Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VIII. National Spirit. 1904. | | | | I. Patriotism | | “Old Ironsides” | | Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809–1894) |
| | | | [On the proposed breaking up of the United States frigate “Constitution”] |
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AY, tear her tattered ensign down! | |
| Long has it waved on high, | |
| And many an eye has danced to see | |
| That banner in the sky; | |
| Beneath it rung the battle-shout, | 5 |
| And burst the cannon’s roar: | |
| The meteor of the ocean air | |
| Shall sweep the clouds no more! | |
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| Her deck, once red with heroes’ blood, | |
| Where knelt the vanquished foe, | 10 |
| When winds were hurrying o’er the flood | |
| And waves were white below, | |
| No more shall feel the victor’s tread, | |
| Or know the conquered knee: | |
| The harpies of the shore shall pluck | 15 |
| The eagle of the sea! | |
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| O better that her shattered hulk | |
| Should sink beneath the wave! | |
| Her thunders shook the mighty deep, | |
| And there should be her grave: | 20 |
| Nail to the mast her holy flag, | |
| Set every threadbare sail, | |
| And give her to the god of storms, | |
| The lightning and the gale! | | | |
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