Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 1.
Frank Moore, Ed.

88. rebels.

Yes, call them rebels! 'tis the name
     Their patriot fathers bore,
And by such deeds they'll hallow it
     As they have done before.
At Lexington, and Baltimore,
     Was poured the holy chrism;
For Freedom marks her sons with blood,
     In sign of their baptism.

Rebels, in proud and bold protest,
     Against a power unreal;
A unity which every quest
     Proves false as 'tis ideal.
A brotherhood, whose ties are chains,
     Which crushes while it holds,
Like the old marble Laocoon
     Beneath its serpent folds.

Rebels, against the malice vast,
     Malice, that nought disarms,
Which fills the quiet of their homes
     With vague and dread alarms.
Against th' invader's daring feet,
     Against the tide of wrong,
Which has been borne, in silence borne,
     But borne perchance too long.

They would be cowards, did they crouch
     Beneath the lifted hand,
Whose very wave, ye seem to think,
     Will chill them where they stand.
Yes, call them rebels! 'tis a name
     Which speaks of other days,
Of gallant deeds, and gallant men,
     And wins them to their ways.

Fair was the edifice they raised,
     Uplifting to the skies;
A mighty Samson 'neath its dome
     In grand quiescence lies.
Dare not to touch his noble limb,
     With thong or chain to bind,
Lest ruin crush both you and him;--
     This Samson is not blind!

Natchitoches, May, 1861.