Where old Indostan still perfumes the skies, To furious strife his ardent myriads rise; Fierce Hyder there, unconquerably bold, Bids a new flag its horned moons unfold, Spreads o'er Carnatic kings his splendid force, And checks the Britons in their waiting course. Europe's pacific powers their counsels join, The laws of trade to settle and define. The imperial Moscovite around him draws Each Baltic state to join the righteous cause; Whose arm'd Neutrality the way prepares To check the ravages of future wars; Till by degrees the wasting sword shall cease, And commerce lead to universal peace. Thus all the ancient world with anxious eyes Enjoy the lights that gild Atlantic skies, Wake to new life, assume a borrow'd flame, Enlarge the lustre and partake the fame. So mounts of ice, that polar heavens invade, Tho piled unseen thro night's long wintry shade. When morn at last illumes their glaring throne, Give back the day and imitate the sun. But still Columbus, on his war-beat shore, Sees Albion's fleets her new battalions pour; The states unconquer'd still their terrors wield, And stain with mingled gore the embattled field. On Pennsylvania's various plains they move, And adverse armies equal slaughter prove; Columbia mourns her Nash in combat slain, Britons around him press the gory plain; Skirmish and cannonade and distant fire Each power diminish and each nation tire. Till Howe from fruitless toil demands repose, And leaves despairing in a land of foes His wearied host; who now, to reach their fleet, O'er Jersey hills commence their long retreat, Tread back the steps their chief had led before, And ask in vain the late abandon'd shore, Where Hudson meets, the main; for on their rear Columbia moves; and checks their swift career. But where green Monmouth lifts his grassy height, They halt, they face, they dare the coming fight. Howe's proud successor, Clinton, hosting there, To tempt once more the desperate chance of war, Towers at their head, in hopes to work relief, And mend the errors of his former chief. Here shines his day; and here with loud acclaim Begins and ends his little task of fame. He vaults before them with his balanced blade, Wheels the bright van, and forms the long parade; Where Britons, Hessians crowd the glittering field, And all their powers for ready combat wield. As the dim sun, beneath the skirts of even, Crimsons the clouds that sail the western heaven; So, in red wavy rows, where spread the train Of men and standards, shone the fateful plain.