Let zeal your breasts inspire;
Let wisdom guide your plans;
'Tis not your cause entire,
On doubtful conflict hangs;
The fate of this vast continent,
And unborn millions share th' event.
To close the gloomy scenes
Of this alarming day,
A happy union reigns
Through wide America.
While awful Wisdom hourly waits
To adorn the councils of her states.
Brave Washington arrives,
Arrayed in warlike fame,
While in his soul revives
Great Marlboro's martial flame,
To lead your conquering armies on
To lasting glory and renown.
To aid the glorious cause,
Experienc'd Lee has come,
Renown'd in foreign wars,
A patriot at home.
While valiant Putnam's warlike deeds
Amongst the foe a terror spreads.
Let Britons proudly boast,
"That their two thousand braves
Can drive our numerous host,
And make us all their slaves;"
While twice six thousand quake with fear,
Nor dare without their lines appear.
Kind Heaven has deign'd to own
Our bold resistance just,
Since murderous Gage began
The bloody carnage first.
Near ten to one has been their cost,
For each American we've lost.
Stand firm in your defence,
Like Sons of Freedom fight,
Your haughty foes convince
That you'll maintain your right.
Defiance bid to tyrants' frown,
And glory will your valor crown.
The Connecticut Gazette, 1776.
Howe realized that Boston was untenable unless the Americans could be dislodged; but with the memory of Bunker Hill before him, he had no heart for the enterprise. While he hesitated, the American works were made well-nigh impregnable, and Howe decided to abandon the town. On March 17, 1776, the British troops, eight thousand in number, sailed away for Halifax. Washington at once took possession of the city.