[153] This period comprises the time between the poet's abandonment of the _Time-Piece_ in New York in 1798, and his final farewell to the sea, which was, in reality, in 1807. During this time Freneau lived in retirement at Mount Pleasant, making now and then voyages along the southern coast and to the Madeira Islands. The poems of the period dwell largely on the dangers of monarchy. He became more and more philosophical as he grew older. He delighted in his leisure hours to translate from the old Latin writers, and to make moralizing verses of a somewhat tedious nature. I have omitted all of the translations of this period and most of the moralizings. [154] Freneau sailed as passenger to Charleston, January 3, 1798, and arrived on February 3, after a rough voyage. He sailed back from Charleston in the ship _Maria_, March 7, arriving in New York one week later. Text from the 1815 edition. ODE TO THE AMERICANS[155] That the progress of liberty and reason in the world is slow and gradual; but, considering the present state of things, and the light of science universally spreading, that it cannot be long impeded, or its complete establishment prevented.--1798 They who survey the human stage, In reason's view; through time's past age, Will find, whatever nature plann'd Came, first, imperfect from her hand, Or what ourselves imperfect call; In nature's eye, though perfect all-- To man she gave to improve, adorn; But let him halt--and all things turn To assume their wild primeval cast, The growth of a neglected waste. Yond' stately trees, so fresh and fair, That now such golden burthens bear, Were once mean shrubs that, far from view, In desert woods, unthrifty grew. Man saw the seeds of something good In these rude children of the wood; Apply'd the knife, and pruned with care, Till art has made them what they are. With curious eye, search history's page, And Man observe, through every age; At first a mere barbarian, he Bore nothing good, (like that wild tree). At length by thought and reason's aid, Reflection piercing night's dark shade, Improvements gain'd, by slow advance Direction, not the work of chance. Forsaking, first, the savage den And fellow-beasts less fierce than men, New plans they form'd for war or power, And sunk the ditch and raised the tower. In course of years the human mind, Advancing slow proved more refined, Less brutal in external show, But native mischief lurk'd below. Despots and kings begun their part, And millions fell by rules of art; Or malice, rankling all the while, Lay hid beneath the treacherous smile. Religion brought her potent aid To kings, their subjects to degrade-- Religion!--to profane your name The hag of superstition came, And seized your place, the world to ensnare, A bitter harvest doom'd to bear! And priests, or history much deceives, Turn'd aide-de-camps to sceptred thieves.