The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-06-03
COLONEL BARTON AND GENERAL
LAFAYETTE.

Lar - Il Cs
Colonel Barton, hero of the American
Revolution, after having boen immured il
prison for debt, during the period Of twenty
years, in the state Of Vermont was released
from his confinement on the 9TH Of July, 1896
by the Marquis Lafayette, who cancelled tn,
claim against his old companion in arms, ano
thereby afforded him an opportunity Of join
ing in the festivities Of the American indepcn
dence! Who after this will dare to assert tina
republics are ungrateful'-EngtiSh paper.
WAKE for the mornings purple fold
Is drawn from the orient arch;
Wake-for the sun in his robes of gold
Comes forth on his monarch march;
Joy for the cannon's thunderings free
Der the echoing mountain sent;
Joy for the drums loud reveile,
With the carion's music blent-
Joy for the millions stirring shout
On freedoms birth morn bursting out.
But hush stern yet smothered groan
Steals forth upon the air,
Deep as tho forests solemn moan
When the midnight winds are thero
Whence comes that note? painful jar
In freedoms swelling chime
Why comes it too the mirth to mar
Ofths all joyous time,
When for earth's proudest jubilee
Have met the gallant and the free'
Look to yon rough and massy walls,
Where Joy no music wakes
Forth from its melancholy halls
That startling discord breaks,
Pierce to its lone discolorcd hold,
With chill damps cirCed round;
There like "A falou worn and old
The patriot chief lies bound
He Of the lion. heart, that broke
Ia their stern might, expressions yoke!
Why groans he now, while every tongue
With gladness overfows,
Who erst defiance s,efny flung
70 freedoms island foes?
Why lies be thero whose fettered foot
Leapt proud the fight to meet;
The foremost in the fierce pursuit,
Last in the lorn retreat?
Has guilt thus bowed that lofty brow
List, for the warrior spoaketh now:
"Tis sad that one whose blood has swcled
Full oft ON freedoms plain,
Should on this hallowed morn, be held
BY aught Of bolt or chain
Not that his crimes have reft him from
ne TlgHl h"nNeH pdNe ht Di1lH,
To tread with bold unshackleG limb
Proudly his native earth;
But that he clasps not in his hold
The worshipp'd dust which men call gold!
"Stand from my grated bars away,
And let the cheering light
That beams on this immortal day
Steal in upon my sight;
Ali hus! the prison court beside,
That may catch once more
My country's puan burst Of pride,
Trumpet aud canon's roar,
Like music on my heart IL falls,
Though heard within these frUwning walls.
Bot who, with quick, yet lofty tread,
The captives cell draws nigh'
The light Of glory on his head,
OF pity in his eye:
That port may well bcscem soul,
For angel actions nursed--
His name on iames unfolding scroll
Shines radicnt with the first;
''i'is Gaul's high chief, whose far felt worth
Links the wide severed realms of earth.
He speaks--thc Indignant champion,
Calmly end yet severe
"Hero's gold tor that dlshonered one
Who holds the irccborn here:
Look on his aged breast-ehe scars
OF glorious fields ven find
Back with the base degrading bars,
The circling chains unbind!
I've learnt Ia value Freedom worth
Brother in arms and heart-come forth"
PRorEUs.
-..e As-.-