"Will they do it?" "Dare they do it?" "Who is speaking?" "What's the news?" "What of Adams?" "What of Sherman?" "Oh, God grant they won't refuse!" "Make some way there!" "Let me nearer!" "I am stifling!" "Stifle, then! When a nation's life's at hazard, We've no time to think of men!" So they beat against the portal, Man and woman, maid and child; And the July sun in heaven On the scene look'd down and smiled, The same sun that saw the Spartan Shed his patriot-blood in vain, Now beheld the soul of freedom All unconquer'd rise again. See! See! The dense crowd quivers Through all its lengthy line, As the boy beside the portal Looks forth to give the sign! With his small hands upward lifted, Breezes dallying with his hair, Hark! with deep, clear intonation, Breaks his young voice on the air. Hush'd the people's swelling murmur, List the boy's strong joyous cry! "_Ring!_" he shouts, "RING! _Grandpa_ _Ring!_ _Oh_, RING for _Liberty_!" And straightway, at the signal, The old bellman lifts his hand, And sends the good news, making Iron-music through the land. How they shouted! What rejoicing! How the old bell shook the air, Till the clang of freedom ruffled The calm gliding Delaware! How the bonfires and the torches Illumed the night's repose, And from the flames, like Phoenix, Fair Liberty arose! That old bell now is silent, And hush'd its iron tongue, But the spirit it awaken'd Still lives,--forever young. And while we greet the sunlight, On the fourth of each July, We'll ne'er forget the bellman, Who, twixt the earth and sky, Rung out OUR INDEPENDENCE; Which, please God, _shall never die_! THE SCHOLAR'S DIGNITY.--_Hon. George E. Pugh July 5th_, 1859.