Stunned with the fatal tidings, which mournfully announce the death of an affectionate father, behold the wretched family, the disconsolate.... A prey to that incessant grief which naturally accompanies those to whom the fatal loss happens, the worthy sire, and the tender matron, lament the eternal exit of their ill-fated son....] Thick clouds were darkly pending Above the battle fray, And foemen were contending For the fortune of the day. And high in air the banner bright, Waving o'er land and sea, The potent symbol of their might, The emblem of the free. Brave hearts that stood amid the storm That burst in fury round; With many a stern and manly form, Sunk powerless to the ground. Deep gloom had settled round them, And darkness veil'd the sky, When Freedom, with her starry train, Descended from on high. When, at her bidding, lo, a chief Amid the throng appear'd; When, the goddess halted by his side, And thus his spirits cheer'd: "Oh, let not care oppress thee, But banish far thy fears, For, in blessing, I will bless thee, And will wipe away thy tears; "And a banner thou shalt still retain, And a hand to lead the brave To glory and to victory, Or to the hero's grave." Then fear not, honoured chieftain, For yet again shall be, Your flag shall wave o'er every land, And float on every sea. What though in foreign clime it waves, Careering on the wind, Whatever shore the ocean laves, A due respect will find. And the thunders of your ships of war Along the deep shall roll, While the canvas of your merchantmen Shall sweep from pole to pole. "And now, oh gallant chief," she cried, "Hold fast the glorious prize; The flag with blue and crimson dyed, And stars that gemmed the skies, "Have left their native spheres to shed Their radiance o'er the field; Then while it waves above your head, To the foeman never yield. "Bright forms shall hover o'er thee In the midst of war's alarms; And in triumph shall restore thee To a nation's waiting arms. "Then on to Freedom's stormy height, Go forth in valour and in might, And bear aloft this emblem bright, Amid the battle fray." Now around their chief they rally, And with zeal their bosoms glow; While the hoarse cannon bellows forth Defiance to the foe. The battle rages loudly, A dreadful carnage flows; When the messenger of victory The clarion trumpet blows. Now clap your wings, oh Liberty, And upward take your flight; And let the gladsome tidings ring Throughout the realms of light. And bid your eagle sound her cry, Wide o'er the land and sea; For patriot arms have triumphed, And the nation still is free. Once more the song of Victory Shall spread the earth around, And the freemen on a thousand hills Re-echo back the sound.