  The Battle of Lexington. T The circling century has brought THE day on which our fathers fought For liberty of deed and thought, One hundred years ago! We crown the day with radiant green, And buds of hope to bloom between, And stars undimmed, whose heavenly sheen Lights all the world below.At break of day again we hear The ringing words of Paul Revere, And beat of drum and bugle near, And shots that shake the throne Of tyranny, across the sea, And wake the sons of Liberty To strike for freedom and be free:— Our king is God alone! “Load well with powder and with ball, Stand firmly, like a living wall; But fire not till the foe shall call A shot from every one,” Said Parker to his gallant men. Then Pitcairn dashed across the plain, Discharged an angry threat, and then The world heard Lexington! _ Militia and brave minute-men Stood side by side upon the plain, Unsheltered in the storm of rain, Of fire, and leaden sleet; But through the gray smoke and the flame, Star crowned, a white-winged angel came, To bear aloft the souls of flame From war’s red winding-sheet! Hancock and Adams glory won With yeomen whose best work was done At Concord and at Lexington, When first they struck the blow. Long may their children’s children bear Upon wide shoulders, fit to wear, The mantles that fell through the air One hundred years ago! |
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