Drake's impulsive nature, as well as the spirit and force, yet simplicity, of expression, with his artless manner, gained him many friends. He had that native politeness which springs from benevolence--that would stop to pick up the hat or the crutch of an old servant, or fly to the relief of a child. His acquaintance with Fitz-Green Halleck arose in a romantic incident on the Battery one day when, in a retiring shower, the heavens were spanned by a rainbow. DeKay and Drake were together, and Halleck, a new acquaintance, was talking with them; the conversation taking the turn of some passing expression of the wishes of the moment, Halleck whimsically remarked that it would be heaven for him, just then, to ride on that rainbow and read Campbell. The idea was very pleasing to Drake. He seized Halleck by the hand and from that moment until his untimely death they were bosom friends. [Illustration] [Illustration: _ROBERT TREAT PAINE_] _ADAMS AND LIBERTY._ Ye sons of Columbia, who bravely have fought For those rights which unstain'd from your sires had descended, May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought, And your sons reap the soil which your fathers defended! 'Mid the reign of mild peace, May your nation increase, With the glory of Rome, and the wisdom of Greece. And ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves, While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves. In a clime whose rich vales feed the marts of the world, Whose shores are unshaken by Europe's commotion, The trident of Commerce should never be hurl'd To increase the legitimate powers of the ocean. But should pirates invade, Though in thunder array'd, Let your cannon declare the free charter of trade; For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves, While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves. The fame of our arms, of our laws the mild sway, Had justly ennobled our nation in story, Till the dark clouds of faction obscured our young day, And enveloped the sun of American glory. But let traitors be told, Who their country have sold, And bartered their God for his image in gold, That ne'er will the sons of Columbia be slaves, While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves. While France her huge limbs bathes recumbent in blood, And society's base threats with wide dissolution; May peace, like the dove who return'd from the flood, Find an ark of abode in our mild constitution. But, though peace is our aim, Yet the boon we disclaim, If bought by our sovereignty, justice, or fame; For ne'er shall the sons of Columbia be slaves, While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves.