[C] Two great rivers of Germany; here metaphorically designating the Austrian and Prussian powers.—Ib.
[D] The Turkish fortress of Ismael, in 1786, stormed by the Russian army. After carrying it by assault, upwards of 30,000 persons, men, women, and children were slaughtered by the Russian barbarians, in less than three hours.—Ib.
Ye nations brave, so long rever'd,
Whom Rome, in all her glory, fear'd;
Whose stubborn souls no tyrant broke
To bow the neck to Cæsar's yoke—
Scythians! whom Romans never chain'd;
Germans! that unsubdued remain'd,
Ah! see your sons, a sordid race,
With despots leagu'd, to their disgrace
Aid the base cause that you abhor,
And hurl on France the storm of war.
Our bold attempts shake modern Rome,
She bids her kindred despots come;
From Italy her forces draws
To waste their blood in Tarquin's cause:
A hundred hords of foes advance,
Embodying on the verge of France;
'Mongst these, to guide the flame of war,
I see Porsenna's[E] just a score,
While from the soil, by thousands, spring
Scevola's[F] to destroy each king.
[E] An ancient king of Etruria who took Tarquin's part against the Romans.—Freneau's note.
[F] Scevola, who attempted the life of Porsenna in his own camp, but failed.—Ib.
O Rome! what glory you consign
To those who court your ancient fame!
Frenchmen, like Romans, now shall shine,
And copying them, their ancient honours claim.
O France, my native clime, my country dear,
While youth remains, may I behold you free,
Each tyrant crush'd, no threatening despot near
To endanger Liberty!
By you unfetter'd be all human kind,
No slaves on earth be known
And man be blest, in friendship join'd,
From Tyber to the Amazon!
[67] The Philadelphia General Advertiser of May 21, 1793, reports in full the "Republican dinner" given Genet, May 18, at which about one hundred citizens were present, chiefly "French, French-Americans, officers of the Frigate l'Embuscade, etc." The following is from this report:
"After the third toast [The United States], an elegant ode, suited to the occasion, and composed by Citizen Pichon, a young Frenchman of promising abilities, was read by Citizen Duponceau, and universally applauded. The society, on motion, ordered that Citizen Freneau should be requested to translate it into English verse, and that the original and translation should be published. The society also unanimously voted that Citizen Pichon should be recommended to the notice of the Minister."
The French version of the Ode appeared in the Advertiser on May 27; the translation was printed May 31. Both ode and translation were published in the edition of 1795, the text of which I have followed. It was not republished in 1809. Following is the French text as it appeared in the Advertiser: