Читать книгу The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, February 1844 - Various - Страница 8

‘To-day it speaks to us!’

    Of ‘the times that tried men’s souls,’

When hostile ships rode where yon bay

    Its deep blue waters rolls:

When the war-cloud dark was lowering

    Portentous o’er the land;

When the vassal troops of Britain came

    With bayonet, sword and brand.

‘To-day it speaks to us!’

    Of brave deeds nobly done,

When patriot hearts beat high with hope,

    Ere Freedom’s cause was won:

Of the conflict fierce, where fell

    New-England’s valiant men,

Who waved their country’s banner high,

    Though warm blood dyed it then!

And will its voice be still

    When the thousands of to-day,

Who have come like pilgrim-worshippers,

    From earth shall pass away?

Oh no! ‘the potent orator’

    To future times shall tell

Where Prescott, Brooks, and Putnam fought,

    Where gallant Warren fell.

’Twill speak of these, and others—

    Of brave men, born and nurst

In stormy times, on Danger’s lap.

    Who dared Oppression’s worst:

Of Vernon’s chief, and he who came

    Across the Atlantic flood,

To offer to the patriot’s God

    A sacrifice of blood.

Long as the ‘Bay State’ cherishes

    One thought of sainted sires,

Long as the day-god greets her cliffs,

    Or gilds her domes and spires;

Long as her granite hills remain

    Firm fixed, so long shall be

Yon Monument on Bunker’s height

    A beacon for the free!