Lines in Pleasant Places Rhythmics of many moods and quantities. Wise and otherwise |
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AN OLD TEA-PARTY.
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 | Lines in Pleasant Places |  |
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AN OLD TEA-PARTY.
In seventeen hundred seventy-three,
A hundred years ago to-day,
A mighty party met at tea
In good old Boston, o'er the way.
A hundred years ago to-day,
A mighty party met at tea
In good old Boston, o'er the way.
'Twas no hilarious, jocund crowd,
Lit up by faces of the fair,
But each one seemed beneath a cloud,
And wore a most determined air.
Lit up by faces of the fair,
But each one seemed beneath a cloud,
And wore a most determined air.
Within the Old South Church was held
This solemn party quaint and stern,
And all the members seemed impelled
By feelings hostile to the urn!
This solemn party quaint and stern,
And all the members seemed impelled
By feelings hostile to the urn!
No choiring melodists outpoured
Upon the wintry air their tunes,
As solemnly the patriots stirred,—
Though very far from being “spoons.”
Upon the wintry air their tunes,
As solemnly the patriots stirred,—
Though very far from being “spoons.”
What was the matter with the tea?
Could it not be the genuine hong?
Was it not steeped sufficiently?
Or was it cooked a bit too strong?
Could it not be the genuine hong?
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Or was it cooked a bit too strong?
Out then bespoke the patriots tried,
—Not tried by fagot or by law,—
“Though we have all his tea denied,
King George will pour it down our maw;
—Not tried by fagot or by law,—
“Though we have all his tea denied,
King George will pour it down our maw;
“For here a cargo bides to-day,
That we must suffer to remain;
The duty isn't much to pay,
But paying were a deadly stain.
That we must suffer to remain;
The duty isn't much to pay,
But paying were a deadly stain.
“Now say, what is it we must do
To clear the irritation out?”
Just then a painted Indian crew
Passed by the church with fearful shout.
To clear the irritation out?”
Just then a painted Indian crew
Passed by the church with fearful shout.
Undoubted Mohawks, every soul;
But, strange that Indians thus should choose!
Small-clothes beneath their blankets stole,
And some wore buckles in their shoes.
But, strange that Indians thus should choose!
Small-clothes beneath their blankets stole,
And some wore buckles in their shoes.
And then the party straightway broke,
And followed on behind the “braves”
To where the ship of which they'd spoke
Sat silently upon the waves.
And followed on behind the “braves”
To where the ship of which they'd spoke
Sat silently upon the waves.
No word was said, and ere the crew
Or owners had a chance to think,
The hatches from their fastening broke,
And all the tea was in the “drink.”
Or owners had a chance to think,
The hatches from their fastening broke,
And all the tea was in the “drink.”
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Over the side the chests outpoured
Their Souchong, Hyson, and Bohea,
And not a pound remained on board
For after hospitality.
Their Souchong, Hyson, and Bohea,
And not a pound remained on board
For after hospitality.
Then such a shout as rent the skies!
Which, had King Georgius only heard,
It might have made him act more wise,
Than in the after-time occurred.
Which, had King Georgius only heard,
It might have made him act more wise,
Than in the after-time occurred.
Later, when gallant Peter Gore,
His lady-love's bright smile did seek,
The kiss he gave her at the door
Transferred some war-paint to her cheek;
His lady-love's bright smile did seek,
The kiss he gave her at the door
Transferred some war-paint to her cheek;
Which, by next morning's light descried,
Made her heart beat a glad refrain;
And then she almost vowed, with pride,
She'd never wash her face again!
Made her heart beat a glad refrain;
And then she almost vowed, with pride,
She'd never wash her face again!
More than a jewel's sheen, she thought,
That spot in other time would bear;
To have it with her blushes wrought
Would make her beauty doubly fair.
That spot in other time would bear;
To have it with her blushes wrought
Would make her beauty doubly fair.
Now, this is why we're here to-night,
With all that heart of man can crave,
With tea in plenty, faces bright,
And everything that's fair and brave:
With all that heart of man can crave,
With tea in plenty, faces bright,
And everything that's fair and brave:
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The frigid gathering of old,
Which ended in that serious fuss,
Was fraught with blessings manifold,
That should be duly felt by us.
Which ended in that serious fuss,
Was fraught with blessings manifold,
That should be duly felt by us.
Though acrid was the cup they brewed,
In Boston Bay's extensive dish,
A cup of tea from it ensued
Just suited to all patriot wish.
In Boston Bay's extensive dish,
A cup of tea from it ensued
Just suited to all patriot wish.
It fired the hearts of Freedom's sons,
It strengthened hope's relaxing powers,
It gave more potency to guns,
It promise lent to darkened hours.
It strengthened hope's relaxing powers,
It gave more potency to guns,
It promise lent to darkened hours.
This cup of tea its force still shows:
It late inspired each Northern breast,
And told in triumph o'er the foes
Who strove the Union to molest;
It late inspired each Northern breast,
And told in triumph o'er the foes
Who strove the Union to molest;
And as we drink it, and are wise,
Shall we the priceless guerdon gain
That e'er a nation glorifies
Whose honor is without a stain.
Shall we the priceless guerdon gain
That e'er a nation glorifies
Whose honor is without a stain.
This cup, that each partaker cheers,
—A grander man may never see,—
Exalts, inspires, delights, endears:
It is the cup of—Liberty!
—A grander man may never see,—
Exalts, inspires, delights, endears:
It is the cup of—Liberty!
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