I.

Hast thou not seen th’ insulting foe In fancied triumphs crown’d? And heard their frantic rulers throw These empty threats around? “Make now YOUR CHOICE! The terms we give, Desponding Britons, hear! These fetters on your hands receive, Or in your hearts the spear.”

Can we forget our old renown; Resign the empire of the sea; And yield at once our sovereign’s crown, Our ancient laws and liberty?

Shall thus the fierce destroyer’s hand Pass unresisted o’er our native land? Our country sink, to barb’rous force a prey, And _ransom’d_ ENGLAND bow to _Gallic_ sway?