But when they got Ready, and All came along, The way they march'd up the _Hill-side_ wasn't slow, But we were not a-fear'd, and we welcomed 'em strong, Held our _Fire_ till the Word, and then laid the Lads low! ... But who shall declare The _End_ of the Affair? At Sundown there wasn't a Man of us there! But we didn't depart till we'd given them _Some_! When we burned up our Powder, we had to go _Home_! EDWARD EVERETT HALE. So long a time elapsed after the second assault that it seemed for a time that the Americans would be left in possession of the field. In the confusion of the moment, no reinforcements were sent them, and Prescott, to his dismay, discovered that his supply of powder and ball was nearly exhausted. BUNKER HILL "Not yet, not yet; steady, steady!" On came the foe, in even line: Nearer and nearer to thrice paces nine. We looked into their eyes. "Ready!" A sheet of flame! A roll of death! They fell by scores; we held our breath! Then nearer still they came; Another sheet of flame! And brave men fled who never fled before. Immortal fight! Foreshadowing flight Back to the astounded shore. Quickly they rallied, reinforced. Mid louder roar of ship's artillery, And bursting bombs and whistling musketry And shouts and groans, anear, afar, All the new din of dreadful war, Through their broad bosoms calmly coursed The blood of those stout farmers, aiming For freedom, manhood's birthrights claiming. Onward once more they came; Another sheet of deathful flame! Another and another still: They broke, they fled: Again they sped Down the green, bloody hill. Howe, Burgoyne, Clinton, Gage, Stormed with commander's rage. Into each emptied barge They crowd fresh men for a new charge Up that great hill. Again their gallant blood we spill: That volley was the last: Our powder failed. On three sides fast The foe pressed in; nor quailed A man. Their barrels empty, with musket-stocks They fought, and gave death-dealing knocks, Till Prescott ordered the retreat. Then Warren fell; and through a leaden sleet, From Bunker Hill and Breed, Stark, Putnam, Pomeroy, Knowlton, Read, Led off the remnant of those heroes true, The foe too shattered to pursue. The ground they gained; but we The victory.