Emporers and kings! in vain you strive
Your torments to conceal–
The age is come that shakes your thrones,
Tramples in dust despotic crowns,
And bids the sceptre fail.

In western worlds the flame began:
From thence to France it flew–
Through Europe, now, it takes its way,
Beams an insufferable day,
And lays all tyrants low.

Genius fo France! pursue the chace
Till Reason’s laws restore
Man to be Man, in every clime;–
That Being, active, great, sublime
Debas’d in dust no more.

In dreadful pomp he takes his way
O’er ruin’d crowns, demolish’d thrones–
Pale tyrants shrink before his blaze–
Round him terrific lightenings play–
With eyes of fire, he looks then through,
Crushes the vile despotic crew,
And Pride in ruin lays.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Philip Freneau's poem The Republican Genius of Europe

3 Comments

  1. BML says:

    what does this mean bruh I need to answer something for history class

  2. ccc says:

    This guy does not like kings to much

  3. Lance Lim says:

    Europe at that time has become so rational. Tyranny may be powerful but there are times that they should fall. Once rationality dominated the minds of the people, surely their thrones will throw up the tyrants themselves.

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