The twilight long had tarried; The darkness deeper grew; In old South Church, the people Still ponder’d what to do. The dimness veil’d our coming. We listen’d near the door, Till Samuel Adams rose and said,[41] “We here can do no more.” And then we pass’d the word on: “To Griffin’s wharf now!—run!” For we knew where to do the rest, We boys of Lebanon. Then off flew some as pickets To stand and sound alarms, Should coming spies or soldiers Compel resort to arms. The twilight long had tarried; The darkness deeper grew; “Full time,” said we, “to take our tea!” The people thought so too. To Griffin’s wharf we led them; We row’d, and reach’d the ships; No captain there, nor sailor, Dared open once his lips. We crowded every gangway; We brought out every chest; We smash’d and dash’d it overboard. The bay did all the rest. No time was there for shouting, No wish was there for strife; Three hours we wrought in silence, And thank’d the Lord for life. Anon, the work was ended; Anon, we back could row; The heaven was black above us; The harbor black below. None thought on shore to cheer us,[42] Though all had waited there; Their silence match’d the silence, Where souls have flown to prayer. Their silence match’d the silence Of war’s reserves, whose breath Is hush’d to hear the order, That orders all to death. Their silence match’d the silence Of heavens, close and warm, Ere, like a shell incasing hell, They burst and free a storm. As hush’d as on a Sabbath,[42] The people homeward went; Their eyes alone transparent, To show their souls’ content. But we, we met together, When all our work was done, To toast the dawn of freedom, We boys of Lebanon. Then, early stirr’d at morning, We left with Paul Revere,[43] Who through the south went riding off To bear, from Boston, cheer. We spread through all the country; We told, how all was done; Till all the shoremen stored away A tomahawk and gun. Throughout the land, no Tory Would brave their sworn attack; East India found no agent; The tea that came went back. But, better far for freedom,[44] There ran from mouth to mouth, From soul to soul, a tide to roll, And flow from north to south. Beyond the power of local pride Or envy to withstand, It burst each colony’s borders To form one common land.[44] Before men talk’d of Union; But now was Union won, When everywhere each village square Held boys of Lebanon. FOOTNOTES