FLAG of the heroes who left us their glory, Borne through their battle-fields’ thunder and flame, Blazoned in song and illuminated in story, Wave o’er us all who inherit their fame. Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to shore, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation’s cry―― UNION AND LIBERTY! ONE EVERMORE! Light of our firmament, guide of our Nation, Pride of her children, and honored afar, Let the wide beams of thy full constellation Scatter each cloud that would darken a star! Empire unsceptred! What foe shall assail thee Bearing the standard of Liberty’s van? Think not the God of thy fathers shall fail thee, Striving with men for the birthright of man! Yet if, by madness and treachery blighted, Dawns the dark hour when the sword thou must draw, Then with the arms to thy million united, Smite the bold traitors to Freedom and Law! Lord of the universe! shield us and guide us, Trusting Thee always, through shadow and sun! Thou hast united us, who shall divide us? Keep us, O keep us the MANY IN ONE! Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to shore, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation’s cry―― Union and Liberty! One Evermore! * * * * * OLD IRON SIDES. The following poem has become a National Lyric. It was first printed in the “Boston Daily Advertiser,” when the Frigate “Constitution” lay in the navy-yard at Charlestown. The department had resolved upon breaking her up; but she was preserved from this fate by the following verses, which ran through the newspapers with universal applause; and, according to “Benjamin’s American Monthly Magazine,” of January, 1837, it was printed in the form of hand-bills, and circulated in the city of Washington. AY, tear her tatter’d ensign down! Long has it waved on high, And many an eye has danced to see That banner in the sky; Beneath it rung the battle-shout, And burst the cannon’s roar; The meteor of the ocean air Shall sweep the clouds no more! Her deck, once red with heroes’ blood, Where knelt the vanquish’d foe, When winds were hurrying o’er the flood, And waves were white below, No more shall feel the victor’s tread, Or know the conquer’d knee; The harpies of the shore shall pluck The eagle of the sea! O, better that her shatter’d hulk Should sink beneath the wave; Her thunders shook the mighty deep, And there should be her grave; Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every threadbare sail, And give her to the god of storms,―― The lightning and the gale!