The Poems of Philip Freneau Volume III Part 34

[155] From the 1815 edition.

ON THE WAR PATRONS, 1798[156]

Weary of peace, and warm for war, Who first will mount the iron car?

Who first appear, to shield the Stars, Who foremost, take the field of Mars?

For death and blood, with bold design, Who bids a hundred legions join?

To see invasions in the air From France, the moon, or heaven knows where; In freedom's mouth to fix the gag, And aid afford t' a wither'd hag; This is the purpose of a few; But this we see will scarcely do.

Who bears the brunt, or pays the bill?

The friends of war alone can tell: Observe, six thousand heroes stand With not three privates to command; No matter for the nation's debt If some can wear the epaulette.

If reason no attention finds, What magic shall unite all minds?

If war a patronage ensures That fifty thousand men procures, Is such a force to humble France?

Will these against her arms advance?

To fight her legions, near the Rhine, Or England's force in Holland join?

In dreams, that on the brain intrude, When nature takes her sleepy mood, And when she frolics through the mind, By sovereign reason unconfined, When her main spring is all uncoil'd And fancy acts in whimsy wild-- I saw a chieftain, cap-a-pee, Arm'd for the battle,--who but he?-- I saw him draw his rusty sword, A present from a London lord: The point was blunt, the edge too dull I deem'd to cleave a dutchman's scull; And with this sword he made advance, And with this sword he struck at France-- This sword return'd without its sheath, Too weak to cause a single death; And there he found his work complete, And then he made a safe retreat, Where folly finds the camp of rest And patience learns to do her best.

What next, will policy contrive To bid the days of war arrive: Is there no way to pick a quarrel, And deck the martial brow with laurel?

Is there no way to coax a fight And gratify some men of might?

To some, who sit at helm of state, State-business is no killing weight, They sign their names, inquire the news, Look wise,--take care to get their dues; At levees, note down who attends-- And there the mighty business ends: To some that deal in state affairs The world comes easy, with its cares; To some who wish for crown and king, A quarrel is a charming thing: They, seated at the fountain head Quaff bowls of nectar, and are fed With all the danties of the land That cash, or market may command: But others doom'd to station low, Their choicest draughts are but--so, so.

Hard knocks are theirs, and blood, and wounds, Ten thousand thumps for twenty pounds: Their youth they sell for paltry pay For sixpence, and six kicks a day, A pound of pork and rotten bread, A coat lapell'd, with badge of red; A life of din from year to year, And thus concludes the mad career.

Ye rising race, consider well What has been read, or what we tell.

From wars all regal mischiefs flow, And kings make wars a raree-show, A business to their post a.s.sign'd To torture, d.a.m.n, enslave mankind.

For this, of old, did priests anoint 'em, Be ours the task to disappoint 'em.

But when a foe your soil invades, A soldier is the first of trades; Then, every step a soldier takes, Reflection in his breast awakes, That duty calls him to the field Till all invaders are expell'd; That honor sends him to the fight, That he is acting what is right, To guard the soil, and all that's dear; From such as would be tyrants here.

[156] Text from the 1815 edition. During the early part of the year 1798 America was full of rumors of a French invasion. Talleyrand was scattering obscure hints that an invading army was preparing; that France well knew that America was divided; that only the Federalists would support the administration. The Federalists, supported by President Adams and by Washington, took active measures at once. In July they formally abrogated the treaty between the two countries and authorized the President to grant letters to shipmen empowering them to seize French vessels. The army was put into readiness, and financial legislation was enacted to procure means for carrying on the war. All believed that war with France was inevitable.

TO THE DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY EDITORS[157]

On a Charge of Bribery

You, Journalists, are bribed--that's clear, And paid French millions by the year; We see it in the coats you wear;

Such d.a.m.ning, such convincing proof Of such a charge, is strong enough-- Your suits are made of costly stuff.

Dear boys! you lodge in mansions grand-- In time you'll own six feet of land, Where now the s.e.xton has command.

Your lodging is in garret high; But where your best possessions lie, Yourselves know best--and Him on high.

And have you had a foreign bribe?-- Then, why so lean?--shall we describe The leanness of your honest tribe?

Why did you not with Tories join To hold the British king divine-- And all his mandates very fine?

Then had your faces shined with fat-- Then had you worn the gold-laced hat-- And--said your lessons--very pat.--

Your lives are, now, continual trial, Existence, constant self-denial, To keep down some, who would be royal.

For public good you wear out types, For public good you get dry wipes-- For public good you may get--stripes.

One half your time in Federal court, On libel charge--you're made a sport-- You pay your fees--nor dare retort.--

All pleasure you are sworn to shun; Are always cloistered, like a nun, And glad to hide from Ragman's dun.--

All night you sit by glare of lamp, Like Will o' Wisp in vapoury swamp, To write of armies and the camp.--

You write--compile--compile and write, 'Till you have nearly lost your sight-- Then off to jail; and so, good night.

Turned out as poor as Christ-church rat, Once more the trade you would be at Which never yet made lean man fat.

You send your journals far and wide, And though undone, and though belied; You choose to take the patriot side.

Your works are in Kentucky found; And there your politics go round-- And there you trust them many a pound.--

At home, to folks residing near, You grant a credit, half a year; And pine, mean while, on cakes and beer.

The time elapsed when friends should pay, You urge your dun from day to day; And so you must--and so you may.

One customer begins to fret, And tells the dunner in a pet, "Plague take the Printer and his debt:

"Ungrateful man--go hang--go burn-- "I read his paper night and morn, "And now experience this return!

"Sir! was I not among the first "Who did my name on paper trust, "To help this Journalist accursed?

"Thus am I used for having signed: "But I have spirit, he shall find-- "Ah me! the baseness of mankind!"

Thus, on you strive with constant pain, The kindest tell you, call again!-- And you their humble dupe remain.

Who aims to prosper--should be sold-- If bribes are offered, take the gold, Nor live to be forever fooled.

SALEM.

[157] Found only in the edition of 1809. The anti-federal press opposed the administration of Adams, and the whole affair of the threatened French war.