Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/165

 The overthrow of all your earthly hopes; For hardly can the forteress long resist Our cannon-balls' persuasive arguments. And still, Miss Bradburn, still it lies with you, By one, one single utterance of your lips To hush those deadly thunders into silence, And vouchsafe all the benefits of life To the defenders of the Alamo.

A word from me? Oh, tell! how I can save them? I am informed, you know a hidden way, — Yes, yes, you know,—I read it in your eye— That underground leads to the Alamo. [Nobly.] Has Santa Anna's height and grandeur stooped To low and despicable spionage, Then I, weak woman as I am, will not Descend to falsehood—Yes, I know the way. For reasons of the State and Strategy Man oft is forced to condescend to means He loathes to employ in private life.