characters of Albion fail ; 
 Faint beat their hearts their features waxing pale. 
 
 Finnis, whose breast was honour to the core, 
 Mixes with Erie's flood his bosom's gore ; 
 While in the act to animate his crew, 
 A fire-drove bullet pierc'd his vitals through : 
 
 " Britons ! remember what ye are !" he cried, 
 And roll'd his eyes to heaven, and smiling died ! 1130 
 
 Now reel the masts of Albion's Charlotte ; 
 Her shrouds swing loose, dissever'd by the shot ; 
 She tangles with Detroit, devoid of helm ; 
 In this sad plight, the patriots overwhelm 
 The ships with raining fire. A moment brief, 
 They seem like Frenzy overcome by Grief, 
 At last, death's dullness on their hearts they feel ; 
 They strike their tatter'd flags to Freedom's banner 
 kneel ! 
 
 As when a scowling tempest wraps the world ; 
 Lightnings and thunders, from its entrails hurl'd, 1140 
 Driving to earth a cataract of rain ; 
 Shiv'ring the oaks and dashing them amain ; 
 It passes by the loosen'd winds are laid ; 
 The sun paints rainbows on each dew-drop blade ; 
 The poplarstands unmov'd upon the heath ; 
 The world calm slumbers, lull'd with heaven's sweet 
 breath. 
 
 Such was the change, when Albion's standard fell, 
 The lightnings died the thunders ceas'd to swell.
 
 244 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVII. 
 
 Perry exclaim'd : " By heaven's indulgent Powers, 
 We've met the enemy and they are ours /" 1150 
 
 Barclay to Perry in his sorrow came ; 
 Pale his sunk cheek with many a gory maim ! 
 He paus'd and after, thus : " Most sad 'tis mine, 
 To thee this tarnish'd honour to resign ; 
 Undying ages will exalt thy fame, 
 Whilst deep oblivion will becloud my name !" 
 
 Perry with sympathy : " That word suppress 
 'Twas heaven that crown'd my effort with success ; 
 If arms alone could conquer, thou hadst won ; 
 What man could do, that nobly hast thou done ; 1160 
 Oblivion, did you say ? That ne'er can be, 
 While worth o'er baseness holds ascendency ; 
 Oblivion ! never wounds will leave a scar, 
 Which to the world, will speak thy character ! 
 For these deep gory stains wilt thou receive 
 Something more rich than golden mines can give. 
 
 " The brave, at times must render up the fight, 
 But fame encircles them with robes of light ; 
 To names, nor naval skill, the battle's given, 
 Unless supported by the arm of heaven. 1170 
 
 " Your wounds ask medicine Come, pass with me, 
 Lean on my arm, and while on board be free." 
 
 The soul of Barclay crowded in his eyes ; 
 Silent he stood, recover'd, he replies : 
 
 " You've won my heart yea, conquer'd me again ; 
 Thy soothing voice hath all my feelings slain ; 
 But this last victory, the first excels, 
 As heaven this earth, where peace eternal dwells.
 
 PERRY'S VICTORY. 245 
 
 " Accept my sword. I'm conquer'd, and resign 
 A thousand more to such a heart as thine !" 1180 
 
 Perry makes answer : " Never more, I pray, 
 Urge me that point sufficient is the day ; 
 Sheath'd be thy blade convey it to thy land ; 
 'Twould pierce my heart to touch it with my hand. 
 
 Barclay surrenders in the strife of soul ; 
 Bending his mind to Perry's kind control. 
 
 Tender the surgeons, by their sacred art, 
 Close his rough wounds and soften every smart. 
 
 Perry sets compass for Sandusky Bay ; 
 Where safe he anchors at the close of day. 1190 
 
 21* TOL. 11.
 
 CANTO XVIII. 
 
 INVASION OF CANADA AT 
 MALDEN.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The Northern Army being reinforced by Johnson, and receiving 
 positive intelligence of Perry's Victory, decamp from Fort 
 Meigs....The Embarcation.... Proctor's Retreat to the River 
 Thames.. ..Invasion of Canada.... A Night Scene. 
 
 The scene is laid in Kentucky, at Fort Meigs, Sandusky, and at 
 Maiden.. ..The time is thirty-six hours.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XVIII. 
 
 MEANTIME Kentucky, fill'd with patriot flame, 
 Summon'd her warriors to the field of fame ; 
 Though with her blood the earth she'd sprinkled o'er, 
 At the Miami and at Raisin's shore, 
 Yet, jealous Freedom glowing in her breast, 
 A Star, she rises in the dark-blue West. 
 
 Her offspring listen'd to her martial tongue, 
 Which, to their ears, was sweet as musick strung 
 To th' jEolian harp : they heard and, at the sound, 
 In crowded ranks, collected on the ground. 10 
 
 Where Licking stream with the Ohio flows, 
 Sublime in air their spangled banner rose ; 
 Licking, in ancient time, its springs pour'd forth 
 To slack the thirst of nature's giant birth ; 
 The mammoth once the sovereign of the wood, 
 Till shafts of thunder the huge race subdu'd ; 
 Scarce could the stream their mighty drought supply ; 
 They drank the river, yet their throats were dry. 
 
 Here was the standard of the Free up-rear'd, 
 Where soon in arms a darkening host appear'd ; 20
 
 250 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 As clouds, collecting in the western sphere, 
 
 Proclaim a tempest to the peasant near ; 
 
 Grum muttering thunders groaning far remote, 
 
 Sound th' alarm with heavy rumbling note ; 
 
 So at the junction of the mammoth's flood 
 
 With the Ohio sons of hunters crowd, 
 
 Ample beyond all measure to proceed, 
 
 As they by numbers would the cause impede ; 
 
 Hence, many a warrior, with his heart in pain, 
 
 Slow, with reluctance measur'd back the plain. 30 
 
 These, as the first that marshall'd on the field, 
 The post of honour for their country held : 
 
 Henry, in rank, is second to Desha ; 
 Then, Chyle and Trotter in the line display ; 
 Next King and Symral form upon the heath, 
 Intent to gain th' immortalizing wreath, 
 With which proud Vict'ry crowns her champions 
 
 brave, 
 To bid defiance to the mouldering grave. 
 
 Barry,* whose eloquence delights the mind, 
 And moulds the heart to tenderness refin'd, 40 
 
 Claims from the Muse a momentary pause, 
 Partial to give his character applause. 
 
 Virginia gave him birth so rich in names, 
 That four, the proudest of the land she claims ; 
 Four, who than thrones had seats more high attained. 
 And then, with humble gratitude, resign'd ; 
 A noble lesson to instruct mankind. 
 
 His father, poor, conducted him, a child, 
 Beyond the mountains to Kentucky wild ; 
 
 * William T. Barry.
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 251 
 
 To the blest spot where Lexington took birth ; 50 
 A flower, the fairest of the western earth ; 
 Scarce yet in bloom but soon to wide expand, 
 And pour its od'rous treasures through the land ; 
 Ere long, her Transylvania will proclaim 
 Through distant realms the virtue of a name ; 
 Here, by a Holley's care, the mind receives 
 A boon more rich, than golden treasure gives ; 
 Exalted Science whose unclouded eye 
 Looks with a smile beyond mortality. 
 
 Here pass'd his sweet simplicity of youth, 60 
 
 Ever devoted to the shrine of truth ; 
 Though born to indigence with scarce a friend 
 To give him counsel, or his views commend, 
 Yet, by his native energies, he rose 
 In spite of all that envy could oppose ; 
 For envy ever will pursue the good, 
 As shade, the substance in similitude. 
 
 Kentucky gave him honour with acclaim, 
 That in the senate, he should speak her name ; 
 Yea, and he spoke it with a voice so clear, 70 
 
 That sages listen'd with delighted ear. 
 
 Though that his soul was as a summer's day ; 
 As sweet as nature in her love-dress gay, 
 Yet, mention but his country's wrongs, he show'd 
 That flame indignant in his bosom glow'd. 
 
 As he in senate had the war declar'd, 
 So now its perils, he, like Johnson, dar'd. 
 
 The next is Crittenden in war -robes seen ; 
 Though dark his eye, yet open is his mein.
 
 252 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 At times, his tongue would elevate the soul, 80 
 
 And bear it high beyond the will's control ; 
 
 At times, by softening to a melting word, 
 
 He'd damp with tears the heart's affecting chord. 
 
 In hill-surrounded Frankfort, where the wise 
 Kentucky sages righteous laws devise, 
 Glided his years : But scarce he'd past the child, 
 When the rude scenery of nature wild 
 Gave such a musing habit to his mind, 
 That oft he'd listen to the mountain wind 
 To hear the Spirit of the storm declare 90 
 
 What mighty cause produc'd the river there : 
 If that a ploughshare, at the first of time, 
 Drawn by an earthquake, breathing fire sublime, 
 Turn'd hills aside with thunders in its sweep, 
 Scooping the rock a thousand cubits deep ! 
 Or if the mountains, when the streams were dry, 
 Disparted at the touch of Deity ! 
 
 These chiefs, the solid infantry command, 
 Whose bosoms yearn against the foe to stand. 
 
 Next on the field the mounted troops convene, 100 
 Their hearts impatient for the martial scene ; 
 Johnson the younger,* nurtur'd in the west, 
 Holds the first rule who oft the stranger blest ; 
 He, in the senate, bade the nation draw 
 Th' avenging sword to wage the righteous war ; 
 Though he had lost no kindred on the sea, 
 By Briton's iron hand of cruelty, 
 Remote from ocean, at his happy seat ; 
 Yet, his heart jealous, for his country beat ; 
 
 * Col. Richard Mentor Johnson.
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 253 
 
 And when the groans of mariners impress'd, 1 1-0 
 
 With every gale came sighing to the West, 
 He felt in every groan, as though he heard 
 A brother's voice, him succour to afford : 
 This, in the nation's councils, nerv'd his tongue, 
 And gave him power to wield the falchion strong. 
 
 At the Blue Fountain he receiv'd his birth, 
 The purest spring that gushes from the earth ; 
 Yea pure as is the bow of summer even ; 
 Clear as the bosom of the cloudless heaven ; 
 When thirsty Sirius drinks the western floods, 120 
 And sears with parching heat the drooping woods, 
 This Spring, upon its borders damps the fire, 
 And keeps the foliage in its green attire. 
 
 Full many a wild-flower blooms upon its side, 
 Leaning its odorous bosom o'er the tide 
 To gaze its beauty in the wave below ; 
 As Eve delighted saw her breasts of snow, 
 When o'er the lake she bent her wondering beam, 
 To view her mocking image in the stream. 
 
 The warrior drank of this inspiring wave, 130 
 
 Which to his mind a clear conception gave ; 
 He show'd his father's daring from his birth, 
 Who now cold slumbers in his bed of earth, 
 Where Elkhorn smooth, like molten silver flows, 
 With sweet-brier perfum'd and the breathing rose. 
 
 The chief, exalted on his charger high, 
 A martial kindling flashes from his eye ; 
 His light plume nods like dancing in the wind, 
 And bends elastick o'er his head behind ; 
 Gentle in peace as setting sun of even ; 140 
 
 In war, the spirit of the storm in heaven. 
 22 VOL. ii.
 
 254 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 Champing his bit, his war-horse paws the heath, 
 Rolling a cloud of darkness at a breath ; 
 His breast bears thunder, and his eye the flame, 
 Which burns in heaven, when tempests shake the 
 
 frame ; 
 
 His strength is ocean's wave his speed the wind ; 
 His courage fire, that scorches on the mind ; 
 He snuffs the passing breeze exulting bounds, 
 When for the charge the clanging trumpet sounds. 
 
 His heart's choice brother,* next commission held, 
 Whom none in deeds of chivalry excell'd ; 151 
 
 In years, his senior but the palm of birth 
 He yields, which proves sublimity of worth ; 
 These little etiquettes of little minds 
 He casts indignant to the scattering winds ; 
 His country's welfare is the guiding light 
 That leads him forward to the field of fight : 
 How, in what station, can he serve her best, 
 The only trouble that concerns his breast. 159 
 
 Payne, Thompson, Suggett, next in order stand, 
 Rank'd with the first that ever drew a brand 
 To wield against a foe. But Suggett, he 
 Had touch'd the holy things of Deity ; 
 But now in panoply severe he shines 
 To lead to fame Kentucky's chosen lines. 
 
 Ye tongues of discord ! mark the brilliant sight, 
 And be your eyes made blinded by the light ! 
 Ye madded ministers, who preach a God, 
 More rank than hell whose luxury is blood ! 
 
 * Col. James Johnson.
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 255 
 
 Look at the contrast ! See him fix'd on heaven, 170 
 In silent prayer, that vict'ry might be given ; 
 Whilst Him, your country ye implore to sink : 
 
 " God ! in thy mercy, give them blood to drink !"* 
 
 ********* 
 
 Ye hypocrites in holy things ! how dread 
 Must be the weight suspended o'er your head ! 
 Sackcloth your loins pour ashes on your brow, 
 And bare on earth your knees repentant bow .; 
 Or your rank blasphemy will reach to hell, 
 And from the Book of Life your names expel ! 
 
 Stucker and Berry, powder'd with the frost 1 80 
 Of wintry years, maintain an honoured post ; 
 Combs, Redding, Warfield, Coleman, Church and 
 
 Rice, 
 
 Feeling the valour of invalu'd price 
 Their fathers paid to purchase Liberty, 
 Glimmer in steel, with whom are MacAfee 
 Elliston, Chambers, Davidson the bold 
 Nor will the light of heaven again behold 
 More virtue in the field their deeds of fame 
 Will find an immortality of name. 
 
 But what fair youths are those on chargers grey, 
 Whose looks outvie the mantling blush of day ? 
 
 * " Those western states which have been so violent for this 
 abominable war of murder those states, which have thirsted for 
 blood, God has given them blood to drink I" Rev. Elijah Parish, 
 Byfield, Mass.
 
 256 PEEDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 The nephews* of the chief: Scarce have they seen, 
 In floral beauty, summers five and ten ! 
 
 Stay, gentle youths, O stay ! My soul feels pain 
 To mark your daring on the martial plain ; 
 O think what tortures will your father feel, 
 Should your fair bosoms warm the death-cold steel ! 
 Return I fear me 'twill his soul unman, 
 And check your uncle in the charging van. 
 
 Ah, no 'twill mad them to avenge your blood, 200 
 The green earth sprinkling with a gory flood ! 
 
 Press on to glory in your youthful day, 
 And ye shall live, (if heaven inspires my lay,) 
 In future years : When Peace shall bless the land, 
 I'll seek for you the softest, loveliest hand 
 Of all the maidens round their cheeks as fair, 
 As angel forms that float on silver air ; 
 Their eyes express divinity of love ; 
 The light of beauty shall around them move ! 
 
 And now the drums, with heavy beat, proclaim 210 
 The time of movement to the field of fame ; 
 The shrill fifes whistle, and the bugles sound ; 
 The horse and infantry in rank, wheel round ; 
 And all like fiction move upon the ground ; 
 Johnson directs the van with native fire, 
 To seek the foe to conquer or expire ; 
 Their light arms sparkle with the beams of day, 
 As on they pass in glittering files away. 
 So while young zephyrs, with gay sportings, lave 
 Their wanton pinions in Ohio's wave, 220 
 
 * Sons of Col. James Johnson.
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 257 
 
 From heaven's gold orb, majestick in its height, 
 Rains down a lucid shower of spangling light ; 
 The rippling stream, like beauty in a dance, 
 Makes the live sunbeams from the waters glance ; 
 The flood all brilliant with innumerous rays, 
 Looks like the firmament in starry blaze, 
 Flashing and quivering as the zephyrs fling 
 O'er the pure crystalline their flickering wing ; 
 On silver feet Enchantment moves serene, 
 And Wonder stands delighted at the scene. 
 
 Thus shine their burnish'd arms as on they move, 
 With light effulgent from the orb above. 
 
 By rapid march they gain the distant fort, 
 Ere the first gun of Perry made report ; 
 And Croghan with his band had join'd the sage 
 A name to live till earth's remotest age. 
 
 But soon the thunders of the naval war 
 Tremendous bellow round the lake afar ; 
 With throbbing hearts the patriots anxious wait, 
 To hear the battle hush'd, and learn their fate. 240 
 
 ********* 
 
 At length, exhausted, silenc'd is the jar ; 
 The insects' feeble wings are heard in air ; 
 At once, so calm the unraov'd element, 
 As though the very breath of heaven were spent ; 
 Each breast now beats with hope, and now, with fear ; 
 They long to know, yet dreaded they to hear 
 What banner wav'd rejoicing in the sky, 
 Or which had sunk in darkness mournfully. 
 22* VOL. ii.
 
 258 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 So Emmett, when arraign'd at tyrant's bar, 
 For whispering Freedom through the land afar, 250 
 Stood, while his peers were absent, or to save, 
 Or shroud his virtues in a murderous grave ; 
 Hope for a moment brighten'd on his view, 
 Then fear returned, and dark the picture drew. 
 
 Or as a bride, scarce wedded for a day, 
 When, lo, her lover is compell'd away, 
 (By Albion press'd) to battle on the flood, 
 Leaving her soul all dark in widowhood ; 
 For many months she pours unceasing wail ; 
 To every stranger tells her pitying tale ; 260 
 
 Her eyes grow languid and a swift decay 
 Seizes her frame, and takes her bloom away ; 
 At length, the post to whom 'tis frequent given 
 To bring us grief, or tidings sweet as heaven 
 Drops her a packet from the ship that bore 
 Her heart's affection from his native shore ! 
 Convuls'd sensations in her soul she feels ; 
 She longs to hear yet fears to break the seals ; 
 Perhaps in fever of the tropick clime, 
 Calling her name, he sunk away from time ; 270 
 
 Perhaps, he lives yet prison'd by the foe ; 
 Perhaps, his heart stopp'd beating at a blow ; 
 Though this, she fears, is written in the leaf, 
 Yet still sweet hope will mingle with her grief. 
 
 Thus hope and fear convulse the patriots' breast, 
 Like clouds and sunshine changing in the west. 
 
 The sun has set still nothing is there heard, 
 If Perry held, or yielded up his sword ;
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 259 
 
 Darkness has clos'd upon its farewell light, 
 
 Yet, in uncertainty remains the fight. 280 
 
 They listen to the rustling leaves the wind 
 
 To hear of something to relieve the mind. 
 
 At length, with momentary hope and fear, 
 They catch the tramping of a horseman near ; 
 Claxton approaches ! which at once declares 
 Whose flag the honour of the triumph bears : 
 
 " Victory ! Victory !" He could no more, 
 So loud the shouting through the concave tore. 
 
 As when in storm, a wintry blast drives forth ; 
 Roars in the mountain snaps the oak to earth ; 290 
 Stoops the tall pine submissive to the plain ; 
 Breaks the proud ash, and shivers it amain ; 
 Stirs the deep ocean, where its rocks are bas'd, 
 And rolls the billows o'er the foaming waste ; 
 
 With equal turbulence their shouts broke forth, 
 Which smote the heavens, and echo'd back to earth. 
 
 Shelby unruffled waves a silent sword ; 
 The shouting ceases at the signal word, 
 That Claxton might proceed : t; Our vessels lay 
 With those of Barclay, at Sandusky Bay. 300 
 
 " At dawn, am I instructed to declare, 
 That to Miami will our ships repair, 
 To sail the troops upon the adverse shore, 
 To measure arms with Proctor's ruffian power.'' 
 
 Shelby exclaim'd : " For glorious vict'ry given, 
 Full from the heart we bless a favouring heaven ! 
 
 " To Perry bear my gratitude and praise ; 
 Wreath'd are his temples with the deathless bays ; 
 Yea for this deed, his name will ever live ; 
 And immortality the brave receive. 310
 
 260 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVJII. 
 
 The Sister Isles, in history renown'd, 
 Will be remember'd as celestial ground ; 
 Yea such will be their reverence in years, 
 The very sight will bring the soul to tears ! 
 
 " This to the hero of the lake convey, 
 That, glad I'll meet him on the coming day 
 T' embark th' impatient army in his fleet, 
 That we the foe decisive may defeat." 
 
 Claxton treasures his sentiments retires 
 Back to Sandusky by the starry fires. 320 
 
 The meantime Perry, melting at his heart, 
 By soothing voice made blunt the pointed dart, 
 That pierc'd the captive breast : His tongue's soft 
 
 sound 
 Was healing balsam for each burning wound. 
 
 And now, the dust of fallen heroes dead 
 To heaven, Elijah-like, their Spirits fled 
 In holy earth is laid while many a sigh 
 Rolls from the brave tears trickling from their eye. 
 
 Bosom to bosom, Laub and Brooks are plac'd, 
 Like brothers met, and in their love embrac'd ; 330 
 On either hand, Buchan and Finnis soft 
 Slumber in rest their souls were launch'd aloft ; 
 Rich from their graves an equal fame ascends, 
 For Death impartial makes the valiant friends. 
 
 Morning, at length, with coral blush comes forth ; 
 The dancing dew-drops glitter on the earth ; 
 Soft as the light illuminates the east, 
 The world is spread like a delicious feast
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 26l 
 
 Before th' enraptur'd eye, which, more it feeds 
 
 On nature's banquet, more its hunger needs. 340 
 
 Claxton, from fort returning, Perry seeks, 
 The veteran's answer to his ear he speaks : 
 
 " The heart of Shelby flows to you in praise, 
 That round thy temples thou hast twin'd the bays ; 
 Lo, as he bade me utter this reply, 
 A grateful tear was trickling from his eye. 
 
 " He, at Miami, will the navy meet, 
 To bring the strength of Proctor at his feet." 
 
 Perry the sailing order'd : " Anchors weigh ! 
 Direct the compass for Miami's bay !" 350 
 
 The fleets are loosen'd at the word : combin'd, 
 They cleave the waters with a favouring wind. 
 
 When day in heaven reveal'd its earliest sign, 
 The army form'd in solid discipline ; 
 To whom the aged thus : " Behold, the morn 
 At length shines forth to cause the heart to burn ; 
 With soul unbending, long have ye withstood 
 Th' invading foe and frequent with his blood 
 Sprinkled the field ! Oft from your presence fled 
 His boasted veterans leaving you his dead ; 360 
 
 Methinks in every eye proud Freedom shows, 
 And that will conquer when in fight we close. 
 
 " Croghan, my youngest son, with infant band, 
 Scatter'd their ranks and drove them from the land ; 
 As long as courage warms a hero's breast, 
 So long will Fame delight to make him blest. 
 
 " Perry hath met them on their own domain, 
 And there, with feebler force, their boastings slain j
 
 262 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 When lakes shall dry and rivers cease to flow, 
 
 And ocean hide itself in realms below, 370 
 
 Then, may his name be never heard of more ; 
 
 Lost and forgot, when waters cease to roar. 
 
 " Time fails t' enlarge upon his merits due, 
 Or speak the burning valour of his crew ; 
 The hours are on the wing ! we forth must hie 
 To seek the field the mind to satisfy. 
 
 " Divide in marching files ! Drums, musick, beat ! 
 Forward !" 
 
 They move impassion'd with his heat. 
 
 Th' enliv'ning echo of the drum and fife 
 Makes the blood nimble for the promis'd strife ; 380 
 Shrill through the air the brazen trumps rebound, 
 The answering bugles twang with clangorous sound ; 
 The sportive sunbeams on the armour light, 
 From thence return in beauty to the sight ; 
 The new-born zephyrs in the streamers play, 
 Kiss the soft silk, and wave them into day ; 
 Slow as the army winds the distant hill, 
 The notes of musick change from hoarse to shrill, 
 Sweetening the gale th' advancement turns the brow, 
 The thickening notes with heavy lumbering flow. 390 
 Now, the fil'd warriors as they climb the height, 
 Crowd into view then sink below the sight ; 
 Their plumes like live things in their dancing seem ; 
 They flickering vanish and their bayonets gleam ; 
 A moment yet their banners waving fly ; 
 But soon they sinking flutter from the eye ; 
 Still, at far distance, we the bugles hear, 
 And the drums' rumble sounding on the ear ;
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 263 
 
 At times, the notes are heard but now, the gale 
 Bears them away, and they forever fail. 400 
 
 When Barclay sail'd, the Britons gave to joy 
 Their hearts late broken by the dauntless boy ;* 
 They heard the battle, but no doubts had they, 
 But Perry had resign'd th' unequal fray ; 
 In various feats they pass'd away the night ; 
 But lo, ere dawn, they learnt their conquered plight. 
 
 Thus when in haughty Babylon of yore, 
 While Cyrus stood before her gates with power, 
 Her sons with luxury drunk laugh'd him to scorn, 
 Reckless their city would be rent ere morn ; 410 
 With wine and feasting, passing off the night ; 
 Musick .and dancing yielding them delight ; 
 Amid their re veilings bursted in their foe, 
 Which reel'd their brains with a distracted wo ! 
 
 Like this, at Maiden, were the royal band, 
 When Perry's triumph thunder'd round the land ; 
 A wild delirium fasten'd on their brain ; 
 The thought of Shelby shrivell'd every vein ; 
 And Harrison, the Johnsons, fierce in war, 
 
 Curdled their blood and bound them in their awe. 420 
 
 *##**#### 
 
 When Proctor felt his icy veins to thaw, 
 His steed he mounted, urgent to withdraw : 
 
 " Retreat ! fly Maiden ! scatter to the Thames ! 
 But stay the whole first desolate with flames ; 
 We creep we crawl ! the kindled torches ply ! 
 Methinks I see them on the waters nigh ! 
 
 * Crogiian.
 
 264 
 
 FUEDONlAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 Remote, can I discern a press of sail ; 
 And feel you not a freshness in the gale ? 
 Mark, how they crowd, successive o'er the lake ! 
 
 Death glimmers on their flag ! 
 
 " Not possible mistake ! 
 
 Loose clouds of morning mock'd me with the show ; 
 They may be sails perhaps it is the foe ! 432 
 
 Consume the magazines without delay ; 
 And then for safety to the Thames away !" 
 
 Ere he had clos'd, forth rush'd the regal bands, 
 And touch'd, and kindled with the lighted brands 
 The whole in blaze, disorder'd they retire, 
 While the flames mounting on the winds aspire ; 
 The females shriek th' affrighted children cry, 
 To see the sparkles flash along the sky. 440 
 
 Air, smoke, and flame, a dire confliction make ; 
 The same, reflected, glitters in the lake ; 
 Mad through the element the fires are driven, 
 The whirling cinders wage rude war with heaven. 
 
 The time the sun stood centred in mid day, 
 The patriot army reach'd the destin'd bay ; 
 The navy soon the eastern point wore round ; 
 Three greeting shouts from infantry rebound ! 
 Instant the mariners their joys repeat, 
 And high in heaven their welcome voices meet. 450 
 
 " Proud to the navy, let the guns salute !" 
 Shelby commanded : every tongue was mute. 
 
 Thirteen brass thunders speak to Perry's name, 
 His brilliant triumph o'er the lake proclaim ; 
 Amid th' inspiring sound the vessels moor 
 Quick skims the yawl with Perry to the shore ;
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 
 
 The veteran hurries to the beach, and stands 
 
 Dismounted as the youthful hero lands ; 
 
 As eager they approach, their hearts beat high, 
 
 A crystal tear-drop glistens in their eye ; 460 
 
 With motion tremulous, their hands they join, 
 
 Lock'd in embrace, impassion'd like divine. 
 
 Thus to exalt his character in war, 
 A youth forsakes his home and parent's care, 
 By shivering marches in the frigid zone ; 
 Fording mud rivers ; fainting in the sun ; 
 Sleeping untented in the pitiless night; 
 His features shrunk with starving appetite ; 
 Pouring his blood while entering through the breach, 
 He gains the summit of a warrior's reach ; 470 
 
 His country hails him with the shout of praise, 
 And the rapt poet pours to him hir lays. 
 When thus encircled with his fame, as light, 
 Home he returns to glad his father's sight ; 
 Silent they meet breast riveted to breast, 
 Feeling a joy that never was express'd. 
 
 So stood the veteran and the seaman young, 
 Lock'd in embrace, while passion chain'd each tongue. 
 
 At length the aged thus : " Thy deeds of light 
 Exceed the power of language to recite ; 480 
 
 High at the summit mark begins thy praise ; 
 On thy great name futurity will gaze ; 
 It gives me joy, ere I the grave-path tread, 
 To see young valour blooming o'er my head." 
 
 " I've but the service of my country done," 
 Thus Perry, modest, in his turn begun : 
 23 VOL, n.
 
 266 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 " I, to my crew, your praises must transfer, 
 'Twas they that prov'd the nation's character. 
 
 " We'll let the subject for the present pass ; 
 Indulgent heaven gave victory as it was. 490 
 
 " Brief to my mariners, I gave command 
 To bear the crowded Britons to the land ; 
 Their numbers even now surpass our own, 
 Exclusive those that with their anguish groan ; 
 These, in pavilions ample, will receive 
 Attentions from those hands that blessings give." 
 
 Scarce had he finish'd, when the barges bore 
 The maim'd and numerous captives to the shore. 
 
 " Your kind solicitudes of heart proclaim 
 Your bosom worthy to receive its fame ; 500 
 
 It proves a nobleness of soul to feel 
 For those who suffer from the wounding steel." 
 
 While they this converse held, the barges gain'd 
 The shore some lost to sense, and some with fevers 
 pain'd. 
 
 Shelby to Croghan : " Soft with generous care 
 To roomy tents the fainting sufferers bear ; 
 Miller, the others to the fort convey, 
 There to remain till the redeeming day." 
 
 This, with a ready promptness is obey'd ; 
 The maim'd in tents on pallets soft are laid ; 510 
 The others, Miller marshals in a file ; 
 And soon their brows he lightens with a smile ; 
 By soft-ton'd musick and by soothing arts, 
 He draws the festering anguish from their hearts ; 
 A grateful tear is seen in many an eye, 
 For each expected hard severity.
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 267 ~ 
 
 The meantime Shelby had his post restim'd, 
 And thus with glowing sentiments illum'd 
 The bosoms of the brave : " Warriors ! at length, 
 The hour approaches to attest your strength ; 520 
 Brief is the passage to the hostile shore ; 
 And lo, a conquering fleet conveys us o'er ! 
 A conquering fleet ! how ominous the word ! 
 A conquering army will unsheath its sword ! 
 How vain is language to excite your souls ; 
 Warm through each breast a tide of valour rolls. 
 
 " What though my cheeks the spoils of time declare, 
 My strength returns, like youth, the sword to bare, ; 
 Avenging justice approbates the cause, 
 Wag'd to maintain our liberty and laws. 530 
 
 " O kneel your souls to heaven and make the vow, 
 Never a joint on battle-field to bow ; 
 Never this lake shall bear my body o'er, 
 
 Till, or we die, or overcome their power !" 
 
 ********* 
 
 Deep was the pause. At length, this shout arose : 
 " Loud plead our hearts, with savage ranks to close ! 
 By the best drops that swell our veins, we swear, 
 
 To win the fight, or leave our bodies there !" 
 
 ********* 
 
 " I glory to behold the native fire 
 Burn in your bosoms prompting your desire. 540 
 
 " But mark the fleet is waiting ! Forth repair 
 And crowd the decks and prove the souls ye are !" 
 
 With hearts high beating, they receiv'd the word 
 Sunder'd their ranks to pass the fleet on board ;
 
 268 FRKDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 Perry conducts the veteran Shelby forth ; 
 
 The barge that bears them, weighted with their 
 
 worth, 
 Deep settles in the wave. The Johnsons leave the 
 
 shore 
 
 With sounding bugles, confident of power ; 
 Next, with artillery, Wood and then Desha ; 
 Then Symral's squadrons launch into the bay ; 550 
 Chyle, Barry, Crittenden, and Trotter, King ; 
 Croghan, Harrison, the rear barge honouring. 
 
 Now Perry's standard from Niagara flies, 
 That the bent fastenings from the sand should rise j 
 The seaboys mark the signal anchors weigh j 
 Slow winds the freighted navy from the bay ; 
 The sheets like clouds expand before the breeze ; 
 Smooth glide the vessels o'er the silver seas ; 
 The waters seem with pride to bear the line, 
 Such bright reflections in the mirror shine 560 
 
 Of starry banners waving helmets, plumes, 
 And burnish'd armour, which the sun illumes. 
 
 The sportive fishes in the wave below, 
 With wondering eyes behold the beauteous show ; 
 Eager they dart to catch the shades that move, 
 Mocking the fleet that swims with joy above ; 
 Then leap to taste the air in antick play, 
 Wild, like the sportings of a holiday. 
 
 The sea-lads plac'd upon the mast on high, 
 Distant, a promise of the land descry ; 570 
 
 Like a faint cloud, where earth and sky unite, 
 Hard to discern by those of practis'd sight ; 
 By small degrees, it grows upon the view j 
 Its colour changes from a gray to blue ;
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 
 
 269 
 
 As glad the squadron gains upon it near, 
 Unequal ridges more distinct appear ; 
 Soon mark the crew the ruins, where arise 
 The sluggish smoke, that rolls along the skies. 
 
 At length, the navy enters in the bay ; 
 The biting anchors grapple to the clay. 580 
 
 A signal cannon from Niagara comes, 
 Which, with loud peal, is answer'd by the drums ; 
 Notice to land. The notice is obey'd ; 
 And soon the whole are on the beach array'd. 
 
 " Behold, we've landed !" Harrison exclaims : 
 But not like Hull to infamy our names ; 
 This, this the crisis, that demands the soul 
 To stand sublime, defying death's control ; 
 Should this, our effort fail our cause is done ; 
 The sands of Freedom are forever run ; 590 
 
 The bow is bent, and should the arrow fly 
 Without effect farewell to Liberty !" 
 
 When Maiden's timid fair beheld the fleet, 
 Their hearts sunk in them with a trembling beat ; 
 The sad-forsaken matrons wrung their hands, 
 Fearing their death from the Kentuckian bands ; 
 Proctor had tojd, that riot was their aim, 
 And reckless murder did their hearts inflame. 
 
 Lo, when the columns form'd upon the shore, 
 Their shrieks ascended, freezing every pore ; 600 
 
 With shoeless feet heads naked to the wind, 
 They ran together with disorder'd mind ; 
 A pale destruction glar'd from every face ; 
 Their bosom child they gave its last embrace. 
 23* VOL. ii.
 
 270 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVIH. 
 
 Soon Shelby heard their heart-appalling cries ; 
 To learn the cause, he stood in his surprise ; 
 They come they close him round in dust they fall, 
 And loud for mercy, in their tears they call : 
 " Protect O save defend us in our life ! 
 Save us, in mercy, from the reeking knife ! 6 10 
 
 If thou art callous to our weeping eyes, 
 O melt thy bosom to our infants' cries ! 
 Our hands were never rais'd against thy power ; 
 O save and blessings on thy head will shower ! 
 
 " If nothing nothing will suffice save blood 
 Or if our flesh must be to thee as food ! 
 We yield ourselves to death but save O save 
 Our tender offspring from unsightly grave ! 
 O let our babes in innocence remain ! 
 Defend our virgins from pollution's stain !" 620 
 
 While thus, with bitterness, they plead their suit, 
 The veteran's tongue was chain'd in wonder mute ; 
 A tear involuntary bath'd his eye ; 
 His every word is burden'd with a sigh : 
 
 " Whence did this frenzy in your brains arise 1 
 These are mad fictions not realities ; 
 We know no other than to guard the fair ; 
 Hence, dry your tears, and calm this wild despair." 
 They thought him false : " O wherefore do you 
 
 strive, 
 
 With proffer'd hopes a keener pang to give ? 630 
 
 The ice-cold grave turns every blood-vein chill ; 
 You speak of peace more sharp our life to kill ! 
 Why do you mock us with delusive dreams 1 
 Thy joy is blood to gush away in streams !
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 271 
 
 " And did not Proctor in his grief express, 
 That ye did murder with a greediness ! 
 That you, Kentuckians, from the parent's knees, 
 The smiling infant like the savage seize, 
 And dash its throbbing brains upon the hearth ; 
 The spotless virgin of her beauty scath, 640 
 
 Then, search her breast with fire " 
 
 " Good heaven ! refrain, > 
 Suppress this burning frenzy of the brain ! 
 
 " O Slander ! what art thou ? thou second death ! 
 Thy look is hell ! corruption is thy breath ! 
 The tyger kills to fatten on his prey, 
 His hunger pleads to suck his blood away ; 
 The dark assassin, at the midnight hour, 
 Stabs to the heart to gain a rival's power ; 
 The highway robber, with a felon's stealth, 
 Murders his brother to acquire his wealth ; 650 
 
 But Slander venom'd Slander ! when that we 
 Compare a tyger to a form like thee ; 
 Or the assassin, at the midnight bed ; 
 Or robber, plundering of the grey-hair'd dead, 
 Bright is their aspect yea as heaven above 
 Outmeasures earth, where these fell monsters move ! 
 
 " Our spotless name is all ; the rest may fly, 
 As gossamer, that floats on vacancy ; 
 Come, starving Poverty ! come, cruel Death ! 
 We'll smile upon you in your grinning teeth ! 660 
 But Slander, thou dost eat upon our heart 
 With viper's tooth, which poisons every part ! 
 
 " Proctor, O why
 
 272 FREOONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 " My thoughts of him no more, 
 
 Or, for these scalding tears, will fall big drops of gore ! 
 
 ********* 
 
 " Deluded matrons ! to your homes return ; 
 Nor for yourselves or tender offspring mourn ; 
 You've been deceiv'd by Slander's scorpion tongue ; 
 Kentuckians seek no foe, but tyrant wrong ; 
 They to the weak are a protecting shield, 
 For which their bosoms holy luxuries yield." 670 
 
 The veteran spoke. A something from his eye 
 Darted conviction with solemnity ; 
 It cast away their fear, which like a cloud, 
 Had dark'd their peace, and rais'd their anguish loud ; 
 Tears gush in floods but not the tears of wo ; 
 A tide of joy streams down their cheeks of snow ! 
 
 Thus Clark, the western Hannibal, alone 
 Had left his wife upon the Wabash gone 
 To beat the savage back to Erie's shore, 
 Who late had steep'd their cruel hands in gore : 
 Whilst widow'd thus lo, Rumour fills her ear, 
 That in death's ambush, all her soul held dear 
 Was mix'd with earth ! Her cries of grief ascend, 
 Mourning her children's father and her friend ; 
 Raising to pitying heaven her weeping eye, 
 Whom does it glance upon 1 her husband nigh ! 
 Louder she screams ! In giddy transport blest, 
 She leaps convulsive on his throbbing breast ! 
 
 So when the matrons were to hope restor'd, 
 Thus swell'd their voices thus their tear-drops 
 
 pour'd. C90 
 
 They ravish'd kisses to their offspring give, 
 As though they late had died, but now they live !
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 273 
 
 They turn reluctant with a side-long gaze, 
 And as they turn, they utter Shelby's praise : 
 
 " May righteous heaven pour gladness on his soul, 
 Till the last pulse of ebbing life shall roll !" 
 
 Thus, as they pass'd, they hail'd him on the way, 
 And gave a kneeling blessing to the day. 
 
 Meantime the troops had their pavilions spread, 
 And each had wrapp'd him in his fleecy bed ; 700 
 Spent with their march in hurrying to the flood, 
 Serene they slumber in a weary mood. 
 
 No busy voices round the camp are heard ; 
 No sound save footsteps of the passing guard ; 
 The stars arc silent on their thrones of gold, 
 While the new moon, most lovely to behold, 
 Reveals her crescent, where the shades of night 
 And day's last glimmerings placidly unite ; 
 Her silver horns appear like angel's wings, 
 That poise his feet, when through the air he flings 710 
 His flight precipitate. Descending slow, 
 Her downward horn is seen no longer now ; 
 'Tis hid behind a rock the other bright, 
 Lingers above and shows upon the sight 
 Like something that is heaven ! Fast it recedes 
 It fades 'tis gone ! but yet, a holy beam 
 Reveals the spot where it hath kiss'd the stream. 
 
 But not to sleep the veteran is inclin'd ; 
 Anxious command drives slumber from his mind ; 
 He, with Adair, whose locks were touch'd with snow, 
 Mounts and proceeds along th' encampment slow, 721
 
 274 FREDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 To teach his office to the soldier young, 
 
 And probe his heart, if beats his valour strong. 
 
 They hear the voice of sentinel and light ; 
 (The horses with Adair.) " Who comes in night?" 
 " Friend !" Shelby answers. " Give the counter 
 sign !" 
 " Tecumseh." " Pass in silence on the line." 
 
 " Pray have you nothing to remove this damp ? 
 Keen cuts the air and makes my sinews cramp." 
 
 " Yes, well am I supplied. My arms retain, 730 
 Till I provide a remedy from pain, 
 Which Proctor left behind. My wish is all, 
 That I could meet him single with a ball. 
 
 " You pause ! none richer e'er was broach'd. 
 
 You start !" 
 Freely I give. 'Twill animate your heart." 
 
 " Too free indeed. Unarm'd, your strength 
 
 have I ! 
 
 Were all like thee, how soon our name would die ! 
 Were I in character some artful foe, 
 I'd every purpose of the army know !'' 
 
 Thus Shelby : Thus the guard : " Stranger, I 
 
 fear, 740 
 
 That you art something more than you appear ! 
 But from my heart, far distant was design 
 To lay expos'd a section of the line ; 
 I hope no whisper of the deed you'll bear 
 To Johnson, Shelby, Harrison, Adair." 
 
 The chief in answer with reproof began : 
 " Nothing I doubt your virtue as a man ; 
 But what is courage, or a well-meant heart, 
 If we, at option, from the rules depart 1
 
 INVAR10N OF CANADA. 275 
 
 Defeat will follow and a death surprise ; 750 
 
 The best intentions never will suffice ; 
 
 The mind must not be dreaming. Take your arms, 
 
 And be all watchful of the night alarms ; 
 
 'Twould the best feelings of the General wound, 
 
 To hear a sentry was from duty found ; 
 
 To him, or them, I nothing shall recite, 
 
 For well I know you'll prove yourself in fight." 
 
 Back he withdrew to where the steeds were tied ; 
 They mount and onward on their purpose ride. 
 
 Soon they approach, where aged Whitley stands, 
 His locks made gray by fighting savage bands ; 
 With ear awake eyes lifted to the brow ; 
 Along the line he paces to and fro. 
 
 Hearing but indistinct the horses' tread ; 
 He harks attentive turns his hoary head ; 
 And, at the instant, sudden to his ear, 
 He lifts his hand to catch the sound more clear, 
 His foremost finger bent to wed the thumb, 
 The others spread and rais'd : In this position dumb, 
 Listening he stands. He hails them : " Who comes 
 
 there ? 770 
 
 What noise of tramping hoofs disturbs the air V 
 
 " Friend !" was the answer. " Shelby's friend 
 
 or foe, 
 Dismount, that I the circumstance may know !" 
 
 " Equal to Shelby's character is mine, 
 Hence, mounted, I'll advance and give the sign." 
 
 Whitley rejoins : " I, reckless of your grade 
 Down without pausing, or your life shall fade !"
 
 276 PREDONIAD. CANTO XVIII. 
 
 The general then : " I'm chief upon the land ; 
 From me alone the field receives command ; 
 Yea, Shelby, I am he. No more enquire ; 780 
 
 On I shall pass, and do as I desire." 
 
 " Stand ! I command ! I'm ignorant of a man !" 
 As Whitley spoke, he op'd the snapping pan : 
 " For you, I pause not general or a saint, 
 Down from your charger, or your life shall faint ! 
 I'm general here ! nor dare insult my post, 
 Or to yon cloud in heaven shall fly your ghost !" 
 
 Shelby believing 'twas the lock he sprung, 
 His steed dismounted, ere he'd still'd his tongue 
 
 And gave the watchword 
 
 " Whitley !- is it you ? 790 
 My old companion in the service true ! 
 It wakes the richest feelings of my breast, 
 To meet an ancient warrior of the West ; 
 It brings to memory those days no more, 
 When back we drove the savage from the shore ; 
 And where we join'd our labours in the fight, 
 Till dying Ferguson renounc'd the Height.* 
 
 " My friend, farewell ! And should we meet no 
 
 more, 
 
 But die with honour on the hostile shore, 
 We'll join our hands in friendship's holy press ; 800 
 Our snowy locks proclaim our failing race." 
 
 Thus he : And Whitley thus : tc I came to die ! 
 But all I ask I wish, is victory ; 
 I came prepar'd to sleep upon the field ; 
 A sleep in which my soul with smiles will yield ; 
 
 * King's Mountain.
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 277 
 
 Though now it is my joy to find my death, 
 Yet first their blood shall flow upon the heath ! 
 
 " My aged wife, I leave upon thy care, 
 For death is mine, if there be death in war !" 
 
 " My friend, fear not protection of thy wife, 810 
 
 Should'st thou for Freedom render up thy life, 
 And I exempted from a soldier's bed 
 To sleep in glory with the honour'd dead. 
 I'll never urge thee from the field of arms, 
 For well I know the battle has its charms 
 To rouse the soul, when tyrants aim the blow 
 To crush our liberties in dust below. 
 
 " But look, the evening star hath sunk in heaven 
 Once more farewell ! To fame shalt thou be given." 
 
 With melting hearts their trembling hands they 
 
 join 
 
 Tears moist their cheeks, in which the star-beams 
 shine. 
 
 Adair beheld their meeting, and partook 
 Of every sentiment the veterans spoke ; 
 Bidding adieu to Whitley on the plain 
 Speechless they mount, their stations to regain, 
 Where soon they lose life's pleasure and its pain. 
 
 24 VOL. ii.
 
 CANTO XIX 
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 The Army march in pursuit of the Enemy.. ..Proctor and Tecum- 
 seh....The Battle....Au Episode between Johnson and his broth 
 er.. ..Proctor rescued from his Pursuers.. ..The Interment at the 
 River Raisin. 
 
 The scene is laid at Maiden, on the Thames, and at the River Rai 
 sin. ...The time is eleven davs.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XIX. 
 
 THE stars in beauty travelling to the west, 
 Soon wear away the dewy hours of rest ; 
 The lids of morning waken and behold 
 The jewell'd earth with curtains fring'd with gold. 
 
 The early drummers as the day appears, 
 Join'd with the fife, give musick to the spheres ; 
 The warriors hear the animating beat, 
 And, rous'd from slumber, bound upon their feet ; 
 Shoulder to shoulder solid they unite, 
 To hear the words that Shelby would recite, 10 
 
 Who forth advanc'd, and these instructions gave : 
 
 " Kentuckians ! chivalrous, in battle brave ! 
 To search the foe we've overcome the flood ; 
 Now testify the richness of your blood; 
 They fled at rumour whispering your advance ; 
 Yea ere they caught the anger of your glance : 
 But we must press them with unwearied might, 
 Or they'll outstrip us and avoid the fight ; 
 To climb the craggy steep of fame is hard, 
 But what of earth can equal the reward ? 20 
 
 24* VOL. ii.
 
 283 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 Their fears will be as wings to their retreat ; 
 Hence we, as eagles, must pursue with heat ; 
 Privations, labour, must our souls despise, 
 Or never we our names eternalize. 
 
 " Johnson, lead forth your iron-bosom'd men ; 
 The horse count off, and march in files of ten. 
 Wood, in the centre, thy artillery form, 
 Whose organ notes will tune the thunder storm. 
 Chyle, Henry, Trotter, Symral, King, Desha, 
 The thick -set infantry in line display." 30 
 
 The drums strike life with spirit-giving sound ; 
 With nerves in thrill the troops forsake the ground ; 
 Beating with rapid feet the dusty road, 
 They move like darkness borne upon a cloud. 
 
 The time the royals with the savage fled, 
 The guilt of Proctor fill'd his soul with dread -5 
 Oft as he deign'd to cast a look behind, 
 The freedom flag was imaged in his mind. 
 
 Thus a fell outlaw on a wizard plain, 
 With hand made crimson in a victim slain, 40 
 
 Flies with distraction to escape the cord, 
 While prosecuting Justice writes the word 
 Deep on his heart ! He stops and lifts his hands, 
 Dropping with murder ! dumb, he barkening stands 
 To catch the passing sound the waving wood 
 Dampens his soul, and curdles up his blood ; 
 A ruin'd tree rent by the whirlwind's breath, 
 He apprehends a minister of death, 
 Ready to seize and stifle in his life, 
 Or search his being with the lifted knife ; 50
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 283 
 
 He wheels but other objects fright his eyes ; 
 From his own shadow he despairing flies. 
 
 So Proctor's deeds of blood distract his brain ; 
 His reeling mind whirls dizzy on the plain. 
 
 Their fleet's surrender round the land had rung, 
 Which rous'd the Albions, with ambition stung ; 
 Crimson battalions, like red moving flames, 
 By Evans rul'd, collected on the Thames ; 
 Baubee, an equal host, and Warburton, 
 Who, oft in Europe had the battle won. 60 
 
 These, in collection at Moravia, meet, 
 Proctor to rescue from a swift defeat. 
 
 Them, at a distance, Proctor through the wood 
 Beheld which all his energies subdu'd. 
 He wheel'd to push his flight so false his eyes, 
 His friends deceiv'd him for his enemies. 
 
 Tecumseh mark'd him in a scowling mood, 
 And flew, and met, and check'd him on the road, 
 And thus begun : " Why backward on the flight ? 
 And will you dare with single arm the fight ? 70 
 
 This path, Kentucky holds ! Brother, you look, 
 As though by all your relatives forsook ; 
 See what a crimson cloud comes moving nigh ! 
 These are our friends ! The enemy shall die !" 
 Proctor in gaze stood fix'd and wildly then : 
 " Not possible yon standards royal men ! 
 Not from this compass do advance our host ! 
 Is Shelby here 1 I'm sacrific'd I'm lost ! 
 Our strength is weakness ! bid the whole retire ! 
 They'll seize, they'll bind, they'll torture me with 
 
 fire !" 80
 
 284 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 He scarce had finish'd, when he wheel'd to fly 
 But lo, Tecumseh check'd him with an eye 
 Frowning, a meteor gleaming on the heath, 
 An omen, pregnant with approaching death : 
 
 " You snake of poison tooth ! but dare depart, 
 And me with rifle will explode your heart ! 
 Tecumseh long has kept his soul in chain, 
 But now, his vengeance, tempt it not again ! 
 You plunder, talk, and fire, and scalps, and blood, 
 But when big danger come, you never stood ; 90 
 
 I joy'd, when Croghan smote you down to death 
 What evil spirit brought to you your breath ? 
 You man of wind, of noisy tongue in talk ; 
 Indian, less speech but straight in duty walk ; 
 You captives murder for the pleasure's sake ; 
 By you Cawataw burnt them at the stake ! 
 
 " In war, Tecumseh is the sign of death ! 
 But smother'd never he'an infant's breath ; 
 But you rejoice to take the suckling's life ; 
 You spare no stooping mother, nor the wife ! 100 
 
 Tecumseh's joy is with the warriors strong, 
 But not the aged with the whistling tongue. 
 
 " You bad at heart : Now bad man fears to die ; 
 That pales your cheek at sight of enemy ; 
 A good man heeds not death he stand he fight 
 Big sound of thunder war his soul delight ; 
 The Spirit Great his soul with lightning warms ; 
 And should he fail, he mounts above the storms !" 
 
 He ceas'd. But still the frowning of his look, 
 Aw'd Proctor's soul, more than deep words he spoke ; 
 His colour went and came now white now red 
 And now he chok'd and stammer'd with his dread ;
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 285 
 
 If on the chief he deign'd to lift an eye, 
 Cow'ring it fell, his virtues tower'd so high : 
 So have I seen a guilty slave appear, 
 When stern his master search'd his faults severe, 
 Sweating cold dew, he'd raise and fall his sight, 
 Sinking, joints trembling, hating of the light. 
 
 Oft he assay'd to answer but in vain ; 
 His tongue was cramp'd as fastened with a chain. 120 
 
 At length the thought quick flash'd upon his mind, 
 To give the boon his monarch had design'd, 
 At Maiden by a messenger express'd ; 
 But then the tumult drove it from his breast. 
 He hands a sash with cunning work inwrought, 
 And thus proceeded to make calm his thought : 
 
 " Tecumseh, mighty chief! griev'd I confess, 
 That, lost in many cares my wrong no less, 
 Than to withhold this royal gift from you ; 
 Receiv'd at Maiden at the time we flew ; 130 
 
 This will create thee second of the field, 
 For thou hast prov'd incapable to yield ; 
 Accept the boon 'tis special from the King, 
 A lofty honour on thy name to bring." 
 
 Thus he. Tecumseh then : " White man be so, 
 He hides his darkness with deceiving show ; 
 Not Indian thus : when crossing stars turn back, 
 We show our feelings by the sorrowing black ; 
 But when they pour success upon our head, 
 We paint the pleasure by the gladdening red. 140 
 
 " Now, as respect design'd me by the King, 
 I give him thanks but not accept the thing ; 
 To me no use in nature's wildness born ; 
 My father taught such gifts to treat with scorn,
 
 286 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 And thus to me he talk : 
 
 " ' Tecumseh, son, 
 
 Behold our tribe in white man folly run ; 
 I feel the weight of years, and soon my tongue 
 Will teach no more to guide your footsteps young ; 
 Open your ears and now, what I declare, 
 Do thoti, my son, in deep remembrance bear. 150 
 
 " ' Beware the white man oily in his talk, 
 'Tis sweeten'd poison never straight his walk ; 
 Beware you shun religion that he teach ; 
 One way he act, another way he preach ; 
 To day he tell intemperance burn within, 
 And on the morrow urge you to the sin ! 
 Beware your dealings with the white man blood ; 
 He give you trinkets for substantial good. 
 Great Spirit gave to Indian, buffaloe, bear ; 
 The deer, and elk so bounteous was His care ; 160 
 Because we treated these, his gifts, with scorn, 
 His anger grew, and we are left to mourn. 
 
 " ' Use no deceit except to snare thy foe ; 
 And when he yields, him sparing mercy show ; 
 Despise a coward as a graceless man ; 
 Despatch him with the axe he'll shame thy clan. 
 
 " ' Thy mother cherish with attentions kind ; 
 To you her feeble years are now resign'd ; 
 Think of her labour in the sun for thee, 
 And how she lap'd you on her tender knee ; 170 
 
 Do thou with equal love her care repay ; 
 Be thou her staff in her declining day. 
 
 " ' Tecumseh, son, thy father's words regard. 
 And thou wilt meet in happy fields reward.
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 287 
 
 " ; Wish not for age- 'tis fill'd with grief and pain ; 
 Be wisdom thine, while thou shalt here remain, 
 Let that be short or long then fear thou not, 
 Thy name will be in future years forgot ; 
 The mind still flourishes when all is lost ; 179 
 
 The rest soon melts away like autumn's early frost.' 
 
 " This was my father's teaching. Shall I now 
 Forget his voice ? to silken net-work bow ? 
 No : deep within my heart his voice shall rest ; 
 Lock'd in the centre of Tecumseh's breast. 
 
 " Never you'll gain my friendship with your gauze ; 
 To blast the enemy in thunder wars 
 Is feasting to my soul ! Come fear no more ! 
 Display thy warriors wake the musick roar 
 Of earthquake battle loud ! From Thames' steep 
 
 bank 
 Marshall your lines the stream will guard their 
 
 flank ; 190 
 
 The Prophet and Tekelah shall combine, 
 And from yon marsh will I extend the line ; 
 The Thames will fence your left, the swamp my 
 
 right, 
 Thus will we stand and swallow up the fight !" 
 
 Proctor beheld the favour of the ground, 
 And, on his stirrups rising,* look'd profound 
 With aspect grave, which fools for wisdom take ; 
 And thus, as though from partial dreaming, spake : 
 
 " Tecumseh, heaven hath kept thee for this hour, 
 To crown with triumph my defeated power ! 200 
 The past appears a momentary dream, 
 Or the faint glimmer of a watery beam,
 
 288 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 That looks through murky clouds when the moon 
 
 pale 
 
 Wades in thick mist and all the star lights fail ; 
 But now my mental energies are clear, 
 As noonday light no spot upon the sphere ; 
 To thee, the praise I give 'tis only thou 
 That could have bent iny mind against the foe ; 
 Marshall thy powers according to thy plan ; 
 Here will we plant ourselves fight man to man. 210 
 Thy Albion brothers on the left will stand, 
 And guard with death the passage of the land ! 
 
 " Distrust me not. I feel sensations new, 
 Fanning my breast, their standards to subdue ; 
 In the late field my bosom fail'd of breath, 
 But now I feel to fight the fight of death ! 
 We shall, we will prevail ! My nerves are strong, 
 To roll in thunder with the strife along !" 
 
 Vaunting he spoke. Tecumseh bent his head, 
 In moody silence, doubting what he said ; 220 
 
 But yet he felt a soothing in his breast, 
 That he his soul indignant had express'd. 
 
 Strong with the strength which in his bosom stirr'd, 
 He join'd his warriors rous'd them at a word : 
 
 '* Now, face we death ! Each choose his shelter 
 ing oak ; 
 Give ground no more. Let every heart be rock !" 
 
 As when the herald of infernal name, 
 Calls forth hell-labourers to the work of flame, 
 They hear the roughness of the clarion sound, 
 And rise in darkening multitudes around. 230 
 
 So when Tecumseh gave the signal word, 
 His clans arose with features stain'd abhorr'd.
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 289 
 
 With veteran judgment he displays the line, 
 To slay the ranks where horse and foot combine ; 
 A. morass deep, gives safety to his right ; 
 Himself in centre stands death's messenger in fight. 
 
 Proctor had join'd his regal forces now, 
 To whom, like eloquence, his accents flow : 
 
 " Chambers, Warburton, Evans, Reynolds, all 
 Who war for royal titles, hear the call ! 240 
 
 Marshal for battle ! On the left extreme, 
 Level the cannon to elance the flame ! 
 Than this, no farther shall the foe advance ; 
 We'll meet them here with death's inheritance ! 
 In coward flight no longer will we fly ; 
 Our strength augmented, they must yield or die ; 
 Here will we stand and drive Kentucky hence ; 
 Won is the field, when Albion makes defence ! 
 Pale fear cast backward to the waning moon ; 
 This day we shine in glory with the sun ! 250 
 
 Conquer but now, Columbia is our own ; 
 Behold, we win an empire for the Crown ! 
 Let every Briton flame with fire his breast ; 
 We fight, we conquer, and we rule the West !" 
 
 The royals heard and wonder'd at the sound, 
 And thought his soul was touch'd with the profound ; 
 They felt a gladness in their bosoms new, 
 For now they judg'd their leader would be true. 
 
 Thus at the Falls that break Ohfo's flood, 
 Deep stagnant waters had for ages stood, 26 ". 
 
 Breeding all monstrous animals of earth ; 
 Toads, scorpions, lizards, millions at a birth ; 
 25 VOL. u.
 
 290 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 Green putrefaction with pestiferous breath, 
 
 Exhal'd from rotten lungs cadaverous death ; 
 
 Behold, Industry comes with nervous hand 
 
 And drains the marshes from th' infected land ; 
 
 The toads, the scorpions, and the lizards die, 
 
 And Putrefaction gasps in agony ; 
 
 Exuberant Health comes blushing in the breeze ; 
 
 The grape, the lily, and the loveliest trees 270 
 
 Leap into life ! The City* smiles serene, 
 
 To mark the prospect of the living scene ; 
 
 New life, new joy, her every fibre thrills ; 
 
 A laughing happiness her bosom fills. 
 
 So Proctor's voice reanimates to life 
 His downcast legions to maintain the strife ; 
 The columns presently in line display, 
 And scowl defiance at the gathering fray. 
 
 Meanwhile, full breasted, the Kentuckians drive 
 To crush the swarming of the savage hive ; 280 
 
 Swift as their enemies before them fly, 
 They leave behind their every luxury, 
 From which the brave subsist abundantly. 
 
 Thus for three days ambitious they pursue 
 The foe to have with arms an interview ; 
 But on the fourth, as from meridian height, 
 The sun his gold diffus'd, the Johnsons light 
 On the same ground where Albion spent the night, 
 The half-extinguish'd watch-fires smouldering by, 
 Give truthful notice of their foemen nigh. 290 
 
 Shelby, the Johnsons, Harrison, Adair ; 
 
 Croghan the youth Whitley with hoary hair ; 
 
 . 
 * Louisville.
 
 BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 291 
 
 Barry, Crittenden ornaments of earth ; 
 Syraral and Thompson valiant from their birth, 
 Stand in a group, advanc'd upon the ground, 
 And thus to Johnson, Shelby's words resound : 
 " Behold, hath come the harvest day of fame ! 
 Thrust in thy sickle reap a glorious name ! 
 
 " Ply the quick spur dash bounding up the stream ; 
 Search you the foe, ere farther we advance ; 300 
 
 Trace his position with a wary glance ; 
 Observe him well if still upon the flight, 
 Or marshall'd on the plain to brave the fight." 
 
 Fleet at the summons Johnson plied the goad, 
 Dash'd along rapid, and devour'd the road ; 
 As burns an arrow from an archer strong, 
 So eager flew the chief and shot along ; 
 His plume, white tipt with red, stream'd far behind, 
 And danc'd redundant on the liquid wind. 
 He curb'd his charger on commanding ground, 310 
 And jealous mark'd the gather'd host around, 
 Joy'd at the sight, his ardent soul took fire ; 
 His every heart-string shiver 'd with desire. 
 
 Thus when a mariner for three long years, 
 Had plough'd the eastern and the western spheres ; 
 At length, home bound, he makes the headland 
 
 near 
 
 But lo, a mist beclouds the objects dear ; 
 At noon, before the gale it scattering flies, 
 And Boston opens, sweet as Paradise ! 
 His soul is floating in a tide of bliss, 320 
 
 Transported, tearful with his happiness. 
 
 So Johnson felt the passion of delight, 
 To mark the al^es ready for the fight.
 
 292 PREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 His bosom calm'd, he kenn'd with warrior skill 
 Their posture of defence wheeled made the hill, 
 Where stood the chiefs : They listen to his voice : 
 
 " The hour hath come, that bids us to rejoice ! 
 Our anxious thoughts and weary toils are o'er ; 
 The foe stands planted on yon field before ! 
 His posture of defence is artful chose ; 330 
 
 Their left extreme is where the river flows ;' 
 A row of thunders their deep ranks support, 
 Ready with flame our energies to thwart ; 
 Tecumseh's strength is partially conceal'd 
 By the thick growth that overshades the field ; 
 He holds the right. A morass close at hand, 
 Will make it vain to flank upon his band ; 
 Hence, we must meet them open on the field, 
 And arm to arm our ready falchions wield. 
 
 " I to thy judgment would with deference plead, 34O 
 The charging onset of the war to lead." 
 
 Him, Shelby answers : " To proceed with horse 
 Against train'd infantry, a novel course ; 
 Yet will the charge succeed 'twill strike with awe, 
 By its bold daring and decide the war." 
 
 To Johnson, Harrison, " Brave man, move forth ; 
 Known is thy valour and thy patriot worth ; 
 Proud in the senate hath thy tongue proclaim'd 
 The nation's honour, which the foe defam'd ; 
 Thine every thought is to thy country given ; 35O 
 
 Now lift thy glory to the light of heaven ; 
 We shall be near thee to sustain thy path, 
 And glean the field with desolating wrath. 
 
 *' Thy brother, rich in fame, will lead the right 
 Against the Albions in the shock of fighi ;
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 293 
 
 Whilst thou wilt thunder on Tecumseh's line. 
 And prove the virtue of thy origin ; 
 The infantry will charge with steel in hand, 
 When once with blood we mark thy lifted brand. 
 
 u Divide thy warriors for the bold assay ; SCO 
 
 The aged chief will nerve them for the fray." 
 
 The horse stand column'd. Shelby's accents flow 
 Warm from the heart and kindle on his brow : 
 
 " Let one emotion animate the whole ; 
 Hot chafe the bosom rouse the smother'd soul ; 
 Long have we toil'd the enemy to meet ; 
 Endur'd the winter's cold the summer's heat ; 
 These toils are now no more we charge them home ; 
 A day to live in future years hath come ! 
 
 " Do not strange tremblings in your bosoms ply, 370 
 Kindling your souls with immortality ? 
 Yea I behold in every eye the fire, 
 Glancing the language of the heart's desire ! 
 Joy thrills the cords of life to mark the blaze ! 
 Strong in the strength of Liberty, up-raise 
 The Eagle high in air her wing to heaven 
 Expand ! Fame, fame eternal to your deeds be 
 given ! 
 
 " Let him, who dreads the shock with timid heart, 
 Back from the honour of the day depart ; 
 Never I'll stand beside a coward slave ; 380 
 
 None shall advance who fear to find a grave ! 
 
 ********* 
 
 " None none retire ! Each heart is ribb'd with 
 
 steel ; 
 
 Unconquerable band ! What joys I feel ! 
 25* VOL. ii.
 
 294 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 1 seem in bloom of life my years made young f 
 A flood of transport drowns my ravish'd tongue ! 
 Let your advance be death a chain of fire ; 
 Jii wrath, let blood-stain'd enemies expire ! 
 
 " But when they kneel, then, soften'd be as down 5 
 Let mercy raise the subjects of the crown ; 
 'Tis heaven's first virtue ever to forgive, 390 
 
 Hence, let the vanquish'd gentleness receive. 
 
 " And should the fight give Proctor to your hand, 
 Let not his blood be seen upon the land ; 
 Death is a boon too rich for him to have ; 
 The field of battle is the warrior's grave ; 
 No : half his crimes by such a death would fade ; 
 To fall with heroes would exalt his shade. 
 
 " Silent move forth, till they elance the blaze ; 
 Then then the passions to a frenzy raise ; 
 And, while the Eagle screams along the sky, 400 
 
 Charge on with death charge on with chivalry !" 
 
 His language gave a quickening to each part, 
 And seem'd to wind like lightning round the heart ! 
 
 The columns, silent their positions take, 
 And list to hear the sounding bugles break 
 The signal to advance. Still as the breath, 
 That faintly languishes at sleep of death, 
 The elements remain as though they felt 
 The time at hand, when sun and stars would melt ; 
 No leaf the forest stirs. Lo, Johnson's sword 410 
 
 Proclaims the sign more forcible than word ; 
 At once, the bugles answer with a sound, 
 That seems to shake the bosom of the ground ; 
 It strikes the breathless army on the rear, 
 Like Judgment trumpet when the dead appear !
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 295 
 
 The mounted warriors, at the signal note, > 
 Move forth like clouds, when slow on air they float ; 
 Each heart strong-beating with the pulse of life. 
 To reach the foe and mingle in the strife ; 
 With eye undamp'd, they mark upon the heath, 420 
 The ranks display'd to melt them down to death ; 
 Fix'd in their purpose ere they force the charge, 
 The enemy should stream his fire at large. 
 
 Now when the Albions heard the bugles sound, 
 Proctor with Elliot vanish'd from the ground, 
 But Reynolds, valiant thus : " Fear not, nor move ! 
 Now the heart's daring of the English prove ; 
 And let them come L With hearts and weapons strong, 
 We'll sweep their columns in the dust along ; 
 Think of our Alfred's, Henry's, Marlborough's blood, 
 Who thrice their strength in battle have withstood ! 431 
 And shall we give and falsify their name ! 
 Blush at the thought, should heaven be fill'd with 
 
 flame ! 
 
 " The foe approaches ! mark ! Waken your ire ! 
 Mix steel with steel, and melting fire with fire !" 
 
 Through every breast his words as lightning run ; 
 A hurrying death elanc'd from every gun, 
 Solid at once ! the motion was so fleet, 
 The blaze scorch'd heaven, unbroken in a sheet ! 
 Their steels they 'tempt to fix not time have they, 
 The Johnsons charge, and fierce begin the fray. 441 
 
 Loud as the crash of tempest-shiver'd oaks ; 
 As dashing waters boil o'er pointed rocks ; 
 As ocean's billows breaking on the shore ; 
 As pealing thunders round the welkin roar ;
 
 296 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 Such the vast tumult such the deafening jar, 
 
 As dash the columns in the charge of war; 
 
 The horses' feet deep echo to the skies ; 
 
 Thick clouds of dust in volumes vast arise ; 
 
 Half hid, half seen, the maddening ranks appear ; 450 
 
 Now their plumes show like live things in the sphere, 
 
 The rest is all obscure save now and then, 
 
 The heads reveal themselves of tallest men, 
 
 Like the moon wading through the mist of clouds, 
 
 She shines a moment, then her glimmering shrouds ; 
 
 On on they bound as lightnings fiery sweep, 
 
 In blood the bosom of the earth to steep : 
 
 As when black whirlwinds from th' equator driven, 
 
 Split the dark clouds and dash them loose through 
 
 heaven ; 
 
 Bend the weak birches rend the knotted oak, 460 
 And strike the wilderness with besom stroke ; 
 Sheets of black dust eclipse the solar ray ; 
 The mountains groan earth reels beneath their sway ; 
 Ruin flies wasting on red wings of fire ; 
 The cavern monsters howlingly retire. 
 
 The Johnsons thus, like whirlwinds, thunder on ; 
 Thus break their lines thus tramp the Britons down. 
 
 From front the columns having strew'd the dead : 
 " Battalions ! wheel and rush their rear !" They said ; 
 The patriots turn but ere they ply the heel, 470 
 
 The Albions crouch beneath the weight of steel ! 
 
 But lo, Tecumseh in his pride withstands 
 The furious onset of the charging bands ; 
 Rice, Chambers, Thompson, Whitley, Church, unite 
 The centre columns of the foe to smite ;
 
 BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 297 
 
 Tekelah, Prophet with their strength oppose 
 The Freedom warriors blows resound on blows. 
 Tecumseh's voice the rage of battle pours, 
 Maddening the fight, which sounds to Erie's shores : 
 
 " Warriors ! draw blood till every heart be dry ! 480 
 Like rocks which break the thunderbolts on high, 
 Stand in the strife ! As lightning blasts the heath, 
 So strike and blast the enemy with death !'' 
 
 The savage heard, and rais'd th' infernal scream ; 
 Sharp glancing fires from flint-struck rifles stream ; 
 Supported thus, Tecumseh awful moves, 
 Like some dark ghost in lightning-kindled groves ; 
 As grass before the blade in summer dies, 
 So on the field sink friends and enemies. 
 
 In different parts are different actions seen, 490 
 
 Equal the bravest of the brave of men : 
 
 Now Whitley and Tekelah close with rage, 
 And fierce in hand with bloody axe engage. 
 
 As when two panthers meet upon the heath, 
 And mix in combat with their claws and teeth ; 
 Nor this nor that give ground in desperate mood, 
 They gash, and gash their bodies smear'd with 
 blood. 
 
 Thus Whitley and the brawny savage close ; 
 And thus their blood from sudden gashes flows ; 
 At length, the hoary veteran smites his brow ! 500 
 Tekelah whirls then sudden drops below ; 
 Blood from his nostrils in a foaming flow. 
 
 Whitley now glancing at Tecumseh's form, 
 Dark with the horrors of the rising storm, 
 Rushes to quench the brand that flam'd the war ; 
 His white locks waving in the troubled air ;
 
 298 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 He stands he draws the rifle to his eye ; 
 
 The sparkles catch the dust the ruins fly 
 
 To search him through the heart ! but by quick 
 
 wheel, 
 
 At the brief instant that the hammer'd steel 510 
 
 Fretted with fire the ball Tecumseh shunn'd ; 
 Yet blood is seen to trickle on the ground ; 
 Deep through his shoulder is the gory wound ; 
 Fierce he recoils upon his aged foe, 
 And rapid hurls the never-failing blow ; 
 The coated axe, thick-matted o'er with hairs, 
 Wide through his convoluted bowels tears J 
 As sinks an aged elm before the blast, 
 So fell the warrior and expir'd his last. 
 
 Tecumseh forth, when he the sage had kill'd, 520 
 Dash'd like a tempest o'er the burning field, 
 Kindling the strife ! A savage host rush on 
 To scalp his hoary locks to please the Throne ! 
 Prophet, impetuous, desperate in his might, 
 Leads on the wild-men to the murderous rite ; 
 Thompson dismounts his charger at a bound, 
 And meets the howling savage on the ground ; 
 His bold battalion render him support 
 To guard the body with a proud effort ; 
 As two dark rolling streams from adverse hills, 530 
 Supplied with water from a thousand rills, 
 Mingle with madness in the vale below ; 
 So Thompson's warriors mingle with the foe. 
 
 As round they wield the axe, blood marks its edge ; 
 Man crowds on man in battle's dreadful wedge ! 
 At times the slaughter thins the stifling press, 
 But that augments, not makes the carnage less,
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 299 
 
 By giving freedom to their arms and breath, 
 The axes drive more sure the stroke of death. 
 
 At length, the Prophet in the dust is laid, 540 
 
 Floating in blood by Thompson's reeking blade ; 
 The savages give way : the patriots seize 
 Whitley the prize and, from the slaughter, raise 
 And bear him forth to those upon the rear, 
 Who place the veteran on his martial bier ; 
 A bier more honour'd than the bed of state, 
 Where kings are laid to make their burial great. 
 
 As Thompson's band with Whitley's corse with 
 drew, 
 Johnson gave madness to the battle new : 
 
 " Kentuckians ! elevate the soul on high, 550 
 
 As in the fields of ancient chivalry ! 
 Arise spare not ! Fight on with courage bold, 
 Like Clark and Estill in the days of old, 
 With Logan by their side ! Smite down the foe ; 
 Let savage blood be seen at every blow !" 
 
 He put his valour forth ; and like a star 
 Blazing through heaven, he shone in thickest war. 
 His banded strength pursued ! The battle roars, 
 Like outrag'd ocean breaking on the shores ; 
 Like showering hail, sharp whistling, whiz the lead, 
 And every volley magnifies the dead ; 56l 
 
 The noise disturbs the elements around ; 
 The gushing blood makes drunk the thirsty ground. 
 
 As when from mountain tops small streams de 
 scend, 
 Swelling and maddening as their channels bend ;
 
 300 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 The brooks augment to rivers as they flow, 
 Which roar, and foam, and flood the, vales below. 
 Like this, the conflict swells. The Thames 
 
 turns red, 
 The field around with darkness overspread. 
 
 Johnson engag'd, beholds Tecumseh nigh ; 570 
 They stop and roll at each a lowering eye ; 
 As two dark clouds frown opposite in wrath, 
 Muttering deep thunders to th' affrighted earth, 
 So frown they dismal with a tightening breath ; 
 Threatening each other with a look of death ! 
 
 Behold, Tecumseh rapid to his face, 
 His rifle bears to end the Johnson race ; 
 Slaughter the foremost of Kentucky's sons, 
 Within whose veins a tide of honour runs ; 
 He blinds the vision of his left his right 580 
 
 Burns like the polar star in wintry night, 
 And fastens on the head. The ruins fly, 
 And tear his hip and lacerate his thigh ; 
 One strikes his hand, that holds the guiding rein, 
 But saves the chief from falling with the slain, 
 For, with unerring line it aim'd his breast, 
 But the wrist bones obliqu'd it to the west ; 
 Yet unappall'd, the hero in his right 
 Retain'd with iron grasp his weapon tight ; 
 So lost in action, he forgot his pain, 590 
 
 Though in fast drops his blood bedew'd the plain. 
 
 Tecumseh rushes rais'd his axe to throw 
 The whirling hatchet at his wounded foe ;
 
 BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 301 
 
 Johnson presents the hidden death and aims ; 
 Touches the spring ! searching of life, it flames 
 Beneath his lifted arm, swift flies the shot, 
 And opes the fountain of his bosom hot ; 
 The sixth rib fractures heart through centre rent 
 The passion'd blood spouts hissing from the vent ; 
 With feeble force Tecumseh throws the axe ; 600 
 His arm gives way his strength dissolves like wax ; 
 He reels he sinks to earth he gasps he dies ; 
 His soul ascends its native paradise. 
 
 So once, in years gone by, the mammoth trod 
 Kentucky's wiles, as some superior god ; 
 A bolt of thunder from a cloud in heaven, 
 Against the iron of his skull was driven ; 
 He shook it off ! Another flew amain ; 
 Like to the first he glanc'd it on the plain, 
 Which in its progress spread a ruin round, 610 
 
 The rocks before it shatter'd to the ground ; 
 At length, another from the magazine 
 Came, lightning-drove, to search his heart within ; 
 Between his ribs of brass it rent its way, 
 And, through his shoulder, forc'd itself to day ; 
 Staggering, he fell ! Earth groan'd beneath the blow, 
 As though a mountain had its overthrow. 
 
 Thus fell the great Tecumseh in his might, 
 And with him fell the spirit of the fight. 
 
 Soon, Johnson's charger, wounded through his 
 
 life 620 
 
 By balls that shower'd like April rain in strife, 
 Sinks, fainting to the earth, deep stain'd with gore ; 
 And all the glory of his strength is o'er. 
 26 VOL. ii.
 
 302 PREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 He paws the blood-soak'd heath with dying throes, 
 
 Eyeing his master whom he yet still knows ; 
 
 And, for a time, forgets his sweating pains, 
 
 To see him pale and weltering on the plains ; 
 
 The fire that burnt within his eye subsides ; 
 
 Each inspiration bathes his milk-white sides 
 
 In crimson foam but when his breath expires, 630 
 
 The vital fountain in his chest retires ; 
 
 Faint and more faint, his mouth is on the plain ; 
 
 At times he lifts it up but now, alas, in vain ! 
 
 He turns upon his side he gasps for breath ; 
 
 He chills he shivers in the pangs of death ! 
 
 Harrison, Shelby, with reserve press'd forth, 
 As Johnson, bleeding, sunk upon the earth. 
 
 But lo, the Fiend in counterfeited form 
 Came sweeping forward like a rushing storm ; 
 His borrow'd lineaments of savage race 640 
 
 Deep trench'd the wrinkles in his haggard face ; 
 Beneath his iron brows his eyeballs roll'd, 
 Whose glance the hell within his bosom told ; 
 An angry sparkle shot from every hair, 
 Which stood erect, and quiver'd in the air. 
 
 A half-tarn 'd tyger bore him in his path, 
 And thus to Shelby he began in wrath : 
 
 " My name is Burning Mountain ! Stay thy host, 
 Or by slow fire thy aged limbs shall roast ! 
 Yea dare to pass to give thy warriors aid, 650 
 
 Thy splinter'd body shall on coals be laid !" 
 
 He ended scowling with tempestuous look, 
 And o'er the veteran's head his axe he shook.
 
 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 303 
 
 " Dark form ! my soul was never known to dread 
 A burning Mountain or a ghost of dead ! 
 Give place retire to where th' unrighteous dwell, 
 Or quick I'll search the secret of thy hell !" 
 
 No more, with patience could the Tyrant bear ; 
 He rais'd his axe with a convulsive air 
 To smite hirn in his strength ! But lo, his life 660 
 Was by Fredonia shielded in the strife ; 
 Invisible, his sword she touch'd its edge, 
 That with the Spirit he might combat wage. 
 
 11 And durst thou wake the tempest of my soul ? 
 Monster ! feel death or bow to my control !" 
 
 Astonishment ! the counterfeit he thrust ; 
 And made him sink submissive in the dust ; 
 The hallow'd touch of the celestial hand, 
 Made the steel burn like seven-times heated brand ! 
 Th' infernal blood, black issu'd from the wound, 670 
 And hiss'd, and smok'd, and boil'd upon the ground ; 
 Thick from his nostrils pour'd a cloud of night, 
 In which he roli'd his form, and vanish'd from the 
 sight. 
 
 The tyger which he rode assum'd its form ; 
 It shrunk to earth a reptile scorpion worm, 
 And wound like crooked lightning o'er the plain ; 
 But soon it shelter'd 'neath the savage slain. 
 
 None, by the tumult in their mind, conceiv'd 
 The sage had more than mortal acts achiev'd. 
 
 The veteran leads th' impatient army forth ; 680 
 The wild- men scatter broken to the north ; 
 The elder Johnson thunders on their rear, 
 And hurls them slaughter in their path severe.
 
 304 FREDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 While this transpir'd, the younger Johnson lay, 
 Bleeding by slow degrees his life away ; 
 His eye mov'd languid, and his lips turn'd pale, 
 While in his ear, Death sung his doleful tale. 
 
 Thompson and Barry, Crittenden and Payne, 
 Haste to remove him, weltering on the plain ; 
 On a soft litter with an easy tread, 690 
 
 They bear him backward from the scene of dead ; 
 On downy pallet, in pavilion large, 
 To anxious surgeons they resign their charge, 
 Who forth with ready hands the blood suppress, 
 And sprinkle water in his marble face ; 
 But all of no avail his eyelids close 
 Half down and half the fading eye expose. 
 
 The soldiers sighing past the tent would stray, 
 And cast a look and wish themselves away : 
 Yet would they stand and linger round the brave, 70O 
 Whispering to heaven, his valiant life to save ; 
 Fast by his couch his weeping nephews stood, 
 And press'd his cheek, and wip'd the oozing blood. 
 
 Meantime the sadness through the army spread, 
 Their favourite chief was number'd with the dead ! 
 
 His conquering brother having sheath'd his blade, 
 Crimson with slaughter in the battle made, 
 Now catches the report that loads the gale ; 
 Various, but icy, the pathetick tale. 
 
 He seeks the tent, and finds him in his blood ; 710 
 He stands in silence with his soul subdu'd, 
 Pressing his hand ! His tears his heart betray 
 To see his brother languishing away. 
 
 At length, the utterance of his tongue returns,. 
 Whilst with affection all his bosom yearns ;
 
 BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 305 
 
 " Wake, O rny brother ! listen to ray voice ! 
 One breathing whisper will my heart rejoice ! 
 O, but one farewell from thy lips be given, 
 And I'll resign thee, if I must, to heaven." 
 
 The hero waken'd at the well-known tongue, 720 
 And with soft press his hand with trembling wrung : 
 Lifted the curtains of his eye serene, 
 And cheer'd his brother with a smiling mein ; 
 A bless'd sensation shot along his soul, 
 As boreal light that quickens round the pole. 
 
 Thus a fond mother, with despairing wo, 
 Marks in her infant each convulsive throe, 
 Sickening to death. Deep, solemn, silent, pale, 
 She counts the pulses as they ebbing fail ; 
 Lo, while she stands thus rack'd with her despair, 730 
 Her dying infant smiles a healthful air ! 
 Her heart is ravish'd at the joyous sight ; 
 Her every fibre shivers with delight. 
 
 So when he press'd his brother's hand and sniil'd, 
 Each anxious bosom with its transport thrill'd ; 
 They lean to hear his voice yet still they fear, 
 That they intrusive will disturb him near : 
 
 " Thy voice, my brother, hath new wak'd my life, 
 And call'd it back from death's conflicting strife ; 
 But O, how rich the luxury to die, 740 
 
 When circled in the arms of Victory ! 
 I scarce can thank thee yet thou know'st my heart ; 
 I meant not so : till Death shall hurl the dart, 
 With resignation, happy will I live, 
 And to my country every effort give ; 
 For her I bleed to her devote each day, 
 Till heaven shall lap this mortal dust in clay." 
 26* VOL. n.
 
 306 FB.EDONIAD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 Here, be half fainted on his brother's breast, 
 But found a pillow there as soft as angel's rest. 
 
 The meantime Suggett with a chosen band, 750 
 
 Seeking for Proctor, bounded o'er the land ; 
 With stimulating spur they urg'd their way, 
 Swift as strong eagles searching for their prey. 
 
 Chill'd at his heart, oft Proctor bent his eyes 
 Back on his path : And now he pale descries 
 The horsemen wind the hill ! " The steeds urge on I 
 I feel them at my vitals ! lost undone ! 
 I where ? what manner ? where can I conceal ? 
 In yonder cavern ! thousand deaths I feel !" 
 
 By this, the Fiend, that sways the world accurst, 760 
 Had clos'd his wound receiv'd by mortal thrust, 
 And, through the cloud, observ'd the grievous state 
 Of his begotten, shivering with his fate. 
 
 Behold, as Proctor op'd his chariot door, 
 He stoop'd his wings and on his shoulders bore 
 His darling child ! Without the change of death, 
 Glad, he conducts him to the realms beneath ! 
 
 Suggett observ'd the movements of the Fiend, 
 And saw him seize and bear from earth his friend ; 
 None but the holy man the Form beheld ; 770 
 
 Such was the virtue to his soul reveal'd, 
 The^others thought he'd vanish'd in the cave, 
 His forfeit life from their pursuit to save. 
 
 " Go speed thy way to darkness with thy sire ! 
 Hell's gulf is yawning with its jaws of fire ! 
 Great is my joy to see thee grappled fast, 
 By him, the monarch of the scorching blast." 
 '
 
 BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 307 
 
 As the last word the reverend warrior spoke, 
 The head of Proctor was conceal'd in smoke. 
 
 Till setting sun, the dead the patriots urn, 780 
 Ready at day triumphant to return ; 
 They dream of glowing visions through the night, 
 And wake, and form their marching files at light ; 
 The numerous captives in the centre stand ; 
 A measur'd league they stretch along the land ; 
 The brazen guns, that Hull to Brock resign'd, 
 Are, with due honours, to the front assign'd. 
 Arms, martial instruments, luxurious spoils, 
 Fall to the brave to recompense their toils. 
 
 And now, their march for Sandwich they pursue ; 
 On the sixth day, the lake expands in view ; 
 The fleet, a passage to Detroit afford, 
 Where to the fort the cannon are restored ; 
 This done for Raisin they advance their way ; 
 And reach the fatal ground at eve of second day. 
 
 **##*#### 
 
 Alas, the scene that opens on the sight ! 
 The fields around with untomb'd bones are white ! 
 From every eye the drops of grief descend ; 
 Some mourn a brother some a bosom friend ; 
 The son, his hoary sire, the sire, his son, 800 
 
 Adown whose cheeks the trickling sorrows run ; 
 Murderers, their captives now ! but yet no look, 
 No vengeance threatening of their lives is spoke ! 
 But to their cruel, worse than savage foe, 
 A kind indulgence the Kentuckians show ; 
 Yea were they brothers, friends, instead of men. 
 Who late had acted such a death-cold scene,
 
 308 PREDON1AD. CANTO XIX. 
 
 They could no more, than bounteous they receiv'd 
 From hands whose souls unrighteous they had griev'd. 
 
 At length, with Freedom form'd upon his right, 810 
 And those that murder'd opposite in sight, 
 Shelby begins : " The brave are ever great, 
 Through every scene in high or low estate ; 
 I've seen you suffer by a merc'less foe, 
 Without a wrinkle knitted on your brow ; 
 I've seen you rush to war, sublime in soul, 
 And fire, and carnage through the battle roll ; 
 I've seen you bind their wounds their feelings calm, 
 When they have knelt beneath your victor arm ; 
 My heart was gladden'd to behold these scenes, 820 
 In future bards to wake immortal strains ; 
 Though these are acts which bright as heaven appear, 
 Yet they with present deeds can ne'er compare. 
 
 " Here, on my right, I see my children slain, 
 Whose bones are whiten'd by the sun and rain ; 
 Here, on my left, the murderers captive stand, 
 Presented, generous, with kind Friendship's hand ! 
 
 " Historick Muse ! thy lengthen'd scroll display ! 
 Bring the past deeds of nations into day ! 
 Ken every syllable line, word, and page, 830 
 
 From Time's first dawning to the present age ; 
 Where can you point the page, the line, the word, 
 That will with this exalted deed accord ? 
 None none appears J A virtue new must rise ; 
 
 Pen it, O Muse ! and waft it to the skies ! 
 
 ********* 
 
 " My heart is full. Sad office now remains ; 
 The bones to gather, scatter'd o'er the plains,
 
 BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 309 
 
 And shroud them in the dust, then, with a tear, 
 Pay the last tribute to the warrior's bier." 
 
 Slow move the patriots with a weeping eye, 840 
 Anxious their brothers, fathers, to descry ; 
 But O how vain ! Distinctive marks are lost ; 
 Save the bleak frame, all moulder'd into dust ! 
 
 How must this scene subdue the heart of pride ! 
 Let not the young the aged nerve deride : 
 Here lies, O thoughtless youth ! a form once fair ; 
 A glowing heart that never felt despair ; 
 His lambent eye did once on beauty rove ; 
 Pierc'd her soft bosom with the looks of love ; 
 These charms are fled sad change ! Now all re 
 mains 850 
 Are whiten'd bones stretch'd naked on the plains ! 
 
 The grief-pale mourners place them in the earth, 
 While the soul's fountain from their eyes streams forth ; 
 With clay-cold dust, they shroud them from the view, 
 
 And sigh with aching hearts, their long, and last adieu ! 
 
 **#*##### 
 
 Slow, homeward as they move, lo ! from a cloud, 
 Fredonia's voice is heard, more sweet than loud : 
 
 " Mourn not, nor weep their souls to joys are 
 
 given ; 
 Mourn not, nor weep there's glorious rest in heaven !'*
 
 CANTO XX. 
 
 INVASION OF CANADA AT 
 QUEENSTOWN.
 
 ARGUMENT. 
 
 About the same period that Proctor invested Fort Meigs, Brown 
 took command at Sacket's Harbour.. ..Van Rensselaer is detached 
 to Lewistown, who, on his arrival, prepares for a Descent upon 
 Queenstown....A Traitor.. ..The Storming of the Heights. 
 
 The scene is laid at Sacket's Harbour, Lewistown, Fort George, 
 and Queenstown....The lime is ten days.
 
 FREDONIAD. 
 
 CANTO XX. 
 
 DURING the time that Shelby in the West 
 His arms employ'd to tame the savage breast, 
 Around the borders of Ontario far 
 The deafening turbulence of clamorous war 
 Rag'd like the breaking of the clouds in heaven, 
 When the pent thunders to the earth are driven. 
 
 Now, as the Muse the plans of warfare sung 
 In Freedom's capitol, her theme but young, 
 Brown was selected by the President 
 To place his name among the eminent, 10 
 
 Whose deeds stand blazon'd on immortal scroll, 
 Who broke from kings the sceptre of control. 
 
 The State of Penn was honour'd with his birth ; 
 Born near the spot of Trenton's hallow'd earth ; 
 Often he trac'd where Washington had trod, 
 Which caus'd a sacred thrilling of his blood. 
 
 In his first years, the village school he taught ; 
 Nor higher dignity of fame he sought 
 Than aid the budding of the mind to bloom, 
 And the dark chambers of the soul illume ; '20 
 
 27 VOL. n.
 
 314 FBEDON1AD. CANTO XX. 
 
 No sound of mustering war disturb'd his ear, 
 
 Though even then the Albion character 
 
 Was deep encrimson'd with the damning crime, 
 
 Impressment, never to be lost in time : 
 
 But yet the Nation thought to check the sin, 
 
 Without the storm of battle to begin ; 
 
 Hence, to enlarge his mind, he bent his views 
 
 And strove the light of science to infuse 
 
 In the warm bosom of his country's youth, 
 
 And make their minds ennobled with the truth ; 30 
 
 Knowing, what heaven eternally design'd, 
 
 That Freedom ever should exist with mind. 
 
 Thus did his years glide on, till rumour'd war 
 Spread with hoarse accent through the land afar ; 
 He snatch'd his sword unsheath'd it to the light, 
 Determin'd never, till his country's right 
 Should be establish'd, its keen edge to blind, 
 Unless, in arms, he honour'd death should find. 
 
 The fashion of his limbs bespeaks the man, 
 Solid in strength exact to nature's plan ; 40 
 
 His ample bosom holds a heart that bounds, 
 When dread the bugle the mad charge resounds ; 
 Yet, when the flag of peace is seen to float, 
 Its pulses calm it loves the gentle note 
 That vibrates round the mellow scenes at home, 
 Where songs of sweetness echo to the loom. 
 
 His voice is gifted with expression strong ; 
 And when he speaks, deep judgment clothes his 
 
 tongue ; 
 
 His look is somewhat stern his eye is hid, 
 Partial, by the contraction of the lid ; 50
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 315 
 
 But view it well, and obvious you'll remark 
 Beneath the frown, an unextinguish'd spark 
 Of vital burning : Thus the orb of gold, 
 When overspread with intervening fold, 
 Is not discern'd, beheld with careless eye, 
 Though proud it holds its station in the sky ; 
 But mark it well, we then observe its form 
 Majestick, grand, though struggling with the storm. 
 
 When Brown by Madison was cloth'd with power 
 To guide the battle in the fearful hour, 60 
 
 He, to the Harbour* at Ontario's wave, 
 Advanc'd where chiefs, with native valour brave, 
 Before him had assembled : Scott, a name 
 Never to perish, from Virginia came ; 
 Gaines was his brother by parental State ; 
 And each, ia daring, had a soul innate ; 
 The next was Ripley child of woody Maine, 
 Who, midst of carnage, kept his mind in chain ; 
 Wool, Morris, Christie, Forsythe, Wadsworth, Pike ; 
 And none, in virtue, earth sustains their like ; 70 
 The venerable Swift, and Rensselaer, 
 Frosted with age, amid the group appear. 
 
 The Muse her page with numbers might enlarge, 
 To whom the bugle, giving out the charge, 
 Was musick to their ears but these above, 
 The first in brilliancy of honour move. 
 
 So thus in autumn, when serene the sky, 
 The stars show splendid in the galaxy ; 
 Some, more magnificent with light appear, 
 But all with glory decorate the sphere ; 80 
 
 * Sacket's Harbour.
 
 316 PREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 Not otherwise these names conspicuous stand, 
 Rank'd with the foremost of the patriot band ; 
 And each will shine an unextinguish'd star, 
 Till years are lost in rolling ages far. 
 
 Now as the mountains, cloth'd in foliage green, 
 Are lin'd with golden light the chiefs convene 
 At Brown's pavilion, his commands to hear ; 
 And while he speaks, each holds attentive ear : 
 
 " Warriors ! 'tis ours the nation's strength to wield. 
 And curb the royal arms upon the field ; 90 
 
 On us, our country bends an anxious eye, 
 To stand the bulwark of her Liberty. 
 
 " While Shelby holds the circle of the west, 
 Presenting to the foe ah iron breast, 
 Down from Niagara to the smooth Champlain, 
 We, from invasion, must the soil maintain, 
 And jealous guard it from a foeman's tread, 
 Walling the land with steel-crown'd bayonets dread* 
 
 " This purpose to accomplish, Rensselaer, 
 Proceed to Lewistown, with fire to sear 100 
 
 The centre of their hearts in battle shock, 
 Should they from you withhold the Queenstown 
 rock. 
 
 " A line of infantry awaits you there, 
 Anxious to bring their energies to bear 
 Against the Heights : From Massachusetts, late, 
 They march to aid us to defend the state 
 Against oppression. Strong sustains the band 
 Brother to him, who governs in the land ; 
 At times, I doubt, they'll move like patriots on, 
 Such sore divisions pull their valour down ; 110
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 317 
 
 But you will weigh with judgment, when you find 
 The strength or weakness that pervades their mind. 
 
 " Now, while Macdonough shall defend Champlain, 
 The different passes Macomb will maintain ; 
 Pike in the centre will abide with me, 
 T' invade, or guard against the enemy ; 
 The fleet of Chauncey, with his seamen hale, 
 Will soon be ready on the lake to sail. 
 
 " Let every eye be open on the foe, 
 That when we strike, their glittering standards bow ; 
 This to fulfil, forth to your place repair, 
 And prove by action what of souls ye are." 
 
 The warriors heard his purposes, and wheel'd, 
 And rank'd then- ready squadrons on the field ; 
 The aged Rensselaer turns marches west ; 
 Though small his number, iron is their breast ; 
 Eighteen times fifty constitute his line, 
 To pass the flood and do the bold design ; 
 With Strong's battalions nothing more he'll need, 
 Should Strong himself prove valiant in the deed. 130 
 
 Scott, Christie, Gansevoort, Randolph, Morris, 
 
 Lent ; 
 
 Mulaney, Vallance, Wadsworth eminent ; 
 Bloom, Armstrong, Kearney, Malcolm, Fenwick, 
 
 Carr, 
 
 Ogilvie, Sampsons, characters of war ; 
 And Rensselaer,* whose throbbing heart beat full ; 
 MacChesney, Gibson, Stannahan, and Wool ; 
 And Mead, and Baker, Towson, Lawrence, brave, 
 To lead to battle o'er Niagara's wave. 
 
 * Co'. Van Rensselaer. 
 27* VOL. n.
 
 318 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 On the tenth day, the sun descending clear, 
 They enter'd Lewistown with Rensselaer 140 
 
 Whiten'd with age, their banners floating proud, 
 The drums shrill beating their advancement loud. 
 
 During one moon, ere they approach'd the site, 
 With six battalions, Strong, in armour bright, 
 Had gain'd the village waiting Rensselaer, 
 To pass Niagara mocking at the fear ; 
 (Strong had reported of his strength to Brown, 
 By Dexter, rising to a fair renown.) 
 
 Brief, when the echo of the drums was done, 
 To Rensselaer, he anxiously begun : 150 
 
 " Though late, you give us joy. Since Acre, one 
 
 moon 
 
 Has wax'd and wan'd in heaven, expecting soon 
 To see thy train approach. Impatiently 
 We've gaz'd, and gaz'd, to view thy banners fly, 
 Gladdening the breeze. My warriors long to press, 
 And crush the foe for Raisin's savageness ; 
 By patient words, in part I've cool'd their flame 
 But, at the instant thy battalions came, 
 They seem'd like wolves, when greedy in their ire 
 To fasten on their prey eyes glancing fire, 160 
 
 They long to pass the wave, and climb the height 
 Of yonder battlements in shock of fight ; 
 Oft as they mark the banner o'er the stream, 
 The burning of their eye is meteorous gleam ; 
 Not soothing words will smother their desire ; 
 Their hearts each vein their very blood is fire 
 To leap upon the foe with bayonet sword- 
 Make but the sign death melts them at the word !"
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 319 
 
 While this description of his ranks he gave, 
 The general listen'd with an aspect grave : 170 
 
 " Soon shall their murmurings cease, for lack of 
 
 toil 
 
 At morrow's dawn we tread the hostile soil ! 
 Without delay, the warriors I'll inform 
 My swift intention to begin the storm." 
 
 This answer said, they pass'd along the field, 
 W T hile with each other they a converse held. 
 
 Marshall'd in columns, both divisions stood ; 
 Squadrons of Strong and those who trac'd the flood 
 Of the Ontario lake. The volunteers, 
 When they the chief beheld of former years, 180 
 
 Brandish'd their weapons in the glancing light, 
 And boisterous shouted : " Lead us to the Height ! 
 Our souls are on the wing to stem the flood, 
 And climb yon battlements and spill their blood !" 
 
 When had the echo ceas'd the veteran then : 
 " Deliberate valour marks the deeds of men ; 
 Mistake me not, to smother aught of fire, 
 Or curb a warrior of his bold desire ; 
 But then the lion never chafes with heat ; 
 Conscious, he feels the battle-day to meet ; 190 
 
 Frequent it happens, words reduce the mind ; 
 They waste the substance shadows stay behind. 
 
 " So as the wine in the alembick boils, 
 Or the sweet spices, rich with odorous oils ; 
 The more it foams, the weaker is its strength ; 
 The dregs are all remaining there at length, 
 While the choice odours and the spirits rare, 
 Are spent and scatter'd in the vacant air.
 
 320 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 " Thus when our words without reflection rise, 
 They waste the power to quail our enemies. 200 
 
 " But far from me to dampen, or deride 
 A heart that beats to line. Let each confide 
 Firm in his native strength, when the dark hour 
 Of fiery tumult shall around him lower. 
 
 " Time's hurrying wings the moments rapid move 
 To test your virtue patriotism prove ; 
 At noon of night, in pointed steel arise, 
 To pass the rock-ribb'd stream, and, by surprise, 
 Ascend yon eagle Heights, and storm the foe, 
 And strike the Blood-Cross from the welkin low." 210 
 
 The volunteers rejoin'd with voices shrill : 
 " Yon Heights are ours, or our best blood shall spill !" 
 
 But those, who late from Brown's position came, 
 Stood silent in their strength : A smother'd flame 
 Was pent within their heart : an untam'd look, 
 From lowering eyes, more loud than shoutings spoke. 
 
 The storm proclaim'd, each to his station hies 
 To be prepar'd to wrestle for the prize. 
 
 Arnold the infamous, for treason done, 
 In Strong's battalions had a graceless son, 220 
 
 Who bore the nation's banner for his rank ; 
 His soul corrupt, as though he'd copious drank 
 At the dire fountain of corruption's stream ; 
 Frequent his father visited his dream. 
 
 To riot in loose pleasure was his zeal, 
 Reckless of virtue or the publick weal ; 
 With mind debauch'd with vice, he apprehends 
 The action just, that satisfies his ends,
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 321 
 
 Whatever are the means can ne'er retain, 
 
 To practise virtue was the noblest gain. 230 
 
 From his first years he lov'd the spendthrift's part, 
 Which, like an adder, wound about his heart, 
 Pouring its deadly poison through his frame ; 
 Setting the passion of his soul in flame. 
 
 Beneath the rocks, he sought deep solitude, 
 And thus the workings of his brain pursu'd : 
 
 " And is it not insufferable, that I 
 Longer should bear this weight of poverty ? 
 Scarce does my grade a beggar's part afford ; 
 An insult to my character and sword ; 240 
 
 And must I ever bear this loathsome thrall ? 
 The very thought my bosom turns to gall ! 
 Who, that has pride, indignant would not feel, 
 To be compell'd, like slave in chains to kneel 
 To him, whom chance more dignified has made, 
 Whilst all my deeds are buried in the shade 7 
 
 " Am not I mock'd, by reason that my name 
 Is that of Arnold 1 where in me is blame 
 For what my father did ? I love my soil, 
 And would most cheerful for its freedom toil : 250 
 And do they thus the son of Hull depress 1 
 No he receives an honourable caress ! 
 
 " Never my taste was made for savage food, 
 But such as earth supplies of luxuries good ; 
 None that have educated thoughts can live 
 On the small means, that officers receive ; 
 Then, how above the multitude, can I 
 Erect my brow maintain my dignity ? 
 
 " My dignity ! This comes of royal name ; 
 But equal Freedom sinks the soul to shame ; 260
 
 322 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 Away the thought. One life have I to spend, 
 And that in pleasure to the last shall end. 
 
 "Now wJio would be so abject in his plan, 
 As with the vulgar to be honest man ? 
 None, but a mind that wallows in the mire, 
 Grovelling with swine, and knows of nothing higher. 
 
 " I on the honey of the rose will live, 
 If earth have means the luxury to give. 
 
 " But here, I'm cramp'd and mock'd with a 
 
 support 
 
 Nothing that will with dignity consort ; 270 
 
 I must improve it this degrading post 
 Will hardly satisfy one pleasure's cost ; 
 The most inferior of the regal lines 
 More in the character of honour shines, 
 Acquires more wealth yea, more luxurious lives, 
 Than Brown or any of his rank receives ! 
 
 ********* 
 
 " Why do I pause the purpose to pursue 1 
 Honour and wealth are open to my view ! 
 I'll pass the stream the enemy inform 
 The swift design of Rensselaer to storm. 
 
 ********* 
 
 " 'Twill never do I must renounce the plan 
 The world in scorn contemns a treacherous man. 
 
 " I must these views restrain live mean, obscure ; 
 Loathsome the thought I'll never it endure ; 
 Peace, conscience ! peace ! thy meditations hold ! 
 Think of the pleasures purchas'd with the gold ! 
 
 " Why stand I pausing in my purpose slow ? 
 Wealth shall be mine I'll seek it of the foe !" 

 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 323 
 
 This said, with silent feet he made the shore, 
 And skiram'd the waters in a light skiff o'er ; 290 
 The Fiend was near, and aided him to pass, 
 Smoothing the waters to a stream of glass. 
 
 " Who interrupts the night V 1 The watch-guard 
 
 cried ; 
 
 " Friend !" soft the traitor in his turn replied ; 
 " A friend who comes to warn thee of a blow, 
 Prepar'd to smite thee with an overthrow ! 
 Guide me to Vincent, who commands the hold, 
 That I the brewing danger may unfold." 
 
 The parley ended, him the sentry led 
 To Vincent, late retiring to his bed ; 300 
 
 His troops for many hours had lost the world, 
 Its cares perplexing, in oblivion hurl'd, 
 Save Myers, his second officer to lead, 
 And Manners, valiant in the day of need. 
 
 Vincent abrupt : " Your character and name ?" 
 " My name is Arnold : from thy foe I came ; 
 F am of Arnold noted for the bold 
 But not to thee his courage need be told : 
 I hold the rank to wave a standard there ; 
 But now to you important things I bear." 310 
 
 He broach 'd his hell. Vincent in haste rejoins : 
 " I'm fix'd attention open their designs ! 
 Yes in your lineaments, I well descry 
 Your father's features and his very eye ; 
 His heart was steel and fire. I knew him well ; 
 I'm proud you visit us. The tidings tell."
 
 324 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 Thus he. Then Arnold brief : " The plan is 
 
 laid, 
 At sign of day, thy fortress to invade." 
 
 " I comprehend you not ! Said you at light, 
 That~those of Lewistown would storm the Height ? 
 It is not truth not possible indeed, 
 They'll boat the flood and to these rocks proceed ! 
 
 " I pray you speak what numbers they can form, 
 That I may guard against the coming storm." 
 
 " The volunteers of Strong are thousands two ; 
 But much I doubt their courage will be true ; 
 With Rensselaer, nine hundred warriors came ; 
 But death alone can overwhelm their name." 
 
 " They'll never dare the deed ! They'll see their 
 
 fault 
 
 They'll never dare to venture the assault ; 330 
 
 They 'tempt it, and they die. Yea sudden death 
 Will seize their heart, and strangle them beneath ! 
 Ere that a barge will ever touch the land, 
 Their bodies will be wash'd upon the strand, 
 Or feed the hungry monsters of the wave ; 
 The man that dares attempt, will find a grave ! 
 
 " My strength is equal to defend me now, 
 Against the utmost darings of the foe ; 
 But wisdom plans the future worst to guard, 
 Triumphal honours yields a proud reward. 340 
 
 " Manners, bound forth let lightning be thy speed ; 
 A moment now, no value can exceed ;
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 325 
 
 Fly to the Chippewa bid Calloose there, 
 With all his fighting men to this repair ; 
 And Myers, 'tis yours with rapidncss to hie 
 Down to fort George the same your embassy 
 There, you'll salute the royal-knighted Brock, 
 And make it known, they war upon the Rock ; 
 Urgent solicit him without delay 
 T ? advance, if possible, ere twilight day.'' 
 His chiefs, unanswering, his commands obey. 
 
 Turning to Arnold, hasty he began : 
 " As recompense that you reveal'd the plan, 
 A royal captain, I create you now ; 
 Thou art the shield that warded off the blow ; 
 Secure I thought myself against assault, 
 But thou hast taught me to correct my fault." 
 
 The traitor's bosom beat with prospects high ; 
 But Vincent wheeling, barr'd him from reply ; 
 From couch to couch, with spirit in his breast, 360 
 He call'd his warriors to forget their rest : 
 
 " Britons ! awake ! or never think to rise ! 
 The foe is bent to rush us in surprise ! 
 Shake off this mocking death ! Each part make sure 
 Against assault. Your royalty secure ; 
 The brass, that mock the thunder, charge with balls ! 
 Arise awake ! imperious duty calls ! 
 Each bosom be a rock, nor danger fear, 
 And death shall meet them for a messenger !" 
 They heard half dreaming from their slumbers 
 
 broke, 370 
 
 A wild emotion glaring every look. 
 28 VOL. ii.
 
 326 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 In Boston thus, at solemn time of night, 
 No object stirring save the meteor's flight, 
 Lo, through her proud Exchange a gorgeous pile 
 Of splendid halls, where numbers dream'd the while 
 Of ships return'd with India's merchandise ; 
 Of wealth abundant, from the lottery prize ; 
 Or rapture glancing from the eye of love ; 
 A cry of fire came thundering from above ! 
 Tumult abounding dreamers dash'd from bed, 380 
 Awak'd with horror and convuls'd with dread ! 
 
 So sprang the Albions from their slumberings forth, 
 To hear a tempest gathering into birth. 
 
 They drive with hurrying pulse and labouring 
 
 breath 
 
 In the brass mouths the canisters of death ; 
 Soon stand the engines planted with a frown, 
 Th' invading barges in the surf to drown, 
 Should any dare the stream whilst every soul 
 Impatient waits to hear the signal roll. 
 
 Till this, the waxing Moon with ivory horns 390 
 Had wash'd with silver light the hills and lawns ; 
 But now she sinks behind the mountain's height, 
 And leaves the world embrac'd in smoothing night. 
 
 Inconstant Moon ! farewell ! O, why so coy 
 To shine so sweet in heaven and swell with joy 
 My gazing soul and then, withdraw thy beam, 
 And mock my hope with a delusive dream ! 
 Farewell ! I cast thee from my bosom far, 
 And place my heart on some unchanging Star ; 
 At times, I thought thee wedded to my breast ; -400 
 When lo, thou hid'st thy beauty in the west !
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 327 
 
 Sad, with a tear I bid thy charms adieu, 
 To seek some lov'd one with affection true. 
 
 Come to my heart, thou Star, whose hallow'd ray 
 Hath never dwindled since creation's day ! 
 Maid of North ! How sweet the lovely Seven, 
 In mystick dance, swim round thy beams in heaven ! 
 My love is rapture. Thou hast mark'd mine eye 
 Pour on thy beauty, center 'd in the sky ! 
 Oft hath my soul gaz'd, worshipp'd thee alone, 410 
 Till my lips seem'd to kiss thee on thy throne ! 
 The Moon I name her not for thou art mine, 
 To make my tongue speak wonderous things divine ! 
 
 ********* 
 
 Where have I bent my thoughts ? O tell me 
 
 where ? 
 In heaven on earth 1 I'm lost in transports rare ! 
 
 Descend, O Muse, nor think that thou canst live 
 With deities, that light eternal give ! 
 Descend to earth, and leave this wildness high 
 Man is thy theme flesh ashes dust mortality. 
 
 ********* 
 
 At hour of midnight, strengthen'd in their mind, 420 
 Columbians rise to do the work design'd j 
 The chief impatient for the bold assay, 
 Passes the lines, that nothing might delay 
 To navigate the stream. With souls awake. 
 To brace their blood, of viands they partake ; 
 Their keen-edg'd appetite makes sweet the taste, 
 And not with idle forms the moments waste. 
 
 These brief instructions from the veteran come, 
 " In column form without the tell-tale drum,
 
 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 'Whose babbling echo would the foe alarm, 430 
 
 And place him ready with defensive arm." 
 
 Th' attentive warriors, with unsounding feet, 
 Move on the ground with spirit-motion fleet ; 
 In close-wedg'd column on the field they stand, 
 Fix'd in attention to receive command 
 To stem Niagara's torrent. Rensselaer 
 Approaches and gives musick to their ear : 
 
 " Warriors ! behold the shades of waning night 
 Fly off apace, to bring the welcome light 
 To loom the path, which leads to the emprise 440 
 When, steel in hand, we grapple for the prize ! 
 
 " Son of my brother,* thou wilt lead the van, 
 Tyger in battle, though in heart a man : 
 Float thy battalions in advancement o'er, 
 Six hundred strong, and land upon the shore. 
 Christie, display the same of equal worth, 
 And, in the charge, their gallantry put forth ; 
 Ascend the Heights with bayonets, lead, a shower j 
 Beat down the Cross, and let the Eagle tower. 449 
 
 " Scott, play the batteries. Baker, Towson, brave, 
 Supply him with your strength to guard the wave, 
 Should the foe, jealous, notice our design, 
 And strive with brass to sweep away the line. 
 
 " Ever a soldier for the worst should guard ; 
 For every evil be his mind prepar'd, 
 And then, no accident will cause surprise, 
 Should fires made hot with sudden whirlwinds rise." 
 
 Scarce this had ccho'd from his aged tongue, 
 AVhen Dexter, hurrying forth (an aid to Strong) 
 
 * Col. Van Rensselaer,
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 329 
 
 With rapid accents thus : " Sage Rensselaer ! 
 Lo, our intentions to the foe, I fear, 
 Are openly reveaPd ! Of our brigade, 
 Arnold the younger, to his ear has laid 
 The manner of attack ! Void is his post 
 Sad I forebode his character is lost ! 
 Oft have I heard him at his means deride ; 
 His whole campaign a day scarce satisfied." 
 
 Strong strengthen'd his report : " No doubt re 
 mains, 
 
 But he hath left us for corrupting gains ; 
 To slippery pleasures was the traitor given, 470 
 
 Whose votaries oft to desperate acts are driven." 
 
 While this was utter'd, every heart was dumb ; 
 The damping news made every nerve feel numb ; 
 'Twas like a blast, which, rising from the sand 
 Of burning desert, passes o'er the land, 
 Scorching the future harvest in its bloom, 
 Fill'd with contagion to supply the tomb ; 
 The peasant marks his hopes and labours lost ; 
 And through his blood perceives a creeping frost. 
 
 ********* 
 
 The younger Rensselaer at length express'd 480 
 The native passion stirring in his breast : 
 
 " My father's brother chief of ancient fame, 
 Never this treachery my heart shall tame ; 
 And let the traitor our intentions show ; 
 In open day I'll strike upon the foe ! 
 Yea should their thunders jar the wall'd-up shore, 
 And death flash round me in a blazing shower, 
 I'll move upon the Rock ! Instant, at dawn, 
 I'll pass the stream and lead the hope forlorn /" 
 28* VOL. ii.
 
 330 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 His voice breath'd valour Christie breath'd the 
 
 same, 490 
 
 Should all the battlements be wrapp'd in flame. 
 
 The general, after pausing : " Grief and joy 
 Mix in my breast, and make a strange alloy ; 
 My heart beats languid with a sinking pain, 
 That lurking treason should the army stain ; 
 But with divinity my feelings rise, 
 To see your souls the open war despise. 
 
 " Soldiers ! to arms ! Behold the morning star 
 Burns in the east, prelusive of the war! 
 Move to the purpose ! Without sound embark, 500 
 While yet the ebon night is shadowy dark ; 
 Soon mantling twilight with her sober gray 
 Will line the hills and drive the shades away." 
 
 Down the rough steep the columns silent turn, 
 While sparks of glory in their bosoms burn ; 
 Warm'd by that fire, with confidence they move 
 To pass Niagara, their bayonets prove ; 
 Christie leads next to Rensselaer the way ; 
 The boats are laden'd as the stars decay ; 
 Scott mans with thunder-men the battery strong, 510 
 Ready to speak with War's rebellowing tongue. 
 
 Meantime the Albions, rous'd upon the Height, 
 Waited in silence to reveal their might ; 
 And as day glimmer'd in the orient sky, 
 They mark'd the patriots on the waters nigh ! 
 
 " Level the engines ! See th' approaching foe ! 
 Outnoise Niagara, and bring them low ! 
 Let one deep blast appal them in their pride ; 
 Let volum'd flames consume them on the tide !"
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 331 
 
 Vincent commanded with impetuous look ; 520 
 The cannon answer'd heavy clouds of smoke 
 Mix'd with blue fire, roll forth. The deafening roar 
 Cradles the Height ! while flames in whirlwinds pour 
 Sweeping the craggy clifts. The valiant Scott 
 Peals his artillery with thunder note. 
 
 As when two mountains in the northern sea, 
 As though excited with an enmity, 
 Explode like JEtna. from their wombs beneath, 
 Each casting forth the violence of death, 
 The burning lava rocks made red with heat 530 
 Seem as they mix though heaven they'd desolate ; 
 Contending thunders mingle in the fray, 
 Like wreck of nature at the judgment day ; 
 Something like this explodes from either shore ; 
 The dread convulsion stills Niagara's roar. 
 
 The tumult rous'd the Fiend from his abode ; 
 His form he partial rais'd above the flood ; 
 His head, like summit of a mountain vast ; 
 His arms in hugeness like an admiral mast ; 
 Deep in the centre of his forehead high, 540 
 
 With horrid glare looks out his ghostly eye, 
 Round as the moon, and broad, as when through 
 
 blood 
 
 She travels to the east with murder'd brood 
 Of spectres in her train riding on fire, 
 And, as they wheel, flash, darken, and retire ; 
 His cavern mouth yawns horrible and drear, 
 Deep as the grave, in which his teeth appear 
 Like pointed rocks and, fearful as they gnash, 
 Sparkles of hell in circles round them flash.
 
 332 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 Unseen by mortal, thus the Fiend arose, 550 
 
 Intent the Freedom passage to oppose ; 
 He comes in wrath the barges to devour, 
 While round his brows the clouds of thunder lower. 
 
 But lo, Fredonia's ever-watchful eye 
 Beheld the Fiend from the ethereal sky ; 
 Swift she descended from the diamond sphere, 
 And touch'd his boiling breast with sacred spear, 
 Then, rose upon the wing ! 
 
 At once he shrinks 
 
 With earthquake groan beneath the wave he sinks ; 
 Convuls'd with pain, he spouts the waters high, 560 
 Which, for a moment, leaves the channel dry ; 
 Now crazy whirlpools, stirring from beneath, 
 Show him in torment with the pang of death. 
 
 Meantime the barges, laden with the brave, 
 Are borne like leaves of autumn on the wave; 
 Now, to the summit of the Height they reach, 
 Then, down they dash upon the rocky beach ; 
 In drunken eddies whirl ingly they rise 
 Full in the flame of all their enemies ! 
 
 Christie emleavour'd to inspire his men ; 570 
 
 Alas, despair in every face was seen ; 
 Lo, in the act to animate his band, 
 Dissever'd sinks his soul-exciting hand ; 
 Instant a cutting lead, from rifle sent, 
 Burnt in the bosom of the youthful Lent ! 
 Shivering he falls a fading lily pale, 
 Yet smiles his lip as his last pulses fail. 
 
 In giddy whirlwinds, back, without an oar, 
 Christie is dash'd and broken on the shore.
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 
 
 But Rensselaer, Ogilvie's barge beside, 580 
 
 And Wool, and Morris on the waters ride ; 
 Their leader prov'd his virtue : " Bend the oars, 
 And overcome the rage, and make the shores ! 
 Let fire unquenchable, in bosoms blaze ; 
 Your hearts, your souls, your every fibre, raise 
 To cast defiance back upon the flood ; 
 Dash to the beach, and drench the Heights in blood !" 
 
 Thus Rensselaer. Behold, an envious lead, 
 Glancing his bosom, lodg'd in Vallance' head ! 
 
 Recent the youth had left his mother's arms, 590 
 Blooming in loveliness with nature's charms ; 
 Alas, fond parent ! mark thy bleeding son ! 
 He shivers in his death ! his sands are run ; 
 His cheek has faded ere his prime begun ! 
 
 Widow'd and comfortless, O weep thy boy ! 
 He was thy morning song thy evening joy. 
 
 Indulge thy soul's deep sorrow on his bier, 
 And if thou canst, O shed the softening tear ; 
 Grief dries the fountain up. But raise thine eye- 
 Behold, he lives in immortality ! 600 
 
 As on from wave to wave the barges leap, 
 He falls with splashing in the foaming deep ; 
 Reckless of death unmindful of the roar, 
 The heroes dash upon the rocky shore, 
 And Rensselaer, wielding his brand exclaims : 
 
 " Climb climb the Heights and smother out the 
 flames ! 
 
 Do, while there's life !" 
 
 He fell upon the beach, 
 
 Of wounds fresh made, that check'd him in his 
 speech,
 
 334 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 Caus'd by four bullets driven from on high 
 
 Two pass'd the muscles of his dexter thigh ; 610 
 
 One pierc'd his hip, another cleft his heel ; 
 
 But still his soul indignant, scorn'd to kneel ; 
 
 He raises on his sword, and thus proceeds : 
 
 " Mount climb rush forward do immortal 
 
 deeds !" 
 
 He sunk and fainted with the loss of blood ; 
 But lo, his voice was to the mind as food 
 To hungry tygers. Shouting high, they climb 
 The rocky steep with spirits touch'd sublime : 
 Vincent observes and rushes from his hold, 
 And fills the defile with his veterans bold ; 620 
 
 In vain the patriots strive with steel to pass ; 
 They fall before the flames like summer grass 
 Before the mowers sweeping down the field ; 
 Yet they, a time, the desperation held ! 
 
 At length, they slow behind the rocks retire, 
 And shun the burning pestilence of fire. 
 
 Wool from the defile leads a wounded youth 
 Morris, renown'd for literature and truth, 
 And all the virtues that adorn the heart ; 
 But ah, the roses from his cheeks depart ; 630 
 
 Above his collar bone, the rent is made ; 
 The ball glanc'd outward through his shoulder blade. 
 
 He pours his dying voice ; " Mourn not my death ; 
 In Glory's lap I render up my breath ! 
 This bed of battle-earth yields softer rest, 
 Than down that ever warm'd a cygnet's breast ; 
 But O, my friends, make vict'ry of my death, 
 And I shall sleep with pleasure on the heath ;
 
 INVASION OF CANADA. 335 
 
 My hovering spirit with a brightening smile, 
 
 Will mark your banner waving on the hill ! 640 
 
 **##**#** 
 
 " Alas, what brings this dew upon mine eye ? 
 What cause subdues my bosom with a sigh 1 
 
 li O, is it thee ! thou worship of my soul, 
 That wrings my heart, and makes these sorrows roll ? 
 Ah, now death-pains I feel ! Our parting vow 
 Methinks I hear it, whispering to me now, 
 What thou with weeping said : 
 
 " ' O Edward, cold- 
 Cold as the rock cold as the dark brown mould 
 On which this brow will rest, wilt thou become, 
 And all for which I live, will slumber in the tomb ! 650 
 In dream of night alas I soon shall hear 
 Thy hovering spirit whisper in mine ear, 
 
 And tell me how thou died !' 
 
 " Thy quivering tongue, 
 
 No more could speak thy soul but O, thine eye 
 Shot through my heart the glance of agony ! 
 
 " Fly O my Spirit ! to her bosom fly 
 Visit her dream, and tell her how I die ; 
 Speak of my fame in death of heaven above ; 
 And whisper sweet, that my last word was love ; 
 O, that will chase delirium from her brain, 660 
 
 Whilst cold I slumber with the honour'd slain." 
 
 This having whisper' d as to heaven in prayer ; 
 Her sacred image, as an angel fair, 
 He drew from out his bosom : " O, that eye 
 Contains the living beauty of the sky ! 
 That forehead crowu'd with love, that neck of snow, 
 Round which, like golden mist, thy ringlets flow !
 
 336 FREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 That cheek, to which the morning blush is given, 
 
 Expressing rich, the workmanship of heaven ! 
 
 These dewy lips, like rose-buds born in May, 670 
 
 Round which the graces in sweet dimples play ; 
 
 The breath, that issues from that hallow'd mouth, 
 
 Is far more spicy than th' Arabian south ; 
 
 A seraph would delight to own these charms ; 
 
 How sweet to die within an angel's arms ! 
 
 *###**#* 
 " My bosom fails of life. Cold on my brow 
 
 I feel death's dampness cold as drops of snow ! 
 
 Thy matchless beauty hath delay'd his dart 
 
 But now, my soul is fluttering at my heart ! 
 
 Yet, O, this luxury of a parting kiss, 680 
 
 To death administers an holy bliss ! 
 
 ##*#***#* 
 " Sweet sweet in death ! faint, fluttering, dizzy, 
 dark 
 
 Love " stammer'd on his tongue 
 
 Th' ethereal spark 
 
 Forsook its gory tenement of clay, 
 
 And flew, exulting, to the realms of day. 
 
 Not otherwise the beams of heaven had shone 
 
 Warm on, a rose, till half its sweets were known ; 
 
 A passing virgin caught it in her eye, 
 
 Impearl'd with dew, that glitter'd to the sky, 
 
 She rudely seiz'd it for a nosegay rare ; 690 
 
 Its beauties fell it witherd perish'd there. 
 So Morris fled the region of the sun ; 
 
 Cut down and withered, ere the hour of noon. 
 
 Instant the patriots saw the youth expire, 
 It touch'd their bosoms with a quenchless fire
 
 INVASION OP CANADA. 
 
 337 
 
 To brave the worst of death ! Ogilvie said, 
 (Who now commanded) " Morris, hath he bled, 
 Vain in the cause 1 His last his dying breath 
 Was ' O my friends, make vict'ry of my death !' 
 And is there none to quicken into flame, 700 
 
 And mount the Heights and grasp the prize of fame 1" 
 " Yes !" (Gansevoort answer'd,) " Cautious on 
 
 the right, 
 
 I'll scale these rocks ascend the dizzy Height, 
 And storm the fort ! The foe shall be defied 
 I'll do the deed, with Randolph by my side. 
 Rush you the charge, when we the signal shout, 
 Then, with the bayonet, will we strike them out." 
 
 " Spoke like thyself ! I'll watch th' important 
 
 time, 
 
 The daring action will thy name sublime ! 
 Forth, when we hear your shouting on the Height, 
 We'll clear yon pass, or pour our blood in fight." 711 
 
 Brief was Ogilvie's voice. The chosen few, 
 Slow climbing up the cliffs, their art pursue. 
 Like mountain goats, they scale the beetling rocks 
 With bayonets pointing death ! From springing locks 
 The flints were loos'd that, on the steel alone 
 They fix their faith to strike their foemen down. 
 
 Behold, they gain the summit of the Height, 
 And, shouting high the signal of the fight, 
 Down, down they rush, like meteors from above, 720 
 When brewing tempests round the mountains move ! 
 
 The Britons stand, like poplars on the heath, 
 Shivering in storm, to hear the shout of death 
 29 VOL. ii.
 
 PREDONIAD. CANTO XX. 
 
 Ere scatter'd thought returns, icy, they feel, 
 Full to the hilt, the cold, the pointed steel ! 
 
 Ogilvie rushes forward at the call, 
 In proud defiance of the showering ball 
 From those, who fill the defile ! on they hie, 
 Like whirlwinds gathering from their infancy. 
 The Albions break then, rally to the fight, 730 
 
 Like tygers darting on their prey at night. 
 Ogilvio wounded, falls upon his knee 
 But still his voice alarms the eneny ! 
 Gansevoort applies to conquer'd brass the fires, 
 And Vincent, reeling, with his strength retires. 
 Down from the skies, the Albion Cross is driven 
 The Stars are floating on the breeze in heaven ! 737 
 
 END OF VOL. II
 
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