The battle of Bunker Hill, or the temple of liberty ::

The battle of Bunker Hill, or the temple of liberty

an historic poem in four cantos

Emmons, Richard (1788-1834)

[section]

THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL,

Canto II.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

Canto II.

Argument.

—Boston common converted into a British encampment— Gage in a markee spread beneath the Boston elm, explains the situation of the country to Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, who, on the day previous, had arrived from England, and just landed—The shipping and batteries open upon the American lines—Death of Willicer—Putnam returns— Warren arrives. The British under Howe cross the Charles river—The surrounding eminences crowded with anxious spectators—Hancock and Adams.

The scene is laid on Boston common, Copps Hill, and in Charlestown.

The time is about ten hours—from daylight till noon—June 17th.

Now from her bed of waves the morn ascends,
While many a tiny cloud around her bends,
Like waiting deities with radiant plumes,
Which she in turn with golden smile illumes.
The shadows vanish like a fairy dream,
When Transport wakens mid some glorious theme.
Lo, blithesome spring in all her robes is seen,
To dance with summer on the verdant green,

Who in the loveliest garniture appears,
Tranced with the living music of the spheres.

But Boston feels not th' inspiring glow—
Her heart is sick—she heaves the sighs of wo.
A withering enemy like a serpent twines
Around her bowers, and violates her shrines—
Her mall, an emerald gem, where art had traced
The lines of nature with exquisite taste—
When once beheld and pictured in the mind,
Deep on the memory, is wrapped, enshrined.
Not Eden's garden scarce could be more fair
At morn, noon, or sunset loveliness;—where
Young Innocence of late, in flowers array'd,
In wild free gambols round its borders play'd—
Where lovers oft had interchanged those sighs,
Which from the heart in holy incense rise—
This happy spot, but recently so blest,
Is now by feet of hostile legions press'd.

Mid the wide field, a solitary elm
Spreads its vast shade when sultry heats o'erwhelm
The drooping earth—a tree revered—a fane,
Where sylvan deities in moonlight reign—
Beneath this sacred elm, in gorgeous state,
A tent is spread, where royal chiefs debate:

Gage, Willard, Clinton, Burgoyne, and Howe,
Imperious scorn depictured on their brow;
Those mention'd last, the day preceding, came
From Albion's Isle to scathe the land with flame.
Grant, Abercrombie, Rawdon, Percy, known
As stately pillars to support the throne.

Gage by a restlessness not well disguised,
Show'd that he danger inwardly surmised;
And yet a haughtiness his features had,
As if that he would, like a falcon mad,
Pounce on his victim, who should dare suggest,
That doubts or shadows floated o'er his breast:

“Most noble Clinton, Burgoyne, and Howe,
“It yields us pleasure to salute you now,
“Not that we cherish apprehensions here,
“But that you've safe commenced your high career—
“Escaped the dangers of the treacherous main,
“To add new glories to Britannia's reign;
“For yet perhaps some trophies may be won,
“Except at th' announcing of your names they run,
“Their cause in ruins and their hopes undone.
“At Concord, Lexington, we made them feel
“The deadly keenness of the British steel.

“And while the terror of our arms was rife,
“To all I tender'd pardon for their life—
“All, save two rebels, whose inveterate hate
“Would gladly sap the royal dome of state—
“Hancock and Adams—blasphemous have they
“Dared 'gainst His august Highness to inveigh—
“To speak, to trifle lightly with his name,
“As if from common elements he came!
“So bold their treason, they proclaim aloud
“To cowans that compose the vulgar crowd,
“To monarchs longer not to bend the knee—
“Fearless they publish that mankind are free!

“Should wretches such as these pollute the earth,
“To bring a train of hydra passions forth?
“No: hunted should they be as wolves of prey,
“Till that extinct the race was lopp'd away.
“And Hawley, Otis, never I forgive—
“'Twould murder kings to suffer them to live.

“Behold the poisonous fruits these traitors bear!—
“This city seems a tigress in her lair,
Ready to spring and seize upon our throat,
“Whilst howling dire rebellion's hellish note.
“But wrench'd have I the talons from her claws,
“And broke the teeth from out her foaming jaws.

“By proclamation widely I promulged,
“That all with liberty should be indulged
“To leave the city with their wives, their all,
“If first would they, obedient to our call,
“From secret coverts, bring their weapons forth,
“And in our presence, pile them on the earth.

“They presently complied. And now forsooth,
“They rail—complain I've sacrificed the truth,
“Because I bar them yet with caution's key,
“And will not open them the city free.
“Adams has dared rebellious to upbraid
“That I have honor's sanctity betray'd—
“The period when—I carefully suppress'd—
“In that must we consult our interest.
“Retain'd we here no shield for our defence,
“Would not yon circling hills with violence
“Rain globes of fire? But now their dearest all,
“With us must be protected—stand or fall.

“'Tis my intention on this coming night,
“To cross the Charles and occupy the height
“That overlooks the plains, or soon may we
“Be hemm'd on all sides in extremity.
“Perhaps we err in making this delay—
“But we by this their frenzy will allay,

“Till on the summit we our flag display.
“None who the treasure of their life regard,
“Would dare our onward movement to retard.
“We'd sweep them hence, as foam upon the sea
“Is swept, when tempests hold their revelry.
“All things have I in readiness arranged
“T' advance, when day shall be to darkness changed.

“But who approaches on yon flying steed?
“He bears some message of important deed—
“'Tis Pigot!—Ay, the traitors are o'erthrown—
“Adams,—Hancock!—In chains shall they be shown,
“Awe to impress;—then, for their crimes, atone
“On yonder branch of this, their favorite tree—

“But lo, he comes!—
“We're all anxiety—
“Say, where did you seize the rebels?—speak!—
“Methinks there's color wanting in your cheek.
“And did they show resistance?—Who opposed?
“At once be all particulars disclosed.”

Pigot stood lost—not knowing what to say—
The salutation took his thoughts away.
At length he gain'd the compass of his mind,
The needle pointing to the theme design'd:

“I come not here to speak of traitors how,
“Except their frowning works on Bunker's brow”—

“On Bunker's brow!”—each startling voice, as one,
Pronounced abrupt, alarm'd—in unison.

“As slow the morn dispell'd the lingering night,
“Their growing works surprised our dubious sight.
“At first we thought a mist was on the hill,
“For such it seem'd, muffled in silence still.
“So circumspect were they, we heard no sound,
“Though walk'd our sentries on the beach around.
“But doubt and fiction soon to truth gave way,
“And all was bustle to begin the fray.
“I mounted—put my charger to his pride,
“And soon I found me at your lordship's side.”

He ceased. A pause—solemnity ensued,
As when the mind is suddenly subdued.
The unexpected tidings check'd the heart,
And caused the deep warm color to depart.
They strove by outward signs to hide the pain—
But hard, how hard is nature to restrain!
Strive as we may, she soon will break the screen—
In spite of art our passions will be seen.

At length th' emotion pass'd from off the cheek,
And Howe with consequence began to speak:

“These tidings but our purposes fulfil—
“To sally forth and occupy the hill.
“'Tis true, not here can we expect to build
“Our fame with trophies won upon the field—
“To curb a rebel host, is not as when
“Proud nations battle and we meet with men;
“But still our duty prompts, when slaves dare grieve
“And murmur at the tasks their masters give,
“A merited chastisement to bestow,
“And bend them humble in obedience low.

“This purpose to effect, with your consent,
“I, with our veterans, on some deed intent,
“Will overcome the summit—scour the plain,
“Till not a rebel shall in arms remain.
“'Twill yield the troops a grateful interlude
“From sameness here, where melancholies brood
“And pour a green contagion in the blood.”

“I hail thy prompt decision, gallant Howe.”
Gage with a flush'd excitement on his brow.
“My noble lord of Percy will combine
“His force with yours, and Leslie, Pitcarn, join.

“Pigot, our batteries, opposite, explode—
“For I intend the element to load
“With conflagration. Charlestown shall appear
“In flames to climb the highest atmosphere,
“Which to the day will add a splendid scene,
“And prove the terror of our discipline!
“From this, no village shall escape the brand,
“For desolation shall involve the land.
“A blighting pestilence to them we'll be,
“Till in the dust shall they imprint their knee;
“And with a meekness that partakes of fear,
“Confess their treason with repenting tear—
“And kiss the crown with reverential awe—
“Yea, crave the honor to receive its law.
“Never allegiance shall they dare forget—

“Hark!—'tis the Glasgow and the Sommerset,
“Opening their bellowing engines. Rise—away—
“And let the troops in richest robes array,
“As on review to make a grand display.”

Forth at the summons, eager they repair
T' arrange their cohorts on the height to bear.
Soon is the clangor of the trumpet heard,
By which the passions are tumultuous stirred.

The drum's mad music ruffles up the soul,
And makes them reckless of the fatal goal,
That Death has placed within a single turn,
When he their mortal ashes will inurn.

Now when from ocean waked the morning beam,
The shipping gazed—believing it a dream.
It seemed a trance their faculties possess'd—
They could not fix the truth within their breast,
That rebels such high daring could conceive,
And with such art their purposes achieve:
But from their minds all doubt was vanish'd brief—
Th' impressive fact was grappled with belief.
The circling bulwarks every moment grew,
And longer shadows from the summit threw.

Alarm produced a momentary pause—
But soon the cannon oped their flaming jaws,
And hurl'd in wreaths of fire the smiting ball,
To cause the rising parapet to fall—
Expecting soon to see the patriots break,
And in despair, their infant works forsake:
But what could equal their chagrin—surprise,
When they beheld the Eagle mount the skies!

Far on the south the British cannon peal'd
Against the wing where Thomas sway'd the field.
A heavy battery open'd on the west
To strike the centre standard from its rest,
That Ward might be diverted from the height,
Fearing himself a sally on his right—
And hence the triumph met a partial blight.
Th' exploding vessels and the mounds on flame,
Convulsive shook the elemental frame.

When Prescott heard the opening thunders break,
He in the confidence of valor spake:

“Hark! they at length our labors have descried—
“At all our works they range across the tide.
“The morn has drawn the veil of secrecy—
“And now we'll prove us worthy to be free!
“High in the midst of heaven the standard raise,
“And let the stars emit the lightning blaze.
“Behold, collecting on the hills afar,
“Our hearts' rich treasures to observe the war!
“Methinks in holy prayer I see them bend,
“That we this hill may gloriously defend.
“Firm will we hold it with an iron grasp,
“Till death our hand shall from the sword unclasp.”

Ere he had finish'd, was the flag on high,
Floating redundant, Britons to defy.
The youthful Willicer, too venturesome,
Leaps from th' intrenchment—Behold, a bomb
Exploding, drops him like a new-mown flower,
Its beauty fading in the sultry hour.
His blood the first that sanctified the hill,
To keep it green till nature's funeral pile.

The daring Prescott, instant that he fell,
Mounted the parapet, pale fear to quell,
Ere that its frost could curdle. He, his sword,
Waves—soon his stirring eloquence is heard:

“O, envious death! to be the first to bear
“The news to heaven what we have pledged to dare!
“Yea, shall our blood yield fatness to the soil,
“Or from our presence tyrants must recoil.
“The only apprehension that I feel,
“Is, that they never will assail with steel,
“But to their cannonry and mortars trust,
“Us to harass and sweep our works to dust.

“Ah, no!—my fears have vanish'd into heaven!
“My drooping thoughts to ecstacy are given!
“Behold, emerging from the city there,
“Their gaudy streamers dancing on the air!

“They soon in ponderous columns will arrive,
“Flush'd with vain hopes our feebleness to drive;
“But lo, our feebleness will be to them,
“As fire that belts creation's diadem.
“More deep, more dense they close in their ascent,
“More large will they partake death's sacrament.

“Putnam remounted on a charger comes—
“Warren and Stark!—their presence mounts—it plumes,
“Transports the soul like salutations blest,
“When rapt it enters in elysian rest.”

His words produced emotions that impell'd
Upward the thoughts as if on heaven they held.
They cast the earth behind them—fixed they stood
To pay the price of liberty—their blood.

The meantime Putnam, as new day was seen,
On a fresh charger, bounded o'er the green
To where that Stark had his position chose,
Near where the Mystic with the ocean flows.
He waited not for Putnam to commence:

“I crave the boon to aid in the defence.
“I seem as rais'd on pinions to ascend,
“And with my troops by labor to defend

“The summit, till with weapons we contend.”

Putnam rejoins: “Thy language burns—it thrills—
“Thy heart is like the granite of the hills.
“Now is the time to let thy soul have play,
“For I forebode eternal lives this day.
“Thy zeal will kindle through the ranks.—Repair,
“And give to Gridley your assistance there.
“North of the morass, has he begun,
“(For now are we to all expedients run)
“A shelter of mown grass, which when compress'd,
“Will stay the bullet's force—a kind of nest—
“Where many a one will bedded find its rest.
“Knowlton will here his skill and prowess bend,
“For we on Hampshire's valor can depend.
“Him will you join when battle shall be heard,
“To prove th' unyielding temper of your sword.
“Your left will rest upon the river bank,
“Your right wing, from assault, guard Prescott's flank.

“Hearken!—the Britons have the works descried—
“Their heavy guns explode upon the tide!

“The morning opens with a glorious sign—
“Companions! hasten to secure the line—
“There prove your spirits are indeed divine!”

Stark, with his soul in music, leads the way
For Knowlton, Reed, Cass, Dearborn to display;
Storrs, Willis, Spencer, valiant Pearce, and Hall—
Gilman, McClary, large of limb and tall—
Whose voice resembles ocean in its rage,
When arm to arm fierce combatants engage.

Nutting and Warner, right of the redoubt,
Take post, to see the threatening contest out.
A wooden fencement is their only shield,
Like that which Knowlton on the left wing held.

The gallant Perkins his position chose,
Where open bosom'd he could meet his foes—
Between the left of Prescott and the right
Of Knowlton, waved his banner in the light.

Prescott to Putnam as he clears the steep:
“Thy swift return makes new pulsations leap.
“Revered art thou—the chosen of the field—
“This day is thine to be in history seal'd.
“How glows my breast to see our minds as one,
“Centred as rays collected from the sun.

“The troops delight to hear thy voice of old—
“It seems new powers—resources to unfold—
“Confirms the brave and makes the timid bold.”

Putnam grasps his hand: “Yes, I feel that we
“Are like two branches from one parent tree;
“Soon will we show the blossoms of our fruit,
“Unless destruction's ploughshare breaks the root.”

This said—he to the ranks in cheerful mode,
Directed his discourse, which pleasing flow'd:

“Comrades! this labor will throw off disease,
“For toil the blood of peccant humors frees.
“Ah, yes, 'twill sweat base royalty away,
“And make the soul its purity display;
“What though their heavy peals our ears invade,
“'Tis but the music of a serenade.
“It proves they think us worthy of the boon—
“We presently will answer them the tune;
“For though at times they think us worse than rude,
“We'll entertain them with an interlude.”

The veteran thus in a facetious style,
Raised on the cheek a confidential smile,
Outrooting all misgiving from the breast,
And planting there a glowing interest.

Thus did the patriots, heedless of the blast,
Which at the works the ships and batteries cast,
Pursue their labors to intrench the hill—
Cool unto death their pledges to fulfil.

Now when at Harvard was the council done,
A fever through the veins of Warren run,
He sought repose to calm, t' assuage the heat,
For strong the arteries of his temples beat.
Stretch'd listless on his couch, he strives in vain
Sleep to allure;—th' excitement of the brain
Frightens her away;—essaying oft to close
His eyes, while tossing to and fro his limbs he throws.

“Hark! what was that?—Again the thunders peal!
“Health is restored!—no more the pain I feel!
“I hear the summons of my country call—
“My sword is hers—my wealth—my blood—my all!”

Scarce this effusion from his soul came forth,
When proud he rose as if he spurn'd the earth.
His look was heavenward—his port sublime,
As if his hand retain'd the link of time
That welded with eternity. Soon the rein,
His charger feels—he courses o'er the plain.

Putnam salutes him, climbing the ascent,
And utters feelingly this sentiment:

“I joy to greet thee this auspicious morn—
“Hail'd will it be by millions yet unborn!
“Still would I urge thee to remain behind,
“For wisdom dwells within thy lofty mind.
“Adams will need thy counsel to advise
“Means to sustain the glorious enterprise—
“But yet the sentiment, thy looks declare,
“Speaks—that thy spirit will the perils dare.”

To whom thus Warren: “Thou my soul hath scann'd—
“Firm in resolve my purpose have I plann'd.
“I crave no other boon than here to rest,
“If that my country in her cause be blest.
“What! could I linger when the notes of war,
“Made the foundations of my dwelling jar?
“While others bled to guard my children—wife,
“Could I hold recreant back—not pledge my life?
“Never—Where'er those stars effulgent wave,
“Freedom is mine, or that denied—a grave!”

Mystic River

“I find it vain to urge you to recede,
“Hence I'll explain the measures we've decreed:

“Where Prescott now is seen his sword to wield,
“We shall reluctantly be forced to yield.
“On Bunker's Height, a second stand we'll make,
“And never till the last the hill forsake;
“But first with blood impression must be made,
“That never from their memory will fade.
“We there must plant ourselves for death or life,
“Till they shall fear to think upon the strife.
“Our troops will also confidence acquire,
“To press determined through the walks of fire.”

Warren approved the arrangement of the chief,
While to the summit leap'd their chargers brief.

Him Prescott thus saluted: “Warren! hail!
“Thy presence here will cause us to prevail—
“To you I yield the honor of command—
“Proud I'll sustain you with my own right hand.”

“Never forsooth!” Thus Warren in return.
“From thee, I wish the soldier's art to learn.
“Thy head is hoary in the field of fame—
“To battle by thy side will glorify my name.”

Now when the sun was seated on his throne,
And with effulgence his full splendor shone,

From Boston in array the foe advanced,
While on the breeze their flickering standards danced.
They in appearance look'd a cloud of gold,
When crimson fringes lave each misty fold.
The music fill'd the element profound,
And made the heart triumphantly to bound.
Howe led the van with royal star array'd—
Leslie and Pitcarn, next in martial grade;
Richardson, Abercrombie, Williams, Clark,
Percy and Rawdon with a lordly mark;
Bruce, Jordon, Spendlove, Mitchell, Butler, Small,
With whom had Putnam wing'd the deadly ball,
When they contended 'gainst the flag of Gaul.

Percy the columns on the rear sustain'd—
Soon they the beach of shining pebbles gain'd.
The decorated barges seem'd to feel
A conscious pride to bear the burnish'd steel;
Slow as the music beat the measured key,
They in their motion kept the harmony.
Charles, from the depths of his translucent wave,
Back on the sight their gilded trappings gave.
They soon the narrow channel glided o'er,
And stood in all their strength upon the shore.

Gage in the mean time gloried in his pride,
To see the army buoyant on the tide.
He held the battery ready to explode,
And Charlestown conflagrate in royal mode,
When Howe majestic to th' attack should move,
And his train'd discipline victorious prove—
He at the prospect feels an inward glow,
Which gives his utterance an effusive flow:

“How it must pall their nerves on yonder height
“To mark the dazzling splendor of the sight!
“How terrible the helmets, bayonets, gleam,
“Awe to impress and rule the land supreme!
“See how the Glasgow rakes the defile o'er,
“Preventing all accession to their power;
“And likewise them, debarring from retreat,
“When Howe shall them like scatter'd herds defeat.

“Pigot, the match, stand instant to apply,
“To cause the shells to leap along the sky.
“This day a finish of the war will be,
“For every rebel will make bare his knee,
“And kings will hail it as their jubilee—

“Hush'd th' obstreperous rant of Freedom's tongue,
“And o'er her grave a royal peal be rung.

“Gaze, gaze ye hills—ye steeples, gaze—behold
“The scene the first, the last that ever will unfold.
“Behold the terrors of a throne incensed,
“And let its fear be deeply evidenced.”

He ceased. A bomb disploded from the steep,
Which show'd him ready on the town to leap
With raining fire to scath it from the earth,
To give his myrmidons demoniac mirth.

Charlestown Neck.

Soon as the ships began the battering war,
And morning trembled with th' eruptive jar,
The populous city crowded to the scene—
Yea, every hamlet, cottage on the green,
Pour'd out its tenants—infants, mothers, all—
To learn what judgment would the land befall.
Old gray-hair'd men—Elijahs of their race,
Came forth, their country and her arms to bless.
Deep asking passions moved the multitude—
Some would in silence o'er their sufferings brood;
Mothers would inward to their bosoms crowd
Their babes, and utter lamentations loud.

Others would hope express, subdued with fear—
They now would smile, and now let fall a tear.
Others in dumb despair show'd all was lost,
While o'er their features spread a deadly frost.

Hancock and Adams, consecrated men,
Stand near the Mystic.—Never history's pen
Hath characters portray'd more bright than these—
On whom th' affections in a transport seize.
They seem by their sublime and pondering look,
Reading the page in inspiration's book,
That on this day, would Truth, a new-orb'd star,
Rise and diverge its hallow'd rays afar.

“My countryman, my brother!” Adams thus.
“Say, is not this a glorious day for us?
“A day to light with freedom's torch the pyre
“Of tyranny, from whence shall forth aspire
“The phœnix liberty on wings of flame,
“Casting a brilliance o'er creation's frame—
“The continent will feel th' electric shock,
“Causing the soul its treasures to unlock:
“York, the first link will seize the sparkle,—then
“Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Penn.
“Virginia fill'd with inspiration's breath,
“Will raise the cry of Liberty or Death!

“She to the nation will bequeath her son
“To lead our arms to conquest—Washington!
“The Carolines and Georgia—the extreme,
“Will catch from yonder height the boreal gleam,
“And rise, and grasp the spear, their country to redeem!”

He ceased. And Hancock, while he eager press'd
His glowing hand, him thus in turn address'd:

“Thy language burns with a celestial zeal—
“Deep in my breast th' impressive truths I feel:
“But could they now as history be read
“Without a shadow, doubt, foreboding dread,
“I then would say to heaven: No more I crave!
“Now will my sleep be pleasant in the grave.
“Could but our blood procure th' invalued prize,
“How freely would we make the sacrifice!
“Yea, pinion'd would we yield ourselves to Gage,
“And let his hellish bosom glut its rage!

“Yon city holds my perishable all,
“I scarce regard what doom may it befall.
“Let them my treasures, with polluted hand,
“Seize and apply the conflagrating brand—
“I'd deem it light as gossamer to me,
“So that victorious were my country free.”

The old men gather'd round them while they spoke,
And gazed upon them with devotion's look.
Their eyes they fix'd with gratitude to heaven,
That two such Catos to the land were given.

University of Virginia Library

Canto II.

Argument.