“That chance has come! But once for all Can dawn a day like this. And those who will not use their light Will all life’s glory miss. “But if one win it, yonder sun Sheds not a splendor fit With which to rise above his name, Or earth that welcomes it! “Yes, earth! For they forgot, our lords, They dealt with Puritans, True sons of those whom Cromwell led, Whose right means every man’s; “Who take their individual ills For proofs of general pain, And, where one prince has made them wince, Fight all, that man may reign. “And they forgot, that mountaineers, High rangers, like the Swiss, Would learn to value freedom’s world By looking down on this! “And yet should prove it! Ay, my men, To-day they all shall see How freemen, forced to care for self, Take care to keep it free. “Now quick, but quiet; start with steel— Nor fire till sure to hit— First through the gate, if through we may; If not, then over it. “I lead. You follow. Should I fall, Move on: my corpse may give At least a vantage ground! Move up: The cause, it is, must live!” Then Allen turn’d, and Arnold[15] too, His foremost rival still, Then Brown and Easton,—all the line Stole softly up the hill.[16] A startled sentry seized his gun, And aim’d at Allen’s face[17]; The flint miss’d fire, and Allen rush’d, And wrench’d it from its place. The sentry dodg’d, and darted down A passage through the mound.[17] In pour’d our men; you might have thought The sentry would be drown’d. Swift, one by one, by Allen led, They plung’d along the gloom: No fear of those who, just beyond, Might make the place their tomb. On ran the sentry; on, our men.— Their mountains gave no game, Nor guide so quick to apprehend The grounds on which they came. At last, uploom’d in dusky light, And choking all the way, A man who poised his bayonet[17] To hold them all at bay. “Take heed!” he call’d. “We take it, man,” Hiss’d Allen, where he sped; Whose clashing sword had glanced the gun, And gash’d the soldier’s head. “Have mercy!” groan’d the wounded wretch. Said Allen: “Drop your gun. Hist, hist, my men! The walls are ours. Now seize the barrack—run!” No need to bid them! In a trice Our boys had crown’d their race; And closed, with shouts like thousands, round The startled sleeping-place.[18] Meantime, “The captain!” Allen cried; And scarce the word had said, Ere on a door he pounded loud[19] To rouse his foe from bed. It open’d partly, where behold! In robes as white as fleece, The chief, beside his blushing bride, A picture stood of peace.[20]