6. the Stars and Stripes for ever.
by Emily M. Washington.
Since first our banner bright unfurledIts crimson folds of glory,
No flag e'er floated yet that could
Keep peace with ours in story!
Sink, sink the hand of treason, then,
Its greatness now would smother!
No earthly power that flag shall mar,
King, prince, or any other.
The Stars and Stripes for ever!
‘Long many a crimson field of fame--
O'er decks grown red for honor--
Round Bunker's Hill and Brandywine,
Danced that old veteran banner!
For rebels' gain, and freedom's bane,
All wrong, but subtle reason,
In spite of Right shall Wrong, grown bold,
Lift up that rag of treason--
The bannered Cross! Oh! never!
When darkness draped our country's sky,
And none could comfort borrow [7]
From scourging foes and scowling woes,
That flag sprang forth in sorrow!
Wrong gave the Stripes — hope wrought the Stars--
Ah! those old grandsires able,
From pain to hallowed peace, at last,
They passed — the good, the noble,
The murdered brave — to glory!
When swarming foemen thronged our shores,
Hard pressed for food and rifles,
Our god-like sires, they fought and starved,
Nor shrunk at such mere trifles;
Enrapturedly to death they went,
And still as slaughter crowned them,
The glittering Stars, turned to the skies,
Hung proudly, grandly round them,
That flag, in battle gory.
Down many a vista'd year since then,
Enshrined in hoary honor,
Nobly with martial step hath marched
Our grand old veteran banner!
Unhallowed hands of godless wrong
Now threat that badge we cherish;
Charge! sons of old Columbia, then!
Ere that flag fall, we perish!
the Stars and Stripes for ever!
