Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BALLAD OF BUNKER HILL, by EDWARD EVERETT HALE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BALLAD OF BUNKER HILL, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We lay in the trenches we'd dug
Last Line: Home!
Subject(s): American Revolution; Bunker Hill, Battle Of


WE lay in the Trenches we'd dug in the Ground
While Phoebus blazed down from his glory-lined Car,
And then from the lips of our Leader renown'd,
These lessons we learn'd in the Science of War.
"Let the Foeman draw nigh,
Till the white of his Eye
Is in range with your Rifles, and then, Lads, let fly!
And shew to Columbia, to Britain, and Fame,
How Justice smiles aweful. When Freemen take aim!"

The Regulars from Town to the Foot of the Hill
Came in Barges and Rowboats, some great and some small,
But they potter'd and dawdl'd, and twaddled, until
We fear'd there would be no Attack after all!
Two men in red Coats
Talk'd to one in long Boots,
And all of them pinted and gestur'd like Coots,
And we said, -- as the Boys do upon Training-Day --
"If they waste all their Time so, the Shamfight won't pay."

But when they got Ready, and All came along,
The way they march'd up the Hill-side was n't slow,
But we were not a-fear'd, and we welcomed 'em strong,
Held our Fire till the Word, and then laid the Lads low!
... But who shall declare
The End of the Affair?
At Sundown there was n't a Man of us there!
But we did n't depart till we'd given them
Some!
When we burned up our Powder, we had to
Home!





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