 | The Poetical Works of William Cullen Bryant |  |
THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON.
On this fair valley's grassy breast
The calm, sweet rays of summer rest,
And dove-like peace divinely broods
On its smooth lawns and solemn woods.
The calm, sweet rays of summer rest,
And dove-like peace divinely broods
On its smooth lawns and solemn woods.
A century since, in flame and smoke,
The storm of battle o'er it broke;
And ere the invader turned and fled,
These pleasant fields were strown with dead.
The storm of battle o'er it broke;
And ere the invader turned and fled,
These pleasant fields were strown with dead.
Stark, quick to act and bold to dare,
And Warner's mountain band were there;
And Allen, who had flung the pen
Aside to lead the Berkshire men.
And Warner's mountain band were there;
And Allen, who had flung the pen
Aside to lead the Berkshire men.
With fiery onset—blow on blow—
They rushed upon the embattled foe,
And swept his squadrons from the vale,
Like leaves before the autumn gale.
They rushed upon the embattled foe,
And swept his squadrons from the vale,
Like leaves before the autumn gale.
Oh! never may the purple stain
Of combat blot these fields again,
Nor this fair valley ever cease
To wear the placid smile of peace.
Of combat blot these fields again,
399
To wear the placid smile of peace.
But we, beside this battle-field,
Will plight the vow that ere we yield
The right for which our fathers bled,
Our blood shall steep the ground we tread.
Will plight the vow that ere we yield
The right for which our fathers bled,
Our blood shall steep the ground we tread.
And men shall hold the memory dear
Of those who fought for freedom here,
And guard the heritage they won
While these green hill-sides feel the sun.
Of those who fought for freedom here,
And guard the heritage they won
While these green hill-sides feel the sun.
August, 1877.
| The Poetical Works of William Cullen Bryant | |