Heard that "rebels" with sword and gun,
Had fought the British at Lexington,
While they were far from that bloody plain,
Safe on the green-clad shores of Maine.
With eyes that glittered, and hearts that burned,
They talked of the glory their friends had earned,
And asked each other, "What can we do,
So our hands may prove that our hearts are true?"
II
Silent the Margaretta lay,
Out on the bosom of the bay;
On her masts rich bunting gleamed;
Bravely the flag of England streamed.
The young men gazed at the tempting prize—
They wistfully glanced in each other's eyes;
Said one, "We can lower that cloth of dread
And hoist the pine-tree flag instead.
"We are only boys to the old and sage;
We have not yet come to manhood's age;
"But we can show them that, when there's need,
Men may follow and boys may lead."