Classic Poem

Escap'd a race, whole vanity ne'er rais'd
A monument, but when themselves IT prais'd,
Sacred to truth O! let this column rise,
Pure from false trophies and inscriptive lies!
Let no enslavers of their country here
In impudent relievo dare appear:
No pontiff by a ruin'd nation's blood
Lusting to aggrandize his bastard brood:
Be here no Clement, Alexander seen,
No poys'ning cardinal, or poys'ning queen:
No Cosmo, or the bigot duke, or he
Great from the wounds of dying liberty.
No Lorrainer — — one lying arch suffice
To tell his virtues and his victories:
Beneath his fost'ring eye how commerce thriv'd,
Beneath his smile how drooping arts reviv'd:
Let IT relate, e'er since his rule begun,
Not what he has, but what he should have done.

Level with freedom, let this pillar mourn,
Nor rise, before the radiant bliss return;
Then tow'ring boldly to the skies proclaim
Whate'er shall be the patriot hero's name,
Who, a new B RUTUS , shall his country free,
And, like a GOD, shall say, Let THERE BE L IBERTY !