Читать книгу Ballads of Bravery - Various - Страница 5

NOT yet, not yet! Steady, steady!”

On came the foe in even line,

Nearer and nearer to thrice paces nine.

We looked into their eyes. “Ready!”

A sheet of flame, a roll of death!

They fell by scores: we held our breath.

Then nearer still they came.

Another sheet of flame,

And brave men fled who never fled before.

Immortal fight!

Foreshadowing flight

Back to the astounded shore.

Quickly they rallied, re-enforced,

’Mid louder roar of ships’ artillery,

And bursting bombs and whistling musketry,

And shouts and groans anear, afar,

All the new din of dreadful war.

Through their broad bosoms calmly coursed

The blood of those stout farmers, aiming

For freedom, manhood’s birthright claiming.

Onward once more they came.

Another sheet of deathful flame!

Another and another still!

They broke, they fled,

Again they sped

Down the green, bloody hill.

Howe, Burgoyne, Clinton, Gage,

Stormed with commanders’ rage.

Into each emptied barge

They crowd fresh men for a new charge

Up that great hill.

Again their gallant blood we spill.

That volley was the last:

Our powder failed.

On three sides fast

The foe pressed in, nor quailed

A man. Their barrels empty, with musket-stocks

They fought, and gave death-dealing knocks,

Till Prescott ordered the retreat.

Then Warren fell; and through a leaden sleet

From Bunker Hill and Breed,

Stark, Putnam, Pomeroy, Knowlton, Read,

Led off the remnant of those heroes true,

The foe too weakened to pursue.

The ground they gained; but we

The victory.

The tidings of that chosen band

Flowed in a wave of power

Over the shaken, anxious land,

To men, to man, a sudden dower.

History took a fresh, higher start

From that stanch, beaming hour;

And when the speeding messenger, that bare

The news that strengthened every heart,

Met near the Delaware

The leader, who had just been named,

Who was to be so famed,

The steadfast, earnest Washington,

With hands uplifted, cries,

His great soul flashing to his eyes,

“Our liberties are safe! The cause is won!”

A thankful look he cast to heaven, and then

His steed he spurred, in haste to lead such noble men.