Where will a place of refuge, noble
friend,
For peace and freedom ever
open lie!
The century in tempests had its
end,
The new one now begins with
murders cry.
Each land-connecting bond is torn
away,
Each ancient custom hastens
to decline;
Not een the ocean can wars
tumult stay.
Not een the Nile-god,
not the hoary Rhine.
Two mighty nations strive, with
hostile power,
For undivided mastery of the
world;
And, by them, each lands
freedom to devour,
The trident brandished is-the
lightning hurled.
Each country must to them its gold
afford,
And, Brennus-like, upon the
fatal day,
The Frank now throws his heavy iron
sword,
The even scales of justice
to oerweigh.
His merchant-fleets the Briton greedily
Extends, like polyp-limbs,
on every side;
And the domain of Amphitrite free
As if his home it were, would
fain bestride.
Een to the south poles
dim, remotest star,
His restless course moves
onward, unrestrained;
Each isle he tracks,-each
coast, however far,
But paradise alone he neer
has gained!
Although thine eye may every map
explore,
Vainly thoult seek
to find that blissful place,
Where freedoms garden smiles
for evermore,
And where in youth still blooms
the human race.
Before thy gaze the world extended
lies,
The very shipping it can scarce
embrace;
And yet upon her back, of boundless
size,
Een for ten happy men
there is not space!
Into thy bosoms holy, silent
cells,
Thou needs must fly from lifes
tumultuous throng!
Freedom but in the realm of vision
dwells,
And beauty bears no blossoms
but in song.
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