Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood
And waves were white below,
No more shall feel the victors' tread,
Or know the conquered knee:
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea!
O, better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneath the wave!--
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave.
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,
The lightning, and the gale!
The effect of this poem upon the people was so great that a general
outcry arose against the destruction of the gallant old ship.
The Government was induced to reconsider its determination. The old ship
was saved, repaired, and for many years has delighted the eyes of
thousands of people who have visited her.
At present, she is used as a receiving-ship at the United States Navy
Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
* * * * *
Directions for Reading.--With what tone of voice should the prose part
of the lesson be read?
Read the poetry--first, slowly and quietly; then, in a loud tone of
voice, expressing the feeling of anger.
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