ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOK.
Distresses of the American army. Prayer of Washington. The Goddess Liberty appears to him, and brings him consolation. Arrival of the French forces under Rochambeau, and march of the united troops to York-town. Soliloquy of lord Cornwallis, and speech to his officers. His lordship's determination to defend York-town. Washington's address to his forces. Death of colonel Scammell.
Now had the slow-pac'd wain of sable night
Ascended heaven's mid-steep, and in her train
The starry host with all their glittering gems
Spangled the expanse; now was creation hush'd
In the soft dews of sleep, all but the mind
Of great Columbia's chieftain, him no sleep
But anxious care possess'd, and troubled thoughts
How he might shield his country from those ills
Which now on every side assail'd her round;
E'en in his very camp disease had spread
So thick her noisome vapours, that he fear'd
No efforts on his part could save the rest
From the grim jaws of death, and to these ills
Were added mutiny, and discontent,
Whose clamorous tongues pervaded all the camp: 15 Nor wanted cause; oft without food, or clothes, Expos'd to all the inclemencies of sky,
Nor day, nor night, nor season brought relief.
E'en Congress' self unable to supply
The army's wants, was yet perforce impell'd
To adopt such measures as necessity,
Not prudence dictates, and increas'd tenfold
The evil that was meant to remedy.
Pondering on these, and various other ills,
Thus to the Almighty Being the hero pray'd;
"Almighty Power! who on the human breast
Didst from the first ingrave the sacred love
Of thy celestial freedom, making man
After thy likeness! Oh! in mercy spare,
Benignant Being! in mercy spare our sins.
Thou know'st how often, and how fervently
My soul hath yearn'd for peace; how oft essay'd
To stop the effusion of the human blood;
Alas! thou know'st how vain; in thee alone
I put my trust; Oh! guide my crring thoughts, 35 Teach me to know thy will, and to obey
That will when known, that thus the path of right
21. To adopt such measures &c.-Compare the note at b. i. ver. 275; and Ramsay, ii. 222--5. "In addition to the dis asters from short crops, and depreciating money, disorder and confusion pervaded the departments for supplying the army. Systems for these purposes had been hastily adopted, and were very inadequate to the end proposed," &c. Ib. 188. See Life of W. iii. 40-3. " Mistaking a real depreciation of money for the extortion of avarice on the wants of the publick, an attempt was made, under the recommendation of Congress, to limit prices by law; and this limitation, if persisted in, would once more have produced a famine," &c. lb. 403-4. See iv. 245-7. 256. 264-7., where Washington complains of the defects of the State system, and the consequent want of power in Congress. "I see one head gradually changing into thirteen. I see one army branching into thir teen; and instead of looking up to Congress as the supreme controuling power of the United States, considering themselves as dependent on their respective states," &c. See 361.
May lead to virtue, happiness, and thee.
But if thy justice must o'ertake our sins
Thy will, Omnipotent! thy will be done."
Thus pray'd the chief, when to his ravish'd eyes
A radiant form appear'd, whose lucid robe
Flow'd to her feet, while all around was pour'd
Ambrosial fragrance; and with voice divine
Thus she address'd Columbia's pious Chief;
"Beloved Son! thy virtuous prayer is heard,
And now by Heaven's all-wise decree I come,
To shield Columbia from her numerous foes,
And by thy means to give to future men
Freedom's eternal boon; the time shall come
When e'en thy foes, who now with madden'd ire
Break the first precept of their heavenly guide,
And do themselves to others what themselves
Would not be done unto; the time shall come
When they with loudest voice, and gratitude
Shall hail fair freedom's orb; that orb once risen
Shall never set, but shall eternal shine
Diffusing light, and love throughout the world.
But evils yet must pass, before that time
That blessed time arrive, for happiness
Lies up the steeps of pain. But now attend,
While to thy gladden'd heart I pour fresh balm
Of joy and comfort; Britain's haughty flag,
That rul'd despotick o'er that element
Which Heaven gave free to man, thus making power, And right synonymous, has dared provoke
Russia's great empress to defend the laws
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