THE SKY LARK, &c, Song

Unfold, Father Time, thy long records unfold Of noble atchievements accomplish'd of old; When men, by the standard of liberty led, Undauntedly conquer'd, or cheerfully bled; But know 'midst the triumphs these moments reveal, Their glories shall fade, and their lustre turn pale; Whilst France rises up and confirms the decree, That tears off her chains, and bids millions be free.

As spring to the fields, or as dew to the flower, To the earth parch'd with heat as the soft dropping shower; As health to the wretch that lies languid and wan, Or as rest to the weary is freedom to man: Where freedom the light of her countenance gives, There only he revels, there only he lives; Seize then the glad moment, and hail the decree, That bids millions rejoice, and a nation be free.

Too long had oppression and terror entwin'd, Those fancy form'd chains that enslave the free mind; Whilst dark superstition with nature at strife And lock'd up for ages the fountains of life: But the daemons are fled, the delusion is past, And reason and virtue have conquer'd at last: Seize then the glad moment, and hail the decree, That bids millions rejoice, and a nation be free.

France! we share in the rapture thy bosom that fills, Whilst the spirit of Liberty bounds o'er thy hills. Redundant, henceforth, may thy purple juice flow, Prouder wave thy green woods, and thine olive trees grow: For thy brows may the hand of philosophy twine, Blest emblems! the myrtle, the olive and vine; And Heaven thro' all ages confirm the decree, That tears off thy chain, and bids millions be free.