THE MISSISSIPPI.
235
Sweep their shells in fiery circles, strewing all your lines with slain.
Oh, such ships were never anchored off the Nile or Trafalgar,—
See! they pass the boom, the fortress, steady, stormed from hull to spar!
Oh, such men were never marshaled on the deck for siege or slaughter,—
Think how sank the bold Varuna, hero-freighted, 'neath the water!
Forts are silenced, fleets are vanquished, shot nor flame can bear them down;
Now, to God alone be glory! safe they come before the town!
And the foe by tent and fireside learned full well what Treason means,
When the cannon, wrathful, deadly, lined the wharves of New Orleans;
When they heard the rapturous music, caught the crews' victorious cheer,
As again, on dome and fortress, rose the old flag, floating clear;
Saw the pale, bewildered army flee in terror and dismay:—
Now, to God alone be glory, 't was a proud and joyful day!
Oh, such ships were never anchored off the Nile or Trafalgar,—
See! they pass the boom, the fortress, steady, stormed from hull to spar!
Oh, such men were never marshaled on the deck for siege or slaughter,—
Think how sank the bold Varuna, hero-freighted, 'neath the water!
Forts are silenced, fleets are vanquished, shot nor flame can bear them down;
Now, to God alone be glory! safe they come before the town!
And the foe by tent and fireside learned full well what Treason means,
When the cannon, wrathful, deadly, lined the wharves of New Orleans;
When they heard the rapturous music, caught the crews' victorious cheer,
As again, on dome and fortress, rose the old flag, floating clear;
Saw the pale, bewildered army flee in terror and dismay:—
Now, to God alone be glory, 't was a proud and joyful day!
From St. Louis, down the River, nobly manned, the Gun-boats move;
Woe to fort and recreant city when they round their prows above!
Woe to fort and recreant city when they round their prows above!
