Page:Poems, now first collected, Stedman, 1897.djvu/101

 AARON BURR'S WOOING

the commandant's quarters on Westchester height

The blue hills of Ramapo lie in full sight;

On their slope gleam the gables that shield his heart's queen,

But the redcoats are wary—the Hudson's between.

Through the camp runs a jest: "There's no moon—'t will be dark;

'T is odds little Aaron will go on a spark!"

And the toast of the troopers is: "Pickets, lie low,

And good luck to the colonel and Widow Prevost!"

Eight miles to the river he gallops his steed,

Lays him bound in the barge, bids his escort make speed,

Loose their swords, sit athwart, through the fleet reach yon shore.

Not a word—not a plash of the thick-muffled oar! 81