While he saw but one great city on that map upon the floor—
They were whispering—"Baltimore."
Thus he sat, nor word did utter, till there came a sudden flutter,
And the sound of beating wings was heard upon the carvéd door.
In a trice the bolts were broken; by those lips no word was spoken,
As an Eagle, torn and bloody, dim of eye, and wounded sore,
Fluttered down upon the map, and trailed a wing all wet with gore
O'er the name of Baltimore!
Then that noble form uprising, with a gesture of surprising,
Bent with look of keenest sorrow tow'rd the bird that drooped before;