We present this work in honor of National Freedom Day.

 

See the concomitants of baleful war,
Famine, and pestilence, and wild uproar!
Mark how they hover o’er Columbia’s head,
Mingling her heroes with the mighty dead!
Portentous omens with terrific glare!
Stamp on the breast the horrors of despair!
War, desolating war, stalks o’er the land,
And in his ranks appear a murd’rous band;
They shake the leaden spear and death pervades,
At whose dire touch undaunted valour fades!
The hostile grounds by slaughter covered o’er,
Mountains and vallies reek with human gore!
While agonized shrieks, and groans of death,
Torture the air and swell the ling’ring breath.
Dire is the scene, with various woes replete,
When rage and malice they insatiate meet.
Look down great God, our wand’ring steps explore,
The golden hours of harmony restore,
Give dark suspicion, baneful bird of night,
Far from our plains to wing its distant flight,
To climes congenial, some chaotic shore,
Where it can vex this younger world no more;
And when each hour shall be with concord crown’d,
When laughing confidence looks gaily round,
Contentment will advance her fair domain,
And peace unrival’d o’er our borders reign.