So shall mankind, through endless years, admire Where lives the nation, fraught with such resource, Such vast materials for a naval force? Where grow so rife, the iron, masts, and spars, The hemp, the timber, and the daring tars? 565 Through every zone, more hardy, strong, and bold? Let other climes of other produce boast; Let gold, let diamonds, grow on India's coast: 570 Let flaming suns from arid plains exhale The spicy odours of Arabia's gale : Let fragant shrubs, that bloom in regions calm, Far-fam'd for beauty, strength, and matchless speed: 580 But men, Columbia, be thy fairer growth, Men of firm nerves, who spurn at fear and sloth; Men of high courage, like their sires of old, In labour patient, as in dangers bold! Then wake, Columbia! daughter of the skies, 585 Awake to glory, and to greatness rise ! Arise and spread thy virgin charms abroad, Thou last, thou fairest offspring of a God; Extend thy view where future blessings lie, And ope new prospects for th' enraptur'd eye! 590 See a new æra on this globe begun, And circling years in brighter orbits run; See the fair dawn of universal peace, When hell-born discord through the world shall cease! Commence the task assign❜d by heaven's decree, 595 From pirate rage to vindicate the sea! Bid thy live oaks, in southern climes that grow, And pines, that shade the northern mountain's brow, In mighty pomp descending on the main, G 600 Thy rising stars in unknown skies display, Bid from the shore a philanthropic band, 605 610 Bid thy young sons, whom toil for glory forms, New skill acquiring, learn to brave the storms, To ev'ry region thy glad harvest bear 615 Where happy nations breathe a milder air; And pant and faint beneath a flood of day; Or through those seas where mounts of ice arise, 620 Where feeble rayless suns obliquely roll, Or one long night invests the frozen pole. Then bid thy northern train, who draw the line, And bid thy youths, whose brawny limbs are strung For bolder toils, pursue those toils unsung- 630 635 A joyful vict'ry, or a mournful fate: His meas'ring eye the distance now explores, His voice now checks, and now impels the oars: 640 The panting crew a solemn silence keep, Lash'd into foam, and colour'd red with blood! 645 650 655 660 Fraught with the germe of wealth, our seamen roam Th' assembled produce crowds the merchant's store: 665 On our full boards in rich profusion meet; The lilacs blush, the damask roses bloom; 670 675 |