Ode to Peace

Oh! breathe upon this hapless world,
And bid our pains and sorrows cease;
Broad be thy snowy flag unfurl'd,
And may we hail thy coming, peace!

For long enough has ruin stalk'd,
With force and terror o'er our earth;
Around them hideous spectres walk'd,
And evil nurs'd his monstrous birth.

Ah! banish'd from these happy skies,
By thee, be soon these boding stars,
Which erring made mankind arise,
To deeds of sin, to blood and wars.