"Emblem of my country!" said he, "are thy pinions stained already
In a tide whose blending waters never ran so red before?
Is it with the blood of kinsmen? Tell me quickly, I implore!"
Croaked the eagle—"Baltimore!"
"Eagle," said the Shade, advancing, "tell me by what dread mischancing
Thou, the symbol of my people, bear'st thy plumes erect no more?
Why dost thou desert mine army, sent against the foes that harm me,
Through my country, with a Treason worlds to come shall e'er deplore?"
And the Eagle on the map, with bleeding wing, as just before,
Blurred the name of Baltimore!