"By his hair so thin and gray
Forth they drag the aged sire;
First, a stab to stop his pray'r—
Hurl him back into the fire.
"What! a child, a mother's pride,
Crying shrilly with affright!
Dash the axe upon her skull,
Show no mercy—she is white.
"Louder, louder roars the flame,
Blotting out the Southern home,