Tecumseh

Excerpt from Tecumseh: Or, the Battle of the Thames, a National Drama: In Five Acts This night a native bar unfolds a scene That, yet, abides within the mem'ry green; His first attempt the Thespian art to reach, Heroic deeds through mimic life to teach. Long had the Nation, ere to arms she rushed, Suffered - till pity wept and virtue blush'd; Spies round the land like gaunt Hyena's prowl'd, While faction, like an unchain'd maniac howl'd. Our gallant mariners - forbear the theme - Their blood, from scourgings, dyed the ocean stream: The savage axe was whetted for our doom, The vandal torch was lighted to consume. Columbia dropp'd the olive from her hand, She grasp'd her arrows and drew forth her brand; In awe profound, the nations from afar, Gazed to behold her ride on Vict'ry's car. High beat the gen'rous heart - her praises rung From every voice that had a Freeman's tongue. The foe, at length, humanity was taught, And back the dove the peaceful olive brought. Rank'd with those feats that admiration claims, In brilliance stands "The Battle of the Thames;" At Raisin's stream, and at Miami's flood, Had the stern Indian glutted him with blood. Lo! Perry's voice in startling thunder spoke, And Johnson! soon, the savage sceptre broke: The mighty Chief, before him, prostrate fell, With whom expired the last appaling yell. The West, in mourning weeds, look'd on and smil'd, And hail'd the Champion as her first-born child. The poet, now, will this event explore, He craves your candor, but - asks no more. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.