Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, FORT BOWYER, by CHARLES L. S. JONES


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

FORT BOWYER, by                    
First Line: Where the wild wave, from ocean proudly
Last Line: Awed us, nor conquer'd.
Subject(s): Fort Bowyer, Battle Of (1814); War Of 1812


WHERE the wild wave, from ocean proudly swelling,
Mexico's shores, wide stretching, with its billowy
Surge, in its sweep laves, and, with lashing foam, breaks,
Rough in its whiteness;

See where the flag of Freedom, with its light wreaths,
Floats on the wind, in buoyancy expanded
High o'er the walls of Bowyer's dauntless breastwork,
Proudly and fearless.

Loud roll thy thunders, Albion; and thy missile
Boasts throng the air with lightning flash tremendous,
Whilst the dark wave, illuminated bright, shines
Sparkling with death-lights.

Shrink then that band of freemen, at the onslaught?
Palsy those arms that wield the unerring rifles?
Strikes chill the breast dread fear? or coward paleness
Whiten the blanch'd cheek?

No! round that flag, undaunted, midst the loud din,
Like their own shores, which mountain surges move not
Breasted and firm, and heedless of the war-shock,
Rallying they stand fast.

"Look," Lawrence cries, "brave comrades; how the foe proud
Quails at our charge, with recreant spirit flying;"
Like Rome's bold chief, he came and saw, but neither
Awed us, nor conquer'd.





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