A CENOTAPH.AUGUST, 1776.

BY ERASTUS W. ELLSWORTH.

"It was a notion of the ancients, that if one perished at sea, or where his body could not be found, the only way to procure repose for him was to build an empty tomb, and by certain rites and invocations, call his spirit to the habitation prepared for it."Eschenburg.

Eschenburg.

I.1.

The memory of Nathan Hale,Who, in the days of strife,For freedom of our native land,Laid down his noble life.Lord Howe, Cornwallis, Percy earlWere come in wide array,And from Long Island to New YorkHad pushed our guns away.Our Father looked across the Sound,Disaster groaned behind,And many dubious, anxious thoughtsWere labouring in his mind."Knowlton," said he, "I need a man,Such as is hard to meet,A trusty, brave, and loyal man,And skilful in deceit."The British, now in Brooklyn lodged,May divers plans pursue:Find me a man to go and spyWhat Howe intends to do."Said Knowlton, "Sir, I make no doubtMany apt men have we."He went. At nightfall he returnedWith Hale in company.

The memory of Nathan Hale,Who, in the days of strife,For freedom of our native land,Laid down his noble life.

The memory of Nathan Hale,

Who, in the days of strife,

For freedom of our native land,

Laid down his noble life.

Lord Howe, Cornwallis, Percy earlWere come in wide array,And from Long Island to New YorkHad pushed our guns away.

Lord Howe, Cornwallis, Percy earl

Were come in wide array,

And from Long Island to New York

Had pushed our guns away.

Our Father looked across the Sound,Disaster groaned behind,And many dubious, anxious thoughtsWere labouring in his mind.

Our Father looked across the Sound,

Disaster groaned behind,

And many dubious, anxious thoughts

Were labouring in his mind.

"Knowlton," said he, "I need a man,Such as is hard to meet,A trusty, brave, and loyal man,And skilful in deceit.

"Knowlton," said he, "I need a man,

Such as is hard to meet,

A trusty, brave, and loyal man,

And skilful in deceit.

"The British, now in Brooklyn lodged,May divers plans pursue:Find me a man to go and spyWhat Howe intends to do."

"The British, now in Brooklyn lodged,

May divers plans pursue:

Find me a man to go and spy

What Howe intends to do."

Said Knowlton, "Sir, I make no doubtMany apt men have we."He went. At nightfall he returnedWith Hale in company.

Said Knowlton, "Sir, I make no doubt

Many apt men have we."

He went. At nightfall he returned

With Hale in company.

"Young friend," said Washington to Hale,"It much imports to knowWhat mischief Howe is brooding on;Which way intends to go."But though you might, with help of Grace,Unmask his schemes of ill,I will not risk your generous bloodWithout your perfect will.""Grave Sir," said Hale, "I left my home,Not for the love of strife,But for my country's cause resolved,Knowing I risked my life."Between my duty and my will,In service light or sore,It is not now for me to choose,For that was done before."Let not your Excellency poiseWhat may to me ensue;But weigh the service to be done,And judge my power to do.""Well said; then briefly thus:—Put onSome other self-disguise—And by to-morrow morning beAmong our enemies."Go safely curious how you will,And spy whate'er you may,Of how their troops have borne the bruiseThey gave us yesterday."And deeper else—our chief concern,And study at this hour—Find if their guns are hither aimed;Or, with divided power,"Cleft from the rearward of their force,While we stand here attent;Or farther south, or farther north,They mean to make descent."Brooklyn to them is vantage-ground.Find what you can. To knowThe mischief in a foeman's thoughtIs half to foil a foe."The moon goes down"—"By nine," said Hale.Said Knowlton: "Nay, at ten.""Can you be off so soon as that?""I hardly think by then:"Nor would—for let me plead that I,Herein, may yield my breath;And mine affairs I would deviseAs if before my death."God knows what hearts may crack for this.But failure, or no fail,To-morrow morning I'll be there,As I am Nathan Hale.""Bravely, my boy! Such soul as thisIs better than a host.To dare is little, if to dareUnmindful of the cost."

"Young friend," said Washington to Hale,"It much imports to knowWhat mischief Howe is brooding on;Which way intends to go.

"Young friend," said Washington to Hale,

"It much imports to know

What mischief Howe is brooding on;

Which way intends to go.

"But though you might, with help of Grace,Unmask his schemes of ill,I will not risk your generous bloodWithout your perfect will."

"But though you might, with help of Grace,

Unmask his schemes of ill,

I will not risk your generous blood

Without your perfect will."

"Grave Sir," said Hale, "I left my home,Not for the love of strife,But for my country's cause resolved,Knowing I risked my life.

"Grave Sir," said Hale, "I left my home,

Not for the love of strife,

But for my country's cause resolved,

Knowing I risked my life.

"Between my duty and my will,In service light or sore,It is not now for me to choose,For that was done before.

"Between my duty and my will,

In service light or sore,

It is not now for me to choose,

For that was done before.

"Let not your Excellency poiseWhat may to me ensue;But weigh the service to be done,And judge my power to do."

"Let not your Excellency poise

What may to me ensue;

But weigh the service to be done,

And judge my power to do."

"Well said; then briefly thus:—Put onSome other self-disguise—And by to-morrow morning beAmong our enemies.

"Well said; then briefly thus:—Put on

Some other self-disguise—

And by to-morrow morning be

Among our enemies.

"Go safely curious how you will,And spy whate'er you may,Of how their troops have borne the bruiseThey gave us yesterday.

"Go safely curious how you will,

And spy whate'er you may,

Of how their troops have borne the bruise

They gave us yesterday.

"And deeper else—our chief concern,And study at this hour—Find if their guns are hither aimed;Or, with divided power,

"And deeper else—our chief concern,

And study at this hour—

Find if their guns are hither aimed;

Or, with divided power,

"Cleft from the rearward of their force,While we stand here attent;Or farther south, or farther north,They mean to make descent.

"Cleft from the rearward of their force,

While we stand here attent;

Or farther south, or farther north,

They mean to make descent.

"Brooklyn to them is vantage-ground.Find what you can. To knowThe mischief in a foeman's thoughtIs half to foil a foe.

"Brooklyn to them is vantage-ground.

Find what you can. To know

The mischief in a foeman's thought

Is half to foil a foe.

"The moon goes down"—"By nine," said Hale.Said Knowlton: "Nay, at ten.""Can you be off so soon as that?""I hardly think by then:

"The moon goes down"—"By nine," said Hale.

Said Knowlton: "Nay, at ten."

"Can you be off so soon as that?"

"I hardly think by then:

"Nor would—for let me plead that I,Herein, may yield my breath;And mine affairs I would deviseAs if before my death.

"Nor would—for let me plead that I,

Herein, may yield my breath;

And mine affairs I would devise

As if before my death.

"God knows what hearts may crack for this.But failure, or no fail,To-morrow morning I'll be there,As I am Nathan Hale."

"God knows what hearts may crack for this.

But failure, or no fail,

To-morrow morning I'll be there,

As I am Nathan Hale."

"Bravely, my boy! Such soul as thisIs better than a host.To dare is little, if to dareUnmindful of the cost."

"Bravely, my boy! Such soul as this

Is better than a host.

To dare is little, if to dare

Unmindful of the cost."

The night was broadly overcast,And the scant moon and stars,From the dim dungeons of the clouds,Looked through their iron bars."My worthy lad," said Washington,"We seek without despair,Although we find, in all yon arch,No sign of morning there.""And know whose gracious hand it isThat times the darkest sky,"Said Hale. "Adieu!" said Washington,"God keep you,—go,—good-bye!"

The night was broadly overcast,And the scant moon and stars,From the dim dungeons of the clouds,Looked through their iron bars.

The night was broadly overcast,

And the scant moon and stars,

From the dim dungeons of the clouds,

Looked through their iron bars.

"My worthy lad," said Washington,"We seek without despair,Although we find, in all yon arch,No sign of morning there."

"My worthy lad," said Washington,

"We seek without despair,

Although we find, in all yon arch,

No sign of morning there."

"And know whose gracious hand it isThat times the darkest sky,"Said Hale. "Adieu!" said Washington,"God keep you,—go,—good-bye!"

"And know whose gracious hand it is

That times the darkest sky,"

Said Hale. "Adieu!" said Washington,

"God keep you,—go,—good-bye!"

II.1.

The flitting Hours, with golden brandsOnce more adorned with flame,Beheld our land in busy act,Where war was all the game.Out of his cups of deep carouse,That reeled till morning shine,The Provost of the Lion campCame forth the tented line.An ugly man,—a tiger soul,Lodged in a human house,—With whiskey fuming from his hide,And hair about his brows.And Hale had hid his skiff, and nowWas coming by the shore,Thinking of many serious thingsHe never thought before.He mused of all the hard assaysOf this our mortal state;The bitter bruise, and bloody blowsOf Virtue matched with Fate.He heard the larks and robins sing,And tears came in his eyes,To think how man, and man alone,Was cast from Paradise.

The flitting Hours, with golden brandsOnce more adorned with flame,Beheld our land in busy act,Where war was all the game.

The flitting Hours, with golden brands

Once more adorned with flame,

Beheld our land in busy act,

Where war was all the game.

Out of his cups of deep carouse,That reeled till morning shine,The Provost of the Lion campCame forth the tented line.

Out of his cups of deep carouse,

That reeled till morning shine,

The Provost of the Lion camp

Came forth the tented line.

An ugly man,—a tiger soul,Lodged in a human house,—With whiskey fuming from his hide,And hair about his brows.

An ugly man,—a tiger soul,

Lodged in a human house,—

With whiskey fuming from his hide,

And hair about his brows.

And Hale had hid his skiff, and nowWas coming by the shore,Thinking of many serious thingsHe never thought before.

And Hale had hid his skiff, and now

Was coming by the shore,

Thinking of many serious things

He never thought before.

He mused of all the hard assaysOf this our mortal state;The bitter bruise, and bloody blowsOf Virtue matched with Fate.

He mused of all the hard assays

Of this our mortal state;

The bitter bruise, and bloody blows

Of Virtue matched with Fate.

He heard the larks and robins sing,And tears came in his eyes,To think how man, and man alone,Was cast from Paradise.

He heard the larks and robins sing,

And tears came in his eyes,

To think how man, and man alone,

Was cast from Paradise.

"Well Hodge, how's turnips? What's in this?""Now who be you?" said Hale,"I aint no Hodge,—taint turnips,—stop,—Let go,—this here's for sale.""Powder and grog! be quiet, lad.Tobacco! by my soul!Rebel, we've come to take the land,—Hands off!—I seize the whole."The Provost wheeled towards the camp.Hale followed with a cry:"Give me my pack—now—come—you sir!""Clod-shoes, get home!—not I."But epaulettes were on the road.—The trick was getting worse.The Provost dumped the pack aside,With a substantial curse."Wa'al, mister, that's the han'some thing!That are tobaker's prime.I knowed you didn't mean to grab,—I knowed it all the time."I'm goin' to peddle, up to camp,And if you only wouldGo snacks, and help me sell, you might.Come, I should say you could.""Yorky, pick up your pack, hook on,Hook on, we'll make it even."The lines were passed, the countersign,—"Whither away,"—was given."I see," said Hale, within himself,"This man's internal shape,—The Devil can do a gracious turn,To shy a graceless scrape."

"Well Hodge, how's turnips? What's in this?""Now who be you?" said Hale,"I aint no Hodge,—taint turnips,—stop,—Let go,—this here's for sale."

"Well Hodge, how's turnips? What's in this?"

"Now who be you?" said Hale,

"I aint no Hodge,—taint turnips,—stop,—

Let go,—this here's for sale."

"Powder and grog! be quiet, lad.Tobacco! by my soul!Rebel, we've come to take the land,—Hands off!—I seize the whole."

"Powder and grog! be quiet, lad.

Tobacco! by my soul!

Rebel, we've come to take the land,—

Hands off!—I seize the whole."

The Provost wheeled towards the camp.Hale followed with a cry:"Give me my pack—now—come—you sir!""Clod-shoes, get home!—not I."

The Provost wheeled towards the camp.

Hale followed with a cry:

"Give me my pack—now—come—you sir!"

"Clod-shoes, get home!—not I."

But epaulettes were on the road.—The trick was getting worse.The Provost dumped the pack aside,With a substantial curse.

But epaulettes were on the road.—

The trick was getting worse.

The Provost dumped the pack aside,

With a substantial curse.

"Wa'al, mister, that's the han'some thing!That are tobaker's prime.I knowed you didn't mean to grab,—I knowed it all the time.

"Wa'al, mister, that's the han'some thing!

That are tobaker's prime.

I knowed you didn't mean to grab,—

I knowed it all the time.

"I'm goin' to peddle, up to camp,And if you only wouldGo snacks, and help me sell, you might.Come, I should say you could."

"I'm goin' to peddle, up to camp,

And if you only would

Go snacks, and help me sell, you might.

Come, I should say you could."

"Yorky, pick up your pack, hook on,Hook on, we'll make it even."The lines were passed, the countersign,—"Whither away,"—was given.

"Yorky, pick up your pack, hook on,

Hook on, we'll make it even."

The lines were passed, the countersign,—

"Whither away,"—was given.

"I see," said Hale, within himself,"This man's internal shape,—The Devil can do a gracious turn,To shy a graceless scrape."

"I see," said Hale, within himself,

"This man's internal shape,—

The Devil can do a gracious turn,

To shy a graceless scrape."

Gay was the camp with liveried men;Some trimmed the gun and blade,Some chatted in the morning sun,Some slept along the shade.And some bore out the soldier deadOn his unfollowed bier—The soldier dead, the hapless dead,Who died without a tear.So lately wept from England's shore,And winged with prayers afar,To feel the piercing thunder-shock,Gored by the horns of War.

Gay was the camp with liveried men;Some trimmed the gun and blade,Some chatted in the morning sun,Some slept along the shade.

Gay was the camp with liveried men;

Some trimmed the gun and blade,

Some chatted in the morning sun,

Some slept along the shade.

And some bore out the soldier deadOn his unfollowed bier—The soldier dead, the hapless dead,Who died without a tear.

And some bore out the soldier dead

On his unfollowed bier—

The soldier dead, the hapless dead,

Who died without a tear.

So lately wept from England's shore,And winged with prayers afar,To feel the piercing thunder-shock,Gored by the horns of War.

So lately wept from England's shore,

And winged with prayers afar,

To feel the piercing thunder-shock,

Gored by the horns of War.

Cried Hale, "Who buys? who buys? who buys?Hearts! Boys! My lads! Hooraw!Thrippence a junk, Britannia rule—Don't any of you chaw?"And all the while his wily eyeWas taking curious notesOf men, and arms, and sheeted carts,And guns with stoppered throats."Boys, what you goin' to doin' on?Hello!—this way that beer.You goin' to captivate New York?Pine-shillin' piece—look here—""Sing us a song." "'Bout what?" said Hale."Sing us 'All in the Doons'—'Britannia Rule'—'God save the King'"—Said Hale, "Don't know the tunes."Cornwallis now came walking by,—"The Capting, hey?" "It is."Hale folded up an ample slice:"D'ye s'pose he'd 'xcept of this?"Mad with the thought, to see the clownBreak his own pate with fun,"Do it," said they. Said Hale, "I will.""Jerry's respects"—'twas done.And back he came with open grin;"Took it like ile!" said he."I swow! I done the handsome thing—He done it, too, to me."

Cried Hale, "Who buys? who buys? who buys?Hearts! Boys! My lads! Hooraw!Thrippence a junk, Britannia rule—Don't any of you chaw?"

Cried Hale, "Who buys? who buys? who buys?

Hearts! Boys! My lads! Hooraw!

Thrippence a junk, Britannia rule—

Don't any of you chaw?"

And all the while his wily eyeWas taking curious notesOf men, and arms, and sheeted carts,And guns with stoppered throats.

And all the while his wily eye

Was taking curious notes

Of men, and arms, and sheeted carts,

And guns with stoppered throats.

"Boys, what you goin' to doin' on?Hello!—this way that beer.You goin' to captivate New York?Pine-shillin' piece—look here—"

"Boys, what you goin' to doin' on?

Hello!—this way that beer.

You goin' to captivate New York?

Pine-shillin' piece—look here—"

"Sing us a song." "'Bout what?" said Hale."Sing us 'All in the Doons'—'Britannia Rule'—'God save the King'"—Said Hale, "Don't know the tunes."

"Sing us a song." "'Bout what?" said Hale.

"Sing us 'All in the Doons'—

'Britannia Rule'—'God save the King'"—

Said Hale, "Don't know the tunes."

Cornwallis now came walking by,—"The Capting, hey?" "It is."Hale folded up an ample slice:"D'ye s'pose he'd 'xcept of this?"

Cornwallis now came walking by,—

"The Capting, hey?" "It is."

Hale folded up an ample slice:

"D'ye s'pose he'd 'xcept of this?"

Mad with the thought, to see the clownBreak his own pate with fun,"Do it," said they. Said Hale, "I will.""Jerry's respects"—'twas done.

Mad with the thought, to see the clown

Break his own pate with fun,

"Do it," said they. Said Hale, "I will."

"Jerry's respects"—'twas done.

And back he came with open grin;"Took it like ile!" said he."I swow! I done the handsome thing—He done it, too, to me."

And back he came with open grin;

"Took it like ile!" said he.

"I swow! I done the handsome thing—

He done it, too, to me."

III.1.

Sins are like waters in a gap;Like flames to leap a check;If cable Conscience crack a strand,A man may go to wreck.Sins never shut the doors of heartsThat give good cheer to sin,But always leave them open wide,For others to come in.Disdaining ours, for England's camp,There lurked a man about,Who, flushed with shame and rage of heart,Like Judas, had gone out.He left us, and he swore revenge,And vengeance did not fail.The courteous fiend, who led his steps,Conducted him to Hale—His kinsman—one whose generous hand,Impelled by bold desire,Had saved him once, and still enduredThe seal of it in fire.He met him coming from the camp;He saw—he knew the hand—He saw the whole—and in the roadHe made a sudden stand."Hum! ha!—It's Captain Hale, I think.Nathan, how do you do?Sorry I am to see you here—Sorry I am for you."Off from the sudden heart of HaleAll his disguises fell:"Cousin! good God!—go back with me.And all shall yet be well.""It cannot be. You came to dare,And you must take the rod."Said Hale, "This hand, at Judgment day,Will fan the wrath of God.""Speak not of God," the traitor said;"A good French faith have I—'No man hath seen Him,' Scripture saith,And 'all is vanity.'"Hale, finding how the scoundrel fearedNor God's nor man's award,Looked for a handy stick or stone,To quicken his regard.But, tiger-soon, the renegadeHad gripped his arms around:"Ah, ha!—yes, yes—help! help!" he cried,And crushed him to the ground.

Sins are like waters in a gap;Like flames to leap a check;If cable Conscience crack a strand,A man may go to wreck.

Sins are like waters in a gap;

Like flames to leap a check;

If cable Conscience crack a strand,

A man may go to wreck.

Sins never shut the doors of heartsThat give good cheer to sin,But always leave them open wide,For others to come in.

Sins never shut the doors of hearts

That give good cheer to sin,

But always leave them open wide,

For others to come in.

Disdaining ours, for England's camp,There lurked a man about,Who, flushed with shame and rage of heart,Like Judas, had gone out.

Disdaining ours, for England's camp,

There lurked a man about,

Who, flushed with shame and rage of heart,

Like Judas, had gone out.

He left us, and he swore revenge,And vengeance did not fail.The courteous fiend, who led his steps,Conducted him to Hale—

He left us, and he swore revenge,

And vengeance did not fail.

The courteous fiend, who led his steps,

Conducted him to Hale—

His kinsman—one whose generous hand,Impelled by bold desire,Had saved him once, and still enduredThe seal of it in fire.

His kinsman—one whose generous hand,

Impelled by bold desire,

Had saved him once, and still endured

The seal of it in fire.

He met him coming from the camp;He saw—he knew the hand—He saw the whole—and in the roadHe made a sudden stand.

He met him coming from the camp;

He saw—he knew the hand—

He saw the whole—and in the road

He made a sudden stand.

"Hum! ha!—It's Captain Hale, I think.Nathan, how do you do?Sorry I am to see you here—Sorry I am for you."

"Hum! ha!—It's Captain Hale, I think.

Nathan, how do you do?

Sorry I am to see you here—

Sorry I am for you."

Off from the sudden heart of HaleAll his disguises fell:"Cousin! good God!—go back with me.And all shall yet be well."

Off from the sudden heart of Hale

All his disguises fell:

"Cousin! good God!—go back with me.

And all shall yet be well."

"It cannot be. You came to dare,And you must take the rod."Said Hale, "This hand, at Judgment day,Will fan the wrath of God."

"It cannot be. You came to dare,

And you must take the rod."

Said Hale, "This hand, at Judgment day,

Will fan the wrath of God."

"Speak not of God," the traitor said;"A good French faith have I—'No man hath seen Him,' Scripture saith,And 'all is vanity.'"

"Speak not of God," the traitor said;

"A good French faith have I—

'No man hath seen Him,' Scripture saith,

And 'all is vanity.'"

Hale, finding how the scoundrel fearedNor God's nor man's award,Looked for a handy stick or stone,To quicken his regard.

Hale, finding how the scoundrel feared

Nor God's nor man's award,

Looked for a handy stick or stone,

To quicken his regard.

But, tiger-soon, the renegadeHad gripped his arms around:"Ah, ha!—yes, yes—help! help!" he cried,And crushed him to the ground.

But, tiger-soon, the renegade

Had gripped his arms around:

"Ah, ha!—yes, yes—help! help!" he cried,

And crushed him to the ground.

Fettered on straw, with soldier guards,The tent-lamp trembling low,The morrow was his day of doom,That night a night of woe.And half the night the gallows soundOf hammers filled his ears,Like strokes upon a passing-bell,Telling his numbered years.His numbered years—alas! how brief!And Memory searched them back,Like one who searches, with a light,Upon a midnight track.The fields, the woods, the humming school,The idly-pondered lore,And the fair-fingered girl that sharedHis dinner at the door;His room, beneath the homestead eaves,Wherein he laid his head;His mother, come to take the light,And see him warm in bed.These, and their like, distinct and bright,Came back, and fired his brainWith visions, all whose sweetness nowWas but exalted pain.

Fettered on straw, with soldier guards,The tent-lamp trembling low,The morrow was his day of doom,That night a night of woe.

Fettered on straw, with soldier guards,

The tent-lamp trembling low,

The morrow was his day of doom,

That night a night of woe.

And half the night the gallows soundOf hammers filled his ears,Like strokes upon a passing-bell,Telling his numbered years.

And half the night the gallows sound

Of hammers filled his ears,

Like strokes upon a passing-bell,

Telling his numbered years.

His numbered years—alas! how brief!And Memory searched them back,Like one who searches, with a light,Upon a midnight track.

His numbered years—alas! how brief!

And Memory searched them back,

Like one who searches, with a light,

Upon a midnight track.

The fields, the woods, the humming school,The idly-pondered lore,And the fair-fingered girl that sharedHis dinner at the door;

The fields, the woods, the humming school,

The idly-pondered lore,

And the fair-fingered girl that shared

His dinner at the door;

His room, beneath the homestead eaves,Wherein he laid his head;His mother, come to take the light,And see him warm in bed.

His room, beneath the homestead eaves,

Wherein he laid his head;

His mother, come to take the light,

And see him warm in bed.

These, and their like, distinct and bright,Came back, and fired his brainWith visions, all whose sweetness nowWas but exalted pain.

These, and their like, distinct and bright,

Came back, and fired his brain

With visions, all whose sweetness now

Was but exalted pain.

IV.1.

Ere silence droops her fluttering wing,The pang may all be past;And oft, of good men's latter hours,The easiest is their last.The morn was up, the flickering mornOf summer, towards the fall."Bravely is all," the guardsman said;Said Hale, "God's grace is all."And now the Provost-Marshal cameWith soldiers—all was ripe;But out of Hale's tobacco, first,He filled and smoked a pipe.Forth passed the man, through all disguise,With look so sweet and high;He showed no sort of dread, at all,Of what it was to die.Come to the cart, whose doleful planksBeneath his feet did creak,He bowed, and looked about, and stoodIn attitude to speak."Holloa! hoa! drummer, bring your drum,Play Yankee Doodle here—Play, while we crack the rebel's neck."Earl Percy then drew near:"Provost," said he, "I shame at this.Let the lad have his say,Or you shall find who rules the camp;"And so he walked away.

Ere silence droops her fluttering wing,The pang may all be past;And oft, of good men's latter hours,The easiest is their last.

Ere silence droops her fluttering wing,

The pang may all be past;

And oft, of good men's latter hours,

The easiest is their last.

The morn was up, the flickering mornOf summer, towards the fall."Bravely is all," the guardsman said;Said Hale, "God's grace is all."

The morn was up, the flickering morn

Of summer, towards the fall.

"Bravely is all," the guardsman said;

Said Hale, "God's grace is all."

And now the Provost-Marshal cameWith soldiers—all was ripe;But out of Hale's tobacco, first,He filled and smoked a pipe.

And now the Provost-Marshal came

With soldiers—all was ripe;

But out of Hale's tobacco, first,

He filled and smoked a pipe.

Forth passed the man, through all disguise,With look so sweet and high;He showed no sort of dread, at all,Of what it was to die.

Forth passed the man, through all disguise,

With look so sweet and high;

He showed no sort of dread, at all,

Of what it was to die.

Come to the cart, whose doleful planksBeneath his feet did creak,He bowed, and looked about, and stoodIn attitude to speak.

Come to the cart, whose doleful planks

Beneath his feet did creak,

He bowed, and looked about, and stood

In attitude to speak.

"Holloa! hoa! drummer, bring your drum,Play Yankee Doodle here—Play, while we crack the rebel's neck."Earl Percy then drew near:

"Holloa! hoa! drummer, bring your drum,

Play Yankee Doodle here—

Play, while we crack the rebel's neck."

Earl Percy then drew near:

"Provost," said he, "I shame at this.Let the lad have his say,Or you shall find who rules the camp;"And so he walked away.

"Provost," said he, "I shame at this.

Let the lad have his say,

Or you shall find who rules the camp;"

And so he walked away.

"Soldiers," said Hale, "you see a manWhom Death must have and keep;And things there are, if I should think,I could not help but weep."But since in darkness, evermore,God's providences hide,The bravely good, in every age,By faith have bravely died."That man who scorns his present case,For glorious things to be,I hold that in his scorn he showsHis soul's nobility."Though George the Third completely scourgeOur groaning lives away,It cannot, shall not be in vainThat I stand here to-day."Oh take the wings of noble thought!Run out the shapes of Time,To where these clouds shall lift, nor leaveA stain upon the clime."Behold the crown of ages gone,Sublime and self-possessed;In empire of the floods and shoresNone so completely blest."This land shall come to vast estate,In freedom vastly grow,And I shall have a name to live,Who helped to build it so."Ye patriots, true and sorely tried,When the dark days assail,I seem to see what tears ye shed,At thought of Nathan Hale."Where is that man among ye all,Who come to see me die,That would not glory in his soul,If he had done as I?"Judge, then, how I have wrecked my life.And in what cause begun.I sorrow but in one regret,That I can lose but one."In Thee, O Christ! I now repose—Thou art my All to me;And unto Thee, thou Triune God—Oh make my country free!"Then turning to a guard, who weptLike sudden April rain,And scattered from his generous eyesThe drops of holy pain."Unto your honest tears I trustThese letters to convey."Then, to the Provost-Marshal, HaleDid mildly turn, and say:"Before from underneath my feetThe fatal cart is gone,I fain would hear the chaplain pray;Sir Provost have you none?"As when a dreadful lion roamsThe torrid sands, and seesA fawn among the valleys drink,Beneath the tuneful trees;If, 'chance, he sees the tender hindJust move behind an oak,He snaps his teeth, and snaps his tail,And makes the desert smoke.So, when the Provost witnessed HaleTo softer hands conveyHis parting love, and heard him askTo hear the chaplain pray,He jumped like mad, he danced about,Did dance, and roar, and swear—The furies in his furnace eyes,And in his rampant hair."Dog of a thief! ere you shall havePriest, book, or passing-bell,Your rebel hide shall rot in air,Your soul shall roast in hell!""God's will be done!" said Nathan Hale:"Farewell to life and light!"They pulled the cloth about his eyes,And the slack cord was tight.

"Soldiers," said Hale, "you see a manWhom Death must have and keep;And things there are, if I should think,I could not help but weep.

"Soldiers," said Hale, "you see a man

Whom Death must have and keep;

And things there are, if I should think,

I could not help but weep.

"But since in darkness, evermore,God's providences hide,The bravely good, in every age,By faith have bravely died.

"But since in darkness, evermore,

God's providences hide,

The bravely good, in every age,

By faith have bravely died.

"That man who scorns his present case,For glorious things to be,I hold that in his scorn he showsHis soul's nobility.

"That man who scorns his present case,

For glorious things to be,

I hold that in his scorn he shows

His soul's nobility.

"Though George the Third completely scourgeOur groaning lives away,It cannot, shall not be in vainThat I stand here to-day.

"Though George the Third completely scourge

Our groaning lives away,

It cannot, shall not be in vain

That I stand here to-day.

"Oh take the wings of noble thought!Run out the shapes of Time,To where these clouds shall lift, nor leaveA stain upon the clime.

"Oh take the wings of noble thought!

Run out the shapes of Time,

To where these clouds shall lift, nor leave

A stain upon the clime.

"Behold the crown of ages gone,Sublime and self-possessed;In empire of the floods and shoresNone so completely blest.

"Behold the crown of ages gone,

Sublime and self-possessed;

In empire of the floods and shores

None so completely blest.

"This land shall come to vast estate,In freedom vastly grow,And I shall have a name to live,Who helped to build it so.

"This land shall come to vast estate,

In freedom vastly grow,

And I shall have a name to live,

Who helped to build it so.

"Ye patriots, true and sorely tried,When the dark days assail,I seem to see what tears ye shed,At thought of Nathan Hale.

"Ye patriots, true and sorely tried,

When the dark days assail,

I seem to see what tears ye shed,

At thought of Nathan Hale.

"Where is that man among ye all,Who come to see me die,That would not glory in his soul,If he had done as I?

"Where is that man among ye all,

Who come to see me die,

That would not glory in his soul,

If he had done as I?

"Judge, then, how I have wrecked my life.And in what cause begun.I sorrow but in one regret,That I can lose but one.

"Judge, then, how I have wrecked my life.

And in what cause begun.

I sorrow but in one regret,

That I can lose but one.

"In Thee, O Christ! I now repose—Thou art my All to me;And unto Thee, thou Triune God—Oh make my country free!"

"In Thee, O Christ! I now repose—

Thou art my All to me;

And unto Thee, thou Triune God—

Oh make my country free!"

Then turning to a guard, who weptLike sudden April rain,And scattered from his generous eyesThe drops of holy pain.

Then turning to a guard, who wept

Like sudden April rain,

And scattered from his generous eyes

The drops of holy pain.

"Unto your honest tears I trustThese letters to convey."Then, to the Provost-Marshal, HaleDid mildly turn, and say:

"Unto your honest tears I trust

These letters to convey."

Then, to the Provost-Marshal, Hale

Did mildly turn, and say:

"Before from underneath my feetThe fatal cart is gone,I fain would hear the chaplain pray;Sir Provost have you none?"

"Before from underneath my feet

The fatal cart is gone,

I fain would hear the chaplain pray;

Sir Provost have you none?"

As when a dreadful lion roamsThe torrid sands, and seesA fawn among the valleys drink,Beneath the tuneful trees;

As when a dreadful lion roams

The torrid sands, and sees

A fawn among the valleys drink,

Beneath the tuneful trees;

If, 'chance, he sees the tender hindJust move behind an oak,He snaps his teeth, and snaps his tail,And makes the desert smoke.

If, 'chance, he sees the tender hind

Just move behind an oak,

He snaps his teeth, and snaps his tail,

And makes the desert smoke.

So, when the Provost witnessed HaleTo softer hands conveyHis parting love, and heard him askTo hear the chaplain pray,

So, when the Provost witnessed Hale

To softer hands convey

His parting love, and heard him ask

To hear the chaplain pray,

He jumped like mad, he danced about,Did dance, and roar, and swear—The furies in his furnace eyes,And in his rampant hair.

He jumped like mad, he danced about,

Did dance, and roar, and swear—

The furies in his furnace eyes,

And in his rampant hair.

"Dog of a thief! ere you shall havePriest, book, or passing-bell,Your rebel hide shall rot in air,Your soul shall roast in hell!"

"Dog of a thief! ere you shall have

Priest, book, or passing-bell,

Your rebel hide shall rot in air,

Your soul shall roast in hell!"

"God's will be done!" said Nathan Hale:"Farewell to life and light!"They pulled the cloth about his eyes,And the slack cord was tight.

"God's will be done!" said Nathan Hale:

"Farewell to life and light!"

They pulled the cloth about his eyes,

And the slack cord was tight.

V.1.

Once more the rack, along the Sound,Curled to the mounting sun,That kissed, with mercy's beams, a worldWhere such strange things are done.Along our lines the sentry walked;The dew was on his hair;He felt the night in every limb,But kept his station there;And watched the shimmering spires, and sawThe swallows slide away;When, o'er the fields, there came a man,Rough, and in rough array."Holla, you Yankee scout!" said he,"They've caught your Captain Hale,And choked him for a traitor spy,Dead as a dead door-nail."Run—use your rebel soldier legs—Tell General Washington.Don't wait—you'll be promoted for't—I'll stand and hold your gun."Out spake the guard—"You British crow,Curse on your croaking head!Move off, or else, I swear, you'll getThe cartridge and the lead."

Once more the rack, along the Sound,Curled to the mounting sun,That kissed, with mercy's beams, a worldWhere such strange things are done.

Once more the rack, along the Sound,

Curled to the mounting sun,

That kissed, with mercy's beams, a world

Where such strange things are done.

Along our lines the sentry walked;The dew was on his hair;He felt the night in every limb,But kept his station there;

Along our lines the sentry walked;

The dew was on his hair;

He felt the night in every limb,

But kept his station there;

And watched the shimmering spires, and sawThe swallows slide away;When, o'er the fields, there came a man,Rough, and in rough array.

And watched the shimmering spires, and saw

The swallows slide away;

When, o'er the fields, there came a man,

Rough, and in rough array.

"Holla, you Yankee scout!" said he,"They've caught your Captain Hale,And choked him for a traitor spy,Dead as a dead door-nail.

"Holla, you Yankee scout!" said he,

"They've caught your Captain Hale,

And choked him for a traitor spy,

Dead as a dead door-nail.

"Run—use your rebel soldier legs—Tell General Washington.Don't wait—you'll be promoted for't—I'll stand and hold your gun."

"Run—use your rebel soldier legs—

Tell General Washington.

Don't wait—you'll be promoted for't—

I'll stand and hold your gun."

Out spake the guard—"You British crow,Curse on your croaking head!Move off, or else, I swear, you'll getThe cartridge and the lead."

Out spake the guard—"You British crow,

Curse on your croaking head!

Move off, or else, I swear, you'll get

The cartridge and the lead."

Full of his news, the sentry soonTo Knowlton told the same.Knowlton, with tears in either eye,To the head-quarters came,And told to General WashingtonPoor Hale's unhappy case.Nought answered he, but bowed awhile,With hands upon his face.Then rising, steadfast and serene,The same great master still—Curbing a noble sorrow downWith a more noble will—"Bring me," said he, "my writing-desk,And maps last night begun;Send hither Putnam, Lee, and Greene,For much is to be done."So perished Nathan Hale. God grantUs not to die as he;But, for the glorious Stripes and Stars,Such iron loyalty.

Full of his news, the sentry soonTo Knowlton told the same.Knowlton, with tears in either eye,To the head-quarters came,

Full of his news, the sentry soon

To Knowlton told the same.

Knowlton, with tears in either eye,

To the head-quarters came,

And told to General WashingtonPoor Hale's unhappy case.Nought answered he, but bowed awhile,With hands upon his face.

And told to General Washington

Poor Hale's unhappy case.

Nought answered he, but bowed awhile,

With hands upon his face.

Then rising, steadfast and serene,The same great master still—Curbing a noble sorrow downWith a more noble will—

Then rising, steadfast and serene,

The same great master still—

Curbing a noble sorrow down

With a more noble will—

"Bring me," said he, "my writing-desk,And maps last night begun;Send hither Putnam, Lee, and Greene,For much is to be done."

"Bring me," said he, "my writing-desk,

And maps last night begun;

Send hither Putnam, Lee, and Greene,

For much is to be done."

So perished Nathan Hale. God grantUs not to die as he;But, for the glorious Stripes and Stars,Such iron loyalty.

So perished Nathan Hale. God grant

Us not to die as he;

But, for the glorious Stripes and Stars,

Such iron loyalty.

Note.—Nathan Hale was a native of the town of Coventry, in Connecticut; and graduated at Yale College, in 1773. He entered the army of the Revolution at an early period, as a captain in a light infantry regiment, under command of Colonel Knowlton. After the defeat of the 27th August, 1776, and the retreat of the Americans from Long Island, Washington became exceedingly desirous to gain some information respecting the future operations of the enemy, and applied to Colonel Knowlton, through whom Hale was introduced, and volunteered his services.He disguised himself, crossed to Long Island, procured admission to the British camp, obtained the information desired, and was about leaving the Island, when a refugee and a relative recognised, and betrayed him.The case was clear. Hale confessed; and Sir William Howe ordered himhung the next morning. He suffered like a patriot and a Christian. "I lament," said he, "that I have but one life to lose for my country." The provost-marshal, who superintended the execution, was a savage-hearted man, and refused him the attendance of a clergyman, and the use of a Bible, and destroyed letters which he had written to his mother, and other friends, making the remark, that "the rebels should not know that they had a man in their army who could die with so much firmness."An aged physician, recently deceased, was accustomed to relate an anecdote that is worthy of preservation. The Doctor, when a small boy, attended a school taught by Hale in the town of East Windsor, Connecticut. One day Hale was standing at his desk, in a deep study, when certain wide-awake boys began to take advantage of his inattention.The narrator thereupon went softly to his side, touched him, and pointed to the scene of mischief. Hale, without turning his head, dropped a look25upon the little informer—a mild look, but full of rebuke,—"Go back to your seat," said he. The boy slunk away, and neither misunderstood nor forgot this rebuke of the ungenerous and disloyal, from his true-hearted teacher; and associated as the incident became with the subsequent fate of Hale, it made a deep and affecting impression upon his memory.

He disguised himself, crossed to Long Island, procured admission to the British camp, obtained the information desired, and was about leaving the Island, when a refugee and a relative recognised, and betrayed him.

The case was clear. Hale confessed; and Sir William Howe ordered himhung the next morning. He suffered like a patriot and a Christian. "I lament," said he, "that I have but one life to lose for my country." The provost-marshal, who superintended the execution, was a savage-hearted man, and refused him the attendance of a clergyman, and the use of a Bible, and destroyed letters which he had written to his mother, and other friends, making the remark, that "the rebels should not know that they had a man in their army who could die with so much firmness."

An aged physician, recently deceased, was accustomed to relate an anecdote that is worthy of preservation. The Doctor, when a small boy, attended a school taught by Hale in the town of East Windsor, Connecticut. One day Hale was standing at his desk, in a deep study, when certain wide-awake boys began to take advantage of his inattention.

The narrator thereupon went softly to his side, touched him, and pointed to the scene of mischief. Hale, without turning his head, dropped a look25upon the little informer—a mild look, but full of rebuke,—"Go back to your seat," said he. The boy slunk away, and neither misunderstood nor forgot this rebuke of the ungenerous and disloyal, from his true-hearted teacher; and associated as the incident became with the subsequent fate of Hale, it made a deep and affecting impression upon his memory.

25The Doctor described Hale as having had remarkably fine and expressive blue eyes.

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