EIGHTY years have passed, and more, Since under the brave old tree Our fathers gathered in arms, and swore They would follow the sign their banners bore, And fight till the land was free. Half of their work was done, Half is left to do, -- Cambridge, and Concord, and Lexington! When the battle is fought and won, What shall be told of you? Hark! -- 't is the south-wind moans, -- Who are the martyrs down? Ah, the marrow was true in your children's bones That sprinkled with blood the cursed stones Of the murder-haunted town! What if the storm-clouds blow? What if the green leaves fall? Better the crashing tempest's throe Than the army of worms that gnawed below; Trample them one and all! Then, when the battle is won, And the land from traitors free, Our children shall tell of the strife begun When Liberty's second April sun Was bright on our brave old tree! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...COUNTESS LAURA by GEORGE HENRY BOKER ECHOES: 6 by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY THE BROOKSIDE by RICHARD MONCKTON MILNES BALLAD OF THE WOMEN OF PARIS by FRANCOIS VILLON YARROW REVISITED by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH OF MAIDENS' PRAISE: AN INVOCATION by SAINT ALDHELM VERSES ON SEEING IN AN ALBUM A SKETCH OF AN OLD GATEWAY by BERNARD BARTON |