Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON, by JULIA DOUGLAS (WALDENBURG) FAY



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON, by                    
First Line: Twas the eve of that glorious battle morn
Last Line: Till she enter the endless age of peace!
Subject(s): Bennington, Battle Of (1777)


'T was the eve of that glorious battle morn,
On Vermont's green mountains in splendor born.
Down from the frowning clouds the rain
In torrents fell over hill and plain;
It bent the trees, and the golden grain,
Beating the roof and the window pane,
While the lightning danced on the mountains far
And the thunder boomed like the guns of war!

Crowning a hill in Bennington town,
Stood a low-browed tavern, broad and brown,
With a novel sign, whose like, I ween,
In book of heraldry ne'er was seen:
'T was a catmount swung from a sapling slight,
Looking alive as its teeth gleamed white!
When the light from the lonely lantern flared
At the open doorway, its wild eyes glared,
And it seemed through the gloom to keep its watch
The Hessian or "Yorker" foe to catch!
Within the inn from the candles tall
A soft light shone o'er the rooms and hall,
And lingered in many a silver line
On the carven wainscot of native pine;
On the musket and pictures upon the wall,
O'er the white-haired landlord, grave and tall,
On the stalwart forms that were moving there
With speech and counsel, oath and prayer.
Here the "Council of Safety" held their Court,
Sentencing "Tories," in session short.
Vermont's brave sons, undaunted, true
As the emerald hills before their view,
Here framed their laws with a loyal zeal
Enforced with the stamp of the famed "Beech-seal."
Allen the fearless, rough, unmoved;
Warner, the Ranger's colonel, loved;
Robinson, Chittenden, Baker, Fay,
Dewey, Fassett, and such as they
Whose names are written with deathless pen
On the roll of heroes revered by men.

On this August night amid rain and gloom
There was gathered within the council room
An eager, anxious and earnest crowd
Who with nervous gestures and voices loud
In solemn purpose and steady plan
Arranged for the battle, man with man,
And were restless for morning's light to break
That they might war for their country's sake.
They would live in freedom from king and crown,
Would lay their lives with the foemen down;
Would ask no Congress for right to move,
But would follow their leaders because of love.
Then with parting word, for the night was spent,
To their homes, or the distant camp, they went.

Bright rose the morning sun serene,
No lingerings of the storm were seen,
The meadows wore a brighter green,
The swollen river shone between,
And proudly rose the mountains far,
On nature's face no frown of war.
Then lo, from out the forest still,
With stately march and sturdy will,
The gallant columns moved apace,—
Toward the "Heights" looked every face!
They came from forge, from shop, from farm;
The "Parson," with his gospel arm
Upraised, was eager for the fight,
Strong in his faith for God and right;
Ranger and volunteer, as one,
Gathered beneath that August sun,
Un-uniformed, untried, yet brave,
They knew their power to fight and save!
The miry road they wound along,
And every mile they grew more strong,
'Till soon the foe with colors bright
Stood grouped before their waiting sight.
Bold Stark, commanding, called aloud
Unto his little army, proud:—
"The red-coats! See!!—"We win this fight,
Else Molly Stark this very night
Must sleep a widow!"—Now to view
Burst British foemen. But clear through
The stubborn outworks, on they prest
From northern wing and from the west,

While from the British breastworks poured
The Hessian fire. The cannon roared;
His lines were wavering; comrades fell;
Yet still they pushed on brave and well,
Heedless of hail from rattling shot
Or blistered hand from rifle hot.

They rushed and leaped the parapet
And charged with butt and bayonet.
Wearied and hungry, wounded sore,
With throbbing brows and stained with gore,
They held their posts 'till the fight was done,
The foe was routed, the battle won.
The rays of the setting sun were shed
O'er the smoking plain with its pallid dead,
And the twilight shades reached down upon
The victory-field of Bennington!

Oh soldiers brave of those mighty days
Whom we crown with a century's wreath of bays,
Keep ye your vigils above our land,
Over valley, mountain, river, strand!
Oh giant forms that today we see
Uprise in your glorious history,
Guard well our Land in her strength and pride,
Ye who loved her and for her died,
And lead her upward without surcease
Till she enter the endless Age of Peace!





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