Then we fired her as before,

And, exulting, from the shore

Saw the flaming serpents creeping

Up the shrouds;

Saw them dance upon the deck,

Saw them lick and gnaw the wreck,

Saw them to the mast-heads leaping

Through the rolling, smoking clouds.

Then, while gleamed the sparks like stars,

Snapped and fell the blazing spars,