"My prowess is almost adored, "I blunt the edge of Orion's sword; "I seize Aquarius by the throat, "Nor care for Libra, or the Goat. "My word is, when I meet my foes, "Here's to the Lucky Wind that blows! "And, instant, all is sighs and groans, "And battered heads, and broken bones. "I now reward you for your spite-- "I draw my weapon--see, how bright! "My last exploit in war I crown, "And thus--and thus--I throw you down! "Ah, miscreant! why that scream of death? "I only meant to--draw your teeth!-- "Oh no!--I scorn to take your life-- "Go, Madam,--be a prudent wife. "But, lady, I would have you know "You lose your arrows and your bow: "They are indeed of slender make, "And, in your hands might kill a rake: "So, to prevent such fatal harms, "I leave you destitute of arms-- "I now must go!"--he, laughing, said, And vanished to the Stygian shade. This contest with Megara done, Thou dear, defeated Amazon!-- As happy, now, as man can be, I hang my pen on yonder tree: It only asks one day of rest, It yields to every changing blast-- Yes--let it stay suspended there, And strike My Colours--if you dare! [119] I have found no trace of this outside of the 1809 edition. THE REPUBLICAN FESTIVAL[120] In Compliment to Colonel Munroe, on his return to America, 1797 As late at a feast that she gave to Munroe, Her mark of attention to show, Young liberty gave her libations to flow, To honor where honor is due. Return'd from the country that trampled on crowns Where high in opinion he stood, Dark malace attack'd him, with sneers, and with frowns, But he met the applause of the good. To the Knight of the Sceptre unwelcome he came But freedom his merit confess'd-- He look'd at their malice, and saw it was fame, And pity forgave them the rest. Good humor, and pleasure, and friendship did join, And reason the pleasure increased; And the hero, who captured the British Burgoyne, Presided and honor'd the feast. On a broomstick from hell, with a quill in his hand, Baal-Zephou came riding the air; He look'd, and he saw that among the whole band Not a single apostate was there. Disappointed, he sigh'd, but still hover'd about Till the toasts, with a vengeance, began-- He met the first four; when the next they gave out[A] To his cavern he fled back again. [A] Public censure, arm'd with the spear of Ithurial: may it discover the demons of tyranny, wherever they lurk, and pursue them to their native obscurity.--_Freneau's note._ In liberty's temple, the petulant cur Could see not a man but he hates; With a curse on her cause, and a sneer, and a spur He fled from the frown of a Gates.