| |
| AS giants once, in hopes to rise, | |
| Heaped up their mountains to the skies; | |
| With Pelion piled on Ossa, strove | |
| To reach the eternal throne of Jove; | |
| |
| So here the hands of ancient days | 5 |
| Their fortress from the earth did raise, | |
| On whose proud heights, proud man to please, | |
| They mounted guns and planted trees. | |
| |
| Those trees to lofty stature grown— | |
| All is not right!—they must come down, | 10 |
| Nor longer waste their wonted shade | |
| Where Colden slept, or Tryon strayed. | |
| |
| Where Dutchmen once, in ages past, | |
| Huge walls and ramparts round them cast | |
| New fabrics raised, on new design, | 15 |
| Gay streets and palaces shall shine. | |
| |
| Another George shall here reside, | |
| While Hudson’s bold, unfettered tide | |
| Well pleased to see his chief so nigh, | |
| With livelier aspect passes by. | 20 |
| |
| Along his margin, fresh and clean, | |
| Ere long shall belles and beaux be seen, | |
| Through moon-light shades, delighted, stray, | |
| To view the islands and the bay. | |
| |
| To barren hills far southward shoved, | 25 |
| These noisy guns shall be removed, | |
| No longer here a vain expense, | |
| Where time has proved them no defense.— | |
| |
| Advance, bright days! make haste to crown | |
| With such fair scenes this honoured town,— | 30 |
| Freedom shall find her charter clear, | |
| And plant her seat of commerce here. | |
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