Columbia's Safety.
Where lies thy strength, my Country—where alone?
Let ages past declare—
Nay, let thine own brief history make known,
Thy sure dependence, where.
'Tis not in boasting—that's the poltroon's wit,
The coward's shield of glass,
A coin whose surface, silver's counterfeit,
With fools alone shall pass.
'Tis not in threats—these are the weapons light
Of brutes, and not of men:
A barking dog's despised; but if he bite,
Wo to his clamors then!
'Tis not in bargains made to cover wrong!
There open weakness lies;
A righteous cause is in itself most strong,
And needs no compromise.
Ten thousand bulwarks which should mock the might
Of armies compassing,
Secure not those, who hold one human right
A secondary thing.
There are some souls so fearful to offend,
They lay their courage low;
And sooner trample o'er a prostrate friend,
Than fail t' embrace a foe.
Safety proceeds from Him alone who lays
Foundations formed to last:
This simple truth concentres all the rays
Of all the ages past.
Th' omnipotence of right, its own shall save,
Though hell itself oppose;
One faithful Abdiel may fearless brave
Unnumbered rebel foes.
Faith, Freedom, Conscience—these are words which give
The true metallic ring!
For these to die, were evermore to live—
Man's noblest offering.
Rise, then! Columbia's sacred rights restore!
Bid all her foes to flee,
Or perish! Then shall Washington once more
His country's Father be.