[190] This poem appeared in the _Journal_, September 4, 1782, in answer to the following, which had been published in the _Gazetteer_, August 31, 1782: "MR. OSWALD: _Please give the following Lines, addressed to the_ Foe to Malice, _a Place in your useful Paper; in order to convince this great_ Poet (_who never borrowed a Line in his Life_) _how easy it is to take his Battery, and turn it against himself_. A FOE TO TYRANTS. "When in the Bark, the unskilful Pilot raves, And lets her drive amidst conflicting waves; The free-born Landsmen rous'd, complain, and cry. What Pilot's this, on whom we can't rely? We're wreck'd, undone, and driven on the shore, Unless you quit the helm, and steer no more. The Pilot, conscious of the mischief done, Not knowing what to do, or where to run, Lurks to his hole, astonish'd and aghast, Dreading the moment that must be his last. The tempest o'er--his terrors also fled, Once more upon the deck he shews his head, At once grown brave, he tells the people too, He did for them, whatever man could do. But cease thy boasting--Freemen all will think, A Bark thus manag'd, in the deep must sink. "A FOE TO TYRANTS--ne'er receiv'd a Bribe, Nor Gold ador'd, nor stuck to Johnston's side; With malice stupid, ev'ry line must show, The man that's Johnston's friend is not thy foe. What wond'rous fancy urg'd thy genius bright, To speak of Churchill--as if thou coud'st write; To shine in _borrow'd plumes_, with base design, And to oblivion worthy men consign. Reptiles and Dogs, and all those dreary things, Bespeak the mind from whence such slander springs; Dirt thou may'st throw--the dunce's last retreat, For none but dunces will thy lines repeat. Not Churchill's wreathes, but hick'ry withes will do, To twine thy brows, and lace thy jacket too; Leave thy friend R----, we've had enough of him, For abler Pilots live the Bark to trim. What! if a thousand JOES should wince and bawl, One honest JACK would make amends for all." [191] The title in the edition of 1786 was "To the Foe to Tyrants," and in 1795 "To Shylock Ap-Shenkin." Freneau translates the stanza from Horace as follows: "A dog, cowardly against wolves, yet molests strangers that have no quarrel with him--approach, whelp, and attack us, who are able to dash your teeth down your throat." [192] "Vile as they are, this lukewarm Tory crew."--_Ed. 1786._ [193] "And round your neck the wythe or halter twine, And be the office of the hangman mine."--_Ed. 1786._ [194] "Blockheads in power or traitors in disgrace."--_Ed. 1786._ TO THE CONCEALED ROYALIST[195] On His Farewell "I will meet you, Brutus, at Philippi."--_Roman History._