| ,,AHORA que podeis no nos dexeis[4] esclavos:,, soñó un patriota que le gritaban unos niños. Este es el grito en America de millones de infelices ; este es el clamor de las generaciones futuras. Esta es la voz de los pueblos, y el instinto de la naturaleza. Vos, en cuyas manos están los destinos de tantos hombres, no sentis enternecerse vuestro corazon? Os es indiferente aparecer circulados de gloria en nuestros anales, ocupar un lugar distinguido en las memorias de la epoca actual, y concluir la obra mas grande que ha visto el mundo? Los que nacieron para empresas tan ilustres lebantan la cerviz gloriosa sobre una turba de seres enanos, de cabezillas, y cabezas huecas. Que hay que temer ? solo la incertidumbre hace nuestra debilidad. Si no hay una opinion sola, es por que hay variedad en las esperanzas. Resolved. Tened la audacia de ser libres, y los sereis. En los grandes negocios en que solamente se presenta un partido que tomar, la demasiada circunspeccion dexa de ser prudencia. Nos ha conducido la fortuna á la orilla de un rio, y es necesario pasarlo. Nada se opone à este trànsito indispensable. El leon os mirararà[5] pasarlo con ojos morimundos[6] : su debilidad solo le permite deseos impotentes, rugidos inútiles. El aguila os mirará con complacencia desde su elevacion. Neptuno[7] se desentiende : sus ojos están fixos en el aguila, cuyo vuelo es cada dia mas audaz.
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"Now that you can, do not abandon us slaves:" dreamed a patriot who cried out to some children. This is the cry in America of millions of unfortunate men; this is the clamor of the future generations. This is the voice of the people, and the instinct of nature. You, in whose hands are the destinies of so many men, do your heart not feel moved? Are you indifferent to appear gloriously known in our annals, to occupy a distinguished place in the memories of the current epoch, and to conclude the greatest work that the world has seen? Those who were born for undertakings so illustrious raise their necks gloriously over a crowd of dwarves, ringleaders, and airheads. What is there to fear? only uncertainty causes our weakness. If there is not a single opinion, it is because there is a variety of hopes. Decide. Have the audacity to be free, and you will be. In the great negotiations in which only one side to take is presented, too much circumspection is no longer prudent. Fortune has led us to the shore of a river, and it is necessary to cross it. Nothing opposes this essential passage. The lion will look at you passing him with moribund eyes: his weakness only allows him powerless wishes, useless roars. The eagle will look at you with complacency from its elevation. Neptune[7] wants nothing to do with it: his eyes are fixes on the eagle, whose flight is more audacious each day.
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