Our wives and our babes, still protected, shall know Those who dare to be free shall forever be so; On these arms and these hearts they may safely rely For in freedom we'll live, or like _Heroes_ we'll die. _In Freedom we're born, etc._ Ye insolent _Tyrants_! who wish to enthrall; Ye _Minions_, ye _Placemen_, _Pimps_, _Pensioners_, all; How short is your triumph, how feeble your trust, Your honor must wither and nod to the dust. _In Freedom we're born, etc._ When oppress'd and approach'd, our KING we implore, Still firmly persuaded our RIGHTS he'll restore; When our hearts beat to arms to defend a just right, Our monarch rules there, and forbids us to fight. _In Freedom we're born, etc._ Not the glitter of arms nor the dread of a fray Could make us submit to their chains for a day; Withheld by affection, on _Britons_ we call, Prevent the fierce conflict which threatens your fall. _In Freedom we're born, etc._ All ages should speak with amaze and applause Of the prudence we show in support of our cause: Assured of our safety, a BRUNSWICK still reigns, Whose free loyal subjects are strangers to chains. _In Freedom we're born, etc._ Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, To be free is to live, to be slaves is to fall; Has the land such a dastard as scorns not a LORD, Who dreads not a fetter much more than a sword? _In Freedom we're born, etc._ Attributed to MRS. MERCY WARREN. EPIGRAM Rudely forced to drink tea, Massachusetts, in anger, Spills the tea on John Bull. John falls on to bang her. Massachusetts, enraged, calls her neighbors to aid And give Master John a severe bastinade. Now, good men of the law, who is at fault, The one who begins or resists the assault? Anderson's _Constitutional Gazette_, 1775. TO THE BOSTON WOMEN O Boston wives and maids, draw near and see Our delicate Souchong and Hyson tea, Buy it, my charming girls, fair, black, or brown, If not, we'll cut your throats, and burn your town. _St. James Chronicle._ It was evident that, in the excited state of the country, a single incident might turn the balance between peace and war and produce a general explosion. That incident was not long in coming. "PROPHECY" [1774] Hail, happy Britain, Freedom's blest retreat, Great is thy power, thy wealth, thy glory great, But wealth and power have no immortal day, For all things ripen only to decay. And when that time arrives, the lot of all, When Britain's glory, power and wealth shall fall; Then shall thy sons by Fate's unchanged decree In other worlds another Britain see, And what thou art, America shall be. GULIAN VERPLANCK. CHAPTER II THE BURSTING OF THE STORM