ODE TO INDEPENDENCE.

Thy spirit, Independence! let me share,

Lord of the lion-heart and eagle-eye;

Thy steps I follow with my bosom bare,

Nor heed the storm that howls along the sky.

Deep in the frozen regions of the north,

A goddess violated brought thee forth,

Immortal Liberty, whose look sublime,

Hath bleach'd the tyrant's cheek in every varying clime.

What time the iron-hearted Gaul,

With frantic Superstition for his guide,

Arm'd with the dagger and the pall,

The sons of Woden to the field defied;

The ruthless hag, by Weser's flood,

In Heaven's name urged the infernal blow,

And red the stream began to flow:

The vanquished were baptised with blood!