Page:Poems of Nature and Life.djvu/263

 THE LAST MOMENTS OF NATHAN HALE 253

Then, since none other deigns me touch,

Despatch me, Death, at last ! Once I'd have done for thee as much;

Thy firelock load — stand fast ! Now give me all my soul's desire : Captain, make ready — aim — and fire !

��THE LAST MOMENTS OF NATHAN HALE.'

One short half hour — 'tis all is left

Of my brief soldier life ; Then must I fall, of sense bereft,

While o'er my grave the strife Shall rage as fiercely as before, But me the trump shall wake no more.

No friend will follow in the host

That bears me forth to death ; 'Midst jeering foes I yield my ghost;

Rough hands will choke my breath. There's none 'mongst all that see me die Will drop a tear or heave a sigh.

Yet were I firm, save but for one

Who loves me far away ! O mother ! thou wilt mourn thy son,

Lamenting night and day ; Yet thou shalt learn, with sorrowing pride, Thy soldier triumphed as he died.

'Tis true, the gallows' highway seems

An ill road to the grave ; 'Tis true, my manhood's morning dreams

A fairer promise gave. And bade me leap, at Freedom's call. In her first ranks to fis:ht and fall.

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