FAREWELL to the Land where the gloom of my Glory Arose and o'ershadow'd the earth with her name -- She abandons me now -- but the page of her story, The brightest or blackest, is fill'd with my fame. I have warr'd with a world which vanquish'd me only When the meteor of conquest allured mo too far; I have coped with the nations which dread me thus lonely, The last single Captive to millions in war. Farewell to thee, France! when thy diadem crown'd me, I made thee the gem and the wonder of earth, -- But thy weakness decrees I should leave as I found thee, Decay'd in thy glory, and sunk in thy worth. Oh! for the veteran hearts that were wasted In strife with the storm, when their battles were won -- Then the Eagle, whose gaze in that moment was blasted, Had still soar'd with eyes fix'd on victory's sun! Farewell to thee, France! -- but when Liberty rallies Once more in thy regions, remember me then, -- The violet still grows in the depth of thy valleys; Though wither'd, thy tear will unfold it again. Yet, yet, I may baffle the hosts that surround us, And yet may thy heart leap awake to my voice; There are links which must break in the chain that has bound us, Then turn thee and call on the Chief of thy choice. |