Stanzas to the Citizen General Dumourier

Herald of Freedom to the fertile plains, For ages spoil'd by Austria's tyrant sway, Amidst deliver'd Belgia's choral strains, Accept the tribute of a Briton's lay; 'Till some rapt poet build thy lofty rhime, That bears thy well-earn'd glory down the tide of time.

Champion of France, yet not to France confin'd, Awaking Europe hails her patriot son, 'Tis thine to combat for oppress'd mankind, And shake in every clime, a lawless throne. From Gallia's shore shall Freedom's triumph sound, To the new world the frantic Grecian never found.

In vain ambition fir'd his eager youth, For slaughter'd nations prov'd no birth divine, Tho' flattery mock'd the solem style of truth, And genius brought her gifts to fortune's shrine, Lur'd by the glare she grac'd a worthless name, And deck'd a prosp'rous robber with the wreaths of fame.

So oft emblazon'd in the classic page, Has Latian valor gain'd the Muse's praise, Yet calmly view'd in time's maturer age, Rome's patriot virtue shines with feeble rays; Virtue that never knew for man to glow; But dragg'd in haughty triumph e'en a supliant foe.

Not abject thus did Belgia's sons appear, To swell the triumphs the glad people throng, Of freedom's equal laws with transport hear, And shout to fav'ring heav'n one grateful song. In that blest hour what joys 'twere thine to know. Reason's pure joys, that plunder'd worlds could ne'er bestow.