Our Father looked across the Sound, Disaster groaned behind, And many dubious, anxious thoughts Were labouring in his mind. "Knowlton," said he, "I need a man, Such as is hard to meet, A trusty, brave, and loyal man, And skilful in deceit. "The British, now in Brooklyn lodged, May divers plans pursue: Find me a man to go and spy What Howe intends to do." Said Knowlton, "Sir, I make no doubt Many apt men have we." He went. At nightfall he returned With Hale in company. 2. "Young friend," said Washington to Hale, "It much imports to know What mischief Howe is brooding on; Which way intends to go. "But though you might, with help of Grace, Unmask his schemes of ill, I will not risk your generous blood Without your perfect will." "Grave Sir," said Hale, "I left my home, Not for the love of strife, But for my country's cause resolved, Knowing I risked my life. "Between my duty and my will, In service light or sore, It is not now for me to choose, For that was done before. "Let not your Excellency poise What may to me ensue; But weigh the service to be done, And judge my power to do." "Well said; then briefly thus:--Put on Some other self-disguise-- And by to-morrow morning be Among our enemies. "Go safely curious how you will, And spy whate'er you may, Of how their troops have borne the bruise They gave us yesterday. "And deeper else--our chief concern, And study at this hour-- Find if their guns are hither aimed; Or, with divided power, "Cleft from the rearward of their force, While we stand here attent; Or farther south, or farther north, They mean to make descent. "Brooklyn to them is vantage-ground. Find what you can. To know The mischief in a foeman's thought Is half to foil a foe. "The moon goes down"--"By nine," said Hale. Said Knowlton: "Nay, at ten." "Can you be off so soon as that?" "I hardly think by then: "Nor would--for let me plead that I, Herein, may yield my breath; And mine affairs I would devise As if before my death. "God knows what hearts may crack for this. But failure, or no fail, To-morrow morning I'll be there, As I am Nathan Hale." "Bravely, my boy! Such soul as this Is better than a host. To dare is little, if to dare Unmindful of the cost." 3. The night was broadly overcast, And the scant moon and stars, From the dim dungeons of the clouds, Looked through their iron bars.