Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-05-29
The Ride OF Collins Graves.
q, r,,de5t Of the Flood in Massachusetts,, on Mi
-' 10th, 1874.


y. .-n., o. A soldier riding down
r-,,o t6e raging fight from Winchester town;
H.,n.- of time mat shook the eartn
i,-,s f6e nations throe at a Nations birth;
- ~ s,u- OF brave man, free from fear
a, ,brr.dan's self or Paul Revere.
tVb- risked what they risked, irea from strife
.n5 its promise Of glorious pay-his life.
The ne,eeful valley has walked and stirred,
- H. answering echoes Of life are heard;
NE dew still clinss.to the trees and grass.
al the early toilers smiling pass,
a +bey ~lance aside at the white-walled homes
a. mn fhe valley, where merrily comes
~ t-..8k that sparkes in diamond rlls
A. rle sun comes over the Hampshire hills.
v7s- wa. i. that passed like an omnous breath
i-se1 80 yer OF iear or touch OF death
UTIsrws i. The valley is peaceful still,
,aI me caves are aire on top OF the hill.
r. ia. not sound nor thing OF sense
igfapa.n, Ike the pang OF the short suspense
r-,t wraps the being OF those who see
bttat.r feet the gulf OF Eternity
r..s.ra. the valley has felt the chill.
The workers pause at the door Of the mill
l..- housewife. keen To the shiyering air,
,--.-f. lcr loot On the cottage stair,
I1.t urs.ye taught by the Tuother-love,
4g. o. uas oi the sleeping ones above,
t.H., STAY; the listeners. Why does the course
n--leuill stream widen 1t is a horse,
Ifl-A % the sound Of his hCofs, they say,
r4f- -i.ieps SO wildly Williamsburg way,
,..I WHAT was that. Ike human shrek
B.. .s tie winding vallcy3 Hill nobody speak.
" nobody answer those women who cry
A.t.caw.ll warnings thunder by,
....1.,. come theys Listen And. now they hear
I...- -.uul O.. the galloping horse-hoo,s near.
T..., watch the trend oi the vale, and see
O. . rider who thuuders So menacinsly,
,-t WAVING arms and warning scream
I. mo H.mc-Glled hanks of tho valley stream
.I- draws uu re u, but he shakes the street
" ti1 shout and the ring of the galloping feet.
A.. -l.s the cry that he hin@s 70 the wind
III Ht bats for your H'rst The foOd Is behind -
Dbl. prize. ana Is gone hut they know the worst
.. trc8cberous Williamsburg dam has burst
-.. ...su tnat nourished their happy homes
O.. changed tU % demuu-It comes ID comes
q monster "a aspect, with shaggy front
l.r -' Uttered dwell uss, 10 take the hrunt
U t.. dwellings they shatter-waite- NAMED and
l.arsc,
q ueacIless terror fills the course
,.- tie narrow valley, and rushing raves.
). Oh Death on the first uf its Kissing waves.
q cottage and street and crowded mill
A.. r-uAbled and crushed.
But onward stil
.I.rt ut tac roaring food Is heard
Tire -lllupiu- horse ana the warning word.
Hlk X God, that the brave mans life is spared
.rfa iiamsburg town he nobly dared
rl-e with the flood and 90 take the road
IN .r.ut 9. the terrible swath it moved
-n ..- t numbered and crashed behind.
30 boz looked ahead with steadias' mind
!ttU must he tUarHtd ~ was all he said,
/. .4t4l lu lis r.hle ride he sped.
,...a l..-.es are called for bring the crown
tI.- ukee rider send him down
l tao stream OF time with the Curtius OLD;
d p decd a- tIe Romans was brave and bold,
.rl t.- tale san as noble thrill awake
2 4c .1crec is life .or the peoples sake.
-Bosfon Plot.