Page:The Fall of the Alamo.djvu/74

 Against its stone-walls as against a rock The en'my must exhaust his wrathful power, If not, his hosts will overflow the land. So fare thee well, friend Travis, till thou hear'st Our trumpet's peal to herald thy release.

The eyes and hopes of Texas rest on thee. Be thou the bulwark of her Liberty!

I will, I will!—so to our friends report: That Travis is resolved to hold the fort Until his end, and that from its debris Shall rise the phoenix of her liberty! [Exeunt Burleson and Johnston.]

[Biopsis.] Travis alone. I. Farewell, for ever! for I feel it, soon I must bid even life a last farewell! So let me, friendly Nature, then commune Once more with thee, ere sounds my funeral knell. And strengthen me with every comfort's boon. With all the blessed gifts, that in thee dwell, To cheer my heart and courage for the task Which honor, freedom, country from me ask.