Page:Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War.djvu/122



''Slip anchor, all! and at her, all!''

Bear down with rushing beaks—and now!

First the Monongahela struck—and reeled;

The Lackawana's prow

Next crashed—crashed, but not crashing; then

The Admiral rammed, and rasping nigh

Sloped in a broadside, which glanced by:

The Monitors battered at her adamant den.

The Chickasaw plunged beneath the stern

And pounded there; a huge wrought orb

From the Manhattan pierced one wall, but dropped;

Others the seas absorb.

Yet stormed on all sides, narrowed in,

Hampered and cramped, the bad one fought—

Spat ribald curses from the port

Who shutters, jammed, locked up this Man-of-Sin.

No pause or stay. They made a din

Like hammers round a boiler forged;

Now straining strength tangled itself with strength,

Till Hate her will disgorged.

The white flag showed, the fight was won—

Mad shouts went up that shook the Bay;