Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-03-12
LEXINGTON,

cNnson, aS the bcst poem prosecuted and therefore, cnt
Inc highest premium. IN T. e. Po
LEXINGTON,
wMrrES Br FRosrER ". wgrMonr ysawtRr OF srw.yos
II of strange and thrilling intcrost-,hoy
re to oppose AN authority which they had been taught toto
to rcnsrae Many armed but with their ~rongso,
determination in every look. We'll did tho a-.aants
IL assault upon that llo band of patriots. Long the d.
hat day be remembered 1t was the opcnin. scene of
drama"
l'hcrc fearful gathering seen
On that evcntiul day.
Anl rneu were there who nccr had boon
The movers In fray:
Tho peaceful aud the silent came,
WIN dorkling brows and flashing eyes;
And breasts that knew not glory's flame
. Burned for the patriot rfcc!
NO pomp of marcl--uo proud urtay-
There spakc no ttumpot-sound-
As socmnly they took their way
Unto that conflict ground:
SAdly, as ~ some tic were broken
but urn, with port erect, austcrc-
DARK Chances passed, and words spoken
As men will look aud speak in fear
Yet courscd no coward blood
Where that lone paalanN stood,
Rock like, but spiLit-wtousht-
Astransc unwontcd feeling cropt
Though every broast-oll memories slopt
While passion there n vigil kept
For one consuming thought
To live n lcttoIcd slave,
" I'LL u lrecman's gravel
Though many an arm was wcaponicss,
- lie elenched fingers spakc full vol
The stern resolve, the fcarcssnoss,
That danger could not guell;
Yet some, with hnsty hand,
The rust encountered brand
Had snatchcd from its peaceful slocp
And held II now with n grasp that told
lIeeman's life should DO dearly sold
'Twns courage stern aud deep,
Proudly, conqucroTs como
From field their have won,
With buglc-bllSt and beat of drum
The BTiton host came
Tlcir banners unfurled, and gaily streaming
Their FURNISHED arms ~ the sunlight cleaning,
Fearless OF peril of valcr high,
With joyous gieo tloy wers idly dreaming
oi " bloodcss triumph nish
The lightning sIcam of tho bayouets glancing-
Broke on the ear, and flashed on the eye,
rs The eolumncd foo in their strength advancing,
a., tcaIed their warnotcs to the echoing sky
Twas gallant band that marshnllcd there,
With the dngon1ag upborne in air;
FOR England gathered then her pridc
The bravest of wuTrior-land;
Names TO heroic deeds allied y
Tho strong OF heart and hand:
They came in their Plnopled might,
In the pride Of their chivarous name,
For music to them were the sounds of thu fight
On the rcd carnage field was their altar of fame
Ihey came as the ocean-wayc comes in its wrath,
When the storni-spir frowns the deep;
They came "a the mountain-wind comes on its path,
When the tempest hath reused il from sleep;
They were met as tho rock meets the wave,
And dashcs its fury to air;
They were met rs the foo should he by tho brave
with hearts for the conflict, but not for despair!
What power hath stayed that wild carocr'
Not mcrcy's vOicc-noT thrill of icar
Ills the dread recoil of the booming wave,
Ere II sweeps the bark to its yawning grave-
Ills the fearful hour OF the brooding storm,
Ere the lightning bolt hath spcd
Tho shock hath come! aud the life blood warm
Conseals on the breast of tho deal.
The strio-the taunt-thc tcathcr loud
Arc pealing through the sulphurous cloud,
As hand TO hand each foe engages
While hearts that meier TO monarch bowed,
And bcted knights, to the combat crowd;
fearless tlTong the contest wngcs
And eye TO eye, the mcok-thc proud
Meet dnrky meath the baite-shroud;
Ills the feast of death where tho conflict ragcs.
Wo for the land thou tramplcst DOR,
Dcath-dcalinc fond OF war
Thy baulc-hools died in gore,
Red havoc drives thy car;
Wo! for the dark and dcsolto,
Down crushed beneath thy tread
Thy ifown hath been IA whitening fate,
To the mourning and the dead :!
Wo' Tor the pleasant cottage home,
Tho lovc-ihrong ut the door,
Valnly they think his steps will como
Their cherished comes
Wo. for the broken hearted,
The ovcdonc by the hearth
Wo ! for the bliss departed
The Pleiad gone from earth
Twas n day Of changcful fate
For the foe OF the hammered limo
Aud tho host that came at morn in state,
With broken thrOng the suns decline
And many warriors heart cold,
And many soaring hope crushed--
Where the crimson tide of battle rolled,
And the avenging lcgions rushed!
WrcaIhs for the living conqueror.
And glory's need for tho persisted
No trophied stone may their deeds restore,
But the hero names cherished;
When the summons How for the patrot-oall,
They gave thought TO the CORY pail,
But pressed TO the fight festival!
They barred them TO the sabre stroke,
Nor quniled nm eye when the fury broke
The fought Ike who dared to do
For freedom" was their batto-cry-
And loud 1t ruug through tho conflict smoke
Up with nations banners. Thoy ny
With an eagle-ilight,
To tho far blue sky
'Tis glorious sight,
As they float abroad in tho azure light,
And their fame shall never die
When nations search their brightest page
For deeds that gid the oden age,
And shine, the metcor-lights of story
Triton with swelling pride shall hear
or Ctossy's field, and old Poictiors,
Aud doathless Agincouu;
Shall Gali1 point with kindling oyo
10 tho days of her boltcd chivary,
Aud her gallant T'roubadour;
va Scotia, too, with Joy shall turn
Where beams tie fight of Bannockburn;
And Falkitk's field of glory!
Land of the fec Though young in famo,
Earth may not boast nohleT
Plniea's splcndOur is not thine
Lcuctra, near Marathon;
NpI lob. L..