Under the Washington Elm1
CAMBRIDGE,
APRIL 27,1861.
BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
-
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! 'tis 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!
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page revised
05/24/2006 |