Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-03-12
PRIZE POEM.

Tho committee to whom were referred the
several poems presented for the premiums offer
ed in the Craftsman, have selected clicking
ton as the best poem presented, and thereto
entitled to the highest premium.
ss LEXINGTON.
WRITTEN BY PROSPER M. wETMoRE ESQ.
OF NETWORK.
:" 1t was a scene Of strange and thrilling inter.
est--they stood there TO oppose authority which
they had been taught to fear, it not to venerate.
Many were armed but with their wrongs--otbars
had caught up In haste the rude weapons of the
chase but there was determination in every
look. Well did the assailants rue their assault
upon that little band Of patriots. Long will the
doings of that day be remembered. IL was the
opening scene of a glorious DRAMA
There was a fearful gathering seen
On tina: eventful day;
And men were there who ne'cr had boon
The movers in fray:
The peaceful and the silent came,
With datkling brows and flashing eyes;
And breast, that knew not glorys flame,
Barsed for the patiiot sacrifice!
No pomp of march-no proud array
There spake no trumpet sound
As solemnly they took their way
into that conflict ground
Sadly, as if some tie were broken
But firm, with port erect, austero--
Dark glapces passed, and words were spoken,
AS men will look and speak in fear;
Yet coursed no coward blood
Where that lone phalanx stood,
Rock-likc, but spirit-wrought--
A strange unwonted feeling crcpt
Through every brcast-ail memories slept
While passion there vigil kept
For one consuming thought
To live fettered slave,
Or fill freeman's grave
Though many an arm was woaponless,
The clenched fingers spako full well
The stern resolve, the fearlessness,
That danger could not quoll;
Yet some, with hasty hand,
The rust encountered brand
Had snatched from its peaceful sleep,
And held it now with grasp that told,
a freeman's life should DO dearly sold
Twas courage stern and deep
Proudly, as cohqucrors come
Frsm a field their arms have won,
With bugle-biast and best Of drum,
The Briton host came on j;
Their banners unfurled, and gaiIy streaming
Their FURNISHED arms in the sunlight cleaning
Fearless Of peril, Of vaior high,
With joyous glec They were idly dreaming
OF bloodcss triumph nigh:
The heavy tread Of tho wal -Iiorse prancing--
The lightning CLEAN Of the bayonets gancing-
Broke ON the ear, and flashed on tho eye,
As the columned foe in their strength advancing
Pcacd their wsr-notcs to the echoing sky |
Twas gallant band that marshailcd there,
with the drngon-aag upborne in air;
For England gathered then her pride,
The bravcst Of n warrior.lapd
Names to heroic deeds allied,
The strong Of heart and hand:
They came in their panoplicd might,
Iu the pride Of their cbivalrous name
For music TO them were the sounds Of the fight
On the ted carnage field was their altar Of fame
They came as the ocean-wave comes in its wrat
When the storm-spirit frowns on the deep;
They came the mountain. wind comes ON i,
path.
When tia tempest hath reused il from sleep
They were met as the rock meets the wave,
And dashes ts fury to air;
They were met as the foe should be mot by tn
brave,
With hearts FOR the conflict, on, not for despait