Where lies thy strength, my Country--where alone?
Let ages past declare--
Nay, let thine own brief history make known,
Thy sure dependence, where.
'Tis not in boasting--that's the poltroon's wit,
The coward's shield of glass,
A coin whose surface, silver's counterfeit,
With fools alone shall pass.
'Tis not in threats--these are the weapons light
Of brutes, and not of men:
A barking dog's despised; but if he bite,
Wo to his clamors then!
'Tis not in bargains made to cover wrong!
There open weakness lies;
A righteous cause is in itself most strong,
And needs no compromise.
Ten thousand bulwarks which should mock the might
Of armies compassing,
Secure not those, who hold one human right
A secondary thing.
There are some souls so fearful to offend,
They lay their courage low;
And sooner trample o'er a prostrate friend,
Than fail t' embrace a foe.
Safety proceeds from Him alone who lays
Foundations formed to last:
This simple truth concentres all the rays
Of all the ages past.
Th' omnipotence of right, its own shall save,
Though hell itself oppose;
One faithful Abdiel may fearless brave
Unnumbered rebel foes.
Faith, Freedom, Conscience--these are words which give
The true metallic ring!
For these to _die_, were evermore to _live_--
Man's noblest offering.
Rise, then! Columbia's sacred rights restore!
Bid all her foes to flee,
Or perish! Then shall Washington once more
His country's Father be.
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