In the deepening shadows of twilight, Disguised in a ship of war Which had been taken from the enemy, Sailed Commodre Dectaur. From Sicily's isle through the salty waves Of the Mediterranean Sea, To perform a deed that would live through time, Which on history's page would be A truth that the heroic young might read, Or list to their grandsires tell, How he and his crew performed their deed, How bravely and how well. How into Tripoli's harbor, Unseen and unknown, he dashed, 'Till longside the Philadelphia The little Intrepid he lashed. Then aboard the Philadelphia He and his brave crew sprang, While the sound of their guns and the enemy's On the tropical night air rang. How he left the Philadelphia Ablaze in the harbor blue, After he'd captured and taken aboard The survivors of her crew. Honor to all our heroes Who laurels for bravery have won! But our history records no braver deed Than that by Decatur done. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BALLAD MADE AT THE REQUEST OF HIS MOTHER .. PRAY TO OUR LADY by FRANCOIS VILLON FOR SPRING, BY SANDRO BOTTICELLI by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI ARIEL'S SONG (2), FR. THE TEMPEST by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THE COWBOY'S DANCE SONG by JAMES BARTON ADAMS THE STORM by ALCAEUS OF MYTILENE PORTRAIT SONNETS: 2 by HENRY BELLAMANN TO ONE ON HER BIRTHDAY (2) by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT THE CONTRAST BETWEEN TWO LORDS AT THEIR EXECUTION by JOHN BYROM |