Mr. Milns

Written, New York, 1798

POETS may sing of their Helicon streams;

Their gods and their heroes are fabulous dreams:

They ne’er sang a line

Half so grand, so divine

As the glorious toast

We Columbians boast—

The Federal Constitution, boys, and Liberty forever.

The man of our choice presides at the helm;

No tempest can harm us, no storm overwhelm;

Our sheet anchor’s sure,

And our bark rides secure;

So here’s to the toast

We Columbians boast—

The Federal Constitution, and the President forever.

A free navigation, commerce, and trade,

We’ll seek for no foe, of no foe be afraid;

Our frigates shall ride,

Our defence and our pride;

Our tars guard our coast,

And huzza for our toast—

The Federal Constitution, trade and commerce forever.

Montgomery and Warren still live in our songs;

Like them our young heroes shall spurn at our wrongs:

The world shall admire

The zeal and the fire,

Which blaze in the toast

We Columbians boast—

The Federal Constitution, and its advocates forever.

When an enemy threats, all party shall cease;

We bribe no intruders to buy a mean peace;

Columbia will scorn

Friends and foes to suborn;

We’ll ne’er stain the toast

Which as freemen we boast—

The Federal Constitution, and integrity forever.

Fame’s trumpet shall swell in Washington’s praise,

And time grant a furlough to lengthen his days;

May health weave the thread

Of delight round his head.

No nation can boast

Such a name, such a toast,

The Federal Constitution, boys, and Washington forever.