Classic Poem

AN ODE TO HOLLANDERS

Clump-headed Dutchmen, why are you so stupid?
Rouse from your languor, guillotine your tyrants,
Drive democrats and sans culottes fraternal
All to the devil!

Fight as you did when William Prince of Orange
Nobly withstood the cruel Duke of Alva,
Heading a band of unrelenting Spaniards,
Fiercer than hell-hounds!

Fight as you would against a gang of pirates,
Led by some noted Algerine marauder;
Fight as you would if Beelzebub himself were
Broke loose upon you.

While you are lull'd with siren songs of freedom,
See you not Frenchmen riveting your shackles?
Rouse! or you soon must cease to be a nation:
Die then, or conquer!

Or, if the tigers of the fell republick
Cannot be forc'd without the Belgick borders,
Bid ocean merge your evil-fated country
All under water!