And Albany’s houses rose proudly before him.
We heard the shots rattle, we saw his foes rally,
And thought that his life-blood had moistened the valley.
Meanwhile in the fortress, through all the night dreary,
We watched till the sunrise, disheartened and weary.
Noon came in its splendor; we saw them preparing
To storm our rude ramparts, and laughed at their daring.
For we were in shelter, and they were uncovered—
There was work for the buzzards that over us hovered.
Each step they took forward, with eagerness timing,