Oh! spirits of Washington, Warren and Wayne!
Oh! shades of the Heroes and Patriots slain!
Come down from your mountains of emerald and gold,
And smile on the Banner ye cherished of old.
Descend in your glorified ranks to the strife,
Like legions sent forth from the armies of life;
Let us feel your deep presence, as waves feel the breeze
When the white fleets, like snow-flakes, are drank by the seas.
Proud sons of the soil where the Palmetto grows,
Once patriots and brothers, now traitors and foes,
Ye have turned from the path which our forefathers’ trod,
And stolen from man the best gift of his God.
Ye have trampled the tendrils of love in the ground,
Ye have scoffed at the law which the Nazarene found,
Till the great wheel of Justice seemed blocked for a time,
And the eyes of humanity blinded with crime.
As the vail which conceals the clear starlight is riven
When clouds strike together, by warring winds driven,
So the blood of the race must be offered like rain,
Ere the stars of our country are ransomed again.
73
The Patriot’s Address.
AIR--_Scots Wha Hae_.
Patriot hearts and loyal souls!
Ye whose faith no fear controls--
Lo! the storm of treason rolls
Round your glorious liberty!
Rebel swords have struck your shield--
Traitor hands their poniards wield--
Miscreant tyrants bid ye yield
Power and place to slavery!
By your ancient heroes’ blood,
By their deeds on field and flood;
By the fruits of Freedom’s bud,
Sprung from northern loyalty--
Strike at once these daring foes--
Round their soil your legions close--
Bid them drain the cup of woes
They would fill for you and me.
Heaven is on the Freeman’s side--
God still rules the battle’s tide--
Heaven and God _they_ have defied,
Who make war for slavery!
Let them feel a patriot’s ire,
Withering all their base desire--
Let our anger be as fire,
Blasting chains and tyranny!
74
The Patriot’s Wish.