Under his slouched hat left and right "Halt!" 66 Fire! the dust-brown ranks stood fast.. out blazed the rifle-blast. It shivered the window, pane and sash; Quick, as it fell, from the broken staff She leaned far out on the window-sill, Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, But spare your country's flag," she said. A shade of sadness, a blush of shame, The nobler nature within him stirred All day long that free flag tost Ever its torn folds rose and fell And through the hill-gaps sunset light Barbara Frietchie's work is o'er, And the Rebel rides on his raids no more. Honor to her! and let a tear Fall, for her sake, on Stonewall's bier. Over Barbara Frietchie's grave, Peace and order and beauty draw LAUS DEO. ON HEARING THE BELLS RING FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ABOLISHING SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES. T is done! Ilang of bell and roar of gun Send the tidings up and down. Every stroke exulting tells Loud and long, that all may hear, Let us kneel: God's own voice is in that peal, And this spot is holy ground. For the Lord On the whirlwind is abroad; And the gates of brass are broken! Loud and long Lift the old exulting song, Sing with Miriam by the sea : He has cast the mighty down; Horse and rider sink and drown; He has triumphed gloriously! Did we dare, In our agony of prayer, Ask for more than he has done? When was ever his right hand Stretched as now beneath the sun! How they pale, Ancient myth, and song, and tale, When the cruel rod of war Blossoms white with righteous law, Cambridge: Electrotyped and Printed by Welch, Bigelow, & Co. |