A little book of tribune verse A number of hitherto uncollected poems, grave and gay |
 |
 |
A GLORIOUS FOURTH. |
|
|
 | A little book of tribune verse |  |
153
A GLORIOUS FOURTH.
A Denver patriot, proud and grand,
Leaned up against a bar—elate
And lordlike, waved his graceful hand,
And ordered goodly cocktails, and
Talked of the “Day we Celebrate.”
Leaned up against a bar—elate
And lordlike, waved his graceful hand,
And ordered goodly cocktails, and
Talked of the “Day we Celebrate.”
“Oh, when we recollect,” said he,
“Old Bunker Hill and Lundy's Lane,
We drink, our patriot dead, to thee!”
And singing thus of liberty,
He bids 'em “set 'em up again.”
“Old Bunker Hill and Lundy's Lane,
We drink, our patriot dead, to thee!”
And singing thus of liberty,
He bids 'em “set 'em up again.”
His eyes beheld poor Warren bleed,
While British lords supined at ease,
And Putnam, fresh from rural mead,
Dash down a bank on foaming steed,
And, “one more cocktail, if you please.”
While British lords supined at ease,
And Putnam, fresh from rural mead,
Dash down a bank on foaming steed,
And, “one more cocktail, if you please.”
He spoke of Valley Forge and those
Who, hatless, bootless, in the snow,
Stood guard while old Boreas froze
Their patriotic ears and toes,
“Another glass? Well, here goes!”
Who, hatless, bootless, in the snow,
Stood guard while old Boreas froze
Their patriotic ears and toes,
“Another glass? Well, here goes!”
154
He talked of Allen, Wayne and Lee,
And ancient heroes by the score,
Of Boston harbor and the tea,
And tea reminded him that he
Inclined to liquidate once more.
And ancient heroes by the score,
Of Boston harbor and the tea,
And tea reminded him that he
Inclined to liquidate once more.
What wonder then that, quaffing to
The memory of those martyred dead,
E'en as they lost their dear lives through
Their love of land so staunch and true,
This Denver man should lose his head!
The memory of those martyred dead,
E'en as they lost their dear lives through
Their love of land so staunch and true,
This Denver man should lose his head!
Before another bar today
That Denver man will stand;
O Judge, be merciful, we pray,
And let him go his rocky way
To bless the freedom of our land!
That Denver man will stand;
O Judge, be merciful, we pray,
And let him go his rocky way
To bless the freedom of our land!
July 5th, 1883.
| A little book of tribune verse | |