Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Hamilton Fish Armstrong, ed. The Book of New York Verse. 1917.

On the City Encroachments on the River Hudson, 1800 (abridged)

Philip Freneau

WHERE Hudson, once, in all his pride

In surges burst upon the shore

They plant amidst his flowing tide

Moles to defy his loudest roar;

And lofty mansions grow where late

Half Europe might discharge her freight.

From northern lakes and wastes of snow

The river takes a distant rise,

Now marches swift, now marches slow,

And now adown some rapid flies

Till join’d the Mohawk, in their course

They travel with united force.

But cease, nor with too daring aim

Encroach upon this giant flood;

No rights reserved by nature, claim,

Nor on his ancient bed intrude:—

The river may in rage awake

And time restore him all you take.