For twelve miles unmolested had we marched, when brazen noon
Beheld the enemy deploy along the green lagoon:
Our hearts beat high, for we were few, and scarcely one before
Had fleshed his sword in battle, or had heard the cannon’s roar;
But Lexington and Concord and Bunker-Hill beheld
Just such recruits victorious in the iron days of old.
And now the word was passed—to halt, and each, in turn, was seen
To stoop beside the limpid lake and fill his hot canteen;
And then the order came to march; and now our foemen lay
A musket shot before us, a barrier in our way,