Of these the first, the Gallic sages stand, And urge their king to lift an aiding hand. The cause of humankind their souls inspired, Columbia's wrongs their indignation fired; To share her fateful deeds their counsel moved, To base in practice what in theme they proved: That no proud privilege from birth can spring, No right divine, nor compact form a king; That in the people dwells the sovereign sway, Who rule by proxy, by themselves obey; That virtues, talents are the test of awe, And Equal Rights the only source of law. Surrounding heroes wait the monarch's word, In foreign fields to draw the patriot sword, Prepared with joy to join those infant powers, Who build republics on the western shores. By honest guile the royal ear they bend, And lure him on, blest Freedom to defend; That, once recognised, once establisht there, The world might learn her profer'd boon to share. But artful arguments their plan disguise, Garb'd in the gloss that suits a monarch's eyes. By arms to humble Britain's haughty power, From her to sever that extended shore, Contents his utmost wish. For this he lends His powerful aid, and calls the opprest his friends. The league proposed, he lifts his arm to save, And speaks the borrow'd language of the brave: Ye states of France, and ye of rising name Who work those distant miracles of fame, Hear and attend; let heaven the witness bear, We wed the cause, we join the righteous war. Let leagues eternal bind each friendly land, Given by our voice, and stablisht by our hand; Let that brave people fix their infant sway, And spread their blessings with the bounds of day. Yet know, ye nations; hear, ye Powers above, Our purposed aid no views of conquest move; In that young world revives no ancient claim Of regions peopled by the Gallic name; Our envied bounds, already stretch'd afar, Nor ask the sword, nor fear encroaching war; But virtue, coping with the tyrant power That drenches earth in her best children's gore, With nature's foes bids former compact cease; We war reluctant, and our wish is peace; For man's whole race the sword of France we draw; Such is our will, and let our will be law. He spoke; his moving armies veil'd the plain, His fleets rode bounding on the western main; O'er lands and seas the loud applauses rung, And war and union dwelt on every tongue. The other Bourbon caught the splendid strain, To Gallia's arms he joins the powers of Spain; Their sails assemble; Crillon lifts the sword, Minorca bows and owns her ancient lord. But while dread Elliott shakes the Midland wave, They strive in vain the Calpian rock to brave. Batavia's states with equal speed prepare Thro western isles to meet the naval war; For Albion there rakes rude the tortured main, And foils the force of Holland, France and Spain.