236
THE MISSISSIPPI.
Ah, what valor seized the islands! boasting Memphis gained again!
Wrapt the rebel ships in ruin, wave and flame our allies then!
Mile by mile the restless River from its tyrant rule they free,
Till the fleet that left the prairies hails the fleet that sailed from sea!
Wrapt the rebel ships in ruin, wave and flame our allies then!
Mile by mile the restless River from its tyrant rule they free,
Till the fleet that left the prairies hails the fleet that sailed from sea!
"Patience yet, O greeting sailors! mark! Port Hudson, Vicksburg, wait,
Grimly couched on savage highlands, sworn to guard the River-gate.
Call the soldiers from their camp-fires! man the guns! there's work to do
Ere this barred and gloomy water you may sail unchallenged through."
Then beneath the bluffs they anchored, while their armies in the rear
Made the prisoned traitors tremble, slowly, surely, drawing near.
How we waited for the tidings! "Will they never yield?" we cried;
"Must we hold them still beleaguered, hopeless, starving in their pride?"
Grimly couched on savage highlands, sworn to guard the River-gate.
Call the soldiers from their camp-fires! man the guns! there's work to do
Ere this barred and gloomy water you may sail unchallenged through."
Then beneath the bluffs they anchored, while their armies in the rear
Made the prisoned traitors tremble, slowly, surely, drawing near.
How we waited for the tidings! "Will they never yield?" we cried;
"Must we hold them still beleaguered, hopeless, starving in their pride?"
Spring went fruitless down to summer; 't was the Fourth day of July;
When, to swell the roar of cannon and the anthems pealing high,
When, to swell the roar of cannon and the anthems pealing high,
