FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY

[WRITTEN IN 1812]

Should justice call to battle,

The applauding shout we’d raise;

A million swords would leave their sheath,

A million bayonets blaze.

The stern resolve, the courage high,

The mind untam’d by ill,

The fires that warmed our leader’s breast

His followers bosoms fill.

Our fathers bore the shock of war;

Their sons can bear it still!

The same ennobling spirit

That kindles valor’s flame,

That nerves us to a war of right,

Forbids a war of shame;

For not in Conquest’s impious train

Shall Freedom’s children stand;

Nor shall in guilty fray be raised

The high-souled warrior’s hand.

Nor shall the patriot draw the sword

At Gallia’s proud command.

No! by our fathers’ ashes,

And by their sacred cause,

The Gaul shall never call us slaves,

Shall never give us laws;

Even let him from a swarming fleet

Debark his veteran host,

A living wall of patriot hearts

Shall fence the frowning coast,-

A bolder race than generous Spain,

A better cause we boast.