Revolutionary Soldiers

O, what avails to trace the fate of war
Through fields of blood, and paint each glorious scar!
Why should the strain your former woes recall,
The tears that wept a friend's or brother's fall,
When by your side, first in the adventurous strife,
He dauntless rush'd, too prodigal of life!
Enough of merit has each honour'd name,
To shine untarnish'd on the rolls of fame,
To stand the example of each distant age,
And add new lustre to the historic page;
For soon their deeds illustrious shall be shown
In breathing bronze or animated stone,
Or where the canvass, starting into life,
Revives the glories of the crimson strife.
And soon some bard shall tempt the untried themes,
Sing how we dared, in fortune's worst extremes;
What cruel wrongs the indignant patriot bore,
What various ills your feeling bosoms tore,
What boding terrors gloom'd the threatening hour.
When British legions, arm'd with death-like power,
Bade desolation mark their crimson'd way,
And lured the savage to his destined prev.