Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917.
On the Demolition of Fort George, 1790Philip Freneau
A
Heaped up their mountains to the skies;
With Pelion piled on Ossa, strove
To reach the eternal throne of Jove;
Their fortress from the earth did raise,
On whose proud heights, proud man to please,
They mounted guns and planted trees.
All is not right!—they must come down,
Nor longer waste their wonted shade
Where Colden slept, or Tryon strayed.
Huge walls and ramparts round them cast
New fabrics raised, on new design,
Gay streets and palaces shall shine.
While Hudson’s bold, unfettered tide
Well pleased to see his chief so nigh,
With livelier aspect passes by.
Ere long shall belles and beaux be seen,
Through moon-light shades, delighted, stray,
To view the islands and the bay.
These noisy guns shall be removed,
No longer here a vain expense,
Where time has proved them no defense.—
With such fair scenes this honoured town,—
Freedom shall find her charter clear,
And plant her seat of commerce here.