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Written for and sung at the Public Dinner at the Assembly Rooms, Lancaster, Dec 29,1813

THE long Night of Tyranny fast wears away,
   And Europe, awaking, salutes the new Day;
Her Blood-dream** is gone, and she turns with a Smile,
To the Day Star of Freedom o'er Britain's green Isle.

No Triumph is our's of the Strong o'er the Brave;
   We have fought to protect, and have conquer'd to save;
'Tis the Triumph of Justice that gladdens each Heart;
'Tis our own native Freedom we fight to impart.

'Tis the Triumph of Britain, who opens her Breast,
That the famish'd may feed, that the weary may rest; ***
The Night Fire of Hope, and *** ****'
The Life Boat of Europa amidst the wide Storm.

Does the Foe say, the Bond of our Union is weak,
And his Arts, or his Arms the Alliance shall break ?
Let him know that Oppression binds closer than Chains,
   And that they are all Brothers who feel the same Pains.

Farewell to those Hearts that will throb never more
   At Beauty's fond Whisper, or War's sullen Roar;
Their brief Day is past, but their great Work is done,
  A nd Heroes as true crowd theCourse they have run.

They hear not the Harp sooth the Mourner's deep Gloom
   Nor behold the calm Sunshine that beams on their Tomb;
But they know that Oblivion o'er Fame spreads no Pall  !!
   They knew what soft Tears on their Ashes would fall.

Though the loud Voice of Glory now calls us to meet,
   And the Sceptre of Tyranay lies at our Feet;
Still, let Victory's Trench be Hostility's Grave,
   And the Foes whom we spare be the Friends whom we save.

From each gallant Heart may the warm Wish ascend,
   That the Patriot's Flame through the World may extend,
That all Sects and Parties may now be combin'd
   Since the Cause of our Nation's the Cause of Mankind.

**In Allusion to the Vampire.

Lancaster, Dec. 23.                                               W.L.
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