MENS CONSCIA RECTI.
[PORTUGUESE JOE.]
At the battle of Lake Champlain, a sailor, called Portuguese Joe, performed the gallant exploit of nailing the stripes and stars to the mast, after they had been shot down. He perished in the flames at the late fire in Exchange Place, New-Orleans.
Upon the lake the battle raged,
And warmly was each heart engaged,
To win their nation's liberty—
To conquer or to die!
The iron hail was flying fast
Against the sail, against the mast,
And many a warm and gallant frame
The prey of death became.
And louder grew the cannon's sound,
And faster flew the balls around,
And sadly rose above the strife
The groans of parting life!
Still the brave tars beheld with pride
The stripes and stars exulting ride
Where many an eye was fondly cast,
Upon the towering mast.
But hark! a shot! 'twas guided well,
And suddenly the colors fell!
Another—and another—now
The flag is lying low!